Car lease return question

GRMers, I need some advice on a topic I know nothing about. Automobile leases.

A friend of my wife's is a habitual Volvo leaser. She's hopeless with both money and cars but that method seems to get her what she wants. I disapprove but I'm not going to argue that point here. She currently has a problem:

She's got an '05 XC70 with about 85,000 miles on it. Her 48-month lease expires in December 2008 - next month. Buyout would be around $18,000.

It's out of warranty and has developed a rough-running problem. The dealer tells her it needs a new MAF sensor and that the PCV system is all plugged up and needs to be replaced. He quotes her something like $1100 to fix the car. Leave the highway robbery out of it for a moment.

Here's my question - if the car has not been abused and has not been in accident (it hasn't been), what are her obligations if she turns it in at the end of the lease? Is it required to be in top physical condition?

Because my suggestion would be that she should just park the Volvo, rent something cheap for a month, and give the damn car back to the dealer in its current condition without paying for any repairs. Then she should go lease something else, since she never gets more than 4 years out of a car anyway.

Thoughts?

There are terms to her lease (just like an apartment) that should answer your question.

Most leases have a clause where the lessee can be assessed 'reconditioning charges' to bring the care into 'saleable condition', exceptng 'normal wear and tear'. That means in this case, if it's running bad and the MIL is on it's not in 'saleable condition' meaning she's on the hook no matter what. She can also be charged for bodywork, etc. if needed and some lease companies have been known to request copies of maintenance records. Any maintenance not performed (timing belt replacement, etc) can also be charged back to the lessee. My dad's '85 XJS had that clause in the lease and that's one reason he no longer leases.

Well, it needs no body work and she's had all scheduled maintenance performed by that dealer. In fact it was just in for whatever overpriced inspection/service it needed at 80,000 miles or so.

I suppose "If you're going to be dumb enough to lease a car, then go pay the man another thousand bucks to give him his car back" isn't going to go over too well?

Then they shouldn't hit her up for maintenance or bodywork but she will most likely be on the hook for the repair cost for the driveability problem. Either way, it'll still cost her a K. I'd be more inclined to do the repair and then turn it in, rather than turn it in and then let someone go hog wild on it and hit her with an even bigger repair bill.

Part of a lease on a vehicle, unlike a lease on an apartment, is that the lessee is responsible for all repairs, maintenance, taxes etc on a car.

Who leases a car for 85k miles? Isn't she gonna get hit with some retarded mileage charges when she turns this thing in?

Also, who leases a car beyond it's warranty period?

She's liable for the repairs. Generally the terms of the lease will spell these things out, as everyone has said.

Did I miss something? My thoughts focus on the mileage. Lease contracts can vary widely. Some lease contracts will allow 15,000 miles a year. Some only allow 10 or 12,000 a year. Some charge 12-15 cents a mile overage. Some charge .25. If she signed a lease that only allows 10,000 miles a year and charges .25 per mile overage, they are going to want to charge her $11,250 for excess miles. If she signed a lease that allows 15,000 miles a year and charges .12 a mile for overage, she's still going to owe $3000 for excess miles when she turns it in. THEN she should start worrying about excess wear and tear. Yes? (BTW, a MAF sensor for a '05 XC70 is $123.00 at our local Advance Auto...might be something to look into.)

well THAT's surprising! (about the maf for a xc70 being offered at advanceauto, not to mention so reasonably)

I was messin' with George Walton's XC70 a while back for a MIL and there's something about vacuum line problems both up and downstream of the MAF.

You may want to find an independent shop in your area. The work does not have to be done at the dealership.

This link may help in finding a shop
http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?s=b830700cfe9689fa4e88346e0b3904a0&showforum=33

MAF cleaning may hide the problem. This link might be helpful? http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=46991

Well, thanks for the responses. I'd like to keep my direct involvement to a minimum since this is one of those bottomless pit situations where no matter what you do, it won't make a dent in her situation. I'll work on friends' cars if they need the help once in a while. I won't work on friends' cars if needing help is a lifestyle choice.

I may volunteer to clean it for her.

I will, however, definitely pass on the link for an indie shop. Thanks again, everybody.