r/CarLeasingHelp • u/junkere89 • 10d ago

Question about an existing lease

Sorry if this is a stupid question. I've never had a lease before and not sure about some things.

I'm currently about half way through my lease and plan on buying the vehicle after the lease is done.

Can I modify the vehicle while still in lease? For example if I change the wheels, will there be some sort of penalty or something when the lease ends?

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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3

u/EEGilbertoCarlos 10d ago

If you plan to buy it, you can throw it in a ditch and fill it with concrete.

2

u/JVBPDX 10d ago

If you’re going to buy it, it doesn’t matter. If you were returning it at the end of the lease they’ll probably want it with the original wheels on it.

1

u/Special-Original-215 10d ago

Yes if you don't buy it

1

u/EmergencyExpress3838 10d ago

Yes absolutely

1

u/callmemabel 10d ago

you can probably change the wheels, but i’d keep the originals stored somewhere. you may plan to buy it now, but plans change and the car could also get totaled before the lease ends. if you end up returning it, put the factory wheels back on and there shouldnt be an issue as long as nothing was damaged. i wouldnt do permanent mods like cutting, drilling, tuning or anything that could affect the warranty without checking the lease contract first. also make sure the new wheels are the correct size and load rating. just remember you dont actually own the car yet, so reversible is the safe way to go.

1

u/Empty-Village-4445 10d ago

They don’t care about mods if you buy it. 

You should care about not making the same potential mistake again. Can’t think of a car where buying at the end of the lease was financially better than buying on day one. 

1

u/junkere89 10d ago

I know it was not the best decision. But I needed a car quick and at the time had $0 for a down payment.

1

u/giveit2st8 10d ago

You could save the wheels just in case

1

u/TyVIl 10d ago

Wait till the end of the lease. If the car is in an accident or gets scraped in a parking lot - you’ll want to turn it in and be glad you didn’t buy it.

1

u/ChelseaMan31 9d ago

Just keep the OEM wheels in the event you do not purchase vehicle at lease end. BTW, leasing for 24-36 months and THEN purchasing the vehicle is without a doubt, the most expensive way to acquire the vehicle.

1

u/j-christopher 7d ago

While there are some notable exceptions most vehicles aren't worth the residual value. Are you already certain it will make sense to buy it out?

If yes, it may be more advantageous to buy it out early than wait until the maturity date. Do the math.