Howdy, Gang!

So, for the past 1/2 year i've been getting my kicks by visiting jk-forum, jeep.com and kbb.com dreaming of the day when I was ready to get a jk.

In the next few months I will begin the process of shopping for/ordering a jk. As this is my first 'new' vehicle, I'm new to the dealership process, and have only a general understanding of what is involved in 'ordering' a car. I've got my head around finding a vehicle on lot and negotiating prices etc., but don't know when that is tied in with ordering so here are a few questions:

1. When do I negotiate price? (before ordering?)
2. When do I put money down?
3. Is there any pricing advantage to buying off the lot or ordering?
4. When do I let them know whether I intend to finance or lease the vehicle?

non-ordering question:
1. Does anyone know about Chrysler's financial plus program (lease w/ buy option I think)?
2. If I intend to lease instead of finance (order or on-lot) do I have more or less power when negotiating price?
3. I have a friend who is a mechanic at a Chrysler Dealer in another state. Could I still get his 'friends and family' below invoice discount? Does anyone know any details about 'friends and family'
4. If I want an 'X' or Sahara hard-top when should I order to have deliverred in June?

Sorry for the novel. Thanks!! I appreciate any pointers.

Steve

 

If you know exactly what you want already, I'd price it out on KBB and Jeep Warehouse (www.jeepwarehouse.com) and e-mail that to a dealer. Don't even GO to the dealership until you know you're getting the price you want.

E-mail several dealerships. Tell them you're e-mailing other dealerships. Make them compete for your business. You may get it even cheaper than you expected. Once you get your best price in writing, find out if any dealers have a best price promise. E-mail or fax them the offer you have. See if they beat it (or give you whatever it is they are screaming on the radio that they'll give you if they can't beat it).

If you want to buy off the lot, I'd do the same thing, and then just see what they can find that is as close to what you want as possible. Then you're only negotiating over the things you didn't want. I'd offer to pay invoice and no higher for things you don't want.

If you're ordering, don't put money down till they are actually placing the order, and don't even do it then if they don't make you. If they do, put down as little as possible. You may find exactly the Jeep you want sitting on a lot between the time you order and the time it arrives. If so, you may be able to change your mind and only be out your deposit.

Ordering vs. Off the lot purchasing usually only makes a difference in price if what is on the lot is something they can't get rid of. The SALESMAN wants you to buy off the lot because he gets his numbers up and gets his money sooner, but the salesman doesn't set the price (which is why it is a waste of time to even go to a dealership to talk about price. Know what you're paying before you go).

Wait till you've got your best price to talk about financing/leasing. If you talk financing/payments/leasing during the price negotiating process, they will try to play games with the financing to make your payments look lower, when they are actually just screwing with the numbers. Treat it as two separate negotiations (cause it is!).

By the way, if you use these tactics, you will get royally screwed on your trade-in, since they know they aren't making anything extra on the new car sale. Sell it to a third party if you can.

-E

 

THats what I am doing. When I get my JK, it is the first new vehicle I have ever owned. Selling 3rd party is the way to go rather than trade-in.

 

What types of repurcussions can I expect if I decide to trade in?

If I decided to buy and there's negative equity on my trade-in wouldn't the dealership enjoy wrapping that into the payment and earning the interest off it?

I know it depends on the quality of my vehicle, but how accurate are Kelley bb figures for trade-in value?

. . .I really don't want to go through the hassle of third-party sale. I figure i'll end up eating about a $1,000 either way. At least with trade-in I don't worry about all the other crappy paperworks, title etc.

I'm sure there's a flaw in my reasoning and I would appreciate if anyone could point it out. Thanks!

Steve

P.S. I'm ditching my Land Rover for a Jeep .....sssshhhh!

 

The dealership doesn't really make any money on this. The dealer isn't loaning you the money to buy your new Jeep (or pay off your old vehicle either). They will happily assist you in doing it, so they can sell you a new car, but they get nothing out of the loan. The financing company gets the interest.

-E

 

Thanks for all the advise guys.

Anyone have info. about the friends and family deal, or how long a Sahara/X hard-top takes to build and deliver ? Thanks.

Steve.

 

[QUOTE=
Wait till you've got your best price to talk about financing/leasing. If you talk financing/payments/leasing during the price negotiating process, they will try to play games with the financing to make your payments look lower, when they are actually just screwing with the numbers. Treat it as two separate negotiations (cause it is!).

By the way, if you use these tactics, you will get royally screwed on your trade-in, since they know they aren't making anything extra on the new car sale. Sell it to a third party if you can.

-E[/QUOTE]

Correct. Make a deal for your best price- leave the financing out of the mix. Accept the fact they have to make money on the deal or they won't sell you the vehicle. I spun my process this way and in the end they offered me $500.00 for a darn nice 96 4dr. Tahoe - which we then sold three days later for $4800. It's a slimey process, but if well managed can be bearable.