So... you ordered your camaro, did ya?

[ThatGirlFriday]

I'd like to hear a story or two about your car ordering experience...


i've never bought a new car and am debating ordering
exactly what I want, or just searching around and finding a kinda similar model and set up so I can negotiate with them... because

i take it when you pre-order you're locked into paying the highest msrp price right? not that a young girl walking into a dealership could do that great negotiating anyway...


well, pics of your car is always an inspiring addition too ;-)

[HellOnWheels]

I didn't order mine but you can still negotiate the price on an ordered camaro. Don't pay a penny more than invoice price. Use edmonds.com to build it the way you want it and it will tell you the invoice price with the options you want.

[ThatGirlFriday]

nice. didnt know you could negotiate when you order thats amazing.
how do you ask for invoice? you just pound your right fist into your left palm?

[HellOnWheels]

Kinda. Just tell them you have been talking with other dealers that have promised you a certain price and give them the chance to beat it. I was going to order mine but I got a $1000 private offer from the Chevy website which expired on the 2nd of April so I just found one that was close to what I wanted and told them the invoice price they said OK then I whipped out my offer and took an additional 1000 off. The whole process took about 5 min.

[invaderzim]

the only difference between ordering what you want and buying one in stock is the wait time of about 2 months. everything else is the same. they try sticking "delivery charges" on all new cars whether you ordered it or not. you have to negotiate the price. find invoice then tell them that's what you're paying and not a penny more. drop hints about going somewhere else and getting the deal you're asking them for. also don't fall for any of their games and let them sucker you into having to buy extended warranties and whatnot unless that's what you want. they WILL try it. just walk out. the only way they let you walk out is if they honestly can't give you what you want. no dealer will willingly pass on a sale just to try and get more money from the next guy. not good business.

[Fiveg56]

I ordered mine just how I wanted it. It takes a long time to get it in, but the wait is worth it! I paid invoice, plus had a private $1000 offer that brought me under invoice. It's nice to be able to get the exact car you want.

[LimaCharlie]

A general rule of thumb is to pay $500 over invoice. The dealership earns their money and you still get a good deal.
I factory ordered my Camaro because I knew exactly what I wanted......a manual transmission Summit White 1SS with ONLY the RS package option. I don't think you'll find another low-optioned, bare bones car like mine.
The worst part about factory ordering a car is the wait. My car arrived at the dealer about 2.5 months after I ordered it (late 2010).

[ThatGirlFriday]

paying invoice sounds awesome but then the salesman doesnt get paid right? :(

[2010 SSRS]

one of the best days of my life was when I ordered my SS, I love this Camaro

[11 Camaro IBM]

they get commission either way I paid 21000 mine new my colors and everything

[ThatGirlFriday]

Originally Posted by 2010 SSRS

one of the best days of my life was when I ordered my SS, I love this Camaro

:')))) thats so beautiful

[2010 SSRS]

Originally Posted by ThatGirlFriday

:')))) thats so beautiful

[Lil'BlueCoupe]

I drove to a couple different dealerships looking for just what I wanted and found one, and all in the matter of a few hours.
I then made the deal, two hours later I DROVE IT HOME!!!!!
No two month wait!
Turns out I was looking under the hood the other day and it was manufactured on November 4th, I bout it on December 3rd! Just 29 days from manufactured day! And I didnt have to pre order it. I think this thing just rolled off the truck when I bought it, and it is identical as to how I would have ordered it in the first place........why wait? there is the model you are looking for out there somewhere.
I would rather look around for a couple of hours then wait for two to four months, that would just drive me nuts.

[Globemaster]

The best start is to sit down and figure out just what you are looking for in the car options, color. Then locate all the dealerships in your town and see what they have that comes close to or matches what you are looking for I would look at nothing less than all the options you want if it has more then maybe you can tell them I like the car BUT I really have no need for these option you might be able to work a deal for the extra options at a lower price. Then contact the dealerships that have the closest to what you want and see what they will give you for a deal and always work one against the other. Never ever get pressured into you have to do this today it is a now only deal unless it is what you want and the price you want . If no one has what you want build it on the web site and print it out and use the one dealer against the other option again walk in with the specs you want and tell them you want the best deal you can get. Always remember if you don’t like the deal you don’t have to buy.
And just because you are a young girl as you put it. Never means you won’t get the best deal. In the end the deal you get is up to you. You never have to accept the deal they offer.
This is all just my opinion and what i have done to get the deal i want

[jasonsk287]

First of all, Welcome to Camaro5!! Everyone here, as you can see, is very helpful and friendly.

The Camaro is such a great car. I ordered mine in August of last year and took delivery in October. Just like you, I was hesitant to order. I was afraid that pricing couldn't be adjusted, and the buying process would be difficult. Well, I was proven wrong.

