First of all, thanks to everyone that contributed opinions/perspective/insight to helping make a more informed/better decision on which JK is right for us.

now comes the dirty part - haggling with the dealer

unfortunately, i'm kinda up against the wall with him. on one hand, i'm ordering a JK to be built. on the other hand, i have a trade-in i'm upside-down on that i have to get out from under. here's what he's offering me on the Unlimited X (to be ordered) 6spd softop with 23S, power convenience group, side airbags, anti-slip rear diff, and 4.10 ratio:

price: $25,720
dealer discount: -420
net price: 25,300
he "showed" me his "invoice price" from the Dealer Connect software which was about ~$24,500 more or less.

all this against my 2000 lincoln ls v8 that edmunds says is worth 7,026 for trade-in which he's giving me 6,667 for (i know he's gonna put it up to be auctioned). thing is, i know that i have a blown valve cover gasket in the lincoln - about $900 to get repaired at the Ford dealer. not to mention a few small dings/scratches in the hood (don't ask), a scuff on the rear bumper, a tiny chip in the windshield, traces of trips to the beach with a labrador retriever (FUR), and a few other minor issues - they didn't check the car out at all.

my problem is that i'm going to be stationed in hawaii in ~june and need to get this ordered as soon as possible if i want to get it in time. plus, i'm losing more money everyday on the lincoln. am i getting the shaft? he gave me his word (and a copy of the paperwork) that this deal will be waiting for me tomorrow when i return during sunlight (with the lincoln's flaws being more noticeable :eek: ) if i want to get it done. thoughts? i'd appreciate this, we really want the jeep, but just don't have a ton of options.

 

the costco auto program in my area (central cali) offers any JK for $200 over invoice. I would keep shopping. Especially since there are tons of X's on the lots.

 

costco isn't gonna buy my tradein though. what i'm looking at more is whether or not i have room to negotiate - trying to avoid the whole buyer's remorse thing.

 

Sell it yourself and get more money out of the deal. Dealers are always there for you to just unload a vehicle on for convienience. I am going to sell my 94' YJ and put most of the money towards my loan. More down payment I guess.

 

normally, that would be the best idea, but unfortunately i'm pressed for time (moving to hawaii in 4 months); thus i need to get this JK ordered ASAP. oh well, just looking around it seems that the JK's have gotten so popular that people aren't pulling fire-sale prices anymore. looks like people are having trouble even getting under MSRP on in-stock vehicles. i'm going to take my $420 under MSRP as a bargain. i'll be putting in my order tomorrow i think

 

Hit a small used car lot and pay the guy a couple of hundred to run the Lincoln through the auction for you. I've done it several times and it's the less of two evils . . . you get the real wholesale number less his cost to sell it. Then you can deal with some cash instead of the disadvantage of being at their mercy with a trade.

PS Make sure the dealer is reputable!!!!