# 1 : do your research.
I recommend
going to
http://www.edmunds.com/edweb/trucks/Dodge.Trucks/t498.98.html#whatsnew
also http://www.truckworld.com/Truck-Tests/1996-Dodge-Dakota/1996-Dodge-Dakota.html
or
http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/Dodge/Dakota
, although I like Edmund's better.
#2 get your pricing on all your options. If
you'll note there are a
lot of DML guys and gals who lament not ordering a knick knack early
on. It will cost you much more later to add it on.
I highly recommend the steering wheel radio controls if you get the
stock radio. I also love the leather steering wheel.
#3 WAIT and think it through. trust me. I personally
feel it is better to wait an extra month and save up for what you really
want. Read the DML for pointers, check out the archives.
#4 When you are ready to order, at the bottom of the edmumds page, autobytel.com will ask you some questions, then someone from a participating dealership will call you.
#5 Price will be Invoice, plus about 500 for destination charge, about 450 for advertising ( sorry, you're paying for the cool Dak ads on TV) , about 350 in dealer prep charge, plus you get a cash back bonus now. They will also tell you it will be so many dollars in addition over invoice. I thought I had no choice and paid an extra $700. But then I found out I didn't have to. Say NO. If they huff, go back to autobytel.com and find another dealer in your area. Reason you can do that is that the manufacturer gives the dealer a 3% holding fee. It is to cover the interest cost on the capital invested in the car which now will sit in their lot for an average 6 months. Since you are picking it up about 12 h after it gets there, that is pure profit for them anyway. So even at invoice, they hear the coins kaching-ing.
#6 Advice: when they send you the sample order form, review it very carefully before signing. They are very prone to forget some things. Luckily I found some options they left out. There have been horror stories of ordering Club Cabs and getting regular cabs 2 months later. Then, when it comes in, price will likely be higher. Recheck Edmund's because prices can go up in a mere month.
Good luck
Pedro Diaz
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:13:06 EDT