I'm looking for a new car now . . . . the buying process certainly isn't what I am used to in America. Dealers seem to have little to no inventory, the "Build your own car" option on manufacturer's websites is not present (in fact, there is no such thing as ordering a car with the options you want. They just build them to different trim levels, and you get the options you want by trim level.

This must depend on the dealer or brand. We just ordered a new Toyota and got just the options that we wanted with no problems at all.

Perhaps I should be more specific and say factory options. I doubt you were able to get any factory options other than by ordering/buying a higher trim level of the vehicle. I'm talking about getting things like different wheels, radio upgrade, cruise control, heater, etc. Things that would/should be factory options.

Are dealer installed options (or add-ons) such as window film, undercoating, etc. what you received and are referring to?

There are lot of factory and dealer options, depending on the car, but you will get to them through the actual printed brochures and negotiate upgrades with the salesperson, none of this impersonal online stuff

I just started to look at cars. Been to 4 new car dealers and one used. So far, it has been a very pleasant experience. Nothing like in the US. Heck, many of the sales people are young gals. The process here is immediately better!

At Honda, Chevrolet and Toyota we were told what the options for free would be. Honda even gave us a list...and it was long. Same at every dealership. But it is all small stuff. Chevy did offer skirting all around. All offered 1st year ins (75% of value), undercoating, window tint, floor mats, etc.

I agree that they have NO inventory. Honda was OK, the others very poor. Crazy. Can't even see the model you want to buy or drive it. But, they give you the price on every model/trim level. Pretty easy. No sitting in a back room with 2 crazy car sales guys working you over to buy a car today.

We are still considering buying used, but probably will go with new. For Honda and Toyota, the price difference is so small on new vs used.