Custom Ordering A Vehicle Through A Dealership

At some point in our lives, we’ve all dreamed of going to a dealership, handing them a ridiculous wish list, and saying, “Build it, and I will buy it!” I’m not saying there isn’t a sense of fulfillment in getting greasy and building your rig yourself. But, wouldn’t it be nice to get a “turnkey” monster off the showroom floor?

On that note, we’ve all had that friend who said, “Oh, I just ordered it that way and rolled it up into the payment.” Cost aside, I envied them for being done with all the heavy lifting.

I set out to ask about this process from Justin Rodriguez, Sales Manager of the Mullinax Automotive group. Justin has over a decade of sales knowledge, specifically in factory direct, custom, and upfitting automotive orders.

Installation Options

Let’s define the specific stages where installations, OEM, aftermarket, or otherwise, are performed. Each of these is important to understand in the custom ordering process as each phase is somewhat unique to minimize overlap of services and cannibalization of products.

Factory-Installed Options

These features are added to the vehicle directly on the assembly line before it leaves the manufacturing plant. This ensures that the car arrives at the dealership equipped with specific colors, interiors, upgraded audio systems, navigation units, or special trim packages.

Port-Installed Options

These are accessories or customizations added to the vehicle once it reaches its port of entry, particularly for imported cars. Additional options like roof racks, body kits, or wheel upgrades can be installed before the car is transported to the dealership. This process allows for the customization of vehicles to meet local market demands or specific customer preferences.

Dealer-Installed Options

After the vehicle has been delivered to the dealership, further customizations or additions can be made on-site. These dealer-installed options can range from cosmetic enhancements to functional upgrades. Installations are done after the car arrives on the sales lot and are often tailored to the individual buyer’s specifications.

Upfitting

Upfitting is tailoring your vehicle to your aesthetic and utilitarian whims. It’s like giving your vehicle a job-specific makeover that could include anything from custom wheels, suspension upgrades, custom shelving, or winches. Think of it as a wardrobe change, but for your ride, ensure it’s dressed for success and ready to tackle the day’s tasks or next adventure.

(Pssst. Consider purchasing your vehicle upfitted through your business for the ‘Section 179 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code’)

But here’s the kicker – not all upfits are created equal. Slapping on accessories half-hazardly won’t cut it! It’s about strategic enhancement. Considering the future resale value means you’re not just throwing money down the drain. Just because you’re into adding MOLLE panels everywhere doesn’t mean the next buyer will value them as much.

Benefits Of Ordering Direct

Trail4Runner: In the off-roading world, vehicles like the Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra, and Ford Bronco stand out. For custom orders, why should enthusiasts consider ordering directly from the manufacturer through a dealership?

Justin R.: Going directly to the manufacturer ensures you can build your dream machine, perfectly suited for off-road weekends, camping, overlanding — all that. This path allows you to pick the exact specs, from engine power to tech features, ensuring your truck or SUV is not just a vehicle but a statement of your personal preferences.

Direct Order Customization

Trail4Runner: How does customizing your ride through direct ordering compare to grabbing one from an OEM dealership or aftermarket inventory?

Justin R.: Direct orders are like bespoke suits, tailored to fit every curve and edge of your desires. While dealership lots offer ready-to-drive options, they may lack that personal touch or specific feature that makes a car yours. You’re the designer, and in most cases, all the installation, fit-and-finish, and labor is DONE!

Getting Your Custom Order Correct

Trail4Runner: What’s the secret to ensuring every detail of my vehicle is just as I envisioned?

Justin R.: The magic happens with the “build sheet” – the automotive blueprint you create with the dealership. It’s a detailed list of your chosen specs, ensuring that when your ride rolls off the line, it’s exactly as you dreamt it, down to the last stitch and sparkle. Mind you, these are the factory details. Once it comes to the dealership, we can shoot for the moon with custom modifications. I hate the saying “mild to wild,” but that’s pretty accurate.

Incentives, Rebates & Financing Deals

Trail4Runner: Can I still snag those sweet dealership deals and financing options with a direct order?

Justin R.: Absolutely! Direct ordering doesn’t mean missing out on the perks. Just beware of dealerships trying to hide fees inside the deal. You can tap into current deals, sometimes even better ones, waiting at the end of the assembly line. This is key to winning the custom order. Look for the offers that would be a tipping point for a purchase, then approach the dealership about rolling that up into a custom order — and get it all on paper.

The Dealership’s Role

Trail4Runner: What’s the dealership’s role in bringing my custom-ordered vehicle to life?

Justin R.: Think of the dealership as your automotive concierge, helping you through the maze of options, products, and upfitters and keeping you in the loop at every stage of your vehicle’s journey from “dream to driveway,” as they say.

Trail4Runner: Who’s the go-to person at a dealership for starting this custom order adventure?

Justin R.: Your custom adventure begins with a sales associate, ensuring your journey from configuration to delivery is as smooth as the ride in your future vehicle. Be sure to ask for a rep with experience with custom orders. Not only with what is offered by the manufacturer but also has relationships with OEM performance parts and aftermarket products. Make sure the dealership understands the nature of the build and why I want the “X” brand over the “Y” brand. Don’t feel like you have to go with a brand you don’t want simply because it’s all they offer.

