Just a little background on my scenario, I have leased my trucks for the last 12 years. They are a 2 yr lease and I seem to come out pretty well on them. My lease on my 2010 Lariat is up in July so I have a decision to make. Lease a new one or buy out my current lease. Buyout is around $28,000.
My 2010 Lariat is the best truck I have leased to date hands down. I ordered it the way I wanted it and absolutely love the truck.
Yesterday, I went to my local dealer and drove a new 2012 Ecoboost. It was nice with the little changes like the new 4" display by the gauges, select shift transmission and the added power of the Ecoboost engine. Last night I went on Ford's website to build the truck I want and it comes to about $49,000. This is about $2,000 higher than my 2010 was with pretty much the same options.
I'm undecided if I should just buy my 2010 or jump into the 2012. Has anyone made the jump from a 2010 to a 2012 and were you happy with your decision? Thanks, doocrue

 

There have been some pretty major changes since you leased yours.

1. New engines
2. Transmission changes
3. Axle changes
4. EPAS, (Electric Power Assist Steering)
5. Productivity center in the gauge cluster
6. Upgraded SYNC in that it seems to be working better now.
7. Over all better MPG's and more power.

 

Well you have to ask yourself if all the changes from the 2010 to the 2012 are worth the extra expense to you. From what I hear there are some really nice differences...and you are not talking a whole lot of money difference. Since you are used to leasing...I would say why not, part of the fun of leasing is having the new options every other year! (Speaking from a gadget guy perspective)

 

Yes, I know the nice part of leasing is getting the new stuff and not having to pay for the upkeep like tires, batteries, and the other little things once warranty has expired unless you purchase an extended warranty. Yes, I did forget about the new electric assist power steering. I noticed that right away how easy it was to turn the wheel.

 

I drive a 2010 for work, and based on my experiences, i think the features that the 12's have are worth the trade.

the select shift, in particular, and i think the convinence (sp?) package is pretty nice too. I do think the EcoBoost will get you better mileage than the 5.4 as well. the 36gallon tank is available with the EB in '12 as well.

JMHO, but i'd take a 12 over a 10, based on features alone ... but i might take an 11 with Limited Slip over a 12 with the Electronic Locker. But i'd take an 12 with a 36gallon fuel tank over an 11 with the 26gallon tank.

 

Mine has the 36 gallon tank which is sweet when you are pulling something, not always stopping to fill. I also have the max tow package on mine. I have a question about the Max tow package on the '12. Does it come with the heavier rear springs with the max tow package? My '10 did when I ordered it with the max tow package?

 

If you don't mind me asking: how much is a lease like that per month, and when you got your truck in 2010, did you need a down payment?

 

Lease payment is $620/month for a 24 month lease. Sticker price was $46,900 and I think dealer brought it down to like $41,000. I put $0 down (that has been the case with all the trucks I have leased). Just 1st payment plus tax and license.

 

That sounds pretty reasonable. So you paid $15K over two years, plus $28K residual value (or whatever it's called) for a truck that I would guess could have been bought outright for maybe $38K - $39K or so back then. That's roughly $4K - $5K extra for the privilege of leasing if you'd now buy it. Not too bad, but it does get kinda pricey if you keep on getting a new truck every couple years.
I guess you need to decide if it's worth it to you: the upgrades since 2010 are nice and significant, but likely it will always be that way. It is not cheap to always drive the latest ....

 

OUCH...that is just as much as buying the vehicle damn near.

 

I really don't see anything wrong with that. A bit steep for me for one vehicle but I haven't been without a car payment since 1992 and I've had to make a couple of repairs, buy tires and perform maintenance.

 

Yeah, it's not cheap but owning them isn't cheap either. If you figure a $35,000 vehicle with a 5 yr loan you are nearly at $600/month payment without figuring interest. Plus after it's paid off more times than not you will buy a new one when you have title in hand. Either way it is costly.

 

There is a slight difference here though. In the 5 year loan payment scenario - while having a similar payment compared to your lease - one will own a truck after the 5 year period which at that time is probably still worth at least $15K - $20K. That in fact would cut the cost in half (or less) over the five years comparing it to your lease scenario where you keep on paying more than $600 every month forever and never own anything. But you do get a new truck every other year.
With buying, and if you keep the truck for a while, you'll eventually end up with no payment at all, because the savings will compound over time and you just buy the new truck. But then again - that would mean not to have all the new bells and whistles all the time.
It comes down to what your preferences are, how much you like new trucks and how much it's worth to you. But it does cost a LOT of money to swap every couple years. I try to keep my vehicles for around 10 years, even though I traded my last truck after only 6 years, but I only lost $7K total (that's under $100 a month).

 

The other question you have to ask yourself is, will you be happy with a used truck for the next 5 years. That puts you into a 7 year old truck. You have had 6 new trucks in the last 12 years, seem like you like new things, as I do. I bet if you look back on all your other trucks, they were about $2000 more each time or at least $1000 more. Everything goes up in price and it will never change.