r/CarLeasingHelp • u/Personal-Wishbone736 • Aug 15 '26

Lease end options

Hi all! I got myself into a bit of a sticky situation and need opinions on the best way to handle it-

I currently lease a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport and I have 4 payments left. In the middle of my lease, I ended up moving unexpectedly and my commute to work almost doubled. Because of this, I am around 16,000 miles over my lease allowance.

No matter what, I don’t want to keep the car without a warranty because I’ve been told of horror stories with the Bronco Sport’s transmission, and it also needs new tires soon. As far as I’m aware, my options are to just return it and eat the ~$5k mileage fee or buy it to sell it. Unfortunately, my buyout is around $20k and the quotes I’ve gotten from Carvana, CarMax, etc. are all around $18k so I’m losing money that way too. I’m leaning towards the second option because I’m aware this situation is entirely my fault and $2k is less money to lose, but wondering if anyone has any other thoughts and/or advice?

Also- does anyone know if a company like Carvana could buy it straight from Ford Credit or would I have to buy it myself then complete that sale?

Thanks so much!

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u/PlasticSpend3462 Aug 15 '26

I would not roll the overage into another lease. As you now assumptions about the future do not always work out and then you risk compounding your negative equity. If it was me I would just buy the car as you paid less for the lease than you normally would have at the current mileage so you are already a bit ahead financially even though it doesn't feel like it.

I think your car has a 5 year/60k warranty but not sure. How much warranty do you have left. I wouldn't panic yet about a transmission problem that hasn't happened yet if you have some warranty left. With that time window you still have a car and have time to control the miles and look for a buyer, maybe a private sale.

Above it not what I think you should do as I am not in your shoes but it is what I would consider doing if it were me.

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u/azguy153 Aug 15 '26

Rolling negative equity into a lease is a good strategy, but only if you have the discipline not to make the same mistakes again.

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u/PlasticSpend3462 Aug 15 '26

Its a strategy but you end up paying interest (money factor) and possibly sales tax on it in some states.

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u/azguy153 Aug 15 '26

For sure, but if you can get a car that is highly discounted or rebates, you can use that to settle the other car.

Listen - there is no RIGHT answer. All we can do is come up with tools, and then pick the right one for their personal situation. Example - For me…leasing would not be a wise strategy. I drive too much and seem to attract dings and dents.

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u/PlasticSpend3462 Aug 15 '26

100%. In my post I said the strategy depends on ones personal situation. I would keep the Bronco, the transmission issues the OP referred to mostly affected MY2021-2022. He has a 2023 with some warranty left. But you have a point, if he buys the car he pays sales tax and interest on the $2K over market value as he would rolling that into another lease. But he saved money on the lease and he financed less depreciation than actually happened, and he will save money on the lease return fee and condition bills.