JLT

Thinking about a 3rd party warranty from Warranty Gold.. $1925 for 5 yrs/75000.

dhodory

Regardless of whether or not you purchase an extended warranty, the idea of leasing a vehicle for 5 years is probably not a good one. The whole concept of leasing is based on only "paying" for the part of the vehicle you use. The question is, at what point are you "using" the whole vehicle? I would probably also suggest that even though you are getting into a lower monthly payment . . . . being "locked into" a car for 5 years is a pretty big decision. At least in a buy situation you've got the opportunity to "get out" on your own terms (sell vehicle, pay off loan). In a lease situation, while you can still sell the vehicle and payoff the remainng part of the lease, the entity leasing you the vehicle is going to charge you a premium to do so (much more than your typical early loan payoff fee). If you can't afford to lease on a shorter term (or buy) . . . wait.

From someone who made that mistake already. . . .

JLT

Although you're locked in for 5 years... 5 years in a great car is maybe better than 3 in a lesser one, then another 3 in another lesser one...

What do you think?

dhodory

that to get "under" what your employer's "maximum" approved monthly payment, you're going to try to take the term all the way out to 5 years? From your perspective that's great. Free S4. However, your employer SHOULD (and probably will) be concerned. After year 3 (in any car, really) maintenance costs go up SIGNIFICANTLY (especially with Audi, as after year 3, your employer will need to start paying the maintenance fees). If you can "slide" this one past them, good for you. But at the same time, you'd better hope you're in "good graces" when years 4 and 5 role around (and when things will presumably start breaking on the S4), because if you're not, you will have just done yourself (and your career) some damage.

My advice would be to lease the vehicle for 3 years and pay the difference between what your company allows and what the lease payment is. At the end of the 3 years you could even purchased your used S4 and then go a lease (via your company) a new "daily driver" while you keep the miles low on the S4 that you're paying on personally.

Just a thought.