I started lurking in this forum about a week ago and I've decided an S2000 is for me. I'm going to lease one for 2 years but I have a question about the hardtop. Has anyone been able to residualize the hardtop as part of the lease?

I've heard that you can residualize the rear spoiler but not the front spoiler. Any idea why?

My bank has told me that they can residualize any option as long as it is a factory option and not an aftermarket option. They are trying to get me more detail as to what that means regarding the hardtop. (It comes from the factory but it has to be ordered through the parts department...does this mean it's a factory option or an aftermarket option?) I really want the hardtop but I don't want to purchase the hardtop outright. I've heard that Honda's leasing company will residualize $1000 worth of the hardtop leaving me having to pay for the other $1500-$2000. If that's the case, I don't think it'd be worth it...any idea how to get them to residualize all of it?

Thanks,
David

 

Yeah they stick it to you with options on leasing. One of the reasons i dont care for it. I wonder if they'd miss the roof when you returned the car?

Yes the roof is a factory option not aftermarket. Its going into winter, sales are slow, you might want to say the only thing stopping you from getting the car is you don't want to pay $2000 for a roof that goes back with the car in 2 years. Its an excellent option to get but its very overpriced compared to other roadster hardtops.

If all else fails buy the roof AFTER you get the car from someplace who can get you a deal on it. Then resell it after you trade in the car. You'll probably be able to recoup at least half of what you paid for it.

 

Thanks for the info.

I leased a Dodge Dakota in 1998 and I was able to residualize anything and everything. Any dealer installed option was considered part of the lease and residualized at the 72% residual rate. I added a bedliner, brush guard, some plastic things around the windows to deflect the air, mudflaps, and many other small add ons. As long as it was installed by the dealer, it was part of the lease. I'm guessing this is not allowed any more or perhaps different banks have different rules?

Does anyone know why you can residualize the rear spoiler but not the front spoiler? This does not make sense to me. Also, does anyone know about residualizing the hardtop?

Thanks,
David

 

I leased mine through Honda (read Chase) and was told that everything including the roof is residualized if it is on the car at the time of purchase. Now obviously the roof doesn't phisically need to be on the car, however it does need to be there at the time of purchase so that it can be written into the agreement.

I decided not to get the roof until I went through one winter with my car to determine if I really needed it or not.

 

Bad news. My lender will not allow me to residualize anything that is not on the car when it ships from the factory. No hardtop or spoilers or anything. Honda's finance company will allow me to residualize the rear wing and only $1000 worth of the hardtop. So I'd end up having to pay $1500 for the hardtop for 2 years and I wouldn't own the hardtop in the end or be able to purchase just the hardtop.

Does anyone know of a bank that will let you residualize the hardtop and spoilers?

My bank said it needs to be on the invoice from the factory in order for them to residualize anything.

Thanks,
David