Considering an order
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I live in the SF Bay Area, where demand for hybrids is high, so my dealer got me to pay $6000 as a deposit. I actually signed a contract to buy the particular car, once it's delivered, at the agreed price. We signed the contract on December 26, but haven't gotten the car yet. It's been built, but is sitting in storage awaiting quality control. When it's delivered, we'll pay the remainder.
I'm sure this is all negotiable, but I've heard supply for the hybrid is much less than demand, so dealers have a strong position in the negotiation.
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I live in the Boston area and placed an order for the trim, color, and options I want with only putting down a refundable $500 deposit for a Sold Order (an order for a specific paying customer vs Dealer Order). I was told to expect 8-12 weeks for delivery, but they were honest that they had no idea when it'd arrive. That was Jan 13. Also they had no idea about promotions/incentives. With the sunroof, MSRP is only $190 over invoice they said. I can't say I'm optimistic that I'll get below invoice though some on this forum have and there are discounts from USAA, Costco, and Sam's Club which some users have reported success with and some not. My dealer is waiting for the car to come in to start negotiations. Like I said, I'm not hopeful...they have us over a barrel and both sides know it. The internal sales document that leaked on this forum showed they'll utilize the $7,500 federal tax credit as enough incentive.
My advice is to choose between price (in which case try to do your negotiations - possibly with multiple dealerships - all up front) or just getting one ASAP. Which to this point hasn't been all that soon. But the production and QC process should ramp up and smooth out.
At this point you'll have to order before you can test drive it, so unless you're comfortable just testing the gas model (as I am) make sure your refundable deposit also let's you test drive the car when it comes in. Otherwise you'll have to wait and be attentive to when local dealerships get their Dealer Orders delivered. Most are only allowed to order 1 per month.
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It all depends on the dealer. Some dealers will require no deposit, while others will require very large deposits. Whether or not the deposit is refundable is completely up to the dealer as well.
I placed my sold order on 20Dec16. The dealer required no deposit only a hand shake promising I would take the car when it arrives. Being a man of my word, and still consider a hand shake to be my bond, I will defiantly take the Hybrid when it arrives ( built and in storage hoping for shipping this week ). That said I am certain any dealer who has a customer turn down a sold order would have no trouble selling it to the next person in line or doing a dealer trade to another dealer who is in desperate need of a Hybrid for a waiting customer.
As far as negoating a price, lots of luck on that. The MSRP is only $100 over dealer invoice (no options). The dealer has no wiggle room unless he is willing to dip into his hold back, something most dealers refuse to do and with the high demand for the Hybrid and limited supply why would they. You might have some leverage on the trade in allowance but I imagine that would be the extent of it. If you try and drive too hard a bargain the dealer will just contact the next waiting customer. Believe me, if you don't want the Hybrid there are plenty of people who do. I am surprised some dealers are not asking $1000 over sticker as they do, on occasion, with some other hard to get models.
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True, and they get to benefit from the car already being on the lot to test drive and buy that day instead of waiting 3+ months for it to arrive like everyone here.
We have heard from some on the forum that have experienced this (in some cases looking for 2k over MSRP). Guess it depends how in demand it is in your area, because an MSRP-willing customer in store today might beat a potential over-MSRP customer coming in tomorrow. We see this in in-demand housing markets don't we.
Roger that mmd88834.True, and they get to benefit from the car already being on the lot to test drive and buy that day instead of waiting 3+ months for it to arrive like everyone here.
We have heard from some on the forum that have experienced this (in some cases looking for 2k over MSRP). Guess it depends how in demand it is in your area, because an MSRP-willing customer in store today might beat a potential over-MSRP customer coming in tomorrow. We see this in in-demand housing markets don't we.
I kind of think the people posting on this forum who think the are going to beat up a dealer on price are delusional when it comes to the Hybrid.
Some people just aren't happy unless they think they have beat somebody out of something. I wonder how many would be happy if their boss put their job and salary out for bids to negotiate the lowest cost. Any business, even a car dealership, needs to make money or the won't stay in business and be there when you need them.
