Have you ever heard a person mention car leasing and nodded his or her head without knowing what they were talking about? Or worse, have you jumped into a lease agreement headfirst only to realize that you are swimming in penalties and regrets? You are not alone, all right. The internet is almost awash with stories of the so-called clueless dudes (and dudettes) who got roasted to death because they were not aware of the ins and outs of car leasing. But guess what? You don’t have to be one of them! We come to spill the tea, to de-jargon, and to give you all the knowledge you need to be a seasoned pro in the leasing world.

To begin with, it is important to clarify what car leasing is, as it is not likely to be what you think. The essence of a lease is a sweet deal between you and a car dealer. You get to drive a shiny new car over a certain period of time and in the process, you get to pay a down payment and those reliable monthly payments. It is like a long-term rental, though that should not mislead you into believing that it is as casual as renting a Zipcar and taking it out on a daytrip. It is a legal contract, a type of financing, and it has its own rulebook. You are basically paying the estimated lost value of the car (i.e. depreciation) over the lease period, and interest on the money that you borrowed to finance the lease. Simple? Not completely, but completely comprehensible when one is familiar with the ropes.

Leasing a car may be a great solution when you need a car but only temporarily, or when you simply cannot afford to bear the full cost of owning a car at the moment. Even in 2023, leased cars made up one-fifth of new car sales, likely due to those averaging about 5% interest rates on 60-month financing offers. The MVPs were pickup trucks, and 2.5 million of them were leased in 2021, whereas only 1 million cars, Honda and Ford were the leaders. However, you have to get carried away by the new car smell before you forget that there are several things that you absolutely, positively need to consider to save yourself a ton of money and a mountain of headaches in the future. We are going to take a plunge into the greatest errors that individuals commit when renting a vehicle, so that you can prevent yourself into a tight spot.

Leasing or purchasing when it is not making sense

This is the point at which most people fall at the very beginning. The question of whether to lease or to purchase is not about which option is better than the other, but which option suits you and your lifestyle. The average non-luxury vehicle was shaken with an average price of 44,700 in July 2023. Ouch! And get this: cars are depreciated at a rate of approximately 12 percent per annum in the first five years. Besides, the loan interest rates were soaring to 7.51% in September 2023, which translates to an additional $801.71 on every 40,000 borrowed. So, it is quite comprehensible to think twice before purchasing new.

Leasing is likely to be your jam in case you are not interested in a long-term commitment, want a smaller downpayment, and enjoy the thought of having a new ride every few years. It allows you to skip that huge initial expense and the large percentage of depreciation of a car. Also, as the context notes, when you want a car at its optimum and you do not want to pay the full price at the start, then leasing is certainly the way to go. But when you are a road warrior and intend to cover serious miles on your car, then it may be the wiser bet to buy. Why? Since in the case of owning the car, the number of miles you cover is not the business of anyone, and it would not cost you extra money as compared to leasing which has strict mileage restrictions. Another thing to watch out is the financing terms that exceed 60 months; the monthly payments may seem cheaper but in the long run, you will be paying more in interest. And do not forget that cars lose their structural and financial value after the initial five years, so consider the length of time you actually need it. Although the short-term cost of a lease may appear attractive, it is a fact that the long-term cost of leasing a new car every 2-4 years is more expensive than the cost of purchasing one car and driving it through a number of additional years after the loan has been paid. It is simply a matter of aligning the financial plan to your driving habits and long-term objectives.

Failure to check your credit prior to leasing

Do yourself a favor and get to know your credit score before you even begin to dream of that new car smell. Your credit score is literally your credit report card and dealerships would be happy to see it since it would inform them of the level of safety of a bet you are. This score will have a direct impact on the conditions of your lease.

Experian states that there is no minimum credit score to lease an auto. However, in reality, when your score is performing a little… meh, you may need to pay a higher down payment or be prepared to pay higher regular monthly payments. Spending more cash than is required to do so in the first place, is rather counterproductive to leasing, is it? Then, it is a really clever idea to know you’re rating in advance.

