Ordering should come up soon. Any advice on things to specify to the dealer?

For example: When I bought my last Mustang off the lot, the front license plate bracket had been screwed directly into the front bumper. Removing it meant leaving 2 screw holes right in the front bumper. Obviously, I will stipulate on my order "do not install front lic plate bracket."

I have never ordered a new car. Anybody got any important advice for me to specify?

 

Here I can give you some advice. I have ordered 3 cars in my lifetime, 2 of which have been Mustangs. The latest one being a 2006 Saleen 281 SC. Since this is your first trip to the dealer to formally place an order make sure you get all the printouts of all the information you can attain The sales rep will most likey have you fill out the Sales Pricing Plan form, its basically how you plan to pay for the car. They basically keep this on file until the car arrives so they know where to start dealing with you for final pricing. If you are financing its whole different ball game and I can't really help you there. If you Paying the puppie off the day you buy here is your room to wiggle. The dealer and you can set a price in final block, and get a copy for your records. This will almost seal the price for you when you come back to the dealer when the car arrives. Its great to have when they want to ask for more money and you have a copy. Without that sheet, well you are the mercy of game or dealer arbitration. Other helpful tools when buying a car, get printouts from autotrader, magazines, or quotes from other dealers to sway your bidding power. In your case here well, its going to be tough since I have not even seen any pricing for these vehciles just some unofficial estimates. When I purchased my Saleen I asked my dealer about his allocation and pricing and they had locked in 3 GT500s. Pricing, well in his words alot more then what I was paying.
I specified for the dealer not to detail my car because I was putting the invisible bra on it, and I requested no one to drive it besides the me, no front license plate mounting. Basically I didn't want anyone beating on the car before I got there.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NiteHawk422 @ March 5, 2006, 8:34 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
I specified for the dealer not to detail my car because I was putting the invisible bra on it, and I requested no one to drive it besides the me, no front license plate mounting. Basically I didn't want anyone beating on the car before I got there.
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That is the kind of stuff I am looking for. Thanks.

Anybody else got more?

 

No stickers, no holes, no engraving the car windows with the s/n. If it is going to be garaged you don't need under coating, paint sealent, or upholstery conditioning. Those are gimmincks to extract as much money from your wallet.

I would insist on seeing the car before it is prep'd and washed. Taking the day off is not a bad idea either. If you decide on the extended warranty you can negotiate the price, if your plans are to not abuse the car don't waste your money on it.

Finally, if you are doing some financing, shop around and have the paperwork ready by delivery time. You'll be surprised how receptive the dealer's financing agent becomes when he finds out you have a deal with competive rates.

 

One thing I always request is that they not put the dealership badging any where on the car...I allow them to put a license plate frame with their name, that usually gets removed in a month or so. I always tell them my request is has nothing to do with them, but I just like my car with only the badging that came with the car.

I have no problem with them detailing the car, but I will give them the wax I want applied.

I always ask them to explain what their checkout process is so I will understand and have an option on before it is done.

I do this on every car I have ordered, even if it's from the same dealership.

ps: I agree with all the ideas put forth in previous posts, too.

 

Crazyhorse what is your plan when they tell you they are adding a $2500 + market adjustment to the price? You have said all along you would not do it so are you going to pay it or not? [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen.gif[/img] My bet is you are not going to pass it up and will pay it and eat crow! Being much older that you I have learned never say never. Crow taste like POOT smells! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrinjester.gif[/img] I too will have to make a decision in just a few days.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mongoose @ March 5, 2006, 11:59 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Crazyhorse what is your plan when they tell you they are adding a $2500 + market adjustment to the price? You have said all along you would not do it so are you going to pay it or not? [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen.gif[/img] My bet is you are not going to pass it up and will pay it and eat crow! Being much older that you I have learned never say never. Crow taste like POOT smells! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrinjester.gif[/img] I too will have to make a decision in just a few days.
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I'll say no. I have enough faith in the dealer that this won't happen. If it does, I'll wait until I can get one. If I can't, there are other cars that I would cherish as well (maybe not quite as well).

 

BULLITT mentioned it, and I'm going to second it: no stickers/emblems/plaques with the dealer's name to be put anywhere on the car (they usually go above the tail light). And if I were you, I'd put all of these delivery requests in writing and have the sales manager autograph it.