I'm looking to purchase a 2009 CTS, but there doesn't appear to be a car with the specs I want in inventory at any of the dealerships.

What are the pros / cons of placing a factory order?

Will I get as good a price versus a car already in inventory?

Do I need to negotiate a price with the dealer and put money down before the dealer will order the car from the factory?

Tony can elaborate, but I believe that you'll pay top dollar for a special order (non-packaged dealer plan) model. One of the given reasons is that, if you back out, the dealer may be stuck with a non-fast mover, sale wise. I would guess that, if you were not a known A-1 customer you would be required to put up some front money. Cars in someone's inventory can sometimes be negotiated down slightly, because the longer the car sits on the floor, the more interest the dealer accrues in the car ($$$$ to GM). Also with a special order you're entirely at the mercy of any production line glitches or shutdowns.

This is wrong!

1. On ANY purchase, you must put down a decent deposit. This deposit is usually returned if you cancel for a serious reason, such as a death in family, or some other catastophic reason. Not, "I found a better deal at XYZ motors".

2. Cars that are in stock, some for 5 days, others for 5 months, are costing the dealership $$$$$ every month on their floor plan. So, sure they'd like to move them out. But...

3. An ordered car costs them zero, as long as you take delivery within - say 10 days. THEREFORE, it has cost them zero, and oft times you'll get a better deal, as they have not already paid $3,4 or 500 $$$ on floor plan.

4. Ever hear the saying "Don't watch the hole, concentrate on the donut?
Well................ much more important than "the deal" is The Dealer ! You pay the $$$ once, and live wirth the dealer for 4 years or more.

5. How do you know if the dealer delivers good service ?
Here's how......

6. Take a day off of work. A Monday is a good day, followed by a Friday.
Every dealership has a waiting room - where service customers sit and wait for their car to be done. Nobody knows one & other. they all sit & wait.
YOU go there in the AM -- like 8AM. Remember, nobody knows you!
Park your arrival car way outta the way where you are not in anyone's way.
Walk into the waiting room, and take a seat. In short order make conversation with someone who looks friendly. Ask them
"How Do You Find The Service Here? "Have You Been Satisfied?"
THAT IS ALL YA HAVE TO DO ! EVERYONE WILL JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION
But, remember that human nature is more prone to critique than to compliment. If one soul bitches that they misplaced her keys, forget about such stuff, but if someone says it's his 4th time to get his heater working and it's January, you may wanna think about it....but overall you'll get a "feeling" as to how things are. Especially good are people who are OUT of warrantee and are STILL returning to the dealer for paying service. If you can find such customers, that tells you something. The place is terrific !!
When you'f heard enough, excuse yourself saying you are stepping outside fopr a smoke and slither away. Nobody will miss you!

Good luck. If you ARE ordering you'd better place that order no later than 3rd week of March, as beginning in April, some items not being used for 2010 will run out, and not be available any longer on 2009s.

Lastly,remember, you are not dealing with the Red Cross. The dealership is there to make a profit -
Go to KBB.com and price out what you want, & total it. Be sure to add Destination Fee.
Normally a $ 700 profit will be bullseye.

Thanks, Sandy.

I was thinking of purchasing in mid- to late- April, but it looks like I should put an order in no later than mid- to late- March. Either that or just purchase something that approximates what I want from inventory.

Any advice regarding the purchase of a car in say, Illinois, and driving it to the East Coast, where I live? I wouldn't be able to have the car serviced, obviously, from the dealer where I purchased the car.

Why would you want to do that ? Makes more sence to buy near where yuou live! Unless you have a relitive AT the Ill. dealership.....