And here is a tip of the hat: do not confuse a hard check and a soft check. A hard check – the type your employer, credit card companies, or, most probably, a car dealership may do – can actually bring your score down by up to 10 points. Yikes! However, a light credit score by your bank or credit union, or those convenient third-party applications and websites? They will be included in your report but will not influence your score. Do yourself a favor, then, and have a soft check first. When you are aware of your position, you will be aware in advance whether you will have to work on establishing your credit before the dealership gets you running that hard check on you. In case your credit score is in need of a little bit of tender, you can certainly build credit in a short time and lease your dream car without necessarily having to empty your pockets.

Not aware of your limit 

Okay, here is the point to listen, since it is a classic clueless-dude trick that can cost you a fortune. Vehicle leases have mileage limits that are very common, and they can be very expensive when not adhered to. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the average annual miles that US motorists drove in May 2022 was 13,476 miles. Men had more miles with an average of 16,550 miles, whereas women had 10,142 miles. Remember these figures, as going over your limit will hurt your pocket.

The majority of dealerships provide standard leases that have a restriction of 15,000 miles per year. However, the best part is that the fines may reach 30 cents per extra mile. An additional 100-300 dollars on every 1000 miles that you exceed the limit! Consider adding an additional 5,000 miles in three years due to underestimation of your commute. That is at least $500 to an outrageous 1500 in unforeseen charges. That is a big killjoy on your budget.

In the case you are a road warrior, that high-mileage lease may seem to be costlier in the short run, but it may save you hundreds of dollars in the long run by letting you rack up additional miles without penalty. You should also consider the estimated annual mileage before you sign. Divide your estimated miles per week by 52 weeks or your estimated miles per month by 12 months. When your calculation falls below the standard limit, then a standard lease may be the cost-effective option. Otherwise, certainly choose the high-mileage lease agreement or, as we have mentioned above, think of purchasing a car altogether. Another thing to keep in mind is that the number of miles you cover in a car has a great impact on the value of a car which may be a problem once you had a plan of paying off the lease and selling your car later. Do not allow some additional miles to become a nightmare in terms of costs.

Fearing to wheel and deal

You think you can’t squeeze out of a lease? WRONG. In earnest, it is not a museum, nothing is final (almost). When you are at the dealership requesting a lease, do not commit the error of thinking that the price is fixed. When they give you the agreement, be careful of the extras that you do not actually need but you will find yourself paying anyway.

Consumer Reports is leaking the beans: the profit margins of car dealerships on the vehicles themselves are usually razor thin. The friends, friends, finance is the real money. With that said, it is quite natural that they should attempt to upsell you. Such additions as etching your vehicle identification number (VIN) into your windows at an extra $200 to $300 are totally unnecessary, as the new cars already have VINs stamped everywhere. Or what about protective rust or paint coating, that would cost you 600 to 800 dollars? The key here is that, provided you wash your car on a regular basis, most car exteriors made today will last you a decade or more. You are paying to have peace of mind that you are likely to have.

Be ready on the standard lease conditions that your dealer will foist on you, which in most cases are entangled in legalese that scares. Being conversant with the definitions of such terms as mileage allowance (the number of miles you are allowed to travel per year) and Gross Capitalized Cost (the price you think your vehicle would fetch at the end of your lease) will make you sound confident and demonstrate that you are knowledgeable. Both of these are negotiable! And here is a large one: make sure to negotiate a lower price of buyout. This is what you will pay the dealership the car at the expiry of the lease period in case you find it impossible to part with your ride and wish to own it. Talking of negotiation, dealers might be more inclined to negotiate the price of your vehicle lease either before a new model comes or before the car you want to lease is at the end of the model year. Timing can be everything.

Leaving out shopping around

It is not the car buying experience of your grandma where you simply walk into the closest lot and point. No, this is the era of the digital world, infant! Like any big purchase, you never, ever wish to buy (or lease) the first thing you come across. By now, hopefully you have a good idea of what you need in a vehicle, how many miles you think you will cover, how many years you are planning to drive it, your budget, and whether you may want to buy the vehicle at the expiry of your lease contract. This is your superpower in terms of shopping around to lease.

And guess what? Dealers agree! According to a survey by Cox Automotive, 87 percent of dealers believe that online shopping solutions save time and provide a more comprehensive experience to the salespeople and the car buyers. In addition, 81 percent of the individuals in the market who are seeking a new car agree with dealers, and it implies that there is relatively high consensus among the market. Therefore, do not be afraid to browse. Check on the exact vehicle that you want to lease and ensure that you support your price comparison with automotive pricing experts such as Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds Car Buying Guide. They are your undercover weapons in the bargaining game. Being aware of your credit rating as we discussed earlier also puts you in a far better position to shop around with a pre-approved car loan rate even before you set foot in the dealership. This is the other huge plus you will have when searching the best rate available. The more alternatives you consider, the higher the chances of getting a deal that will really work.

