As Higher Interest Rates Spur Auto Leasing, the Infiniti G35 Continues Hot Streak on LeaseCompare.com Top 10 List
As Higher Interest Rates Spur Auto Leasing, the Infiniti G35 Continues Hot Streak on LeaseCompare.com Top 10 List
Cincinnati, OH - Nov 17, 2004. Automobile Consumer Services, Inc. (ACS), the leader in online direct-to-consumer auto leasing, released a list of the top 10 most requested vehicles from its popular auto leasing website LeaseCompare.com for the third quarter of 2004. The Infiniti G35 has remained in the number one spot in new car leasing for the sixth straight quarter.
The Top 10 Most Requested Models
New Car Rankings
3rd Qtr 2nd Qtr
2004 2004 Make & Model
1 1 Infiniti G35
2 2 BMW 330 Series
3 4 Acura TL
4 5 BMW 325 Series
5 3 Honda Accord
6 nl" BMW 5 Series
7 6 Audi A4
8 7 Mercedes Benz E Class
9 8 Honda Pilot
10 9 Acura MDX
Used Car Rankings
3rd Qtr 2nd Qtr
2004 2004 Make & Model
1 6 Porsche 911
2 1 BMW 330 Series
3 2 BMW 5 Series
4 7 BMW 7 Series
5 9 Mercedes Benz S Class
6 8 Mercedes Benz CLK Class
7 nl* Mercedes Benz CL Class
8 3 Mercedes Benz E Class
9 nl* Mercedes Benz SL Class
10 10 Porsche Boxster
nl* = not previously listed
"As interest rates rise, leasing becomes more popular." says Tarry Shebesta, President of ACS and a certified lease consultant. "For a typical car, the monthly payment can be 20% lower with a 39 month lease than with a 60 month loan.
For the first time in five years no American brand vehicles were represented on the list. The zero percent finance programs and customer rebates that have been so popular since 2001 have taken their toll on residual values. These incentives continue to hurt resale value on vehicles.
The new car list is split with German and Asian makes while the used car list is dominated by only German lines. These manufacturers do a great job of balancing special lease programs while maintaining a strong resale value.
LeaseCompare.com, as the name suggests, provides a tool to instantly evaluate leasing options from a number of sources. Customers can lock in the lease quote they like and apply for credit online. ACS facilitates leases that customers choose from LeaseCompare.com.
