Luxury Wheels Within Reach

Putnam's standard monthly leasing programs cater more to serious enthusiasts but offer all prospective customers the ability to finance almost any car, making that childhood dream come true earlier than expected.

First-time customers pay first and last payment, applicable tax, registration costs and a bank fee.

On average, clients sign up for four or five years and can switch to a car of greater or equal value during that time.

A Bugatti Veyron, with a current $1.8 million retail price, goes for about $25,000 per month for a five-year lease and $400,000 to own at the end of the lease (due to interest costs), while a Ferrari F430, retailing for $230,000, costs $3,100 a month.

You Are What You Drive

Shrewd business sense aside, image is still paramount, as Putnam's success proves. The car you drive makes as big an impression as the suit you wear.

To the celebrities, CEOs, doctors and chairmen of the board who lease luxury autos, it's a "status symbol," says Posner.

"It means 'I have achieved something in my life and I'm at a point where I can have the best or coolest car I can drive,'" he continues.

Customers are also always looking to upgrade, Posner adds, with 60% not going to term on their leases. "Those with a Bentley coupe are generally on the list for a convertible."

Posner revealed that some of his celebrity clients still don't want others to know they lease, but he revealed that his star athlete customers prefer Cadillacs, Escalades and the Bentley convertible, which is a top seller in all occupations.

Uncle Steve

OK, so his clients don't really call him that, but they trust Posner like family. "Never get in a car with strangers," reads Putnam's slogan.

Wirth believes most people are completely intimidated by the car leasing and buying experience, so they reach out to someone who can reassure and give them the best service.

	Ticket to Ride

"I've known Steven for 16 or 17 years," says Wirth. "He's a really good friend and a quality guy ... a real people person."

Putnam, which has been doing business for 25 years, doesn't have much competition, says Posner, largely because it focuses on building trust. "If you're going to encumber yourself [with] a quarter-million [dollar] car, you want to know that they'll know who you are and that you have someone to speak to," says Posner. "Every deal is a personalized deal."

Herbert Zucker, an international wealth adviser, wouldn't lease from anyone but Posner, who has actually advised Zucker to pass on certain cars. "[Posner] is an extraordinarily honest person," says Zucker. "You don't find that a lot in life; much less with car dealers."

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