Yup.
With a $39,840 msrp he could have easily found someone with a GM supplier code. Literally almost anyone that works for a major corporation has access to them. Even without a supplier code it isn’t super hard to negotiate the same price.
This would have brought the price down to around $37,600. Subtract $1,500 Costco and $500 Cadillac rebate and you’re at $35,600. Add in $2,000 in sales tax and you’re at $37,600. Add in $85 dealer fee and $600 in dmv fees and you’re at $38,285. He put down $5k on the lease so if he did the same here he’d be at $33,285 financed. 72 months at 3% interest and you’re at $500 per month on a purchase. Instead he’s now paying $428 plus tax on a lease. So we’re talking a difference of $50 max on a purchase versus a lease.