[awaitingbimmer]

If a customer has to order a car, does the customer have to agree on price and finance terms on the order date or delivery date?

[jd_perspective]

You order a car after you agree upon a price. if you are financing or leasing I am 95% sure that you lock into a "float" meaning you are guaranteed your rate/offers for 90 days but can take advantage of better deals if the become available.

I did this when I ordered my car. I agreed upon a price on Oct 24th and waited for the car to be built. I had 90 days to keep it locked in, however I had a rebate that expired on 12/24 (before the 90 days were up) so I had to actually start my lease early (without taking delivery) so I wouldn't lose the rebate. I picked the car up mid-January from the Performance Center.

After the car is built and arrives in the US you schedule delivery with your dealer.

[kern417]

work out pricing when you order, sign final paperwork when it's delivered.

[xlover]

You can usually lock most of the finance/lease terms/rebates that are in place when you put your order in for 60days, however you are fully entitled to opting for better terms on delivery if the numbers improve, just be sure you make that clear with the dealer that is your intention

[jmg]

Also, don't let the "deposit" or "down payment" deter you. You can almost always get that back before you sign any final paperwork. If the deal doesn't work for you when the car is finally here, don't be afraid to back out.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by kern417

work out pricing when you order, sign final paperwork when it's delivered.

Yup. We hammered out a rough deal when I ordered my car, then when it landed and I was at the dealer, we made some tweaks that actually lowered the monthly payment a little.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Have always ordered my BMW's & have yet to put down a deposit. Any deal to your favor will be held & if a better deal comes up you will be able to take advantage of it.

In my last one I made a multi security deposit deal to reduce the money factor a week before BMW ended the plan. The ordered car was delivered about 6 weeks later with that deal intact.

[BEM-S4]

You get the better of the two deals either what you negotiate at signing or delivery. You can re-lock in between. So for example you order today and rates are 2.99 for Aug then go 1.99 Sept 0.99 Oct 2.59 Nov when you get your car. You'd take the 2.59 since better than Aug but you cannot grab the really good rate from oct.

Some things are not lockable like owner loyalty or conquest $1000 rebate. So if it's avail when you order buy not on delivery tough.

[jjrandorin]

Originally Posted by Maybebuybimmer

If a customer has to order a car, does the customer have to agree on price and finance terms on the order date or delivery date?

Lots of advice in this thread, but there is a difference in what SHOULD be done, and what "has" to be done.

OP, You dont HAVE to negotiate anything before you order a car, in theory. This depends on what the dealer requires from you to actually place the order.

THAT depends on whether they think they will be "stuck" with your car, should you back out. Trying to order a Manual Transmission car thats not an M car? Expect to have the dealer want a deal hammered out, along with a deposit, unless you are a known commodity to them (or they are in a place where those sell very well).

Now...

What you SHOULD do, is hammer out the entire deal BEFORE you ask the dealer to "press go" on ordering the car. Why? I believe its pretty silly to have the dealer order the car, KNOWING that THIS car is EXACTLY what you want, and not have hammered out the price. After you wait 2-3 months for the car to come in, people generally dont walk away from their "perfect" car, so thats a Horrible position to negotiate from.

Now, some of the nuts and bolts are already posted. You can submit a credit application to lock in the current rates / deals (although as stated some incentives can not be locked in, and there is no real rhyme or reason on what can be locked and what cant, as far as incentives).

That credit lock is 60 days on the east coast and midwest, and 90 days on the west coast ( this is because it takes ordered cars a bit longer to get to the west coast, so they give a longer lock).

IF you submit a credit app, you can choose between the terms in play when you locked your credit app, and when you take delivery (the entire terms in play, no mix and matching from various months).

This is advisable (locking in with a credit application) but that credit application is tied to that particular dealer.

You actually sign the contract on delivery (well you SHOULD sign the contract on delivery). One poster mentioned signing earlier to capture an incentive, which obviously can be done, BUT with the important disclaimer that when you sign, the deal is done.. contract is closed, and you have accepted the car.

I dont think its a good idea to accept delivery of a car you cant see (and start paying for it)... but there are exceptions (Euro delivery is one).

Anyway, hope that helps.