How Long It Takes

Trail4Runner: From start to finish, what does the timeline look like for custom orders?

Justin R.: That’s often the BIG question. This automotive journey can range from a few months to over a year. And each manufacturer has their spin as to why. Ordering a custom vehicle because you’re losing oil and your transmission is making a dying cheetah sound in 2nd gear will not work out. Yes, we’re the concierge and your representative for your custom build, but remember, until we get the truck, we can’t control the timing.

Custom Costs

Trail4Runner: Are there extra costs when choosing to order directly?

Justin R.: No. There SHOULD BE NO hidden fees here! Well, at least with our group. Another thing to protect yourself with is a paperwork trail. Any dealership unwilling to compile all the pricing is someone I suggest NOT working with. The price you see is the price you should pay, ensuring the only surprise is how perfectly your new vehicle fits your life. It sounds like a commercial, but that’s how it SHOULD work.

Refunds

Trail4Runner: What if my custom-ordered vehicle and I don’t click when we meet? That’s a pretty harsh reality, but there’s a small chance I don’t like what I thought I would love. I cringe thinking about this.

Justin R.: No worries! If the chemistry isn’t there, you’re not locked in. Again, [some] will try to lock you into what amounts to a restocking fee. However, chances are we’ll be able to sell it as spec’d with little or no difficulty. It’s all about ensuring you and your vehicle match perfectly.

Modifications

Trail4Runner: How does the dealership help with vehicle modifications or upgrades? Our readers are insanely exhaustive about how they want to create the perfect setup for their rides.

Justin R.: A great dealership is your one-stop shop for all upgrades, handling everything so you can relax and eagerly await the truck or SUV of your dreams. They’ll do all the labor, deal with any issues, and ensure your ride is ready to go, with all modifications done to perfection before you even get the keys.

When fulfilling custom orders, I always see both sides of the story. Part of you thinks you’re saving a ton of money by ordering the parts and doing it yourself—I get it. I joke with our maintenance guys about putting in my own plugs.

Honestly, what you’re buying is time. Have your readers all sit for a second and think about all the time they’ve put into their rides. Yes, some of it is fulfilling, fun, and part of what makes off-roading great—but that’s only part of it. In the end, custom orders are realistically about 75% built. I can tell in a few minutes what you’re going to do yourself and what you’ve learned you don’t want to deal with again. A custom build should be all about what the customer wants and not what I can sell them on.

Trail4Runner: What about the impact of dealership modifications on warranty and resale?

Justin R.: Modifications through the dealership come with assurances, maintaining your warranty and potentially boosting your vehicle’s resale value because they’re done right, documented, and backed by trusted expertise. I would trust a more prominent dealership with a (historically) long-standing reputation over a “buy here – pay here” car lot that promises coverage with a handshake and a box of Christmas tree air fresheners.

What’s Worth Doing At The Dealership?

Trail4Runner: Give me a “greatest hits” list of products you want done at a dealership.

Justin R.: Great question. I’ve seen people put everything into a build – even license plate frames and billet valve stem caps. But why? A dealership rightly has to order small parts like that and assign, usually, a minimum time allocation for that. Yeah, pay for one of our guys to screw on tire stem caps – that’s not worth it for me.

Things worth doing:

• Wheels & tires
• Spray-in coatings
• Additional cameras or tech
• Additional batteries
• Replacement grilles and upgrades
• Upgraded suspensions
• Body armor
• Bumpers
• Performance radiators and oil coolers
• Built-in storage options
• Roof racks
• Lift kits
• Struts lift kits
• Big lighting kits (worth doing)
• Anything adding structural rigidity (roll bars, rock sliders, etc.)

Not worth doing:

• Rustproofing
• Fabric protection
• Nitrogen in your tire (in all likelihood, you’ll deflate half of it out on your first trail run)
• Fuel additives
• Window tint (this is almost always outsourced to an onsite vendor)
• Door edge protector – who does this anymore? You’d be surprised.
• Anything you can buy on Amazon and install in less than 10 minutes – do you need to have all weather mats or Toyota shift knobs added to your car payment?

Financing Custom Orders

Trail4Runner: Can the costs for these epic upgrades be included in my vehicle financing?

Justin R.: Absolutely! Roll the costs into your financing deal to manage your budget better and hit the road with everything you want from the get-go.

Post Purchase Expectations

Trail4Runner: Post-purchase, what kind of support can I expect for my personalized vehicle?

Justin R.: I would expect VIP treatment with comprehensive aftercare. Depending upon the dealership, they may want to cover the build at their dealership only, while larger groups will often cover it across their stores. A good dealership should see this as maintaining your trust; if you’re not getting that feeling — take your money and loyalty to someone else.

Final Thoughts

Trail4Runner: Is direct ordering the best way to get a new vehicle?

Justin R.: It’s all about creating a ride that’s uniquely yours, reflecting your style, needs, and related usage. Moreover, you’ll do so with the confidence that you’re protected far more thoroughly than if you had done the work yourself. Ordering a vehicle is a luxury, with the biggest benefit being that you’re getting back your time. Some people LOVE to turn a wrench — some want to walk in, turn a key, and drive away.