Good evening All,
I am new to Jaguar Forums, but have owned 3 Jags in my time--all older XJs. I could never afford buying new–or even reasonably new for that matter–but, have finally hit a financial goal that I set many years ago which carried this one reward…I get to buy a brand new Jaguar. I have NEVER bought a brand new car from a dealer. Always bought used, did my research, and have been fortunate enough that I feel like I have done right by myself with all the cars I have bought through the years. Now, however, I am COMPLETELY out of my depth and am asking for help. I want a VERY specific configuration of 2021 F-Type R so I will need to order from my local dealer (as none exist the way I want in national dealer stock). I want the F-Type…I DON’T want to pay any more than I have to, though I know I am paying dearly for it either way. My current Jag is a '17 XJL (which is, naturally, amazing) that I bought out of state. Had a good relationship with that dealer but they informed me that I can’t deal with them on a new car due to territory restrictions…shows you what I don’t know. In this case, I am an “unconscious incompetent”…I literally “do not know what I don’t know”. Can I negotiate much considering I am “ordering” as opposed to “buying from dealer inventory”? Any advice will be appreciated.

 

Everything is nonnegotiable, but you have a lot less bargaining power when you order a car. To get around territory restrictions, you could rent a place for a month. All you really need is a mailing address, you don't actually need to live there.

 

Look out for dealer incentives - or mfr ones. They can be meaningful
Maybe ask your friendly dealer who can't sell to you for a point of view on what might be possible

My guess is you might get a low single digit % off through negotiation if it's a custom build. But others can guide if that's not in the right ballpark.

 

If you're not a member of JCNA, then I suggest you join. Typically, have to be a member for 6 months for discounts to apply to your purchase. Check the discounts offered, they can be significant.

 

I may catch sh*t for this, but how about at 2017 or 18, pre owned w warranty? It sounds like you are fairly committed to a new car, but for less than half the cost you can get what is arguably a better looking vehicle, perhaps even an SVR w 10 k miles or less. I realize its may be a lifelong dream to buy this amazing car new, and I certainly get it. But you may be able to the same car or better for less. Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll be over the moon. 2 cents.

 

There is a dealer incentive of $8K still running until 3/31.
I do not understand the territorial thing, as you are perfectly entitled to buy from any dealer and have your car shipped if you choose.
I know because I just did this.
Nut you need to take delivery by 3/31. So you need to buy from existing inventory (anywhere in USA)..
As previous, I doubt you will get a better deal than the is $8K anywhere.
New F-Types with 6 and 8 cylinders are in short supply, though my local dealer has a lot of the 4 cylinder cars sitting on the lot.
Once you start ordering from the factory, you will pay (close to) full price.

 

My younger brother sold (salesman and general manager) Jags in New Mexico for about 10 years. And JLR does expect some regional loyalty between it's dealerships. The other things I noticed: 1. A significant number of Jag clients had built long and enduring relationships with the dealer and staff. 2. The Jag sales and service folks were also huge fans of the marque. 3. Folks need to stop assuming dealerships of any stripe are making big bucks off new car sales. ..they're not. It's generally the slimmest margin area of the entire dealership. 4. Jag probably trains their sales and management staff to about as high a level as anyone. That same brother now does dealer assessment work for most manufacturers, and he continually talks about Jag's standards being among the very best. That's said, dealers operate on sales each month; of course an ordered car is less attractive. But go in informed, treat the staff and management as you would any other professional, go for the win-win, and be a straight shooter.

 

Check dealer inventory here:

https://inventory.jaguarusa.com/new/

Many more cars show up here as opposed to Autotrader.com etc. If you find a car on the Jag site then go to the dealer site that is listing it. The price may be different. You might also want to check for a used '21 with extremely low mileage like under 1K. You may get lucky and find one.

 

Thanks Ferral! Yes, for the longest time I have been looking for a '17-'19, but haven't been able to find one with "everything" I want. Many are close, but there are usually 1 or 2 options that I can't live with. So, I truly appreciate your post, but this is a one-time deal so I am going for "broke". I am partial to the new front end without the "bar" across the grille, so 2021 is the answer for me. Peace.

 

Excellent reply @YRS. Thank you very much. That is rare insight indeed. I expect to have a long relationship with my local dealer and service dept, so I am not looking to beat them up. I am always content paying a fair price for quality...just don't love overpaying for it. Your point about thin margins on new is a great one. Thank you sincerely for your thoughtful reply.

 

Thank you ALL for your replies and comments. Meeting with my local dealer on Friday to work up the order. I will post a comment on the experience if anyone cares to check back. Again, thank you all for your thoughtful responses. Best.

 

I am also in the process of buying a new 2021 F Type R. As the selection of in stock cars at dealerships within about 1000 miles was next to nothing except for the 4 cylinder models, I ordered one.
I had inquired at 6 different dealerships. The standard response was that cars that were built to order would be sold for MSRP, ~or~ if there were any incentive programs in effect at the time the car was delivered, those deals would be applied.

So I'm hoping that by June when the car is delivered, there may be another program in place like a 0% financing or discount in lieu of paying cash and not using the special 0% financing rate. You can bet that if there is, I will be aware of it and will bring it up before paying the balance due. If your local dealer will give you a firm discounted price, you are a lot luckier than those of us in Southern California. I guess the dealers figure that we pay more than the rest of the country for pretty much everything, that cars shouldn't be any different. Unless of course they are a commodity type, commuter econobox vehicle that you can find all over.

