What questions to ask when ordering your SRT8?

[srt42]

I'm starting this thread because there seems to be a need to ask all the right questions when ordering an SRT8 or you may not be getting the one you ordered. Things such as getting a VON, VIN, Allocation, etc.

So, for those of you that have already run into problems/tricks from dealers and for those of you that have taken delivery, please enlighten us all. :o

[CITADELGRAD87]

"can you put all that in writing for me?"

[JMatt]

What is the VIN on the order?

If they can't answer that - find a different dealer.

[Steve Desjardins]

THere is no VIN when you order a car. First is the VON- Vehicle Order number which they should give you the second they put the order through the system. The Vin comes later when the car is gatelined or ready to be built.

[ChromeTailfins]

"How Much" and "Gimme"

Ask if the price is locked in at the time of order or if it will follow the price increases that happen while you wait for delivery.

[JMatt]

Originally Posted by steve88

THere is no VIN when you order a car. First is the VON- Vehicle Order number which they should give you the second they put the order through the system. The Vin comes later when the car is gatelined or ready to be built.

Steve - you miss the point. Many dealers already have orders in, with vins assigned. I recommend people find those dealers, and have their names assigned to cars that are already scheduled to be built. You avoid the hassles of dealers who don't even know if/when they'll have allocation to build the car you're ordering. I reiterate: Ask "What's the VIN?" If they don't have one - go elsewhere.

[Dan SS2471]

Originally Posted by JMatt

Steve - you miss the point. Many dealers already have orders in, with vins assigned. I recommend people find those dealers, and have their names assigned to cars that are already scheduled to be built. You avoid the hassles of dealers who don't even know if/when they'll have allocation to build the car you're ordering. I reiterate: Ask "What's the VIN?" If they don't have one - go elsewhere.

Bin-go!

A dealer can sit there, and you can watch him, put your order in. He gives you the VON# and you're in 'BA'. Point is, that means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING until the dealer has ALLOCATION for the car. UNTIL THEN YOUR ORDER IS JUST A PIECE OF PAPER AND WILL SIT IN 'BA' STATUS UNTIL NEXT MODEL YEAR AT WHICH POINT IT WILL BE CANCELLED.

Sorry for yelling. I've become passionate about this process. Hope that helps.

[srt42]

I'm confused. I was given a VON, but no VIN when I ordered. I called DCX and they stated that a VIN is not available until close to the build. So, who is right? Did everyone that has taken delivery, get a VIN when the car was ordered?

[JMatt]

Originally Posted by srt42

I'm confused. I was given a VON, but no VIN when I ordered. I called DCX and they stated that a VIN is not available until close to the build. So, who is right? Did everyone that has taken delivery, get a VIN when the car was ordered?

BINGO again!

That's exactly the point. Dealers don't get VINs until the car is almost ready to be built (about one month in my case). Stop getting in four or six-month-long lines. Find the dealer with the VIN; put your money down; get your name on the window sticker; and take delivery in 6 weeks.

That's exactly what I did.

[SRT8itchy]

Matt, are you confident that someone who ordered an 06' today isn't going to see it for four to six months? I've checked with most of the dealers where I live and none have a VIN assigned to a car. I ordered today and obtained VON immediately. The sales manager at the "biggest volume" dealer said he thought I'd get it by late May, as he hadn't received any of his allocation yet and only took one order ahead of mine. Is this a pipe dream? It's a little frustrating knowing these cars are being built an hour from my home but I can't get one.

P.S. Thanks to everyone posting on this site. It's fun going to a dealership knowing more about the SRT-8s than the salespeople.