For as long as I can remember, getting a new car has always consisted of a few things. Driving to the dealership, test driving a few different models, followed by long negotiations with the salesperson and then either exiting with a deal or journeying to the next dealer. It wasn’t the most fun thing to do in the world, but it was the only way to car shop and folks just accepted that it was the way things were done in the industry.

Until now.

Just last week, Capital Motor Cars debuted a new way to car shop, with the introduction of Ignite, a ground-breaking leasing engine that allows you to complete the car shopping experience straight from your device. That means no trips to multiple dealers, no checking a million websites for prices and inventory, and most importantly, no tense negotiations with pushy salespeople. Just fair, transparent pricing on real, in-stock vehicles and free delivery right to your home or office every single time.

As amazing as online leasing is, there are still perks of shopping at the dealership. There’s no better way to get a feel of a car than a test drive, most of the time you can drive off in your new ride on the same day, and if you’re a savvy negotiator, you can also end up with a really great deal.

Since there are pros and cons to both the online and dealership experience, let’s break down all of the different ways they compare using some of the most important aspects of car shopping that are the most important to shoppers: Price, Convenience, Inventory, and Service. 

 

Price

The Dealership: For most shoppers, price will be the most important variable when it comes to shopping for a new car. Especially when it comes to leasing, certain dealerships will be more or less aggressive on what they are selling the car at in order to complete a sale.

That’s why it’s not entirely uncommon to see the exact same car sold at two different price points at two different dealerships. Of course, a lot of what goes into lease pricing has to do with the creditworthiness of the customer, as an individual with less than stellar credit will not be offered the same rates as someone with an 800 score.

However, the lease price of a car will still have a lot to do with the negotiation skills of the customer, which can be both an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on the customer. But even the savviest of negotiators can be hit with additional dealership fees at the end of the negotiation process.

Overall, lease prices can be tricky to maneuver when going through a dealership and while you can still score a great deal, you’ll definitely have to work for it.

Online Leasing: On the flip side, with online leasing, the price you see is the price you pay. No surprise fees. No negotiations. It’s no different than purchasing anything else you would normally buy online. Everything is broken down for you at checkout, from sales tax to any bank or dealer fees and you can add any rebates or incentives that you qualify for as well.

One of the coolest features of online leasing and Ignite, is the ability to modify your payment structure in real time. Want to see how much your monthly lease price would be on a sign and drive? Slide the slider all the way to the left. Want to be around a certain monthly payment? Slide the slider to the right to see how much you’ll have to put down in order to get there.

Honest and transparent pricing is the mission we hope to accomplish, and with Ignite, the power of leasing is fully in the customer’s hands.

Verdict: If your an expert haggler, you might be able to score a better deal by shopping at the dealership, but you’ll ALWAYS get a fair deal when leasing online with Capital Motor Cars.

Convenience

The Dealership: As I touched on in the intro, going to the dealership isn’t exactly the most convenient way to shop for a car. The fact that you actually have to go out of your way and set aside precious time from your day already sounds like a headache.

However, once you’re there, you’ll be able to check out a bunch of different models right then and there, which is great if you have your heart set on a specific brand and just want to get a feel of each car.

Online Leasing: With online leasing, just grab your phone, a cup of coffee if you’d like, and find your favorite place on the couch. Or on the toilet, if that’s where you get your best work done. We don’t judge. Either way, your commute is done.

From there you’ll be able to shop from thousands of different models from a plethora of brands all in one place. Compare prices, features and so much more on your device and save cars that you’re interested in to check back on later.

And oh yeah, free home delivery of your new ride and your old lease returned to the dealership never hurt either.

Verdict: There’s no competition here. If you’re looking for the most convenient way to lease a car, online leasing with Capital Motor Cars is the way to go.

Inventory

The Dealership: When it comes down to the available inventory of a specific brand, dealerships are usually well stocked with all kinds of different combinations of models and trims. Some of the bigger dealerships even have thousands of vehicles in stock.

For example, if you’re looking for a specific vehicle like a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo Altitude in white with leather trim, chances are your dealership has it. If not, they can always conduct a dealer swap to procure the vehicle to sell to you.

However, although dealerships are well stocked with their own brands, you’ll need to look elsewhere if you’re interested in either competing brands or higher luxury options altogether.

Online Leasing: Shop every brand from Acura to Toyota, all in one place. Through our vast dealership network, you’ll be able to shop from actual live inventory. That’s literally thousands of cars at your fingertips, for those of you keeping score at home.

Comparing prices between models has never been easier, giving you all of the resources you need to make an informed decision and find the right car for you.

Verdict: With Ignite, we took a bunch of dealerships and put them on your phone, all in one place. Advantage, online leasing with Capital Motor Cars.

Service

The Dealership: Depending on what dealership you’re working with, the level of service offered will definitely vary. There are plenty of dealerships that will offer a top-notch car shopping experience, down to the individualized attention and pampered feel that makes you feel like a V.I.P. Some dealerships even offer perks like free oil changes and car washes and loaner programs while your car is getting work done.

So, if you love the dealership you’ve been working with an have a great relationship with the personnel there, then, by all means, continue to shop with that dealership. But, if you’re thinking of switching brands and aren’t sure where to go next or aren’t thrilled with your experience with your current dealer, it might be time to consider an alternative.

Leading us to….

Online Leasing: When you lease a car online, you’re never on your own. You’re free to shop at your own pace, but in the event that you need just a pinch of assistance, your very own dedicated automotive consultant is standing by to help. Whether it’s specific questions about price, what rebates you qualify for or just general recommendations on vehicles you’re considering, there’s always someone available to assist.

Also, since we source cars through our own dealership network, you’ll be eligible for all of the same perks that very dealership offers.

And when it comes time to have your car delivered, you can rest assured that a professional delivery specialist will bring you your new ride safe and sound, and go over every feature of the car with you.

It’s that extra attention to detail that sets us apart from the rest.

Verdict: When it comes to service, there are perks to both car shopping experiences. But only online leasing with Capital Motor Cars offers free dealership-to-door white glove service at no additional cost.

Final Verdict

At the end of the day, there are pros and cons to both the dealership experience and online leasing. It truly depends on the experience you’re looking for and your comfortability with negotiating your way through the leasing process and if seeing the car in person before you buy is a must. If you’re strapped for time as well, online leasing is your best bet, since it’s miles ahead of the dealership in terms of convenience and the amount of time you’ll save.

If you’re still on the fence about leasing your next car online, contact the automotive experts at Capital Motor Cars! We’ll walk you through the entire process and answer any questions you might have about pricing, features, inventory and more.