Purchasing new Ferrari's and the waiting list..

I assume you are talking about 360 coupe or spyder.

 

I don't buy that. There are cars available for spring. I wouldn't wait 3 years. Used cars is where they make their $$$.

 

Speaking with Ferrari of Houston a couple of weeks ago they were under the impression that a 360 replacement is quite a long way off. The 360 is just selling too well. But I didn't get any specific information. They are no longer accepting names to the list for the 360 (at least for the 6-speed which is what I want). I don't think I can wait much longer. I'll probably have to go the pre-owned route.

 

Pdiack,

are you looking for a coupe or a spyder?

 

In November 2000, I went on the list for the 360 Spyder and the 550 at Ferrari of Washington. I was told at the time that the waiting period for the 360 was approx. 4 years and the 550 1.5 years. My 550 was delivered in May '01 and I was required to make a deposit several months later to retain my place on the 360 Spyder list.Late last year,when checking on where I was on the list, I was informed that due to an uexpected demand for the 6 speed Spyders vs. the F1s over the previous year, the 6 speeds would take 3-4 months longer to come in than the F1 versions.As of a couple of days ago, I was told that my 360 6 speed Spyder would come in around the end of 2004.The expectation is that the new 360 will also be available at the same time and those of us on the 360 list could go on the "new" 360 list if we choose when decision time arrives.The 550 was my first Ferrari and my sense is that FoW has been pretty straight forward with maintaing the integrity of their 360 list. Also, the new 360, I am told, will be based on a number of the Enzo improvements, have some body style changes, and have a "significantly" bigger engine.

 

To sort of answer the initial question..............I had clients wait 4 years.......yes !! 4 years for the new SL500. My friend at MB just delivered one I ordered 22 months ago for a client of mine. They currently are still 24 months out with the orders.

So..............I imagine they easily wait 3 years for a Ferrari too.

 

The problem with the list is that all the people who take delivery that never go on a list. it pisses other people off but it is a part of the Ferrari as well as other marques world. Its all about who you know or being in the right place at the right time. I got one of the first G500's in the US when at the time there was a long wait and I happened to be at the dealership when the first one came in. For some reason the number one guy on the list wasn't able to take it and they ended up selling it to me. I would think that it would go to the next person on the list that ordered silver/black but according to them(and I wasn't about to argue) each person gets a slot and if someone falls out the next in line doesn't bump up. Also, people willing to pay any price shake things up once again. I am currently on a "list" for the new Bentley GT and am wondering how that will go.The biggest problem I see with the 360 spider list is how they will handle the people that are on the list when the replacement comes. Who the hell wants to pay 190k for a car to get the outgoing model? I have heard both stories about being able to transfer to the new list and not being able. I would get that clarified in writing if I was waiting on the 360 list.

 

I went on the list for a 360 in Oct of 2000. I bought a used Euro 360 in the meantime, as I was too impatient to wait; I chose Euro, because I could not bring myself to pay way over MSRP, and felt good enough about 360 reliability to skip the warranty.

When they announced the Stradale, I immediately called to have my name switched from the 360 list to the Stradale list. I would like to think that my years of being on the 360 list contributed to my placement on the Stradale list... but it could also just be that I called so immediately after the announcement of the Stradale. You never really know the inner workings of "the list" (unless your the keeper of the list).

So, when my car is delivered in March (fingers crossed), I will have been on the list for 3.5 years. And given the popularity of the Modena and the Stradale are both much less than for the 360 Spider, a four-year wait for the Spider is not surprising.

As has already been said, I wouldn't listen to rumors of a Enzo-like replacement to the 360... far more likely just a continued evolution of the car. And I would expect a lot of organized list shuffling when the new model is *announced*... some will be willing to take another year or so delay to get the newest model... some will prefer to get bumped up into the gap left by those and take a 360 at the end of its model run rather than being 2 years down the new model list... there's plenty of demand that a new model will not dry up demand for the old model.

Soooo... if you want one now, buy used. If you want to get a brand new one, put yourself on the list... the sooner the better. Do NOT wait until the new model is announced... the list will be a good 2 years long before the model is even announced (effectively).

If you want to be a list hopper, start spending ungodly sums of money... buy an Enzo and a 360 Challenge that you have them maintain as you run it in races with others willing to bang up 360s... buy a new 575 and trade in your old every time they get a new color... and so on...

