Don't go looking for the deal.. Let GMAC come to you.. I've had them do it before and you can score big on it..
They should start calling you about 3 months from the time the lease is up.. They'll offer residual.. Tell'me this is what it's REALLY worth and that oyu're not interested in that price. They'll call back in about a month and a half.. They'll make a little better deal.. Get real numbers to back up what oyu're willing to pay.. Get Kelly Blue Book numbers, get selling prices from
www.autotrader.com, get every REAL price you can find. Let them know you know what the market they are facing looks like and that you know all of the expenses that will have to be put into the truck to sell it. Wash, Wax and Detail.. Advertising costs.. The cost of it sitting in inventory while waiting for it to sell..
As long as you keep your cool, know what you're willing to pay and know that you can always tell them "thanks, but no thanks" (and know when to do it) you'll be in control of the deal you get.. But when you go to them looking for the price, they'll know how interested you are in keeping the truck and they'll play off that. Keep all emotion off the phone and out of the deal.
I did a check of autotrader a few hours ago, there are 11 2006 H3s for sale used around the Memphis area that are under $20,000. That's already lower than my expected residual of $24,000 or so.. By next year, unless gas goes back down to $2.00 a gallon, they'll be selling for about $15,000 or less..
BTW.. Never say what you're willing to pay, as in $15,000, unless you can cut a check for it. Instead tell them you're willing to pay $330 a month for 4 years. This will get them shopping for the BEST APR they can find and not just take what comes along so they can get their $15,000..