Someone accumulated 223,000 miles on a 3-year Toyota Camry lease and then returned it.
Smart Toyota, The Drive
The latest in automotive news and reviews, no nonsense.
Subscribe to our free daily newsletter for the important stories delivered directly to your inbox every weekday.
Exceeding your lease mileage is a common occurrence, and dealers anticipate it; that's why there are limits in place. Many of us end up paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars, typically at a quarter per mile. However, one 2023 Toyota Camry lessee in Wisconsin drastically underestimated their mileage, averaging 76,650 miles each year and returning the car with an odometer reading of 223,036 miles.
A shout out to The Drive reader Jacob, who shared a link to the Camry at Smart Toyota of Madison, Wisconsin, currently priced at $15,000. Jacob mentioned he discovered the vehicle while browsing the dealership's pre-owned inventory. This Camry is an SE model, positioned as the second tier of the lineup, which would have cost at least $29,000 new, excluding any extras. Our intriguing mystery lessee apparently added about 215 miles to the vehicle each day.
The CarFax tells a remarkable tale through its timeline. Just one month into the lease, the driver had clocked 5,400 miles. Astonishingly, only nine days later, they reached their 10,000-mile service mark. This Camry underwent an average of two services each month, leading one to expect considerable wear and tear upon its return to Smart Toyota. Yet, surprisingly, the only notable damage appears to be a scuff on the passenger side front bumper from a sideswipe incident around two months in.
As Jacob pointed out, the driver’s seat appears to be in excellent condition. This raises the question of whether the lessee avoided snacks on their daily 200-mile trips, or if the Smart Toyota cleaning crew is exceptionally skilled.
It might actually be a mix of both. A dealership representative informed The Drive that the previous owner utilized the car for Uber and Lyft. This explanation fits, although it suggests that they must have taken some long fares given the mileage.
“Do you know how difficult it is to accrue that kind of mileage on an Uber vehicle?” Tony Thorstad, Smart Toyota’s Marketing Specialist, told us over the phone. “If you’re in Madison, Wisconsin, good luck trying to drive 100 miles a day because most trips are short. He must have been in a situation where he was taking longer Uber rides.”
As for how things concluded, the customer essentially bought out the Camry and then sold it back to the dealer. Given the extensive use of the vehicle, the rideshare driver ended up with a reasonable deal.
“After the lease, there’s a buyout at the end—no matter the mileage, the buyout remains the same. We offered him $3,000 less than the buyout price. He wrote a check for $3,000 and walked away.”
We couldn’t obtain the exact buyout amount (that information is confidential), but this dealer accommodates leases up to 20,000 miles annually. Speculating, if each extra mile costs 25 cents and the lease allowed for a maximum of 60,000 miles over three years, this lessee might have faced penalties near $40,000 overall. While that figure seems daunting, buyouts provide an option, making it virtually necessary for the lessee to accept it. They could have even rolled it into another Camry, especially since this one served them so effectively.
Have any interesting dealership or used car stories to share, whether from the buyer's or seller's perspective? Reach out to us at tips@thedrive.com.
Other articles
Subaru sales continue to fall short, yet the figures don't capture the complete picture.
In April, the WRX marked Subaru's most significant sales recovery, yet it narrowly surpassed the Solterra EV in sales. What’s the explanation for this?
Isaac Hajar: I could have earned points, but I messed it all up.
Isaac Hajar started from the pit lane in Miami and quickly made his way up, but he only completed four laps before crashing the car. Immediately after that, the Red Bull Racing driver furiously pounded on the steering wheel, and after the race, he explained why he was so upset about the retirement.
Review of the Milwaukee Gen 2 Fuel Power Ratchet: Professional Mechanic Features at Consumer Prices
If you haven't yet owned a power ratchet, this one will entice you with a great blend of speed and power.
Russell: I haven't forgotten how to pilot.
On Sky Sport F1, George talked about his feelings in the role of the chaser...
FIA Unveils Initial Information on F1's Transition to V8 Engines: Increased Volume, Reduced Hybrid Use, a 'Logical Choice'
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem revealed initial goals for the V8's dimensions, power output, and the division between gas and electric energy as he affirmed F1's intention to eliminate the hybrid V6: “It will happen.”
A Boeing 767 nearly landed on a bread-filled tractor trailer. Everyone is fine.
It is reported that a United flight collided with both a light and the roof of a semi-truck on the NJ Turnpike, resulting in only minor injuries to the truck's driver.
Someone accumulated 223,000 miles on a 3-year Toyota Camry lease and then returned it.
That's more than 200 miles each day or 75,000 miles annually, plus a mileage penalty that could have easily exceeded the original cost of the car.