I'm new to the site. Wish I had found this sooner. Was wondering where others might be. I had an 04' Coupe on lease for 39 months. Lease was due in July. Went in to see the dealer this weekend and they made a deal on a 06' Roadster Limited. Picked it up for 26K.

Buy out was $19,800. They would not re-negotiate the lease. Was told that leases are insured against a drop in value at turn-in. They take the cars to auctions and are paid by the insurance companies against a loss. So even it goes for 12 or 13k at auction, they get the difference on the lease buy-out anyway. Dealers here in NJ have no control over the car. They say it is pick-up by trailer and they never see it again. Stops them from buying it back.

Anyway, my advise is to turn it in and make a deal on 06' if you can.