Vehicle Connectivity

Vehicle Connectivity

by John Koehler1 Comment
**This post contains affiliate links and the publisher may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on these links.**   In the initial article of this series "The More Things Change..." we set the stage for discussing the four major innovations in automotive - either manufacturing, usage, or both - that are in development now and have been rolled out only in the early stages or to a small amount of the overall market.  While each of the four innovations: Connected Cars, All-Electric Cars, Car Sharing, and Self-Driving Cars, are generally independent of each other, vehicle connectivity is most important to achieving the other three innovations sooner, and is also the further along now, but there's still much more to come.   First and foremost, the "Internet of Things" (IoT) is the idea that every thing would be connected to the internet, and the common, and mundane, example then provided is that even your toaster will be connected to the internet (even...
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At The Dealership

At The Dealership

by John Koehler Comment Closed
**This post contains affiliate links and the publisher may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on these links.**   You’re at the dealership surrounded by shiny, new vehicles. Your eyes are dazzled by brilliant colors, glittering rims, and your senses are completely overwhelmed with the rush of that new car smell. You’ve done the research and know you want to lease a new car. You look up and the smiling car salesman is walking toward you. He shakes your hand and asks how he can help you. You mention the car you’ve had your eye on, and together you glide across the showroom floor. Here it is, your dream car, and you’re ready to slip into the driver’s seat and take her for a spin. The dealer takes your driver’s license, grabs the keys, and you make your way to the lot. Your fingers grip the steering wheel; its a perfect fit in your palms. The sun is shining, and...
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Leasing vs. The Most Powerful Force in the Universe – II

by John Koehler Comment Closed
**This post contains affiliate links and the publisher may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on these links.** In part 1 of this series we set the stage for why leasing is better than borrowing because the rent charge is simple interest while the finance charge on the loan is compound interest. Now, let's look at three cases: Great credit (3% APR), Good Credit (6% APR), and borderline Fair Credit (12% APR).  Obviously these are simply a single point within what are three good size ranges, but this example is best because we're doubling the APR each time.  Here's the deal, and we'll compare both financing and leasing: Now, let's look at the impact of the 3%, 6%, and 12% APR (and equivalent money factor) on the actual monthly payment, the finance/rent charge, and the equity position after 36 months: Notes about the table: The bolded figures represent the better deal for the consumer for the given credit profile. The "Net Payments...
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Leasing an “Old” New Car

by John Koehler Comment Closed
Is is Worth Leasing an "Old" New Car? **This post contains affiliate links and the publisher may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on these links.**   As we reach mid-June there are still more 2016 vehicles listed as new cars for sale than there are 2018 vehicles listed for sale.  Overall, there are about 103,000 new 2016 vehicles listed for sale nationwide, which is about 4% of the total new car inventory currently listed for sale*. All of these cars will eventually be sold, it's just a matter of when and at what price.  Lease Wizard doesn’t recommend for or against considering these vehicles for lease (or purchase) versus more conventional new cars – those with a 2017 or 2018 model year, but instead here are some things to consider that can help you make an informed choice: At some point in each year a manufacturer usually cuts off incentive support for these “old” new cars – the ones with...
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