Car leases? How does it work

[Pieceofcakes]

We have always have a car on a lease, DH prefers that; we just changed ours recently, DH chosen it but there is something I don’t like about the car. Can we replace the car? How does this work? Are there penalties?

What exactly is it that you don't like? Why did you buy it if you don't like it?
To be honest I think you are now stuck with it unless you want to lose a load of money, you should have considered it more carefully before committing.

Surely the Consumer Protection Act would apply?

I'm not exactly sure but I thought the customer has the right to return goods within the cooling off period for a full refund without having to give any reason?

No, that’s for distance sales I think. For distance sales you have 14 days to return for any reason. Which is why car dealers usually want you to go into the dealership to sign the documents, or have a two week gap between signing documents and delivering the car.

Under the Consumer Protection Act you can only return a vehicle if it’s of unsatisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described - and then you have 30 days to return. Not liking it doesn’t fall into any of those categories I don’t suppose .

I drive lots of hire cars for work (generally new or nearly new boring mid sized hatchbacks).

There's plenty that I hate, usually because of poor visibility at the side and the back, annoying beeping and 'assist' features that automatically activate each time even if you previously turned them off.

Or there's one with a weird gear stick that appears to be almost at shoulder height because, despite MN claims, manual cars do still exist.

But I was buying one with my own money, I'd make sure I had a really good look and test drive before committing.

But for the OP, she needs to read the contract to see what her rights and the penalties are.

Plus she needs to be clear about the type of agreement because a lease isn't generally something that you 'pay off' and keep the car, although this could be an option.

OP is the car in demand and something that might have people waiting for? It's not so long since a nearly new car could have been sold easily, because limited availability meant that people who needed cars couldn't get them. Worth asking your dealer and possibly on car forums.

Thank you all. It is a Toyota Corolla 2025.

No test drive offer, no full spec given. Do disappointed.

The car is not bad; it is a silly thing but I don’t like the red stitches inside; stress me as soon as I get in. I have something against red.

It also has a beeping sound every time you passed the limit speed which apparently can be turn off.

no test drive offer and no full spec given either

I understand the red stitching. I had a thing against Fords for years because I couldn't stand the layout of all the vents and switches in the work pool car.

Glad you understand.

Basically we wanted similar car newer version but some stupid designer came up with this stupid idea of having red stitches everywhere 😧.

DH did the deal and he wasn’t told reg interior. I don’t care much about cars as long as they are reliable and not red.😅

I would have been happy just to purchase old one but DH likes reliability of new and not having to deal with repairs so we change every 3 years.

Could you get some car seat covers to cover up the stitching?

it sounds like the beep/alert can be switched off so visit Toyota to ask them to do this for you if it’s not something can easily turn off yourself.

You mention “no test drive offer” but did you ask for one?

The red stitches are everywhere. Door, seats, handle break, steering wheel.

I don’t think DH asked for test drive, he just thought or we are getting same car newer version and chose the outside color.

Sales man did not mention reg new interior design which is a deal breaker for me.

FFS - actually I can’t even be bothered to post.

You don’t have to. When I don’t like a thread I just move to another one. Each to their own. You decide where to spend your time.

OK - I am utterly shocked that you signed a serious financial commitment with so little understanding of what it entailed or what, actually, you were buying. Beggars belief.

They haven’t ‘washed their hands’ of you. They just don’t pander to ridiculous requests to exchange a brand new car that your husband chose because you don’t like the stitching/a house or makes. I don’t think the dealer has done anything wrong here and it’s utterly bonkers that you think you can take delivery of a brand new car, subject it to depreciation and simply change it because you don’t like it.

I'm afraid this is a learning opportunity @Pieceofcakes

It's nothing unique to Toyota, all manufacturers would do the same. In this situation, it is entirely caused by the lack of proper test drive, and specifying the car.

To solve, I would contact a car detailer as they will probably be able to change the colour of the stitching. Make sure it doesn't impact your agreement though as you usually have to return the car in original condition at the end. If it's not specified anywhere in your paperwork that the stitching is red, you'd get away with it though.

If you are stuck with it surely a good few hours and a black marker pen would fix it?

Well, you might be able to hide some of the red. You can use seat covers, steering wheel covers and decals that can be removed.

Would that make it workable?

The real issue is with your dh who didn’t ask for a test drive. Moreover if you gave such strong feelings regarding a car’s interior why didn’t you do a test drive?

You sound pathetic, OP - ‘I am so down’. Get a grip ffs!

Yes, probably have to do something like that

Thank you. This is a good idea too. This is the sort of advice I am looking after

All new cars have to have that warning, and while it can be turned off by the driver each time you use the car the dealer can’t permanent deactivate it. EU rules…which we’ve adopted :)

That is good to know. Thank you

Is it like this ?