 

I placed a deposit on a 360 coupe in June '01, was told a 2-3 year wait. I just ordered the 360 for a March build, so nearly 3 years to delivery. The slot was for an F1, which I chose after a long drive, a lot of assistance from this board. A 6 speed wait is indefinite. Not sure about the new '05 but in discussions with the dealer, a realistic deliverable date today is 18 months, if not longer, assuming you don't get bumped by long time clients.

 

I heard from many of my friends who also own Ferraris that at some dealerships, you can just pay the manager $10k CASH and he will give you the next delivery of their 360. You might want to try it out.

 

I wouldn't doubt that for a minute! What was the situation with the guy that started looking for a Stradale about two weeks ago and has already had it now for a week? Another example of faulty list.I think if you are willing to do the legwork and be proactive in calling everyone and there brother in Ferrari-Land you don't need no stinkin list! A little grease money wouldn't hurt either.

 

24 months for a new SL500? In Bellevue, WA, they have immediate slots for March04 delivery - as of last week.

 

And on a new 6 speed, if you're not to opposed to paying over MSRP a little, you can pick one up (delivery miles only) for around $10k over MSRP. Given the price of the car anyway, how much is it worth to you to skip the 2-3 year waiting list and drive the brand new 6 speed coupe this weekend? My 2 cents.

 

SL's are available. The MB dealer in Chandler AZ has a SL600 on the floor. I placed an order in July for an '04 SL55 and picked it up Nov 30.

 

You mentioned that the new car is coming in 2004 as a 2005 model...are you sure? Too date it has only been a rumor that the replacement car will be available that soon some believe the car will car out in late 2005 as a 2006.

 

Here in AZ 'the list' is a magic document written in pencil and kept hidden in a desk.

Somehow if some cash, or a GP watch, or other valuable bauble ends up in the list keepers hand....you magically get to pick your colors and your car is delivered.

I think that there is some pretty cheesy stuff going on in the Fcar dealerships (not all...but some).

I got on the list at our local MB dealer for an SL55 and there were no games....my number came up, I ordered my car and it came...end of story.

 

I ordered my 360 Spider in 00 and got in July of 2003. I had too fight nail and tooth to get it then. After a week with the car I got an offer I could not refuse, my local dealer found out and told me if I did not sell it through them I could no longer do business through them. Considering they made enough profit on a $200K car I told them to bite me and sold the car to who I wanted to sell it too. I would rather do business with who I want then deal with their B$. I was offered a 360 Coupe 6 speed prior to my car at MSRP though I turned it down. FNA is lucky that they can have a waiting list. As soon as the Gallardo and some other cars come out, this waiting list will no longer be. By the way their arrogant attidute to us is B$, we are the customers and we can do what we want with our cars. When you buy a house does the Selling Agent force you to Sell it through them again?

 

Actually, assuming their motive here is to prevent F-car speculation (buying just to flip the cars and make a profit), then I applaud your dealer and salute them when they refuse to ever again sell you a car. Phttt!!

In a world with 3- and 4-year waiting lists, F-car dealers could be charging exhorbitant prices and making huge profits on the cars. But they don't... they respect the true Ferrari enthusiasts enough to sell them the cars at MSRP. But then, in that situation, people with money and no love for the cars will come along, get on the list, buy the car, and then sell it to the true Ferrari lovers at those ridiculous prices. Then the F-car dealers' noble efforts to keep prices at MSRP are doing nothing but rewarding speculators with big profits. As a Ferrari nut, I'd much rather my money go to the Fcar dealer than to some opportunistic jerk playing the system.

So, how does the Fcar dealer only sell to true Ferrari fans? How do they avoid speculators? They either sell only to people they know (eliminating all new Fcar fans), OR they at least make sure each speculator can only profit once in their lifetime. Once known as a speculator, they are black-balled forever. I salute the dealers that enforce that and continue to try to get the Ferraris into enthusiasts' hands at MSRP.

You argue you should be able to sell to who you want for the $$ you want... and I would agree *if* you paid market price for the car (that is, you paid the dealer the inflated price)... but if the dealer sold you the car under market (at MSRP) with the agreement that you would not flip it (that you would sell it through them), then that is part of the agreement with them. You knew when you bought it from them that, if you want that price, then you must sell it through them. You broke that agreement... and as a result, you deserve to be black-balled.

 

Are you serious with this? The only reason they want you to sell your car back through them is to take a part in the bending over of the guy who is paying way over sticker. What does this have to do with insuring each Ferrari gets a noble and deservig owner? You've got to be kidding with that.