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I think it also depends on the relationship you have with a dealership as well. If you are also a service and parts customer, live relatively local, and have a track record of using their services beyond the sale, they will most likely work with you much more than someone who cold calls from somewhere 2+ hours away and wants it under invoice by a large margin.
Since most money in a new car dealership is made in service and parts, if you frequent that part of their business, you do have more leverage than someone who doesn't... At least that has been my experience.
Since most money in a new car dealership is made in service and parts, if you frequent that part of their business, you do have more leverage than someone who doesn't... At least that has been my experience.
Yes that certainly is true and you make a good point. Dealer relationship is very important. Some people will drive 200 miles to save a hundred bucks then when they need service they take it back to the local dealer. Now I know a local dealer has to service the car especially when it a warranty issue, but they don't have to like it. They will probably treat their loyal customers and those who bought from them with faster service. Precisely why I try and support all the local businesses in my area and avoid the big box stores. I don't mind paying a little more to the local guy who lives in my community. Sadly we have become a nation of bargain hunters.
Myself and my children have bought all our cars from our local dealer for over 30 years and I know when I need help he is there and on a first name basis.
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There's a dealership on cars.com that has had 1 posted and posted 4 new ones last night so they are definitely coming!
Paid MSRP, I put a $1,000 down on Feb 13, car was to arrive on March 1st. Looking at paperwork, original order was placed on
1/12 then modified on 1/29..Where my signature went on paperwork it was covered up, so guess original order was by someone else who backed out. Cincinnati area, I think it is all up to dealers what they want to do.
1/12 then modified on 1/29..Where my signature went on paperwork it was covered up, so guess original order was by someone else who backed out. Cincinnati area, I think it is all up to dealers what they want to do.
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Would it be worth it for you to travel a distance to get different treatment? Like a couple hundred miles or so? Would you have to go further than that? I don't know NorCal that well. A massive deposit and halted negotiations does not seem customer focused. In my area, I didn't really have to give them a deposit to place an order, and don't have to buy the van when it gets here. They're even willing to sit on it for a few weeks and hold it for me until my spring bonus comes in. Multiple dealerships offered me similar treatment.
If you're comfortable with it, then that's great. I sure wouldn't be. We don't like that kind of pressure in the flyover states.
I'm in the same boat. I am definitely apprehensive to buy it without a test drive since I want to know how it drives and not compare it to the gas model. I own a hybrid sedan and know it drives differently than other cars of the similar size so I'm very curious to find out how the hybrid pacifica drives.
Has anyone ordered the premium as opposed to the platinum? i'm still on the fence.
Has anyone ordered the premium as opposed to the platinum? i'm still on the fence.
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The Premium is not yet available to order.
Is there an estimate for when it will be available to order?
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I have no inside info, but I'll bet a 2017 Premium model is never released. It's looking like they won't be releasing Q2, and will push to at least Q3. At that point, may as well call them 2018's with no changes.
Word from my dealer this morning. Dealers cannot order any more Hybrid Platinums. They can only place orders for Premium models. No production schedule for the Premiums yet. If you missed the Platinum launch package you will have to find one that is not spoken for. If they do offer the Platinum again I would bet you won't see the options included in the launch package for the price. If you have a Platinum coming you were a wise buyer.
No word on the price of the Honda yet is there? I am sure Chrysler will stay completive in price and options. My point is I don't think you well see another hybrid with all the stuff Chrysler included in the Platinum launch edition anywhere near the price. Just for example take a Chrysler Limited gas model add the options included in the Platinum Hybrid and you will be north of $50K USD.
I have driven both the Toyota and Honda gas vans I will take the Pacifica hands down.
I tried to reach out to my local dealer yesterday to finally pull the trigger and place an order, after reading that people were seeing that ordering was closed. After they assured me repeatedly that they could still place an order (even after I told them that I'm hearing it's not possible), they called me this morning to say that they couldn't order, and weren't even aware that orders could have been placed previously. Very concerning, since this is one of the highest volume FCA dealers in our area. Fingers crossed I'll be able to find a dealer order that matches what we wanted.
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