With my car lease expiring in mid-July, time was running out. I visited the original dealership, determined to replace my current vehicle with a new lease. However, the new car I wanted came with a $16,000 price increase. Despite a discount based on the equity in my current car, the lease payments would be $325.00 more than what I was already paying. This presented a dilemma.

I was determined to reduce my monthly payment instead of increasing it, I spent two weeks researching alternative options online. Eventually, I found a vehicle that was $11,000 cheaper than the vehicle that was a current replacement to my current vehicle. However, configuring the models online forced me to send the details to a dealership. Consequently, I started receiving calls from both the original dealership and the alternate one.

Though I dislike sales pitches, I answered their calls out of respect. My goal was to lease a more expensive vehicle than my previous one while lowering my monthly payment. After careful consideration and reviewing quotes from Carvana and CarMax, I decided to proceed on Monday.

At the dealership where I had sent the configurations, the salesperson was friendly, and we had a pleasant chat. They appraised my current car and even offered a test drive. Upon returning to the showroom, they provided a lease quote that was $120.00 higher than my current payment. Curious about the credit for my car, I discovered that a $5,000.00 down payment was also necessary to achieve the quoted price.

Despite feeling frustrated, I managed to remain calm. I made it clear that I would only pay the same lease price I was currently paying, hence $120.00 less. After discussing with his manager, he returned and assured me, “They can do it, they will work it out.” Instantly, I felt a twinge of suspicion, thinking that it was too easy. Self-doubt crept in, and I started considering if I could find a better deal elsewhere. Looking directly into the salesperson’s eyes, I kindly requested 24 hours to consider the offer. He handed me his card, and we parted ways amicably.

During my trip to the second dealership, I decided to share my experience at the first dealership, adding a small exaggeration. Upon arrival, I had an open and honest conversation with a new salesperson. I mentioned that the other dealership had offered me the same car for $25.00 less and expressed my expectation of a better deal here. I proposed a $4,000.00 down payment, which was $1,000.00 less than the original dealership.

To support my negotiation, I provided copies of the quotes from Carvana and CarMax, along with the detailed specifications of the desired vehicle. The salesperson appraised my car and then showed me a similar vehicle with some missing options. Declining the test drive since I had already done one, we returned to the showroom. After discussing with their manager, the salesperson returned with great news: the fully accessorized car would cost $529.00 per month, $46.00 less than the other dealership, and I only needed to pay $4,000.00 down. We struck a deal, saving me $1,656.00 over the three-year lease period.

While my negotiation story may not be universally applicable, it signifies a significant personal accomplishment. I learned the importance of compromise, realizing that I didn’t always need the top-of-the-line option. Trusting my intuition and actively listening led me to success. I can’t wait to drive off the lot with my new car on Saturday.