Failure to service your car

It would likely irritate you should you lend your car to someone you did not know, and they returned it to you in poor condition, right? Well, it will irritate your dealer, too, and you will certainly pay it out of your own pocket. A survey of 1,000 drivers in the United States by MarketWatch found that an astounding 46 percent of drivers with lease agreements were in financial distress directly connected to owning a vehicle with fuel, repairs, regular maintenance, and insurance premiums constituting 41 to 58 percent of the largest expenses. Consequently, a quarter of motorists postpone regular check-ups and required repairs and 31 percent of drivers will attempt to do the maintenance themselves. Don’t be those people!

When you lease a car, the leasing company anticipates that you will take good care of it. That is, it is being a good follower of the maintenance schedule as provided in the owner manual. The positive is that most new cars are offered with some type of free maintenance scheme, so see whether yours is! When you give up your car back to the dealership at the expiry of your lease, your car will be subjected to a rigorous examination. They will be inspecting to see that the car is clean, the fluid levels are good, the gas tank is full, the tire pressure is within the norm, and the oil changed where necessary. All this on top of checking your mileage to make sure that you have not exceeded your limit, therefore make sure to keep records. Whereas dealerships will tolerate reasonable wear and tear of your car- they are not asking it to be factory fresh in a few years- there are clear boundaries that you should not cross. Tires that are less than 3mm of rubber, scrapes over an inch long, burns or tears inside, or any unauthorized upgrades or custom work on your car are all likely to earn you a ding with some additional charges. Maintain that car in good condition to escape those ugly surprise charges.

Failure to research your insurance

You should also check your insurance options before you put your signature on the dotted line, which is in addition to checking your credit score and shopping around on a pre-approved loan rate. This is not a mere formality but a very important financial protection particularly in the case of leasing. Gap insurance is one of the types of coverage that you absolutely must know about.

Gap insurance provides you with additional cover against depreciation in case the actual cash value (ACV) of your leased vehicle is lower than the remaining lease value. In this way, in case your car is stolen or damaged in a serious way (we mean here totaled, people), it helps you to pay off the remaining part of your vehicle loan. This is essential since cars lose their value very quickly, and you might be left with a higher bill than the car is worth in the event of an occurrence of some bad thing. In the case of leasing, the dealership will normally insist that you obtain certain insurance such as comprehensive, collision and of course, gap insurance. These are the coverages that you really require in a leased vehicle.

The national average car insurance is 2,008 per year or 167 per month, so you will be glad to know that you are being under the care of the best in the business. State Farm and Geico are at the head of the list of the best car insurance companies in terms of customer service and cost-consciousness, and USAA is the best option of active military vets and their families. However, to revert to not purchasing more insurance than you require: gap insurance is only relevant when the real cash value of the car is lower than the balance of your lease. When your dealer does not need gap insurance, but gives it to you, do not ignore it. It is that type of better safe than sorry insurance that spares you the big financial headache in the future.

Failure to make a down payment

Although you may have golden credit that does not necessarily require you to pay a big down payment, you must still be ready to pay some money down anyway. Why? Plain and simple because it has a direct impact on your bottom line. Once you have settled on the price of the vehicle (which, as we have seen, you can and should do!), the dealership will then determine your monthly payments based on the balance. The difference between what you will actually pay in the life of lease is huge even with a small down payment.

We will calculate some numbers using the U.S. News and World Report car lease calculator. When the average car cost of a vehicle is considered to be 44,700 over 36 months, the interest rate is estimated to be 9.89, and the residual value is 31,290 (assuming a depreciation rate of 12 per year), the monthly payment will be estimated to be 653. However, the revelation comes here, and with no down payment, that would increase to 720 a month. That is a variation of 97 dollars a month! Although $97 does not seem a huge difference at the initial stage, it can be compared to an extra 36 months of payments of 97, or 1164 per annum. That is actual money, people, that might be in your pocket.

