After a few weeks of lots of negotiating - we picked up my new car! Isn't she pretty?!
Back here I shared that we had a few months left on our lease and we went to the car show to see everything up close. Staying true to that, as the time got closer I reached out to dealerships to get pricing. We test drove the Atlas and the Infinit since they were the real top two - but I also requested quotes on the Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder and Lexus GX460.
These cars range in MSRP from roughly $36,000 - $56,000. Surprisingly, 2 of the cars in the high 30's came out with lease payments astronomical (almost $200 more a month than what we pay) and the $56,000 and $48,000 car were way more reasonable. I think this is part of the reason I find cars so fascinating! You just never know.
My only requirements with this car, were leather and a 3rd row. I'd like to think we're not alone in the state of our car, with small kids and a dog. I honestly didn't want to get too nice of a car, because I don't feel worthy! We kinda trashed my old car - although it looks beautiful now, all ready to be turned in. But I was hoping to be able to have leather, for the first time :) It's the little things, right?
At the same time, I notice a car's pick up and handling of the road (like a crazy person) so I'm sort of picky when it comes to those things.
I wanted to like the VW Atlas but I was pretty disappointed at the test drive. We dragged the kids immediately following to Infiniti so we could check out the two top contenders back to back. What.a.difference. I mean, they almost didn't even compare. All the heart eyes for the QX60. It's a teeny bit smaller than the Acadia, smooth ride, good gadgets and leather, sunroof and power-everything, in the base model. I was sold as we pulled out of the dealership for the test drive!
At the same time, I notice a car's pick up and handling of the road (like a crazy person) so I'm sort of picky when it comes to those things.
I wanted to like the VW Atlas but I was pretty disappointed at the test drive. We dragged the kids immediately following to Infiniti so we could check out the two top contenders back to back. What.a.difference. I mean, they almost didn't even compare. All the heart eyes for the QX60. It's a teeny bit smaller than the Acadia, smooth ride, good gadgets and leather, sunroof and power-everything, in the base model. I was sold as we pulled out of the dealership for the test drive!
I test drove the car at the original dealer that I'd reached out to, in April. They were so happy to actually meet me (us) after talking over email for so long. After they gave us their best price trying to get us to get the car that day, we agreed to think it over and be in touch. I reached out to 2 other local dealers and game on. I gave them all the opportunity to beat the other out. One came in $75 less a month, then the front runner, but was SO strong on the pressure we decided to say bye-bye. But, I used his quote, as leverage with the other dealers. Back and forth and back and forth - literally for days. It was sort of exciting and I was totally in control of all the negotiating. We ended up getting the car at the original dealer where we test drove it, and everyone was super nice and patient with two bored-crazy kids bouncing off the (glass!) walls. The price is right and the car is awesome - win, win!
One of my Dad's best piece of advice is 'you never get more than you ask for'. Sometimes easier said then done but it relates to so many areas of life. If you might be in the market for a car soon, have some fun with it and don't be afraid to ask for it all!
Happy Friday!! XO
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