What to watch for in a car lease

Some years ago, we leased an SUV on a thirty month term, when we lived in California. It was our first lease, and we didn't think ahead. In California, you are charged a percentage of your car's value when you register your car, or renew your registration. That covers you for one year. That one year starts on the purchase date. The lease on the car was up after thirty months, or at the half-year point. There are no refunds on the registration. We had to also buy a full registration on the replacement automobile.

Moral to the story: Be aware that you may wind up paying for two registrations in the same year, if your lease isn't in full year increments. It is not so bad in our present home state of Washington. I believe the registration in Washington for a passenger car is something like $30-$40. In California, and some other states, it can get quite pricey.