In any case, a larger down payment will definitely lead to a smaller monthly payment, but it goes without saying that according to our calculations, you do not necessarily have to make a huge down payment to realize a significant cost-saving advantage. The amount you need to deposit is actually a matter of the amount you can save and the amount you are willing to pay monthly. In any case, never, never fail to put down a down payment. Your future self (and your bank account) will be thankful.

Failure to transfer your lease before breaking it

Life happens, right? There can be some very legitimate reasons to consider selling the lease of the car to somebody as you are paying the lease. Perhaps you have a new job and a much shorter commute, or unfortunately, you are no longer able to afford to keep making your payments. Whatever the cause, simply handing in your car early will cause a bloody early termination clause, and we guarantee you, you do not want to interfere with that. Dealerships compute this penalty by multiplying the monthly payment with the number of months left unpaid and then deducting the rest. Thousands of dollars in penalties may be staring back at you depending on the amount of time remaining on your lease. Ouch.

But there is a possible savior: leasing out. When you exceeded your mileage limit, you will not be interested in purchasing the vehicle, you cannot afford to make your payments and (this is important) you have a transferable car lease, which, by the way, is one of the things you should request in the negotiation should it not be offered, you can attempt to transfer the lease to another party in the used car market. There are websites such as SwapaLease.com and LeaseQuit.com that are created with the sole purpose of getting your car in front of takers. All the remaining monthly payments, costs, and lease terms are incorporated in a lease transfer. The dealership will even carry out credit check on the individual assuming the lease to make sure that he or she is qualified to assume the lease, so everybody is covered. This is similar to the manner in which you would be signing over a car title except that you are signing over ownership of the lease and not the car itself. This relieves you of the responsibility of making payments, handing over the vehicle upon expiry of the term and the inspection of the vehicle. It is a big relief and a clever way out of such early termination headaches.

Failing to make money on your expired lease

You have been a good leaseholder, have kept the car in a sparkling condition, and paid all the fees. Your lease is about to expire, and you are considering simply returning the keys and walking away? Hold up! In case transferring the lease appears to be too much of a hassle, or you are already paying good and the car is in good condition, then there is a high probability that you can actually make a profit out of your car. Don’t leave cash on the table!

Leaseholders can probably sell the vehicle in cash as long as there is some equity in the vehicle. With our negotiation tips, you would have negotiated a lower price of buying out, which will also be the remaining equity in your car. When the vehicle is still valued at a higher price than the residual value of the vehicle at the termination of your lease, which is the value of the vehicle at the expiry of your lease, and you are less than two months to the expiry of your lease, then, there is a very good possibility that you can sell the vehicle. Although not all lease companies will permit lease buyouts, you can shop the car at various dealerships to determine their interest. Bite them and they will pay you the trade-in price and hand over to your lease company the rest of the money and write you a check. All you need to do is to have your deal written down – no he said, she said when it comes to money!

You might also bypass the dealership and sell your car to another individual. The advantages of this are that you are able to demand a fair price that is above its residual value and you usually have more bargaining power. Even online dealers such as Carvana and Edmunds will have your vehicle appraised and they might even buy it themselves, which is another easy way to get money. That is why you should not simply walk out of your lease; you should investigate your possibilities and may even make that car a nice little paycheck.

Driving off the lot with a lemon

Do not in any way think that leasing obliges you to accept what you are offered and simply live with it. A lemon should not be accepted and should not be tolerated just like any other vehicle purchase. You are entitled to rights and federal and state laws are in your favor! The Lemon Law is created to safeguard consumers against defective purchases of vehicles according to the state and federal jurisdictional regulations. In case the car you lease turns into a dud, you do not have nothing to do about it.

In addition to state-specific Lemon Laws, there are federal laws such as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which safeguard consumers of products valued at $25 or more against unreasonable warranties, by permitting litigation that covers the legal costs. This implies that in case a manufacturer or dealer attempts to rip you off a warranty claim over a defective automobile, you can sue. Also, the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) addresses the issue of contractual sale agreement and guarantees the refund or delivery of a new vehicle to consumers in case the court decides that they were sold a lemon. These two federal laws are reinforced by state laws that are more elaborate in defining what is a lemon.

