How to Compare Dealer Offers
Comparing dealer offers is only meaningful when you're comparing the same thing. The trick is to normalize every offer to a single out-the-door total for the same VIN and deal type.
Normalize to the out-the-door total
A lower vehicle price with higher fees can cost more than a higher price with lower fees. Reduce every offer to one number — the total you'd pay to drive away — and compare those.
Hold the variables constant
Compare the same VIN (or identical configuration), the same deal type (purchase vs lease), and the same term. Different cars or terms aren't comparable, no matter what the headline number says.
Step by step
- 01
Fix the vehicle and deal type
Use the same VIN and the same purchase-or-lease structure for every offer.
- 02
Convert each offer to out-the-door
Add taxes and all fees so you're comparing the true total, not a stripped price.
- 03
Set financing and trade aside
Evaluate financing and any trade-in separately so they don't distort the comparison.
- 04
Pick the lowest true total
Choose the strongest out-the-door number. On AsAgreed every dealer answers the same offer, so this is automatic.