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Ever since production of the Chrysler 200 ended last December, the automaker has been offering hefty discounts to clear away all remaining inventory.
However, as of this month, lease incentives will no longer be one of those tactics. That's right— Chrysler has discontinued leases on the discontinued 200.
So what does this mean exactly? Are there any good offers worth being aware of?
Here's what you need to know.
What Happened
Beginning this month, Chrysler has nixed lease discounts on all versions of the 200. Although the automaker never bothered with leasing the 2017 version, there were a handful of deals on last year's model. However, that's unfortunately no longer going to be the case.
When asked about the change, FCA spokesperson Ralph Kisiel simply stated "Leasing is not part of our selldown efforts." On one hand, this seems odd given the popularity of leasing. But it's worth noting that the automaker took a similar tactic with the Dodge Dart, which was also axed in favor of more profitable SUVs.
That said, a closer look reveals this may not be such a bad thing. The most affordable factory lease on the 2016 Chrysler 200 Touring was $279 for 48 months with $3,999 due at signing. With an effective cost of $362 and 10,000 mile per year allowance, this was a particularly lackluster deal next to competitors.
To put that in perspective, the offer was for a vehicle with an MSRP of $23,705 with destination. For $11 less per month, you could actually lease a 2017 Honda Accord EX-L V6 with an MSRP of $31,870. For $4 less, you could even lease a $33,595 Infiniti QX30 Luxury.
That's not to say you can't get a deal, however.
Other Ways To Buy
If you were never looking to lease the Chrysler 200, there are other ways to buy. The advertised deal right now is 20% off MSRP on inventory in stock the longest. Alternatively, there's a customer cash incentive worth up to $3,000. There's also a $2,500 trade-in assistance bonus.
If you feel like giving up those offers and have no qualms about taking out a 7-year loan, there's also 0% APR for 84 months, something we rarely ever see. That would result in a payoff date sometime in 2024. For reference, the film Blade Runner is set in 2019.
Dealers appear to be able to do a lot better. For example, one local dealer is advertising the $25,365 2016 Chrysler 200 Limited at just $15,900 when financing. That equates to a 37% discount, in the neighborhood of budget picks like the Toyota Yaris.
If you're hoping to buy a Chrysler 200 at a steep discount, now is a great time to do so while you can still find one. Just don't expect to get the same sort of deal on a lease at this point. As always, be sure to compare dealers to find the best prices in your area.
Just for fun, here are some other vehicles that would have been cheaper to lease. For a complete list of all leases ranked by effective cost, feel free to explore our monthly lease article based on data from over 440 offers.
Vehicle/Trim | MSRP | Effective Lease Cost |
2017 Chevrolet Camaro 1LT Coupe | $27,595 | $361 |
2017 Ford Flex SEL | $36,025 | $361 |
2017 Acura ILX Premium DCT | $30,940 | $358 |
2017 Infiniti QX30 Luxury | $33,595 | $358 |
2017 Jeep New Compass Latitude 4x4 | $26,890 | $356 |
2017 VW Golf Alltrack S 4Motion Manual | $26,670 | $355 |
2017 Kia Sedona LX | $29,850 | $355 |
2017 MINI Countryman Cooper | $28,450 | $353 |
2017 Ford Edge SE | $29,845 | $353 |
2017 Dodge Charger SXT | $31,090 | $353 |
2017 Chevrolet Impala LT | $30,440 | $351 |
2017 Honda Accord EX-L V6 Sedan | $31,870 | $351 |