Ok..I need some questions answered from those of you who have gone through the process of choosing an A4, ordering it and waiting for shipment. I'm set now on ordering a 01 but am curious as to how the whole process works since I have always bought a car off the lot and don't know how ordering works. I know you have to give them money, a few grand to get production started, but how does the financing process work? I assume that until the car actually arrives, you don't have to give them your full down payment, or set up financing and start making payments correct? I want to put about 10 down, and am not sure I want to go through audi for financing. If I order one the beginning of July, around the first week, what is the realistic timeframe for delivery, money out of my pocket, etc... Just explain how the purchasing process works in a nutshell so I know what to expect. BTW..can't wait to join the club!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for all your help!!

 

At first, I had a car ordered about 1 month ago from a local dealer. All I got was a piece of paper with hand written specs of the car I am ordering. As for priceing, that dealer refuse to give me a solid price, they only told me that they give me the car for $1400 over invoice. I was uncertain about them not making things clear for me...and of course some personal problems I had with the dealership and sales person...

I cancelled that order and switched to another dealership. This new dealership has fixed pricing, they don't sell a car for any less than $1600 over invoice. However, right after I put down the order, the new dealership told me that they are going to change the specs on one of the cars that was assigned to go to their place...thus they generated an Audi order number for me...with some of the paper works to back it. I have also seat down with their finance department... I am going to make $18,000 loan for my new car... they were able to check my credit as a recent graduate student program and suggested possiblity to lock the interest rate down...etc.

I am happy with the service this new dealership provides. The amount of money they save me on the loan (offering to lock the rate down for me) saves me more than the mere $200 difference on the sale price of the car. Besides, now I am confortable ordering through them.

my experience and my 2c

 

All the other stuff is done at delivery. Time till delivery maters on what color car is usually about 3 1/2 to 4 months. But I think I heard that the plant is closed in Aug., but I might be wrong. Down to order usually is $1500.

 

That is pretty typical at most dealers. The better dealers will accept this as a refundable deposit. Most freely admit that if you change your mind, they can easily find another buyer, so it's no big deal.

The wait can be as little as 3 months, to as long as six. Depends on a number of factors. A good dealer should be able give you a pretty good timeframe shortly after they place the order with the factory. Keep in mind, Audi does have delays with certain combinations of options (I think I remember reading here that there might be a delay with 01 Avants with a Tiptronic?). That is obviously beyond the dealer's control, IF it happens after the dealer has placed the order.

If you are going to finance elsewhere, you would do that when the car arrives at the dealer. That should only take your bank a few days to process. If you are a little nervous, you should be able to get a pre-approval for a certain amount right now. Just explain to them that it may be 4 months before the car arrives. Maybe they can keep the loan paperwork open for that time frame. Worst case, re-apply when the car arrives. In any case, your loan starts when you pick up the check from your bank, so don't worry, you won't be paying for something you don't have.

Talk to your salesperson about financing through Audi. Maybe they can work out a good deal for you. As mentioned above, your loan would not begin until you drove away with your car (not the date you ordered the car).

Then, when your car finally arrives, you take the banks check, and the remainder of your downpayment to the dealer, and pick up your car! If financed through Audi, you would just give them the balance of the deposit, and sign the loan papers at the dealer. Done!

 

Sorry, last line should read "balance of the downpayment..."

 

And a couple orders for the tips were actually cancelled!

 

but there is a more substantial delay for the automatics..........don't know the specific detail<p>'01 1.8T Avant - India Red

 

I just ordered my '01 with $500 down; about 3 months to delivery. Don't put any more in the deposit than you must, let your money work for you. They'll get the rest of my $30k on delivery (no financing luckily)...

 

...but the dealership didn't actually cash the check until the day I picked up the car.

--Cap

 

...which occurred 4 months later.