“Look before you leap”, says auto lease expert Nick Dersonan. While leasing may be the way for you to afford a new vehicle, some dealers may take advantage of you.

"Too often, 'Let the Buyer Beware!' is the stance that some auto dealers are taking when it comes to leasing,"

Dersonan says. Author of "Auto Buyer Tools" (www.autobuyertools.com), Dersonan suggests that you should consult others and avoid hasty decisions.

Dersonan warns clients not to end up like Christine, who just leased a new car and had no idea how much she had paid for it. She only knew that her payment was $306. She discovered that she financed $18,000 on a vehicle that stickered for $17,900. The salesperson told her that she was financing $15,400 after her down payment.

"It is easy for a salesperson to deceive you on a lease," says Dersonan. "Many people are only focused on the monthly payment. Read the contract. Your lease contract should include the: payment, term, total of payments, and residual amount -- the lease-end buy out,"

Dersonan says. To understand the contract lingo, go to www.autobuyertools.com for more information.

New federal regulations require lessors to provide uniform cost and other disclosures about consumer lease transactions.

Dersonan has these recommendations to keep on top of the salespeople:

• Do not buy a vehicle on impulse. Take your time.

• Shop around. Go to other dealers who have the same vehicle.

• Stick with a dealer whom you trust, but still shop around just to keep them honest.

• Explore all of your financing alternatives. Compare the leasing programs of different banks or credit unions. Compare a lease to a finance contract.

• Take the time to read your contract and ask questions about items that are not clear. Ask someone at the bank, not the dealership.

• Most of all, become educated about buying and leasing ...

For a copy of "Auto Buyer Tools," Go to www.autobuyertools.com