As residents move out of California for more fertile fields, they are leaving one thing behind — their leased cars, reports LeaseTrader.com.
The Web site, which helps motorists find people to take over their car leases, says leaving the area was the No. 1 reason for trading leases in Los Angeles and San Diego in the fourth quarter of 2009.
A year earlier, the main reason was underwater mortgages and foreclosures, the Web site says.
Of those surveyed, 8.8% said they were transferring their Car Lease because they were leaving California. Other reasons:
Job loss: 7.3%
Mortgage issues: 7.1%
Buyer's remorse: 6.8%
Divorce: 6.6%
"I enjoyed my time in California but it’s a very expensive and unstable situation right now with the jobs picture and other economic problems," Jason Garrison told LeaseTrader.com. Garrison left California recently to find work in Texas.
"I was leasing a BMW and didn’t want to drive it to Texas, which is why I felt it best to transfer to someone else," he said.
LeaseTrader.com says Southern California is its most active region nationally as an increasing number of drivers seek to dump their car leases to avoid expensive early lease termination fees, possible repossession and/or credit problems.
This story posted by LeaseTrader.com, the automotive service company that lets people transfer out of their Car Leases early. If you're looking to swap a lease or transfer out of your car lease, please visit www.leasetrader.com