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.
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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!
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Testimonials
What Our Customers Say
People come for the number. They stay for how easy we make it.
Great service! Sean worked with me over a couple of weeks to get a car that fit my budget and that I love. They delivered the car right to my house with a full tank of gas, signed some paper work and I was done. 100% would recommend.
Great service! Sean worked with me over a couple of weeks to get a car that fit my budget and that I love. They delivered the car right to my house with a full tank of gas, signed some paper work and I was done. 100% would recommend.
Peter Foltz
Lina Suarez
My wife and I recently moved from the city and needed a car but didn’t know where to start. At first we tried online, but it was honestly a little overwhelming. I reached out to a local friend for leads, and he pointed me to Vantage. I hopped on a call with Sean after work and gave him a rough outline for what we were looking for. I’m not a car guy, so it was basically: “I need something safe, reliable, and not falling apart.” Sean very much IS a car guy, and he took it from there. After going over our budget, he recommended a couple options, as well as compelling reasons to lease instead of buying used as we had planned. The next morning we went back and forth via text to hash out the details, and then that afternoon a beautiful brand new car within our budget rolled into our driveway. I signed some paperwork with his team, and that was that. Literally less than 24 hours after the initial phone call, I was all set. It was easier than 99% of all my other projects that go into moving to the burbs. The whole experience was extremely communicative and chill. And on top of everything else…I straight up love this car. I fear I’m a car guy now. Thanks, Vantage.
My wife and I recently moved from the city and needed a car but didn’t know where to start. At first we tried online, but it was honestly a little overwhelming. I reached out to a local friend for leads, and he pointed me to Vantage. I hopped on a call with Sean after work and gave him a rough outline for what we were looking for. I’m not a car guy, so it was basically: “I need something safe, reliable, and not falling apart.” Sean very much IS a car guy, and he took it from there. After going over our budget, he recommended a couple options, as well as compelling reasons to lease instead of buying used as we had planned. The next morning we went back and forth via text to hash out the details, and then that afternoon a beautiful brand new car within our budget rolled into our driveway. I signed some paperwork with his team, and that was that. Literally less than 24 hours after the initial phone call, I was all set. It was easier than 99% of all my other projects that go into moving to the burbs. The whole experience was extremely communicative and chill. And on top of everything else…I straight up love this car. I fear I’m a car guy now. Thanks, Vantage.
Stephen Gumbrecht
We purchased a 2026 Volvo through the Vantage Group. From the first contact with David every interaction was done with the utmost professionalism. David kept us up to date during our search which involved several changes. I thoroughly recommend this group and will tell my friends to take advantage of David and his group.
We purchased a 2026 Volvo through the Vantage Group. From the first contact with David every interaction was done with the utmost professionalism. David kept us up to date during our search which involved several changes. I thoroughly recommend this group and will tell my friends to take advantage of David and his group.
don moscato
Leased a brand new VW Tiguan for my daughter’s 17th birthday. Great pricing! Excellent service! No problem. Will recommend and come back when lease expires. Great job!
Leased a brand new VW Tiguan for my daughter’s 17th birthday. Great pricing! Excellent service! No problem. Will recommend and come back when lease expires. Great job!
Robert Kogan
I’ve never used a broker to buy a car before and honestly, I was skeptical. But after this experience, I’ll never step foot in a dealership again. I have a demanding job with very little free time, so I simply texted David exactly what I wanted—and that was it. The entire process happened while I was in back-to-back work meetings. I never even had to pick up the phone! It was completely stress-free and I couldn’t be happier with my Maserati Grecale!
I’ve never used a broker to buy a car before and honestly, I was skeptical. But after this experience, I’ll never step foot in a dealership again. I have a demanding job with very little free time, so I simply texted David exactly what I wanted—and that was it. The entire process happened while I was in back-to-back work meetings. I never even had to pick up the phone! It was completely stress-free and I couldn’t be happier with my Maserati Grecale!
Kelly Winch
Vantage Auto Group is the most efficient and professional group to get a car from.David, my contact was very professional and a pleasure to deal with
Vantage Auto Group is the most efficient and professional group to get a car from.David, my contact was very professional and a pleasure to deal with
Joe Bouton
Todd Hergenhan
Lauren Nissenblatt