Experience with Lease and Warranty

[jrb517]

Has anyone had a bad experience with their dealer providing service on a lease after you've modified it? The only things I've done and are planning on doing are cosmetic (Rocker steps, stubby antenna) but I'm wondering if it will affect the lease agreement at all. I couldn't find anything in mine about modifications. I have some rubicon take-offs lined up from a JLUR and I'm hoping it shouldn't cause a problem with the dealership, as long as I put the old ones back on at lease end. Thanks!

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[Alabama Mud Machine]

From what I have read... As long as nothing is permanently modified (welded to the frame, cut up, or drilled into the body), you SHOULD be ok. Mine is a lease, and I have been modding mine little by little, since I got it, but I also plan on buying it out at the end of the lease...So, as long as they don’t try to screw me on my warranty and service, while it’s under warranty, then I’m cool with it. If the dealer wants to be an ass about it, I’ll take it to my local tire shop 1 mile down from the dealership, where they don’t give a damn.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Has anyone had a bad experience with their dealer providing service on a lease after you've modified it? The only things I've done and are planning on doing are cosmetic (Rocker steps, stubby antenna) but I'm wondering if it will affect the lease agreement at all. I couldn't find anything in mine about modifications. I have some rubicon take-offs lined up from a JLUR and I'm hoping it shouldn't cause a problem with the dealership, as long as I put the old ones back on at lease end. Thanks!

Modifications on a lease are between you and the leasing company, who are the actual owners of the vehicle. Dealers who don't want to service modified vehicles are going to be that way whether it is purchased or leased. Once it's sold to the leasing company, it's just another vehicle to service, they don't have a financial interest in it any longer.

Making modifications to a leased vehicle are like making improvements to a rented home. It cannot lower the value, and it has to stay when you leave, or it has to be returned to it's original condition, at your expense.

 

[jrb517]

Thanks! As of now I'm planning on buying it at lease-end, but just wanted to make sure they wont give me a hard time when i show up with more goodies every time I get an oil change

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Sometimes the lease company can be real "anal" - we once leased an F350 Crew Cab to pull our fifth wheel. So, we installed the fifth wheel hitch and everything was fine. At the lease end we wanted to buy it out and the lease company sent us to the dealer for an inspection - they wanted to verify that we didn't owe any mileage penalties. The dealer checked everything over and the first thing they said was "Why did you install that fifth wheel hitch in the bed?" We had to explain that the reason we had the truck was to pull a fifth wheel, and we were buying the truck anyway, so it didn't matter that there were 8 non-OEM holes in the bed. We still had to convince the lease company that we didn't "lower the value" of the truck.

That was the first, and last, vehicle that we ever leased.

 

[Cleankat]

The dealer couldn't care less if your car is financed or leased.

 

[UseThe4orce]

Mine is leased and the dealer did the lift kit and programming for the larger tires.

 

[jrb517]

Sometimes the lease company can be real "anal" - we once leased an F350 Crew Cab to pull our fifth wheel. So, we installed the fifth wheel hitch and everything was fine. At the lease end we wanted to buy it out and the lease company sent us to the dealer for an inspection - they wanted to verify that we didn't owe any mileage penalties. The dealer checked everything over and the first thing they said was "Why did you install that fifth wheel hitch in the bed?" We had to explain that the reason we had the truck was to pull a fifth wheel, and we were buying the truck anyway, so it didn't matter that there were 8 non-OEM holes in the bed. We still had to convince the lease company that we didn't "lower the value" of the truck.

That was the first, and last, vehicle that we ever leased.

Strange that they cared about what happened to the value at all, considering you were buying it out. On mine, the buy-out price was finalized on the lease agreement. I was just worried in case I do decide to give it up in the end, but it seems like I don't have to be! Thanks guys

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

Strange that they cared about what happened to the value at all, considering you were buying it out. On mine, the buy-out price was finalized on the lease agreement. I was just worried in case I do decide to give it up in the end, but it seems like I don't have to be! Thanks guys

If you have a JTR, you will be ahead of the game on trade-in value. I should owe about $28K on mine residual, I estimate in 3 years it will still be worth $40-45K no problem (maybe more since new prices constantly rise, bringing the used market with it), as long as I keep the miles low, and keep it well maintained, and don’t beat on it too hard.

I base that estimated value off of used JKUR and JLUR prices from individuals and dealerships around me.

 

[Sazabi19]

Sometimes the lease company can be real "anal" - we once leased an F350 Crew Cab to pull our fifth wheel. So, we installed the fifth wheel hitch and everything was fine. At the lease end we wanted to buy it out and the lease company sent us to the dealer for an inspection - they wanted to verify that we didn't owe any mileage penalties. The dealer checked everything over and the first thing they said was "Why did you install that fifth wheel hitch in the bed?" We had to explain that the reason we had the truck was to pull a fifth wheel, and we were buying the truck anyway, so it didn't matter that there were 8 non-OEM holes in the bed. We still had to convince the lease company that we didn't "lower the value" of the truck.

That was the first, and last, vehicle that we ever leased.

Wait... what? If you're buying it out of lease the mileage shouldn't matter along with any mods to the vehicle. The stipulations are in place for if you end your lease and turn it back in. At least that's how it is in my state. Maybe your state is exceptionally stupid. Can I guess Cali? NY? NJ? lol Here in IN it would be illegal for them to try any of that BS per the lease agreement. If you want to buy it out what they think is null and void. The only thing that sucks is if you're upside down you're still paying the initially agreed upon price at the time of lease. Meh.

 

[Jt2187]

Wait... what? If you're buying it out of lease the mileage shouldn't matter along with any mods to the vehicle. The stipulations are in place for if you end your lease and turn it back in. At least that's how it is in my state. Maybe your state is exceptionally stupid. Can I guess Cali? NY? NJ? lol Here in IN it would be illegal for them to try any of that BS per the lease agreement. If you want to buy it out what they think is null and void. The only thing that sucks is if you're upside down you're still paying the initially agreed upon price at the time of lease. Meh.

Agreed, if you are buying out the lease there shouldn't be any mileage penalties or inspection, at least that's how it is here in IL too. You can arrange the purchase directly with the leasing company and not even have to go to the dealer.

 

[WXman]

I've leased trucks and Jeeps of all brands. Not once has a rep from the bank ever showed up at my house to inspect the vehicle. If they're getting paid monthly, they couldn't care less. Mod it however you like.

I've also never paid mileage penalties. And trade in works exactly the same. Satisfy the payoff amount and you're good to go.

There is so much misinformation about leases floating around.

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