Lease Vs Purchase: Advice?

[mangoman007]

We are thinking of leasing a new car. Am I correct in assuming that a "lease" here is just a loan of sorts:

Selling price& interest/term=monthly payments?

Need proof of income?

Anyone know of a good leasing company?

[thailoht]

I didn't know Thai motor dealerships offered leasing options. I, too, am looking forward to learning the details.....

[aussiebebe]

All car dealerships offer hire-purchase through banks or finance companies where you choose the down payment, term and the interest rate is fixed. Conditions vary wildly between companies depending on whether they require proof of income, work permits or a Thai national to act as a guarantor but paying a large down payment of up to 50% can negate some of these requirements.

Luxury brands such as BMW offer hire-purchase with balloon - this reduces the monthly payments as there is a final payment to be made based on the resale value of the vehicle - this payment can in turn be refinanced.

A popular option in Thailand for business owners are leases, again only offered by luxury brands, as the repayments are tax deductible if the vehicle is declared to be a company car. Leases have the optional final payment and leases with balloon payments are also available. This helps to explain the ever-present mass of red-plated Mercedes, Audis and BMWs in Thailand as many business owners prefer to pay off the lease and then return the car and start the whole thing again with a new one. Nothing screams 'status' in Thai society more than a red-plated luxury car.

[thailoht]

All car dealerships offer hire-purchase through banks or finance companies where you choose the down payment, term and the interest rate is fixed.......This helps to explain the ever-present mass of red-plated Mercedes, Audis and BMWs in Thailand as many business owners prefer to pay off the lease and then return the car and start the whole thing again with a new one. Nothing screams 'status' in Thai society more than a red-plated luxury car.

As a lifelong 'ye olde everyday working-stiff commoner', no wonder I wasn't privy to the facts of auto leasing here in LOS!