Is it a good idea to buy a car or will you be better off leasing one? Car leasing certainly has its perks as you don’t have to worry about maintenance and repair costs in the long run. With a lease, you also have the options of swapping cars if you find a better deal.

A few important options you must consider while comparing car leasing options:

Type of car
You cannot just walk into a dealership and pick any available car. You must narrow down your choices beforehand based on the brands, features, and other aspects. Since not all dealerships feature lease deals on all mainstream brands, it pays to research well. Knowing exactly what you want sets a great first impression and it won’t be easy for the dealer to persuade you into any tricky deal.

Read reviews
How do you find a good restaurant? You go online, read reviews, check out the place, and compare it with other restaurants. When you go to such lengths to find the best places to eat, it only makes sense to read and find out more about car leasing in general. There are many online resources that provide authentic and reliable dealer reviews or ratings to sort the best from the rest.

Assess the cost
Once you have found the car you are interested in, consider various costs. These include the amount of down payment, the total cost of the car, the mileage limit for fuel costs, and the buyout or purchase price available to the lessee. Kelley Blue Book has credible information online to compare costs and ensure that the dealer doesn’t overcharge you for the lease.

Compare
Similar to how you would compare insurance before calling up the provider, you can contact several car dealership’s online sales department and ask for an estimate of the lease. When you have a fair idea of the total cost of the lease, it is easy to negotiate terms and agree on a fair price deal.

Check inventory
Most dealerships stock the cars that you are looking to lease. Alternatively, there are some instances where one dealer will contact another dealer to secure a model for a small commission. Either way, you will get the car at a slightly higher price. However, you will enjoy the upper hand with a stock car that is already available with the dealership. There are multiple online resources available to help you check for inventory through your ZIP code.

Negotiate well
It is not uncommon to succumb under advertising and sales pressure and overpay for car leasing options. If you are not confident about talking numbers and specifics with the dealer, take someone with you who can negotiate and get a good deal. Bring along a car buff who knows what is under the hood and how much it is worth. Having someone know about cars will help you get a better deal.