Well I have been in that zone, in between 3-4 years of my current car, where I start to consider a new purchase. I had to do lots of searching, because the exact car I want isn't available in the U.S., so I've mostly been deciding which direction to go...and after some test drives, checking when new models are arriving, etc, I came down to really really liking the 2016 Q3. It's smaller than I've usually bought, and lower power than I'm used to - but it just endeared itself to me when I drove it, read about it, checked it out...I was comparing to a Q5 as well, and despite more power, I fell for the Q3. The Q5 just had a hint of dated-ness - knowing it's likely going to be overhauled next year...and some of the features on the Q3 felt fresher (Connect more updated, full LED headlights), plus the refreshed '16 design.
But I have often had to decide between getting JUST what I want which often requires the compromise of waiting for an ordered car to be built and delivered - which can stretch to 4+ months...or compromising on equipment or color to take something in stock. I've compromised on the colors too often in the past, so I'm feeling like I really want to get the color I want this time. I had one built car in mocha brown that I loved because it was different...other than that, I've had two silver, two black, and a white car over the past 15 years, and I'm really just getting tired of those same colors. But as usual, the color combo and equipment level I want isn't in stock anywhere in the US, nor coming on any ships so far - so it would have to be a full build.
What I want is a 2016 Q3 Prestige Quattro w/tiptronic with Sport Package, in Hainan Blue with Chestnut Brown interior.
My choices going forward are:
1. Full compromise - pick a different color interior and/or exterior, get a Quattro Prestige w/Sport that's in stock. Basically, that means back to the same black/silver/grey/white colors that most of my cars have been in the past. Might get a better deal because the dealership would be more willing to work on an in-stock car. I'm worried every time I saw a Hainan Blue on the road, I'd start wanting to kick myself.
2. Partial compromise - there are several cars currently in transit or about to load on ships for several US ports that are ALMOST what I'm looking for - Hainan Blue, Quattro, Prestige, Sport...but they all have full black interiors. I'd get almost everything I want, except the interior - and could likely get my hands on the vehicle by November after the port swap. Not likely as much of a discount in negotiating. I really love the rich warm chestnut brown interior look - I've had black interiors many many times including my current car, and though they're fine and hold up well, I would love something more rich and different.
3. Less compromise, longest wait - I place an order for the exact car I want. If I'm lucky and everything's on time, the order gets built before the holiday break, gets on a ship by end of Dec/early Jan, and I have the car sometime in mid-to-late January. But, if the orders are backed up, miss the holiday cut-off, etc, I could end up not getting the car until as late as March.
So, what would you do in my shoes? For some additional info, I CAN wait - my current car is in great shape, runs great, looks great, it's 3 1/2 years old, not leased so no turn in deadline, owe approx. $7K and trade-in value should be in the $22-24K range so I have plenty of equity. It's more just a matter of whether I want to wait. Variables might be that my car's value can go down a bit by waiting, I may have less negotiating room with the dealer, and various finance rate specials or incentives can come or go. I'll be financing again - trade + maybe some cash down to get the payment where I like it.
I'm going to the dealer Saturday or Sunday to work out one of the three options above - and wondering what others might do in the same situation.
But I have often had to decide between getting JUST what I want which often requires the compromise of waiting for an ordered car to be built and delivered - which can stretch to 4+ months...or compromising on equipment or color to take something in stock. I've compromised on the colors too often in the past, so I'm feeling like I really want to get the color I want this time. I had one built car in mocha brown that I loved because it was different...other than that, I've had two silver, two black, and a white car over the past 15 years, and I'm really just getting tired of those same colors. But as usual, the color combo and equipment level I want isn't in stock anywhere in the US, nor coming on any ships so far - so it would have to be a full build.
What I want is a 2016 Q3 Prestige Quattro w/tiptronic with Sport Package, in Hainan Blue with Chestnut Brown interior.
My choices going forward are:
1. Full compromise - pick a different color interior and/or exterior, get a Quattro Prestige w/Sport that's in stock. Basically, that means back to the same black/silver/grey/white colors that most of my cars have been in the past. Might get a better deal because the dealership would be more willing to work on an in-stock car. I'm worried every time I saw a Hainan Blue on the road, I'd start wanting to kick myself.
2. Partial compromise - there are several cars currently in transit or about to load on ships for several US ports that are ALMOST what I'm looking for - Hainan Blue, Quattro, Prestige, Sport...but they all have full black interiors. I'd get almost everything I want, except the interior - and could likely get my hands on the vehicle by November after the port swap. Not likely as much of a discount in negotiating. I really love the rich warm chestnut brown interior look - I've had black interiors many many times including my current car, and though they're fine and hold up well, I would love something more rich and different.
3. Less compromise, longest wait - I place an order for the exact car I want. If I'm lucky and everything's on time, the order gets built before the holiday break, gets on a ship by end of Dec/early Jan, and I have the car sometime in mid-to-late January. But, if the orders are backed up, miss the holiday cut-off, etc, I could end up not getting the car until as late as March.
So, what would you do in my shoes? For some additional info, I CAN wait - my current car is in great shape, runs great, looks great, it's 3 1/2 years old, not leased so no turn in deadline, owe approx. $7K and trade-in value should be in the $22-24K range so I have plenty of equity. It's more just a matter of whether I want to wait. Variables might be that my car's value can go down a bit by waiting, I may have less negotiating room with the dealer, and various finance rate specials or incentives can come or go. I'll be financing again - trade + maybe some cash down to get the payment where I like it.
I'm going to the dealer Saturday or Sunday to work out one of the three options above - and wondering what others might do in the same situation.