End of Car Lease Situation

[JOHNNIE36]

Wonder if anyone has run into this situation relative to leased vehicles. I have leased our cars for the last four vehicles. In the past, we have been getting the new leased car while turning in the old one. Never had any problems. This is the first time we have leased the new one (2011 Honda CRV) before the leased expired on the old one (08 Saturn Vue). We leased the new Honda Jan 21st and Saturn lease didn't expire until Mar 31st. So I decided to keep driving it since it was paid through the end of March.

So, I go to the old Saturn/Cadillac dealer to turn the car in and was shocked as to how this was handled. Had received letters from Ally Bank (formally GMAC) about what to expect at end of lease. Checks for wear and tear, dents, excess mileage, etc. I turned it in spotless and 4000 miles under the limit. So the Cadillac dealer doing the paperwork on the Saturn goes out to check my vehicle and all he looks at is the mileage to make sure it wasn't over the limit. Has me sign some papers relative to me actually turning in the car and I give him the keys and he gives me a receipt. I say, is that all there is to it? He tells me that Ally will be in to look at the car in four or five days and if they find anything wrong they will send me a detailed explanation along with a bill for any damages. I say "BOLOGNA! "What if it gets damaged while parked on your lot? Who knows what happened?" He says they have never had a problem. Right! I'd be the first problem. Anyway, I make the dealer rep take a walk arould the car and look at it for dents, etc. and take i pictures with my cell phone. He agrees that everything is great but doesns't write anything down.

This was my first experience with just turning in a car and I can''t get over what a "loosey, goosey" system this was. We're talking about turning in a car worth about $15K, giving them the keys, I get a receipt and we're done. Anybody experience anything like this? If not, be careful. I can see lots of problems here.

[NW Landlady]

I have leased several vehicles because it is a Business Use Auto & the expensing of lease payments was attractive on my business balance sheet.

I hate to admit it, but when I turned in my leased autos they were in horrible less than perfect condition in a lot of ways related to my business...like cans of paint, bleach, caulk & other caustic materials had somehow gotten loose in the vehicle...

Never once was I charged for these issues. I was told by some dealers that they want to keep your business (future) if at all possible and rarely make damage charges. It may vary from dealer to dealer & class of vehicle as well.

Hope you have a similar experience.