Ordering a California

If you are in a dealer's territory, you are SOL when it comes to ordering from another dealer. One F430 purchase will not get you in a dealer's good-books, especially one such as Shelton, who no doubt has a VERY long line of customers that have bought 10x as many cars as you. Maybe if you buy a new 612 and a couple QP DuoSelects, you could move up the list...

 

wow - thats a very helpful and informative answer you just gave him! - well done!

As for ordering one, just keep annoying your dealer, go in with a cash deposit and see if he turns you away then

 

The first official launch in Italy is on Thursday this week which may affect the public perception as may the events in the economy on Monday yesterday

If you're serious I'd get on a list asap and then watch it shrink over the next year or two as folk decide against ordering and/or taking delivery - here in the UK even the 599 & Scud premia have already more or less gone after only a few months

 

I was very specifically told by my dealer that Ferrari wants to market this car to a new segment of the population. They specifically said that old time customers stand LESS of a chance to get a new California than someone that walks in off the street. The rational is the old guard so to speak is an easy sell. What they dont want is to have first time buyers taken an interest in the car only to be turned away because they havent bought every model made for the last 20 years. Its a new world at Ferrari and a whole new type of customer they want.

 

Interesting theory and makes a lot of sense. I wonder if this is what comes to pass...

 

Methinks plenty of these cars will be available fairly soon.

RMX

 

That makes excellent marketing sense and, in theory, would make for a healthier Ferrari. Unfortunately, I think the reality of auto retailing may take precedence over the marketing plan. Loyal customers with cash are virtually impossible to turn down over a new customer who might want to finance a portion of the cost.

Even though they might make money on the back end with that new customer, Mr. Repeat will always be a dealers' best friend.

 

The California will be a higher volume car than other current Ferraris, within a significant fraction being allocated to developing Ferrari markets. Quite a few however will find their way to the US. When the car is here it will be seen as a very expensive competitor for other high buck convertibles like the SL55, Aston Martin Convertible Vantage V8 and sundry Jags, Porsches etc. I doubt that it will have any waiting list and may be the first Ferrari in recent years to be available as dealer inventory. I'd wait till they hit the US. There are doubtless many pre-orders in place at dealers but I suspect that many of those will evaporate when the car is ready for delivery.

 

+1

 

Like no other Ferrari buy has ever offered them cash.

I doubt that will help.

 

I've been turned down by local Ferrari dealership to be placed on a list as well. I actually approached them a couple of times over 6 months ago, and even at that time they wouldn't consider putting me on a list. He told me the only way to be considered is if -

a) become a repeat buyer/trader starting from some Maseratis or used F cars on the lots. (or buy a 612, which would make them very happy) or

b) if you know somebody who knows somebody.

Trying to get into a new Ferrari when you are a nobody making less than 7 digits, but that's how free market works. If we only live the world where cash for a $200K+ car is good enough. To purchase the car without being on the list, wait for those who purchased it to flip the car through the dealership within 3 months for a hefty premium on a 'used' California. Or stalk your local F dealership and call them every week until they get so annoyned they decide to sell you a car.

 

March back into Shelton Ferrari and tell them PAP said to put you at the top of the list!!

That or tell them to lay off the crack pipe!