Why the Affordable Tesla Model Y Lease Is a Bad Deal

Hey everyone, DennisCW here! Today, I’m diving into a hot topic that’s been making waves in the Tesla community: the so-called "affordable" lease deal on the Tesla Model Y. Spoiler alert – it’s not as great as it seems. Let’s break down why this deal might not be the bargain you’re hoping for and what you should consider before signing on the dotted line.

The Low-Down on the Model Y Lease Deal

You might have seen Tesla advertising a newer, lower-payment lease for the Model Y All-Wheel Drive (AWD). The deal boasts a monthly payment of $499 with just $1,000 down. At first glance, that sounds pretty enticing, right? However, this deal is specific to leasing, not financing (which currently offers a much better 1.99% APR for the AWD model).

When I dug deeper into the lease terms, I uncovered the interest rate, or "money factor," for this deal. Brace yourselves – it’s a whopping 8.28%. To put that into perspective, this is comparable to a finance APR, and it’s a pretty terrible rate. For context, a good lease interest rate should be much closer to the financing APR of 1.99%. This high rate significantly inflates the overall cost of the lease, making it far less attractive.

And if you thought that was bad, the lease rate for the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) – which isn’t even in inventory yet – is even worse at 9.49%. Ouch! Both of these rates are way higher than what you’d expect for a competitive lease deal.

How Does This Compare to Other Tesla Leases?

To give you a frame of reference, I track interest rates for Tesla leases and financing deals regularly. Right now, the best lease deal you can get is on the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive, with an interest rate of just 2.76%. That’s a stark contrast to the Model Y’s 8.28% and 9.49%. Clearly, Tesla has room to improve if they want to make the Model Y lease more appealing to potential buyers.

Looking back at historical data, I found that not too long ago – less than a year, in fact – Tesla offered a much sweeter deal on the legacy Model Y. Back in November 2023, you could lease the older Model Y for just $299 a month (albeit with a higher down payment of around $3,000-$4,000). Still, $299 a month is a steal compared to the current $499, even with a lower down payment. This shows that Tesla can offer better deals when they want to clear inventory or push sales.

Should You Wait for a Better Deal?

If you’re in the market for a Model Y and you’re not in a rush, my advice remains the same: wait it out. Historically, Tesla tends to roll out better incentives and deals toward the end of each quarter to boost sales numbers. The next opportunity could be around the end of Q3, in August or September. Waiting might land you a much better lease or purchase deal.

However, there’s a flip side to consider. The $7,500 federal tax credit for Tesla vehicles could potentially end in the future, depending on policy changes. So, there’s a bit of a gamble here. Do you wait for a better deal and risk losing the tax credit, or do you act now to secure the credit while it’s still available? That’s a personal decision, but it’s something to keep in mind.

A Few Tips Before You Buy or Lease

If you’re ready to pull the trigger on a Tesla – whether it’s a Model 3, Model Y, or another model – don’t forget to use a Tesla referral code to snag some extra perks. You can find my referral code in the description below, which gets you 3 months of Full Self-Driving (FSD) added to your vehicle. It works on all Tesla models, so definitely take advantage of it!

Also, one thing Tesla doesn’t include with new purchases is a set of all-weather floor mats. After testing out various options like 3D Maxpider, Tesmanian, and several Amazon brands, my absolute favorite is the set from 3W Liners. I’ve got them in my Model X, Model 3, Model Y, and even my Cybertruck. They’re durable, fit perfectly, and offer great protection. Plus, if you use my promo code (also in the description), you can save 25% off and get a set for under $100 while supporting the channel. Win-win!

Final Thoughts

The "affordable" Tesla Model Y lease deal might seem tempting on the surface, but the high interest rates of 8.28% (AWD) and 9.49% (RWD) make it a bad deal in the long run. Compared to historical deals and current Model 3 lease rates, Tesla could do much better. If you can afford to wait, I recommend holding off until the end of the next quarter for potentially better incentives. Just keep an eye on the federal tax credit situation to avoid missing out on extra savings.

What do you think about this lease deal? Are you planning to wait for a better offer, or are you jumping in now to secure the tax credit? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to check out the referral code and 3W Liners promo if you’re in the market for a Tesla. Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you in the next post!

-DennisCW