[s1dest3p]

Can you still negotiate when you are ordering a car? If so, do you think it's impossible to get just as good as a deal as you might on a car on the lot?

[DenverTaco07]

Of course you can always negotiate. I think a buyer's position is much stronger with a car on the lot. The good thing is, if you can't get the price you want, you can walk in either situation. I think you should still be able to get 10% off sticker for a Camaro. You have Costco membership? if that dealer has costco pricing, maybe go with that.

[caSStro18]

Originally Posted by s1dest3p

Can you still negotiate when you are ordering a car? If so, do you think it's impossible to get just as good as a deal as you might on a car on the lot?

Dealers will always do better on the price of a car on the lot because it’s about moving inventory. But, they should still have wiggle room even on ordered cars.

[cbr1100xx]

Originally Posted by s1dest3p

Can you still negotiate when you are ordering a car? If so, do you think it's impossible to get just as good as a deal as you might on a car on the lot?

Yes and yes.

[ACZ28]

In short, yes. I ordered mine and ended up about 10% off sticker...took all of 5 mins negotiation but I was prepared to walk if they couldn't/didn't want to get to my price.

[enzia35]

I got my ordered car for invoice, about 9% off.

[tecboy]

Same here...had all the dealer invoice costs for base and options....ordered car based on those numbers....you may get a little better deal on a car that has been sitting on the lot for a long time....

[caSStro18]

Originally Posted by tecboy

Same here...had all the dealer invoice costs for base and options....ordered car based on those numbers....you may get a little better deal on a car that has been sitting on the lot for a long time....

Yes. My car had been sitting on the lot more than 100 days and they were much more flexible and willing to negotiate. Sticker price on my 1SS was $45,000 and I ended up getting it for $35,000. It was also during a promotion period where the vehicle was already discounted. There was another car on the lot identical to the one I bought, except it was black. They were not willing to negotiate much on that one because it had been on the lot for less time.

Maybe configure the car the way you’d like and see if the dealer can locate one that’s pretty close to what you are looking for?

[c4racer]

Invoice seems to be the best price - not exactly sure how the dealer makes money on an order at invoice - but there must be hold backs they get that we don't know about. I ordered a Colorado for invoice a few years ago but ended up canceling the order when the delivery time pushed out too far due to a G80 axle shortage at the time. I ended up finding one on the lot with way more options for the same price as the order. Wasn't my first color choice but I did like the color (blue). I'm now on my second Colorado which I also found on the lot. I got more than 20% off on my Camaro end of model year close out and nobody wanted a 1SS vert with a manual. Except me!!

[ctrlz]

Dealers make their money selling used cars and in the service dept. Profit in new cars is mainly from the add-on's like extended warranties, etc. They also get money if you use their financing.
When I ordered my car there was not much wiggle room on price. I had no trade. There was a dealer promo for a 55" TV when I picked it up (about $750 on Amazon at the time). That was for existing inventory only. I switched my financing from BoA to their bank and they threw in the TV.

[c4racer]

You can also use GM card points to reduce the price or really as a down-payment, and also any factory incentives or rebates effect at the time will be applied. But you can't count on those since the order is going to take 3 months maybe more and you have no visibility to future factory incentives or rebates.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by c4racer

...you have no visibility to future factory incentives or rebates.

Yes, I was told the only rebates that apply are those in effect when you pick up (and pay for) the car. Not when you place the order. And often rebates are for in-stock vehicles only.

[NYJets12]

Originally Posted by ctrlz

Yes, I was told the only rebates that apply are those in effect when you pick up (and pay for) the car. Not when you place the order. And often rebates are for in-stock vehicles only.

My dealer told me the same thing when I was looking for mine

[protovack]

Talk to them at the right time, i.e. when they don't have a lot of inventory.
When you approach them, simply ask, "If I custom order a vehicle, can you get me the same price as a similar vehicle on the lot?" Force them to answer yes or no. It's very hard for a sales manager to say "no" to someone looking to buy a car.
Have what you want written out fully on paper with all options and associated codes. Send your list to two dealers and see who will give you a better price.