[Production]

Hi all,

Eager to join the Clarity community, please share your opinions on this proposal from the local dealer.

The lease offer at Honda's website:

$2999 down payment.
$368/month + tax
12,000 miles/year

The dealer offered me this:
$2000 down payment
$404/month tax included
15,000 miles/year

This is on a base model with MSRP of $34,330
Net price is $27,270
Residual value: 43%
Money Factor: 0.00096

Another question: is the Clarity Plug In still eligible for the $7500 tax credit?

Thank you!!!

 

[Kerbe]

Hi all,

$2999 down payment.
$368/month + tax
12,000 miles/year

The dealer offered me this:
$2000 down payment
$404/month tax included
15,000 miles/year

This is on a base model with MSRP of $34,330
Net price is $27,270
Residual value: 43%
Money Factor: 0.00096

Another question: is the Clarity Plug In still eligible for the $7500 tax credit?

I'm not an accountant but one way to look at this is in cents per mile: In the first scenario, for a 36 month lease with 7% tax you'd be paying 48 cents per mile. In the second scenario your cost would be 37 cents per mile - so the dealer is offering you a better value proposition.

And, yes: Honda has sold nowhere NEAR 200,000 EVs and PHEVs so, until that threshold is crossed, the Clarity is eligible for the full $7500 tax credit. BUT, in most states, leasees do not benefit from the tax credit. I know that, in some of the ZEV and CARB states, dealers will take the credit and reduce the price of the vehicle in your favor - but they are not required to do so: The tax credit goes to the owner of the vehicle. Considering the net figure, the dealer appears to be giving you a $7060 discount.

 

[Production]

Kerbe,

Thanks for the info. Yes, I understand that for a lease I don't get the tax credit.
What if I purchase 2 of these vehicles, AND I have more than $15,000 federal tax liability, do I get the $15,000 tax credit come next April?

 

[4sallypat]

When I leased my 2018 base Clarity, Honda Financial Services (owner of the car) kicked back the $7500 tax credit and applied it towards a cap cost reduction.
The dealer threw in $3800.
And HFS State employee discount was $500.

My lease is $285/month before tax.

But that was at the end of the year when the 2019 were starting to come in.

Maybe wait to lease for a few months and see if it sweetens up ???

 

[Production]

4sallypat,

Always a good idea to wait for end of year deals. We'll talk to a few dealers this weekend to see if they'll come down a bit more.
Thanks,

 

[Rob43]

^ Good luck & keep us informed.



Rob43

 

[Production]

^ Good luck & keep us informed.



Rob43

Best discount I've gotten so far is $7800 off $37520 sticker for a touring Clarity Plug In.

 

[DucRider]

Kerbe,

Thanks for the info. Yes, I understand that for a lease I don't get the tax credit.
What if I purchase 2 of these vehicles, AND I have more than $15,000 federal tax liability, do I get the $15,000 tax credit come next April?

Yes.
There is no limit on the number of credits an individual or business (like a leasing company) may receive, either lifetime in a single tax year.

 

[Kerbe]

When I leased my 2018 base Clarity, Honda Financial Services (owner of the car) kicked back the $7500 tax credit and applied it towards a cap cost reduction.
The dealer threw in $3800.
And HFS State employee discount was $500.

My lease is $285/month before tax.

But that was at the end of the year when the 2019 were starting to come in.

Maybe wait to lease for a few months and see if it sweetens up ???

Y'all are some kinda lucky! First off, Honda stopped leasing 2018's and then stopped shipping 2019's everywhere except CA. So, right now, y'all are the only folks who can get a 2019 - for lease or purchase. Dealers in other states are getting wise to the fact that folks are scrambling to buy 2018's and have started raising the price on remaining stock. Had I not already negotiated a price and put down a deposit my dealer received THREE offers for the car, all willing to pay MSRP or higher, the day after Honda's announcement - and it had been sitting on their lot for nine months!

 

[4sallypat]

Wait, you mean there are still 2018 on dealer lots ????

We in California were out of 2018 by the first month of 2019.

 

[Kerbe]

Wait, you mean there are still 2018 on dealer lots ????

We in California were out of 2018 by the first month of 2019.

With 2019's shipping to CA only, the rest of the US has only 2018s from which to choose. Mine sat on the lot for 9 months - I've seen others that were at their respective dealerships for more than a year. But, now that they're no longer available, dealerships are getting many out-of-state inquiries.

I know of one Clarity that sat at a dealership in my state for seven months before being traded to another in-state dealership, the latter being on a major interstate highway. The car sat there for another three months before they slapped a "$28000" sign in the window. Someone driving home to Ontario from New Orleans (the opposing ends of said interstate) stopped, bought it and took it home to Canada.

Pick a state, pick a location in that state, set the distance to 500 mi and see what cargurus.com will show you - I'm sure you can still find a few in the hinterland. :grin: