I look at the lease hacking experience like a journey for me. I first started leasing through the dealer and thought wow, I got a good deal and get to drive a new car every couple years. The first time I used a broker I drove home and waited for the police to arrive. I thought the deal was so much better than the dealer that it must be shady or illegal in some way. To my surprise it was all legit and there’s no difference other than the better deal you will get going through a broker. Then I finally got brave and went out on my own approaching dealers for a loaner 2024 Cadillac Lyriq. However, I wasn’t alone. I was equipped with all the information learned on this website and the selfless hackers who gave me advice and encouragement along the way. About 12 dealer contacts later, I was able to secure a loaner for $323/mo with just $2,200 down for license, reg, doc fees, etc. You can see my journey here
Bottom line is that broker deal will beat the dealer most, if not all the time. But if you want to spend some time and put in the effort, you can beat the broker deal yourself.
I wasted 2 weeks of my time trying to find a CX90 deal. I called 10 different local dealers and best I could get it down to in the high 500s a month. I reached out to Nick @ Auto Ninjas and he gave me a number in the mid 400s. Local dealer told me there was no way I was getting the car for that amount. He said the selling dealer was selling for a loss and it wont go thru. I stopped by and on the way home in the CX90 and he still doesn’t know how it was possible and said enjoy your car. I was skeptical but it was almost to easy. Got the exact car we wanted and fast. We will not be trying this on our own anymore. The fee was well worth the money we saved.
You really need to understand how a lease comes together and what is possible to do on your own or via a broker. Some cars are easier to hack and some require the backdoor approach that most brokers offer here. I would never lease a Toyota or a Porsche without a broker but I’ve leased couple audis, lexus and a volvo without a broker. I also have used AutoNinjas to get a Nx450h+ because they were able to get 1 locally.
I understand now. You’re right, people lie. I have had a bad experience with a broker and my local dealer. Doesn’t make all brokers or all dealers bad.
