Long story as promised:
My current car is a humble 2021 Honda Passport EX-L AWD in nice blue. The reason for this specific car it was an amazing deal upgrading from back then 2018 Subaru Outback Limited. While I lost built-in Navigation, with my Passport I gained a big step up in cargo space and with Car play, the navigation isn't an issue anyway. Just plug in your phone. The original 3-year lease was to end this April, but I spoke with the leasing bank and extended it for another 6 months, now ending toward the end of October.
I considered buying out the passport, but due to somewhat "high" mileage - currently at 34k miles I can see tires, breaks, and probably a few other wear items would need replacement soon, making the next maintenance a likely expensive one. I have saved enough to do so, but I wanted to explore new leases first. The car has a few minor scratches on the paint and a few recent rim damage on the passenger side courtesy of my wife losing a war with a sidewalk. I also still have 2 payments on it.
On leasehackr forums, I found a deal for a 2024 Honda Passport EX-L AWD with 5k down, should've been around $369/m for 3 years/10k miles per year miles. Per my previous experience best way to get the deal is to my local car dealer and have them honor the same deal.
In addition just in time for Labor Day, my local Honda dealer sent out an email with this offer:
5k down and $375/m for Honda Pilot EX-L AWD with 36m/10k miles. FEES AND TAXES NOT INCLUDED.
So I wasn't been born yesterday I made an appointment, walked into to dealer, and told the guy - I know you have this great deal advertised and I know FEES AND TAXES NOT INCLUDED in the deal, so how much it would be in total? I also clearly stated that 5k is ALL I WANTED TO SPEND TODAY. Included everything.
After a customary wait time, the sales guy comes back and shows me a paper showing a deal for $375 per month and saying that he will honor the deal for either Pilot EX-L or Passport EX-L. Given the prior clearly more expensive car, and while I don't need 3rd row, it might be useful sometimes, it's a brainer I told him to lets go with Pilot EX-L. As I'm not too picky on color (anything but white) - we settle on a model finished in gray with a dark gray leather interior - a fairly classic and tasteful combo.
After spending the next nearly 2 hours checking my car, credit check, and a bunch of paperwork, I finally was invited to nearly the last step of signing an actual new lease by talking to the finance manager. And here the hammer drops - all this time sales guy hid a "little" fact from me - the FEES and TAXES WERE NOT INCLUDED AFTER ALL and If I still want the lease then my downpayment would be not $5k but nearly $10k. WTF.
I am pissed off, but try to stay cool - ok I tell him, how about we consider a new Passport EX-L lease. Best for the dealer to cover one of two payments on the passport. Made ME responsible for any excessive damage to my current car. And his best offer was $389/m with 5k down. Threatening walking out didn't help and I did.
The story isn't ending here as now I emailed the NY Honda dealer which I mentioned above from leasehackr and guess what - the deal was for the 2024 Passport which are now all gone, and the new 2025 Passport deal was over $420/m with 5k down.
You can see why I am so frustrated with this crap.