My salesperson also noted that the 4 cylinder models would be the first production runs of 2021 and then the V6 and V8 models to follow so the lead time after the factory confirmed the build order would be around 120 days. Let us know how you do.

 

Good morning Dwight, thank you for your reply--I appreciate benefitting from your many phone calls to your local dealers. That gives me what I needed for my meeting tomorrow morning with my local dealer to build out my F-Type R. I was expecting a 90 day lead time, but what's another month? Except for the fact there are only so many months in Michigan that are suitable for driving an F-Type. If you are willing to share, what Ext/Int colors did you order?

Thank you again for your reply and for sharing your knowledge. I will look forward to you posting some pics when your car arrives. Best to you and yours.

 

There may be dealers who say they won't sell to a remote customer, and there certainly are dealers who would like you to think you have to pay MSRP. Neither is an absolute.

I bought both of my current generation Jags from a dealer 270 miles away. They were easy to deal with and even willing to pick me up at the train station or airport for delivery.

The F-Type was used - not configured exactly as I would order it, but close enough and saved me $25k or so. Note the good advice posted above; early life depreciation is a bitch on most cars, and certainly on the F-Type. If you're set on new, the post above about joining your local Jaguar club is an easy way to save several thousand, although the 6-month wait period is true (and that discount comes from JLR, not the dealer). If you aren't already, work though the internet sales rep for the dealer.

The F-Pace was brand new and ordered to spec before the first ones were built and there was a long waiting list. Many on the forums reported that their dealers insisted on MSRP (some more), as did my local dealer - along with a 6-7 month wait. I went back to the the F-Type dealer, got a little over 6% off, and took delivery in 4 months. They took one of their existing dealer stock orders and modified to my configuration. BTW, I gave my local dealer the right of first refusal to match my order price, but they declined.

One last note. When you're negotiating with the dealer, do NOT indicate how you'll pay for the car before you settle on price - even if you're paying cash. In times past, I always custom ordered new cars for my wife and clearly set my pricing requirement and let them know I'd pay cash. I figured there was some plus to making the transaction clean & easy - all they had to do was order a car and cash a check. These days, dealers are highly motivated to sell financing and generally willing to work harder on price if there's a chance to get the financing. The more they bring it up, the more you simply insist that you need to work out a deal first. Period.

Test them tomorrow on how committed they are on MSRP and don't sign anything until you've poked around a bit more.

Good luck.

 

I have never purchased a brand new car. It’s not because I can’t afford it, it’s because you can buy one a couple of years old and priced much less. You won’t be able to get exactly what you want, but if you are patient, you can get pretty close. I just bought a 2017 FType R and it feels brand new, but half the price of a new one. Because I saved on the price, I treated myself to convertible. No regrets.

 

I ordered a British Racing Green coupe with the tan Windsor leather & full leather upgrade.
I am pre-qualified with my credit union but if JLR is offering 0% financing I may go with that. But I also realize that there is a cost to the dealer to do 0% financing and they are going to make that up with a zero or very small discount. If they offer a discount for cash I'll be happy to take that and use my credit union financing and pay that off asap. We'll see once the car is pending delivery.

There sure seems to be some collusion or price fixing among dealers here in Southern California. At least with the R Model. I think JLR uses the 4 cylinder cars as loss leaders in order to sell enough of them to meet the CAFE standards.

 

Beautiful build Dwight, now we get to live vicariously through your anticipation...keep us updated please.

 

Had a great meeting with my local dealer. Nice experience. I had contacted another reasonably local dealer prior to this appointment. In the end, both were consistent in their message....MSRP is the deal--less Manufacturer incentives on delivery, which both were convinced would be in place, though unsure what they might be. I have ordered an F-Type R in Santorini Black, with extended Ebony/Ebony Leather interior, Ebony leather headliner, and Exterior/Interior Black Packs--so...a completely blacked out F-Type. When I asked the Manager when it would be here, he said "End of Summer". Now, in Michigan, "End of summer" could be any moment. But, naturally, I took it to mean August. Though he confirmed that he would rather under-promise and over-deliver. So, I am definitely expecting mid-July. I may be installing a set of F-Type wheels which cannot be installed during the build, but the dealer offered them to me at cost...so, that's where I may "save" some money. The upside is, I get exactly what I want in the car; no compromises. I can't argue with the wisdom of buying used, but this the reward for years of work and sacrifice, so I'm going to get the one I want. Thanks again for all of your various comments and replies.

 

That’s great. Congratulations and the wait now begins. Queue Carly Simon.......................

 

KalamazooJag, I think you just ordered the Batmobile !
It sounds very stealthy configured that way. There is a lot to be said for the satisfaction of ordering a car exactly the way you want it even it it costs substantially more than a used example and you have to wait for it. I have not bought a used vehicle since 1976. I had enough bad experiences with used vehicles when I was young that I decided it was better to buy new and within my budget than buy a fancier car that was used for the same price. But we all have different comfort levels with how we spend our hard earned money.

One thing I noticed when looking at the online inventory was a few dealers have posted photos of the vehicle data plate that is affixed to the car that shows the VIN, etc. I saw a couple that had a December 2020 build date. That means it was approximately 90 days before they showed up in the USA on a dealer's lot for sale. My dealer gave me an ETA of about 60 days after the actual build but also said chances were good that it would be sooner. Once the car is actually built, they will get a new updated ETA and notification when the car has left the factory and is in transit.