[suspence89]

I have been lurking the different threads here for about a week.

My wife and I are thinking about ordering a Pacifica Hybrid Platinum within the next week or so.

I can't seem to find a straight answer on here (and dealers won't give me an answer over email/phone/etc) as to what is required to actually place an order for one. Dealers want to put me through the gauntlet of gas only models before even talking hybrid process and numbers. Getting frustrated.

Is it just a small deposit? Or?

Thanks.

 

[JabstaFiend]

A willing dealer and some sort of deposit ($1k in my case) seem to be the only requirements. Fortunately for me, they never tried to get me into anything else. I was very clear that I was only interested in the hybrid.

 

[suspence89]

Yeah ok. I am expecting $500 or $1K deposit. I saw a couple people on here didn't have to put down anything. Which was sort of surprising.

So far in the Seattle area I have been to 2 dealers, and I tell them my position (only interested in Hybrid). But they still want to put me through the entire process of "oh you don't want one of those silly hybrids...look at this fancy gas one we have right here!" Yeah it has all the options we want (similar to platinum hybrid) but I am not interested in buying it.

I think since they know close to zero about the leasing and financing for it yet they just avoid the conversation all together about the hybrid until they see one on their lot.

 

[SherylBear]

Yeah it seems common that they don't seem to want to sell them. I would have bought one but our dealer wouldn't order me one without a huge deposit for fear of being stuck unable to sell it. They said people here can't afford that $$$$$.

 

[Cr0nis]

Walked into my dealer and told them I was interested in the hybrid. They showed me as many features as they could on their in stock gas version and then we talked price. There was no push to even try and change my mind to get the gas version. They also offer free lifetime power train (which seemed like a good thing given the new hybrid system).

They asked for a $500 deposit. They order went in pretty quick and we had our VIN a few days after.

I will say this. When we spoke to the manager to negotiate a price he told me they had a markup that would leave them at ~$192. With some info from the forum we also had them kick back in from their holdback as well.

Good experience so far (Norwalk, CT).

 

[suspence89]

Wow...thats impressive...

We are going to see a 3rd dealer on Wednesday. Will see how that experience goes. If it goes well we will probably put down the deposit and order a platinum.

I was surprised that the previous 2 had no knowledge of how the $7500 tax credit would work on this van. Like they literally had not been considering that in their cost comparisons when they talk to customers about it. (I educated them )With the tax credit they are actually the same price if not less than their similar gas versions.

I tried really hard to not be that annoying "know-it-all customer" but they didn't make it easy.

 

[SherylBear]

Wow...thats impressive...

We are going to see a 3rd dealer on Wednesday. Will see how that experience goes. If it goes well we will probably put down the deposit and order a platinum.

I was surprised that the previous 2 had no knowledge of how the $7500 tax credit would work on this van. Like they literally had not been considering that in their cost comparisons when they talk to customers about it. (I educated them )With the tax credit they are actually the same price if not less than their similar gas versions.

I tried really hard to not be that annoying "know-it-all customer" but they didn't make it easy.

Not everyone will qualify for that credit. It's good they aren't promising it to everyone. They have to have $7500 in tax calculated or more.

 

[suspence89]

I understand that.

However, its likely that anyone looking to buy a $45K minivan has at least $7500 in tax liability and should be able to qualify for it.

 

[chrissbu]

I'm one of the lucky ones whose dealer required no deposit to submit my order. Interestingly, another (much larger) dealer is still saying that they're not able to order one at all, while the one just down the road from them said they can order, no problem.

 

[suspence89]

Just got off the phone with the sales manager at the dealership we are test driving at on Wednesday.

He said to just bring your checkbook for $500 or $1000 deposit. And he noted that its no obligation once it arrives because it is one more for their lot either way.

That was nice to hear that it will be no obligation if we decide we don't like it...(but I doubt we wouldn't like it)

 

[kvmiller]

Each dealership will have a different requirement for a deposit. The majority of dealers in my area (Boston) know nothing about the hybrid. But they are all willing to order it without much fuss and without trying to sell me the gas version.

My dealer is a smaller, family-run dealership...they required a 10% nonrefundable deposit ($4500)! Since I knew I was going to buy the car, we went ahead with it but I considered walking and going to a dealership with a lower deposit requirement. We'll just consider that our down payment. I'm unclear as to whether this is the deposit this dealership requires for all factory orders (which is sort of what they indicated) or if that's specific for the hybrid in case they can't sell it. They have been otherwise quite excellent and they are about 1 mile from my house, so will be convenient for service.

We are paying MSRP, they all whine about how the markup isn't much from "invoice" which we all know is not the way it really works but I didn't argue. I do think they should educate themselves about the tax credit...most people will have at least that much tax liability and will qualify for it.

 

[suspence89]

Yeah just in the last hour I was able to get a response from another dealer I visited last weekend.

They want $2000 down to order. Didn't say if it was refundable or not, just that they would put down some estimates for financing and leasing before we commit to ensure its what we want. Which probably means they want us to commit. But who knows.

So I have one that wants $500-1000 no obligation, and another that wants $2000. Hmmm...I wonder which one I am going to order with. *Sarcasm*

 

[TDangelo1219]

I walked into the dealership. Talked with the sales manager for two minutes to discuss price. He said whatever invoice is, that is the price I'll pay so I agreed. Then he took me in his office and pulled up the ordering program. Asked me what color I wanted, if I wanted a sunroof or splash guards and hit the order button. Then he said I'll call you when it arrives. It should be that simple. He didn't even ask for a deposit. I understand if they ask for one, but it's not really necessary since it will sell within a week if you didn't buy it and they know it. The right dealership will treat you the same way.

 

[vedettes]

Hi suspence89, I'm in Seattle as well and am interested in ordering. Did you know that in addition to the $7,500 tax credit the Pacifica Hybrid also qualifies for a sales/auto sales tax exemption on $32,000 of the vehicle's value in WA? With our tax rates that's a huge savings! Looks like you've done a lot of leg work. Do you mind telling me what dealer you're going to today? The dealerships I've contacted seem to be lacking in the knowledge department on this vehicle. If I can order a vehicle without obligation to purchase it, then I would be interested in doing that this weekend. Not trying to jump you in line! Thanks!