458 Italia Order Process

Here is my timeline: Test drove a 458 early June but was going up to Continental to buy a great F430. I traded a Harley and it was the downpayment and they requested a December 2011 delivery date. The order was accepted into their system and the dealer late June was given an October build slot. I did not want the car until the Spring but with the Spider being built in large numbers early 2012 I decided to go with the October date. Not much communication with the dealer but found the car was projected to be finished September 19 being a month early. And then found it was stage 70 and then was shipped September 14 and so the wait began. No news but it should be in the USA by next week. Not all have this timeline. I heard my dealer does not have anymore build spots for a coupe for all of 2012 as I think 3 more 458's were ordered with some wanting to wait for Spring. I AM VERY GLAD I DID NOT WAIT because of this.

 

Not unusual.

They gave you an expected delivery date, right? It may be plus or minus 6 weeks but if they took your money and placed an actual order, you should have gotten at least that.

 

Then, that's normal.

 

Pick up the phone?

 

No, really they won't give you any more details than that until it goes red 10. Until then, all you'll get is the same message.

 

I thought the usual procedure is that if you have only laid an initial deposit (which effectively books your place in the queue) the next stage is to spec the car when your build slot comes up - at that point they will want more money - only with a spec & more money will it go into production

 

Each dealer is different. Most likely, they won't ask for more money. They normally don't take deposits until you have a slot and spec the car. I don't know the specifics here but that's been the case I've seen.

When the car shows up at the dealer, they want the rest of the money in one form or another. You'll get some notification that it's on a truck to the dealer from your salesperson.

Don't shoot me if this dealer is different. That's just my experience in ordering 3 cars from 2 different dealers.

 

Earlier this year my dealer wanted $10k just to get on the waiting list.......Steve

 

I placed a $20k deposit but never was asked for more money before it went into production.

 

Every dealer has their own way of doing business.

To me, I would not put money on a "waiting list" without any idea when or if a car will show up.

But, if that works for that dealer, so be it.

 

I should have added that he told me it would be 10-12 months before we order the car......Steve