Buying Tips

Have It Your Way

Do you let the waiter order your food at restaurants? What about your hairstyle? Do you walk into the barber or salon, look at the stylist and say, "Go ahead, surprise me"?

Whether you're talking dinner or a haircut, these items typically cost less than $50. Yet you insist on having them done "your way." So why do you spend tens of thousands on your new car while letting the local dealer decide what you're going to buy? You do realize that's what happens when you go to a local dealer and buy whatever new car he already has on the lot. And even if you search multiple lots to find the car you want, you're still buying a car ordered by the dealer, not you.

In the "Hurry up! I want it now!" world we live in, it's difficult for many consumers to even conceptualize waiting six to eight weeks once they're ready to buy a new car. But consider this: Your car is likely the second most expensive purchase you'll ever make, and most people keep a car at least four years. In this situation, doesn't custom-ordering your new car — even if it means waiting two months for the exact make, model, color and options you want — sound like a good idea?

If you agree, consider these simple guidelines when it's time to custom-order your next new car:

1. Decide what you really want: The whole point of custom-ordering a new car is to revel in a sense of ownership and personalization. As such, you need to figure out not only what your next vehicle will be but how you want it equipped. If you're shopping for a Honda or Acura, the choices are going to be pretty limited and easy to make. If you're talking Ford F-150 or Porsche 911, your options will be much broader.


2. Confirm what you can afford: While it may be tempting to just check off every item on the options list, don't do it. This will cost you more not only when you buy but also when you sell. In most cases, additional options don't proportionally maintain a vehicle's value down the road. If you care more about getting the vehicle you want than you do about future resale value, that's fine, as long as you realize your specific tastes might not be shared by the car-buying public when it's time to sell.



3. Understand your options: Your decisions on how to order a car may be driven by wants, needs or budgetary constraints (likely all three). Regardless of the driving forces, you'll want to spend some quality time browsing your chosen vehicle's brochure and playing with the online configurator to confirm which trim levels and options can be grouped together. There's nothing worse than thinking you've got your car's options all figured out, only to call the dealer and hear, "Oh, I'm sorry, but you can't get the plaid seats with the carbon-fiber cupholders."



4. Plan ahead: Whether your current vehicle is purchased or leased, you can generally utilize a "two-month" rule when ordering your next vehicle. You'll want to confirm this with the dealer at the time of ordering, but some simple planning should have your custom-ordered vehicle arriving just as your old car is picked up by the leasing company or sold to its new owner. Very few of us purchase a car on a whim or are forced to replace our current vehicle in a matter of days or weeks. Don't let the two-month wait be your excuse. A little planning makes this aspect of custom-ordering your new car a nonissue.



5. Find the right dealer: When you custom-order a vehicle, your relationship with the dealer becomes critically important. This is the organization you'll be talking to throughout the process, which means they'll take your initial order and, if they are a good dealer, happily keep you updated on your car's progress as you wait for it to be built. Some dealers will even give you a slight price break on the purchase because they know the vehicle won't be taking up floor space (and costing them money) as they wait for it to sell. Just as you would if you were simply buying a car off a lot, make sure a given dealer deserves your hard-earned money before you custom-order a car through him.