Idle Payment / Inception Payment
Total cash due at lease signing: first month + acquisition fee + taxes + fees + any cap cost reduction.
The idle payment (also "drive-off" or "inception") is the total dollar amount you write a check for at lease signing — distinct from the monthly payment. It includes: first month's payment, acquisition fee ($500-$1,000), upfront sales tax (varies by state), registration and title fees, doc fee, plus any cap cost reduction you elect. Lease deals are commonly advertised as "$0 down" which means zero cap cost reduction — but you still owe the inception/idle payment, often $1,500-$3,500. Always get the exact drive-off itemized in writing; this is where dealers slip in VIN etching, nitrogen, and other junk fees hoping you focus only on the monthly number.