I am number 20. My name was put on the list 4 days after the 458 was announced.
My dealer told me that they are not taking deposits. They apparantly are going to allocate to customers that have had a relationship with them.
Honest dealer. Seriously. side note -- I love "list" threads. A new customer being told they are 'x' on a list probably doesn't mean much. If some big name celeb, or good past customer comes in looking for a car after them, do you really think they will be behind the new customer? There are probably two lists - the real one, and the other they tell newbies. The true indicator of knowing where one is on the list is being called by the dealer and asked to come down and spec the car within the next week as the order is being placed.
One nice thing about buying a vintage Ferrari: there's no list. You just have to be fortunate enough to find a good car at the right price! Fred
Aside from the self-satisfaction of getting on any list, I reckon that more than 60% of those 'listed' drop out eventually for financial reasons, changing circumstances, or just because they're paper mache characters. In other words, lists don't matter much.
i was told that if someone delays their specs, they take the next in line...so as you are saying, the lists arent telling much, but it is a way to somewhat gauge on when you may see your car.
There are no orders yet for the 458. There are no MSRP's, no specs, no Vin # allocation, etc. Anyone on any list is merely on a dealer "interest list". The dealers will start getting info on the car next month. They should get an idea about allocation, MSRP's, etc. At that point they will go back to their internal lists and start asking for deposits. But even then you will not be filling out an order form. That will come down the road. Any and all "lists" are just so much "hoopla" and have absolutely nothing to do with how likely you are to be able to order one. And yes, I have my name on "a list" at my dealer-but at least they tell me it only means that they will keep me in the info loop not that it means i have a lock on a car. Nobody, but nobody has a lock on a 458 Italia at this moment in time.
Agree to the above - my dealer told me I am on his "interested" list. Thats about it. No promises at all.
Years ago the Ferrari factory maintained a list of about 300 owners who had a standing order with them for each new Ferrari model, as it was introduced. CH
Hi.. Long time reader first time poster. I live in Hong Kong, and there is a very concrete list here. In fact, I have seen that i'm about 100th* on the list after paying my $300,000HKD deposit. Lists and their integrity are relivative to each dealer. If you want to get on a real list, come to Hong Kong, it's a mile long and the end result takes 1yr longer and cost 70% more tax than most other countries. Oh, the joy! *97th to be exact.
You are right om - I have found over the years that the list BS is just that, BS. They wave their hands in the air and say you are so important to us, you are on the list - you never see a list though
What I find funny about all this list mania is that the "lists" are never made public so how do you know where you are onthe list or that you , being 8th or 15th or whatever means you will get the 8th or 15th car? How do you know that other people below you are not getting cars before you, that someone not on the "list" can't or won't get a car before you? The lists are pure make believe-designed to make would be buyers feel important and get hooked. It is even better if the dealer get you to cough up money! You know how to tell when you are on the official sales order list? When you buy the car!
when i left a deposit, the number 3 was placed on the order form. i know the service guys well, and will be told when the first cars start coming in. very hard to slip 6 cars out without everyone knowing about it.