My dad happened to know someone who is the general sales manager of a Chevrolet dealership. Sure, the dealership wasn't around the corner, but it was worth it. After months of figuring out exactly what I wanted, I went down (after getting a new job with better pay) to place my order. It was a simple process, and I was lucky enough to get the car at invoice -- which is fair because the dealer still makes a profit and I get a good deal. I waited a long time to make sure I could afford the payments, gas and insurance, but when I finally went for it, I was thrilled.

While your car is on the way, you can track its progress at GMconnects.com. You get e-mails when something happens. It's just awesome.

It didn't take long to get my car, maybe a month and a half (August 21-October 7).

It was worth it. The car was built by Chevy specifically for me, and it's just amazing.

Don't be intimidated by dealerships. Remember that you have the power to walk out and try another dealer if you don't like the deal or the service you're getting. Good luck, and remember C5 is here!!

[MMC]

I order all my cars and trucks and get them exactly the way I want, nothing more nothing less. I also get employee pricing so the price may change depending on what GM is offering at the time of delivery not the time you order. No negotiating to deal with. They change the offers depending on the vehicle and sales volumes. Welcome, this is a really fun car to drive and own.

[ThatGirlFriday]

Hahaha thanks guys . I think the prolonged wait builds excitement... Like when you're little and you don't know how long three weeks takes 2 go to Disneyland but you can't freaking wait and eventually you explode...

Yeah. I'm for sure going to order

My dad wants me to save 6 More months payments before I order incase he ever fires me (family business u kno lol) because he wanted me to put half down and I'm not quite there yet..
So yes I'm at that stage of building 5 camaros a day on the Chevy site hehe

[Comrando]

Originally Posted by LimaCharlie

A general rule of thumb is to pay $500 over invoice. The dealership earns their money and you still get a good deal.
I factory ordered my Camaro because I knew exactly what I wanted......a manual transmission Summit White 1SS with ONLY the RS package option. I don't think you'll find another low-optioned, bare bones car like mine.
The worst part about factory ordering a car is the wait. My car arrived at the dealer about 2.5 months after I ordered it (late 2010).

They are out there.
My salesman found my 1SS with only the RS package on a lot within 60 miles. And in the Cyber Gray that I wanted!
Took 2 weeks to locate, but I didn't have to order and wait 2+ months.

[BowtieBelle]

Yeah, it depends on the wait. You may be better off searching for a 2011 remaining on a lot, if you're trying to save money; you can't negotiate AS MUCH on one you order as you can on dealer stock but there is still room to move! On the other hand if you wait and order a '13 you'll get some NICE upgrades-- like remote start and a few other fun features standard on the LT, AND of course the touch screen radio with MyLink!

[angie7]

Of course a young girl can negotiate, y not? You may have to be a bit more firm but it can be done. Im a woman that grew up in the car world. You have to prove yourself more then a man but you can get respect. Dont doubt yourself and if all else fails, show lots of cleavage :tweetz: it works everytime, lol

I didnt order my car but it did take 2 weeks to find my car. It was 3.5 hrs away and had to be driven here. Its exactly the way I want other then color. Wanted a CGM but could not find one so my next choice was SW. If you dont wanna order, go to a dealer and tell them what you want. They can find it.

[upflying]

Factory ordering makes ownership more personal. It's a car you ordered and not a car a dealer ordered. You also get a factory fresh car and not some stale lot queen.
Dealers like them because there is no flooring costs.

[SlingShot]

This time of year you will get a better deal on a lot car rather than ordering.

[RJT Impala]

Originally Posted by Lil'BlueCoupe

Turns out I was looking under the hood the other day and it was manufactured on November 4th, ....

Where did you find the "build date". I've often wondered how/where to find that. Thanks in advance.

[angie7]

Originally Posted by RJT Impala

Where did you find the "build date". I've often wondered how/where to find that. Thanks in advance.

Sticker under the hood, in the motor. Its off to the right I believe (dont remember) it even gives you the time. Mine was a christmas car

[Nameless]

There are so many option combinations on these cars that it's difficult to find one if you are looking for something specific (especially lower optioned). I was looking for a very specific combination so knew I had to order. I simply went around to all my local dealers and asked for the best price on a particular setup. I went back to the one who gave me the lowest price and negotiated and ordered from there.

It took me 6 weeks and 1 day from order date until driving it off the lot. This was for a 2012 ordered in Feb. of 2012. But the plant is like 11 hours north of me so I'm "relatively" closer than some other areas of the country.

It was the first time I ordered a car. It was fun and exciting and you get exactly what you want. I recommend it at least once in life. I also spent many hours building cars on the chevy website too!