A simple Answer TO yOUr Question
What if my lease is underwater instead of having equity?
If your car's market value is less than the payoff amount, your lease is "underwater" or has negative equity. This means you would owe money if you tried to buy it out or trade it in. In this situation, it usually makes more sense to return the car at lease end rather than buying it out, unless you really love the vehicle and plan to keep it long-term.
📥 FREE DOWNLOAD
The Smart Buyer's Guide to Leasing vs. Buying in 2026
Discover:
✓ When to lease vs. buy
✓ Hidden fees to watch for
✓ Tax benefits for business owners
✓ Current manufacturer incentives
Smart move!
Download the guide below, plus we've sent a copy to your inbox.
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Value Tracking
No credit impact, view Get personalized insights on your car’s value, so you can time your next car with the most savings.real payments while shopping.
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Insurance Coverage
Effortless to buy and personalized to you, with coverage deals with Vantage.
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600+ Testimonials
What Our Customers Say
People come for the number. They stay for how easy we make it.
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Super streamlined way to purchase a car.Very professional and easy to work with.
Super streamlined way to purchase a car.Very professional and easy to work with.
Jason Levy
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After 30 years of car buying this has been the best experience I’ve had. Sean has been helpful, resourceful and easy to work with. I’ll never go back to the archaic dealership process again.
After 30 years of car buying this has been the best experience I’ve had. Sean has been helpful, resourceful and easy to work with. I’ll never go back to the archaic dealership process again.
Jeremy Scheinker
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Outstanding experience from beginning to end. Hard to beat excellent customer service and attractive prices. Highly recommend.
Outstanding experience from beginning to end. Hard to beat excellent customer service and attractive prices. Highly recommend.
Hank D'alessandro
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All the hassles & time consumption in buying a new vehicle were nil, because Vantage Auto Group took care of everything & delivered the vehicle I wanted
All the hassles & time consumption in buying a new vehicle were nil, because Vantage Auto Group took care of everything & delivered the vehicle I wanted
Robert Murphy
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Nomi Hassan
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I've loved working with Vantage for my last two cars. It's so much better than having to go to multiple dealerships and haggle to get the right make, model and price you're looking for. Their customer service and quick turnaround to getting a car delivered to your door is incredible. Highly recommend them for your car shopping needs!!
I've loved working with Vantage for my last two cars. It's so much better than having to go to multiple dealerships and haggle to get the right make, model and price you're looking for. Their customer service and quick turnaround to getting a car delivered to your door is incredible. Highly recommend them for your car shopping needs!!
Scott Wolinsky
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Incredibly easy to buy a car. We found the one we want. All arrangements made on the phone. The car was seamlessly delivered to our house. Very smooth process!!
Incredibly easy to buy a car. We found the one we want. All arrangements made on the phone. The car was seamlessly delivered to our house. Very smooth process!!
Todd Krell
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Sean and the team are fantastic, and make a complicated process really easy. Not to mention they got us a lease deal on our new jeep at a better price than what we’ve been paying the last 4 years… can’t thank them enough!
Sean and the team are fantastic, and make a complicated process really easy. Not to mention they got us a lease deal on our new jeep at a better price than what we’ve been paying the last 4 years… can’t thank them enough!
Karlyle Saur
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I had the pleasure of working with Sarah to find me a car. She was incredible! I called her needing a car and I had my car within a couple of days, while also meeting my price point and the specific style of car I wanted. Sarah is so approachable, knowledgeable, friendly, and reliable.Vantage Auto Group as a whole is a very dependable company and I couldn't recommend them more. They deliver your car to your house on time and are knowledgeable about the car and any questions that you have. I am so happy with how this process went and recommend Vantage Auto Group to anyone looking for a car!
I had the pleasure of working with Sarah to find me a car. She was incredible! I called her needing a car and I had my car within a couple of days, while also meeting my price point and the specific style of car I wanted. Sarah is so approachable, knowledgeable, friendly, and reliable.Vantage Auto Group as a whole is a very dependable company and I couldn't recommend them more. They deliver your car to your house on time and are knowledgeable about the car and any questions that you have. I am so happy with how this process went and recommend Vantage Auto Group to anyone looking for a car!
Ava Ilyse