Why Yahoo Finance Thinks Queens Residents Should Lease Cars From VIP Auto Lease

Applause roared from inside of the Colden Auditorium at Queens College during Richmond Hill High School graduation 2017.

Jay Sobhraj, Executive Vice-President of Zara Realty, just announced the names of two RHHS graduates who will be receiving a scholarship to study computer science at the college of their dreams.

Estrella Perez will be studying at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and Malik Assad will be studying at the New York Institute of Technology.

"We are so grateful to Zara for this opportunity," said Perez, who is passionate about computer science. "I will not let you down Mr. Sobhraj," Assad proclaimed, as photos were being taken of the two.

The relationship between Richmond Hill High School and Zara Realty began last year when Zara Realty donated a $125,000 computer lab to the school. The computer lab has been used by a plethora of students for everything from curriculum to extracurriculars.

“This is a model for building real community between the school and the private community,” Principal Neil Ganesh said. “We have future leaders in our program and we’re really excited about this new resource for us.”

Recently, Sobhraj and information technology specialist Naresh Singh returned to the school recently to see how the “seed turned into a plant with burgeoning fruit.” Not only have students been able to focus on their passion of computer science, but there has been a trickle down effect into the school’s robotics program.

They found that the computer lab helped Perez, Assad, and the rest of the robotics team focus on enhancing their computer science knowledge, engineering skills, and form a serious direction for their robotics team, Qubit. In just one year, the team has been able to achieve incredible success which includes building their own robot.

Sobhraj and Singh were so impressed with the focus and determination of the these RHHS students, that they decided to announce the plan to award two computer science college scholarships right then and there.

“I really want to give back,” said Jay Sobhraj. “Never forget where you come from and always give back to the community... that's what Zara is focused on.”

Richmond Hill High School offers several pathways, which include computer science and IT, art, criminology and forensics, business and engineering. As a supporter of computer science and IT, Zara Realty plans to grant one or two students with this opportunity each year.

"We are grateful to Mr. Sobhraj and Zara Realty for being an active community partner with their vision set on making a long term change," said RHHS Assistant Principal, Paul Wilbur.

Zara Luxury Homes, the innovative real estate holding company, provides quality homes in both Queens and Long Island. They have been serving the rental community for 36 years. Visit theirwebsite or call them at 718-291-3331 to inquire about their rental properties in Jamaica, Queens and Long Island.

By Dan Rose,

Every few years, the lease-versus-buy debate shifts. Interest rates move. Vehicle prices adjust. Incentive programs come and go. The right answer depends on the market conditions at the moment you are making the decision, not on blanket advice from a financial blog written in 2019.

In 2026, the conditions favor leasing in ways they have not in nearly a decade. Vehicle prices remain elevated, with the average new car transaction hovering near $49,000. Auto loan rates have eased from their recent highs but still sit well above the levels that made financing attractive during the pandemic years. For Queens commuters who rely on a vehicle for work, school runs, and weekend travel, these numbers directly affect the household budget.

The Monthly Payment Reality Check

Let me sketch out two scenarios for a Queens driver looking at a $42,000 mid-size SUV.

Financing the purchase with a traditional auto loan at current rates, putting $5,000 down, stretches payments across 60 months. The total interest paid over the life of the loan easily exceeds $6,000. And at the end of those five years, the vehicle has depreciated by roughly 40 percent. You own a car worth $25,000 that cost you $48,000 in total payments.

Leasing that same SUV for 36 months through VIP Auto Lease, with zero down, produces a lower monthly payment because you are financing only the depreciation, not the full value. At the end of the lease, you return the vehicle and walk away, or roll into a new model. No depreciation risk. No trade-in negotiation. No $5,000 leaving your bank account on day one.

Lower Monthly Cost: Lease payments on a $42,000 SUV typically run 30 to 40 percent less than a comparable loan payment
Shorter Commitment: A 36-month lease means you are always driving a vehicle covered by the manufacturer’s warranty
Cash Preservation: Zero-down structures keep your savings intact for emergencies, investments, or other priorities

How VIP’s Model Changes the Comparison

The lease-versus-buy math looks even more favorable when the lease is structured through wholesale channels. VIP Auto Lease works directly with manufacturer-backed banks, accessing base money factors that franchise dealers typically mark up. That means the finance charge embedded in the lease payment is lower, often significantly so, than what a dealership would offer on the same vehicle.

When Yahoo featured VIP’s car leasing expansion, the story focused on this exact advantage. Bulk purchasing at low margins combined with manufacturer-backed financing creates lease payments that reflect the actual cost of the deal rather than a dealer’s profit target.

Jeep and Nissan for the Queens Commute

For commuters navigating Queens Boulevard, the BQE, and the Long Island Expressway, two brands consistently deliver strong lease value through VIP’s programs. Jeep offers the kind of all-weather, all-road versatility that Queens drivers need, especially during winter months when road conditions test lesser vehicles. Nissan brings fuel-efficient sedans and practical crossovers that handle stop-and-go traffic without punishing you at the pump.

Both manufacturers back their lease programs with subsidized money factors and competitive residual values. VIP’s wholesale access means those incentives reach the customer without a dealer markup eating into the savings.

Jeep Versatility: Models like the Grand Cherokee and Compass handle New York winters and city parking equally well
Nissan Efficiency: The Rogue and Altima deliver strong fuel economy and low monthly lease costs
Wholesale Delivery: VIP offers same-day and next-day delivery throughout Queens, making the process seamless

The Bottom Line for 2026

The math has changed. In a market where vehicle prices are high and loan rates carry real weight, leasing through a wholesale broker offers Queens commuters a path that is both financially smarter and more flexible than traditional financing. The national press agrees. The numbers speak for themselves.

Contributed by Dan Rose, A Senior NYC Transportation Finance Editor.

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