About to buy a new vehicle - need advice.

[BsFaninCGY]

As it's both the end of month, and end of year, I thought this would be a good opportunity to get a new set of wheels. Yesterday, I visited a local dealership and hammered out a deal I was happy with and put down my deposit.

In researching new winter tires today, I double checked the size rims I was getting on my new vehicle and realized that although I thought I was getting 18" rims, it seems my new ride will have 17". Because we looked at multiple trim and year models, and because I was paying more attention to the $$, I guess this slipped by me.

I'm wondering if it's too late to try and get them upgraded? I am supposed to take delivery tomorrow and haven't yet signed the bulk of paperwork from finance - but I have signed a terms of settlement doc and put down some money. Will they say too bad? Is there something I can say that will get them to concede to do this at no additional cost as I thought the price I had agreed to was for the larger rims?

[Ducay]

I would let them know you thought you were getting 18" and to see what they can do. Your leverage is pretty weak now, but sometimes if its an incremental cost they may be able to do something to keep you happy.

Problem is a lot of times the rims are tied to the car based on trim level, so getting the 18" might be a bit more tricky than just a quick flip (assuming you've got a deal on a specific unit).

[GGG]

Have a read through the cancelation terms in the deposit you put down so you understand your your current position and the cost to walk away. Then ask anyway but at least you know your position going in.

[McG]

Should all else fail, I would also consider how much you would be willing to pay extra to get the 18", should it come to that. Would they be willing to trade the existing ones for the new size at cost perhaps? Or perhaps what you might give up to keep the price the same...

I would think that most dealerships would be happy to have you spend a bit more, but as smarter posters than I have noted, the details in your contract will tell the tale.

[Ducay]

McG has a good point, they may be willing to do it for a cost, (they love more revenue!).

You could also see about working out a deal around the 17" and winter tires (since you'll likely want those anyways). But keep in mind a decent set of winters on nice rims should only run you about ~$1500 or so. Even less on cheap steelies. Something to keep in mind in negotiating, since perhaps you could stay with the 17" and get winter rubbers thrown in, and then you could buy nice summer rims & rubbers in the 18" or bigger size you want. Or some permutation or combination thereof.

[Derek Sutton]

Your deposit should be refundable, our dealership always refunds deposits unless it is on a factory order or the odd dealer transfer, depending on distance. It should also be transferable to another vehicle as well so should not be an issue as long as the final paperwork hasn't been completed. Call and talk to your Sales Person, for dealers it is a real pain to swap the tires and rims so re selecting a vehicle is the most likely scenario. I also think you'll be fine with 17's and likely never notice a difference, are you happy with how they look?

[Weitz]

What does it matter if they are 17 or 18?

[Locke]

You could always burn the dealership to the ground...

[BsFaninCGY]

Originally Posted by Weitz

What does it matter if they are 17 or 18?

Purely aesthetic. I drive a Wrangler with 18" wheels and I think it looks miles better than similar models with 17" wheels. I'm getting a new Wrangler so I wanted to keep the look I'm so happy with.

[Erick Estrada]

Cars are a large purchase so ensure you are getting exactly what you want or back out and buy from somewhere else if they don't want to play nice. You should have some leverage seeing it's the end of the month and they likely want to get your sale in.