[Jay]

Hi all,

OK, so you've put a deposit down at a dealer, now what? I suppose its a dealer-by-dealer decision whether to honor the list, but thought the group might know.

I placed a deposit at Symbolic LaJolla 7/31 for a new cone killer, but was not assigned any sort of number or priority. Are other dealers keeping lists?

Then again if I bought a new Lamborghini Gallardo from them next Summer, betcha they could find an Elise for me despite any lists.....

Yet another lurfer who finally signed up- nice job with the forums!

 

[Randy Chase]

Hi Jay, welcome to the forum.

Some dealers are maintaining what sounds like a hard list. They will tell you that you are number 43 or whatever. Not sure how you could tell that indeed you were the 43rd person to get a car.

I talked to Graham at Symbolic about this. He said they were not keeping a hard list, but it's a relative list (paraphrasing). You would be in the general order that you went on the list. He wanted me to understand that they have no intention of screwing anyone.

However, if a long time customer of their's came up and wanted a car, there may be some consideration given. On the other hand, if they found out you were selling your spot or you were a speculator trying to make a buck, you will drop down to a later position on the list.

It would seem that all dealers will also have to deal with what the factory supplies. If Hethel makes a group of cars that are all one color, it may be conceivable that those in that group would get their cars at that time, regardless of exact placement on the waiting list.

For example, Chrome Orange.

 

[LarryB]

Oh no, the special orders of Chrome Orange, better not screw up the line. As Randy has said the cars might be made in batches. They most likely will be shipped out every 2-4 weeks. I'm sure there will be a good 10-15% drop out rate, so the dealer will have some flexablity to move somebody into a spot w/o really pushing anyone back. Really wouldn't expect more then a 1-1.5 month delay from when your "suppose" to get your car... in my case the dealer has a fairly hard list, I'm #13, with 2 demo cars also in front of me. Once we've got the car the wait becomes a forgotten memory.

 

[jml1952]

Once we've got the car the wait becomes a forgotten memory.

Quite true. And anticipation can help you savor the actual experience even more. And we should be grateful that the car is actually coming to the US. But this wait is driving me crazy!

Symbolic has never told me exactly where I am on their waiting list, just that I'm in the top 20. I've always assumed that they (and other dealers) would move someone up if the price was right or they had a lot of clout. I can live with that if I get the car at MSRP and they don't add in tons of VIPs ahead of me. Not much we can do about it in any case, but I would assume that they don't want to screw us, since we could be a source of good PR and future referrals for them, not to mention being repeat customers down the line.

I would assume that after they take our orders, they will develop a production scheme that is most efficient. So it might make sense to knock out a bunch of the most popular colors all at once. Just another thing to worry about!

 

[Randy Chase]

Is the rumor true then that Chrome Orange production run is scheduled to be done in Fall 2004?

*ducking*

 

[smura]

I've never heard that rumor. I think us CO's will have to wait like everyone else.

I'm #32 at my dealer at MSRP. I believe they said that the reserved the first 5 cars for them and could charge more than MSRP. Also, if people dropped off the list they would not move everyone up but would also try to sell for more than MSRP.

It's been over a year since I placed my deposit, so my memory could be a little faded, but I think this was correct.

 

[jml1952]

I hear that the problem with Chrome Orange is that it takes forever to dry!! Especially in a damp climate. Could take, 6, 9 even 12 months to be ready for sale.

On the other hand, Saffron Yellow dries to a perfect finish almost instantaneously. Therefore, all of the yellow cars will be completed in the first batch made.

Remember, speculation and rumor are welcome at Elisetalk.com!

 

[smura]

I heard that when you wash saffron yellow it turns into Chrome Orange. Kind of like that lamborghini in cannonball run 2.

 

[LarryB]

Where is Lotus Admin, when you need him?

 

[adamant]

Is the rumor true then that Chrome Orange production run is scheduled to be done in Fall 2004?

*ducking*

LOL. The romour IS trus but you have mis read it. Production of the initial run will all be CO and that will not complete until Fall 2004!

 

[Modern Wedgie]

LOL. The romour IS trus but you have mis read it. Production of the initial run will all be CO and that will not complete until Fall 2004!

If that's the case, I might join the CO mafia just to get my car early! Sometimes you just have to sacfrice what you want to get what you need...I WANT yellow, but I NEED the elise.

 

[smura]

just called my dealer in Seattle. They have not been given any allocation info (didn't ask about the CO rumor) but they are going to be sending a letter out next week to all deposit holders for us to pick our colors, etc.

Modern wedgie - I knew you'd come around to the dark side (well, as dark as CO can be)

 

[adamant]

Wow, I talked to the dealer here and they had nothing new to report. Will they have an options list to go with the colour choices, do you think?

 

[smura]

My sales guy said that they would be putting in an order for the first 15 cars. Sounds like the factory wants to start to put together a build schedule. I'm not sure about options, but assuming the only options are hard top and wheels, seems like these could be put on at the last minute and not affect the build dates.

If a different exhaust is an option it would screw up my theory.

 

[jml1952]

I heard that when you wash saffron yellow it turns into Chrome Orange. Kind of like that lamborghini in cannonball run 2.

lol.

This just in from Lotus. Chrome Orange is out. Ice Blue is in.

 

[xxxotic]

If I take the paint delete option will I get the car sooner. I can see a line forming at MAACO or Earl Schibs.

 

[smura]

Yes, you could get the "ambassador" paint job. I believe it is $299 (plus tax, of course).

 

[S3wannabe]

Don't have my down payment in yet (still working on the live-in finance guru on that one). The dealer here told me they still weren't sure what the allocation method would be, when they would know about options, available colors or units per year. He figured there colud be two paths, either 1) Lotus will take firm orders and build to those requests or 2) they'll build a boat load configured as Lotus sees fit and dole 'em out. Guess what I'm saying is no one seems to know anything for certain yet

 

[S3wannabe]

BTW, when is the Padded Landau Vinyl top option due?