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Ordering vs. Buying Off Lot...

6K views 22 replies 20 participants last post by  garretd 
#1 ·
So I have found a JKU that is almost exactly what I am looking for...

2016
JKU
White
Black Hardtop
Sport
Automatic Transmission
Max Tow Package (which I don't care about except for the 3.73 rear axle bump, which I do care about)
AC
Slip Diff.
^ these are my desired requirements^
but...
it also has power windows, remote/keyless entry, heated mirrors, tinted windows, power locks, and a few other items I don't care about nor really want.

The dealer is asking $33,877.00

So besides negotiating it down to whatever they're going to accept... would I just do better, unless they bring it down to something I am willing to bite on (30 to 31K tops), to order exactly what I want, save the extra coin and put it toward the specific mods I desire?

If so, any ideas on how I go forth with placing an order for the exact JKU I want -- and also, any good guesses on how long the waiting time would be?

Thanks!!
 
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#2 ·
That's a question you gotta ask your self. Considering your dropping $30,000+ is it worth an extra couple grand to get exactly what makes you happy, or is it something you can buy aftermarket and do your self? Your also going to have more negotiating power on a Jeep that's on the lot vs something custom ordered.
 
#3 ·
Thank you. Couple questions...

A. What do you mean by, "is it worth an extra couple grand to get exactly what makes you happy, or is it something you can buy aftermarket and do your self?"... not sure what you mean: seems like you are saying the same thing. Maybe I am misreading it.

B. People here at the forum have either told me or implied that when you know exactly what you want, ie: going to special order route, it actually saves money... so, while I totally get it when you say I have more negotiating power if it's on the lot, wouldn't I stand to save money when special ordering if:
#1. I know precisely what I do and don't want... and,
#2. I can still negotiate that price too before the order is placed?

Thanks for replying!
 
#4 ·
I ordered mine because I had a specific list of wants and I wasn't going to settle. But you're at the opposite end of where I was- My Rubicon has most of the options and you're looking for something more basic and are faced with extras.

I got my 2015 in three weeks which is exceptionally fast. I live about 100 miles from Toledo so mine came direct on a truck. The real time sink is transport, especially if yours has to go on a train.

We had an agreed-upon price at the time of order and a ballpark for my trade in too.

Hope that helped some.
 
#5 ·
I've ordered two vehicles over the years and have always liked getting exactly what I wanted. That said, the options you don't want are fairly popular with other people so even if you pay a bit more for them now, you will likely recoup your cost down the road. On top of that, power windows, locks, and keyless entry are really nice to have....even if they aren't a priority for you.
 
#6 ·
All else equal, ordering is less expensive than taking something off the lot. With an order, the dealer doesn't pay lot fees, financing, advertising fees, etc. those fees accrue on every vehicle that is sold from dealer inventory. I purchased two ordered vehicles in the last 18 months, and paid 5.5% under invoice (yes, invoice, not msrp) on both. You can get the same deal. My recommendation is to order.
 
#8 ·
Shop all the dealers in your area. That being said, I ordered(still waiting to be delivered) because of the color(Mohave Sand) and getting what I want on it. There are pros and cons, either way you can get a great deal if you order, you don't order unless you agree to the price and you are not obligated to purchase it when it arrives. Depending on your dealer, if the vehicle has stuff on it that you don't want, they might just take that off the vehicle. If you don't get what you want, you can always walk out. I walked out and got a call the next day if they could make it right and got my JKUR for $7200.00 under MSRP. Wait times vary, but plan on 6-8 weeks. Some waits are shorter and some are longer depending on what country you live in. But it looks like you want an el-cheapo Sport with no bells or whistles, which ordering one is in your best interest, in my opinion. $33.8k sounds a bit high. Good luck with your adventure.
 
#10 ·
I saved more by ordering a stripped Rubicon hardtop. In my market they only have loaded models on the lots.

I also wouldn't purchase a 4 door with manual Windows and locks, unless I was certain to keep it a decade and not worried about ease of resale.
 
#12 ·
I think it depends on the number of dealers near you, the volume of local stock and the popular packages the dealers order and carry.

I'd think you have more leverage in pulling one off the lot that day. IF you can find one with the features you want, not too much of what you don't want and in a color you like.

There are more than 10 dealers within 30 minutes of me and countless within an hour. Tons of local stock. Still when I was searching for my '14 most of the in stock Rubis were either fully loaded $50k+ or stripped rubis or in trendy colors I couldn't live with.

Once I found a white Rubi, leather, black top and fenders with Nav. - I jumped on it (literally pulled it out of the back of the lot). Happy with the deal and the jeep.
 
#14 ·
this ^^^^^

You should not pay for the options you don't need/want. So that unit you found? Yeah don't pay more for it than a special order you really want. Anything sitting on the dealers lot should get a discount. Special order... probably not.
 
#15 ·
If you know exactly what you want, and what you don't, ordering is the only way to go. Esp. If you are trying to go with a relatively stripped model like I did. Definitely get the 3.73 gears and think seriously about the EVIC. It's pretty cool. Might mean you have to get a Sport S but other than the wheels you don't need it's a pretty good package. And it allows you to get side airbags which you can't get with a base Sport.
 
#16 ·
For all those who need power windows on their unlimited's - do what I do just keep a kid or two back there and tell them when you want them open/closed :)
 
#17 ·
I got lucky and a dealer nearby had exactly the Jeep I wanted. Tank colored JKUHR with side airbags, no hardtop, auto, 4.10s, 430n. The only thing I did not really want that it had was automatic AC, as I had that on my last Jeep and it never really worked very well.

I feel pretty sure I would not have gotten as good of a price if I had to order. I made a low but serious offer in the Jeep, it was turned down and then they called back and accepted it right before year end. I am not sure I'd have the same negotiating power on a special order.
 
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