The golden rule of this situation is as follows: documentation counts! Therefore, retain all the copies of contracts and agreements during leasing of your car. Should it malfunction on you a day after you drive it off the lot or you are in a vicious cycle of repair, then have no fear of speaking up. Be aware of your rights, maintain your paperwork and be firm. You rented a working car, and you should not get less. Being mocked at because you do not know how car leasing works can be really humiliating, yet by not committing these 11 most common mistakes, you are already on your way to being a leasing expert, not a hopeless man. The leasing world is complicated; however, with the proper information, it is all manageable and can be extremely helpful.

Ok, you have educated yourself about the most common rookie errors to avoid in the car leasing business. You are miles ahead of the dumb fools who leap in the dark! However, the thing is that to learn how to avoid pitfalls is not the only way of mastering leasing; it is also about knowing the entire dang landscape. It is about breaking those insidious myths that circulate, cracking the code of lease contracts, and how to play the long game.

Now shall we go deeper still? We will break down the frequently baffling leasing linguistic code, shatter some of the most stubborn myths, arm you with the next-level tactics, and even demonstrate how to nail your exit-plan like a professional. Prepare to become a knowledgeable fanatic to a licensed leasing expert!

Learn the language of clever leasing

Have you ever felt that the car leasing contracts are in foreign language? You’re not alone! The dealers are fond of their intimidating legalese, however, knowing some of the main terms will make you seem like you are confident and, at the same time, know what you are talking about.

First up, the “capital cost.” That is not the sticker price, but the perceived value of the vehicle at the beginning of your lease. Just consider it as a starting point. More importantly, it is amongst the things that you can bargain, which directly influences the monthly payments.

Then the money factor will come next. This small decimal is the interest that the lessor charges. To get a proper idea of the annual rate of interest, multiply it by 2,400. A money factor of 0.0023, which is an example, is made familiar as 5.5%. Now you’re in on the secret!

Then there is the residual value which is the estimated value of the car in which it is after the expiry of your lease. The main difference between the capital cost and this value is what is relied on to make up your monthly payments. Although this is crucial, residual value is usually determined in stone and thus do not anticipate much maneuverability.

Don’t forget the fees! An administrative fee of establishing the lease is the so-called acquisition fee which is about 595 dollars, and which is hardly negotiable by the lessors. The cost is referred to as the disposition fee, typically $350, which is paid at the end of a lease when returning a vehicle, and covers the preparation to sell the vehicle. Being aware of all these preludes.

Lastly, although we briefly mentioned it as an error, it is important to know your mileage allowance as a jargon. This is your annual allowance, averaged to the number of years of the agreement. Break over, and you pay 12 cents to 30 cents a mile over. It is worth remembering, though, that when they are in a minor state of wear and tear, any bit above the minor will earn you a ding. There are certain terms that you should always remember, and you will easily navigate any lease agreement.

Busting the common leasing myths

Corrupted information regarding leasing was disseminated by the internet, friends and family. We shall shatter those stereotypes and put them straight!

Myth 1: Leasing is similar to renting where there are no commitment, down payment or credit checks.

Nope! Car leasing is a financing option, or rather a loan than a rental. It involves the need to have a good credit score, and in many cases, a better score than would be necessarily had a similar loan been obtained, it is a legal agreement. You cannot simply change cars or cut it short without paying a price. Similarly, Leasing is not a method to acquire a car in case of no credit or bad credit.

Myth 2: leasing is always more costly as compared to purchasing and thus a waste of money.

This is often misleading. Comparison of the cost of a lease and the cost of the purchase of a vehicle with the loan, a lease will cost approximately half the price of the purchase vehicle. Leasing also offers the benefit of reduced monthly expenses and less initial expenses. Although the upkeep cost of renting a new car every 2-4 years is more expensive than the one-off purchasing a new car and driving it during some additional years, it is a legitimate, and cheaper, monthly option and a popular choice among new car lovers.

Myth 3: To lease a car, you require a huge down payment, or your car has very strict limitations on its mileage.

False on both counts! As compared to conventional financing, leasing does not tend to have high initial expenses. There are companies that “do allow an option of car lease without a down payment. Concerning the mileage, although there are usually restrictions on the leases, some will provide flexible mileage packages or even unlimited mileage car lease option to heavy drivers.

Myth 4: You are not in a contract and can do with it and cannot move out of the lease.

