I ordered a car about 2 weeks ago and I asked my dealership for a conformation on the order and they told me that lexus does not confirm anything until my car shows up on there allocation. what does that mean?

 

Means you won't get your car for about 4 month if you special ordered it. The Dealer does not get any updates for how far along your car is in the building stage. They only know when it is being shipped out of Japan. That's when they let you know how soon it will get to the dealer.

 

They see what cars in transit are allocated to the dealer about 2 weeks out. So when your car is on the boat, they will know its coming.

 

Yup, at that point they can give the VIN, etc.... but it shouldn't take 4 months... if it still works like it did last year the orders don't actually go in until the 20th of the month, and then it should be about 2 months after that for the car to get to the US.

My order went in 7/20/07 for example and I picked it up first week of October. (it actually got to port late September, but had a port option to install (XM) and then had to ship from port to the dealership several states away)

 

When you order a car do they still negotiate on the price like they would if you just accepted something they had in stock?

 

Depends completely on the dealer.

Some won't special order at all.

Some won't budge on price from MSRP.

Some are smart enough to realize if you pay them $200 over invoice for a special order they are basically making $200 for filling out a couple of forms and having to do 0 actually selling at all since you already know what you want and are willing to buy right then.


It's that last kind you should look for.

 

Most dealers will tell you they can't discount if you want to special order. They say this because they so badly want/need to move their inventory that they're paying to floor. Special ordering is the last thing the dealer wants to do because they *need* to move their inventory. If a dealers inventory isn't turning fast enough, they will try everything to NOT special order a car. OTOH, If they are a volume dealer and they turn over their inventory quite quickly, they usually won't have a problem special ordering, although, they still might make you think they can't discount.
The reality: Dealers incur no flooring/inventory/advertising expenses on a special order, making their cost basis lower, and therefor, more negotiable.
Your best deals *should* come from a special order.

 

i negotiated on my special order. Got below MSRP plus a free (already installed) trunk lip spoiler xD. I guess it does depend a lot on the dealer.

 

On my special order I got a really good deal IS350 with Sport PKG, Nav with ML, Headlamp Washers, Parking Assist, IPOD, Spoiler, illuminated door sills and accessory pkg for 42k +tax

 

They said the order went in on wed last week so im hoping for sometime late june

 

what are the exact steps with a special order?

 

Go to dealer.

Tell them what you want.

Put down deposit, if required.

Wait.

Be happy in 3-5 months.

 

^ pretty much. You only get a notice about 2 weeks before it gets to the dealer and is ready for pick-up. That's all i got.

Patients is key.

 

Truer words were never spoken.

 

Since I just ordered It close the 2010 models would it be a 2010 or 2009?