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I've got a non- mechanical question. I got word from our sales rep.: (last Wednesday, 11-7-07) that our 2008 Caliber should be shipping out on 11-8-07. Since last Friday, I have been E-mailing the man we ordered our car from to request our car's VIN #. We are starting to prepare for the insurance coverage. Here's the question. Has anyone who ordered a new car through a control#: ( my father who is a former Chrysler employee gets a life time discount) tried to inquire what the VIN # is and has had to wait several days without a response. I would think that once a customer gets word that their vehicle is ready to shipout, that this number would be available. Anyone who has any insight about a matter such as this, please tell me your experience! Thanks.

 

I received my 2008 Caliber SXT today. The VIN was available the moment it was ready to have the loan docs drawn up which was lastWednesday. Insurance should not be an issue because most companies give some kind of grace period to addnewly acquired vehicles. My insurance company, Liberty Mutual, gives me a 30 day grace period. I just made a copy of the insurance ID card from myDodgeDakota which has comp and collision on itand I'm keeping it in the Caliber until the new cards arrive. Check your policy, contact your agent or their central customer service line for verification of grace periods for newly acquired vehicles. It's nice to tell your agent what you're buying, but they can't draw up a binder until they have a VIN. You can't even get an accurate quote until you have the VIN. You don't know the VIN in some cases until you take delivery. Classic chicken/egg paradox. So to make things easier many insurance companies offer a grace period for newly acquired autos.

What I would be concerned about is the financing. You can't sign loan docs without a VIN as the collateral of the auto loan is attached to a specific VIN. If your financial institution gives you a cashier's check made payable to the seller like mine does where you trade the check for the keys plus title or report of sale they're not going to give it to you unless the VIN is correct. One digit of the VIN was off on my loan docs because of a difficult to read FAX on the brokerage agreement so I had to have them redone. It wasn't discovered until a copy of the title was seen by the loan officer just as I was getting ready to walk out the door. No big deal, just was a 10 min nuisance. It would have been straightened out anyway in the wash later. I'm sure it's not the first time an incorrect VIN was recorded on loan docs and certainly won't be the last. [8D]

 

Thanks, Netentity!

Last Tuesday, Nov. 13th. I finally got my VIN #! Our sales guy called me and said that "he wasn't fond of E-mailing": (I had sent him two E-mails requesting the number) so he gave me the number along with the railcar shipping date. Our Caliber should arrive at our dealership this next Tuesday or Wednesday: Nov 20th. or 21st. We have everything all set with the auto insurance. Still waiting to hear about the financing: (loan APR monthly payment amount etc. from the business manager). We ordered a 2008 Caliber R/T AWD in light khaki metallic clearcoat. Got the leather package and all of the safety option groups plus splurged and got a sunroof. This is will only be our second new car in 20 years of marriage. We are both pysched!

Thanks for your response and have a nice Thanksgiving!