Not true! Lease transfer and options to terminate early There can be lease transfer and early termination options based on your contract. Although it may be true that, the cost of an early termination of a lease can be greater, it is not impossible. It is even possible to exchange a lease car with another lease providing unexpected flexibility.

Myth 5: Lease companies take care of maintaining and insuring, and you will be paying them every small blemish.

Wishful thinking! When you lease a car, it is all inclusive of all maintenance, repair, gas, and insurance as it were, just like when you own the car. It is a good thing that there are some, such as manufacturer warranties that provide protection. On scratches, the majority of lease agreements are extremely strict in what damages are subject to charge and such are generally very generous, acknowledging minor wear and tear.

Myth 6: Leasing implies that you are bound to a particular brand, or only companies lease vehicles.

Wrong! Leasing is more flexible, and you can switch brands and models whenever you want to do this. And even though businesses have been leasing long enough, Personal car leasing (PCH) is gaining popularity every year among people who want to pay less and upgrade their cars regularly. EVs can be leased, and it is one of the most appropriate cars to lease because it is less expensive.

Myth 7: A lease does not appear in your credit report as a debt.

This is a perilous fallacy. “Not true.” Leasing is a form of finance thus it appears as an outstanding debt on credit bureau reports, which affects your financial history.

Strategic leasing

Since you are already a jargon king and myth-buster, time to discuss next-level strategy. Leasing is not only escaping traps; it is also making smart proactive decisions. Timing can be everything! “Dealers could be more flexible on the price of your vehicle lease prior to the release of a new model or the expiry of the model year. This is the best time they have to clear inventory, and this is your opportunity to get a better deal.

It is prudent to lease a car. The first big point of negotiation is the capital cost. The down payment, the trade-in value, the money factor (try to get a lower rate when your credit score is over 750) and even the disposition fee is also on the table. Keep in mind that residual value is usually in stone and acquisition fee is an expense that lessors hardly compromise on, so put your energy to work.

Knowing your credit rating will place you in a better position to shop around and get a pre-approved rate of a car loan even before you even set foot in the dealership. This is golden information to have as it provides you with a starting point to negotiate with the dealer to have a lower money factor. Don’t go in blind; go in armed!

In addition to not making errors, shall we recall the reasons why people like leasing! It is the new car smell, the pleasure of having a new car every two or three years without the hassle of owning it. Leasing also makes it easy to write off your vehicle as a business expense. In addition, car manufacturers occasionally have sweet leasing deals, and repeat lessees always drive a car that is typically under a factory warranty. Lastly, at the expiry of the lease, there is no need to negotiate a trade-in value or undergo the selling process. You simply give the keys and walk off.

You are not at the end of the lease; it is a crossroads! You want to make sure that you leave with a bang and possibly even a pocket full of cash.

In case life throws curve balls and you have to leave early; lease transfers are your savior. Rather than being subjected to cruel early termination clauses, in case you have a transferable car lease, get someone to assume your payments and terms. You can be connected with websites such as SwapaLease.com and LeaseQuit.com. It is a big relief, and you are spared of headaches and massive penalties.

Making money on your expired lease

Do not simply give the keys and go! There is a good chance that you can make money on your vehicle. In case you negotiated a lower price of buyout at the beginning, that is equity. When the market value of the car remains above its residual value towards the end, then you can possibly sell the car in cash. Sell it to dealerships or sell it to online dealers such as Carvana and Edmunds. Get that deal on paper!

Explain how you are going to exit depending on your lease. Personal Contract Hire (PCH) is the way to go, and when the contract ends, there is nothing left to pay clean break. Under Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) lease, you can buy at the end with a final balloon payment. Being aware of your type influences your choices.

The fundamentals do count to have a smooth exit indeed. Limit your miles and maintain the car in the best condition. Maintenance is your responsibility, and the leasing company wants you to maintain your leased car in good condition. This proactive strategy gets rid of those ugly end-of-lease ding charges, which help in making the return hassle free.

Live easy, lease smart

Leasing a car, when you are familiar with the ropes, is immensely empowering. It is not about being roasted but it is about being prepared. With the ability to break the jargon, demystify the myths and use clever tactics, you are not merely renting a car, but you are also staging a clever financial game that is within your lifestyle. And then, get out there, and roll into that new car smell, and drive like you have confidence, and make those idiots know how it works!