markcincinnati

The "percentage" of folks who order their A4's (or Audis in general)?

My wife and I must be "the end of an era," in that we, literally, don't know anyone who has ordered a car, ANY car. Everyone we know just goes to the dealer on "Saturday" and buys a car and brings it home.

Then they "complain" how it either has options and features that they don't want or doesn't have options or features that they DO want; but, they got the color they wanted, but their second choice for the interior.

Maybe these folks make a ton of money and can afford to buy a car not exactly the way they want it and then off-load it "early."

Now, I understand the theory of immediate gratification and I also have empathy for "an immediate need" due to circumstances that may be beyond people's control.

But, I've found "typically" better prices on ordered cars AND exactly what I want. Of course, I have ordered cars and when they come in, "I wish I woulda ordered the "bla bla bla," but that would be no different than taking one off the lot so that I could get it NOW and then wishing the same thing.

I didn't get TPMS or sport suspension on my current 2005 A6 -- the dealer talked me OUT of the sport suspension ($250) telling me that the $1000 upgraded wheels and tires were all I needed (the sport suspension was, according to the dealer, "too stiff.")

I didn't go with the TPMS because it was always "false triggering" in my 2003 allroad.

So, where all this is going, besides the question "how many of us" ORDER vs take from US inventory is the question of whether I should add automatic cruise control (I can still change the order on my upcoming 2009 A4 according to the dealer) the Audi brake assist that comes ONLY with ACC is, perhaps, compelling.

Is ACC really used enough to make it worthwhile?

By the way, I still am glad we, thus far (29 Audis and 3 BMW's) always order (and wait for) the one we want, rather than take one off the lot.

Hokie_Audi

You cut out just about all of the unpleasantness associated with car shopping since you can transact everything via fax, email and phone on your own terms. Pricing is generally favorable since there's little work required on the dealer end compared with maintaining an inventory of cars that you then have to work at selling. And, most important to me, you get *exactly* what you want. Lot shopping makes sense if you're dealing with a more common vehicle with relatively few options, but when you start getting into the redonkulous prices of new cars these days you might as well get exactly what you want.

Pete RD

Starting in 1966.

tubi

How do you order if you are leasing from AoA? You don't know what the lease rate will be a couple of months down the road.

Jim Germany

Personally I don't get the whole "leasing" thing? I just hate the whole idea of being locked into a random contract with mileage restrictions and monthly payments usually higher than financing it.

To each his own...

tubi

I like getting a new car every 2-3 years and I don't drive that many miles a year. Plus why buy/finance a wasting asset?

DeMOROlized

As far as ordering is concerned, there's no difference betweeen leasing & buying.

DeMOROlized

Leasing works very well for people who:

a) can write off the lease as a business expense, or
b) people who likes a new car every few years and doesn't want the hassle of selling.

SLLAW

I agree that by ordering a vehicle to your specifications, you're far more likely to be satisfied with your purchase. The 2004 allroad never fully satisfied me.

kerrydel1

Sounds like that may not be the case. Maybe I'll have to try ordering a B8. Not usually in a huge hurry to get a car. My only desire is to be able to drive a B8 first.

Kerry