Auto Leases Back on Track; Best New Car Lease Deals for September 2012

A few years back, leasing looked to be in danger of almost becoming a dinosaur. After going strong for years, shoppers—presumably reacting to the recession in 2008—turned abruptly away from leasing. During his Presidency, George W. Bush had promoted an “ownership society.” As far as cars were concerned, at least, the desire for ownership rather than accepting a limited-term lease looked to be the wave of the future.

Well, things change; and within a year, the number of people turning back to leasing began to grow—slowly but steadily. In April-June of 2012, leasing accounted for 24.4 percent of new vehicles financed. That happens to be the same lease percentage seen back in 2008, before leasing took a precipitous slide downward (only 17.7 percent in the second quarter of 2009). More...