[ggsc]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum as I'm thinking of buying a Ridgeline RTL. I currently own an 06 Accord EX-V6, bought via the Leadership Purchase Program which is similar to a lease but it's titled in my name. My term expires in Feb 09, total miles allowed 45K, and current pymt of $309. Since I'm self-employed, getting a vehicle with a GVWR of 6,001+ lbs will qualify me for the Section 179 deduction of $25,000 on my taxes in the year I buy the vehicle, which would save me $6k to $8k in taxes, depending on my income. Problem is, the Ridgeline the only vehicle Honda makes that meets the requirements, as the Pilot or Odyssey are just under the limit. I currently get 24-25 mpg in the Accord, and realistically I'm expecting 17 - 18 mpg in a Ridgeline. I'm trying to weigh the tax savings in the year of purchase vs the higher gas cost over 3 years, as I'll only have the regular tax deduction in year 2 and 3.

I started looking at Ridgelines last month and visited my local dealer where I got the Accord. I only deal with the Sales manager since I know him and saves me a lot of time. I want to do the Leader Purchase plan again, but he told me the cash incentive was not available with the program. He said he can get me out of the Accord early without being upside down, but he quietly told me to wait until after May 1, as he heard Honda will combine the cash and low apr. Well it appears they did just that, but it's only $3k vs $4.5K.

Has anyone else looked at doing this? I thought I was going to wait until EOY and look at getting one of the new GM crossovers (Acadia, Outlook), but they're so much more expensive and their real world mpg is no better than the Ridgeline. Any thoughts?