[Sownman]

I had reported here that in my inquiries about dealer status
of Galpin I had left a voice mail for Gary and he didn't call back
so I only had the secretaries word to go on.

Gary said he had been traveling so much that he didn't retrieve my message till today, and to his credit he did return the call.

He told me as of now 2 cars have been delivered at Steve Harris
in SLC where I'm #25. He told me 91 cars have been delivered in Western half of US. He told me Galpin is not a dealer yet. They are 90% of the way there and one issue has to do with address that Galpin uses, or displays cars. Galpin will not get cars 3rd week of September as per info from a prior Galpin and Hagen discussion. Gary said it will be "some time" till they see cars and if the issue is not resolved Lotus will be pursuing other avenues
for an LA dealer.

The news while not awful doesn't sound too encouraging for Los Angeles, or me.

Steve

 

[Randy Chase]

The news while not awful doesn't sound too encouraging for Los Angeles, or me.

Steve

Agreed. Yikes.

I hope it works out.

 

[BrianK]

So it sounds as though Symbolic has given up any interest in opening a Los Angeles show room?

 

[Randy Chase]

So it sounds as though Symbolic has given up any interest in opening a Los Angeles show room?

I doubt that will ever happen. Just my guess.

 

[Ground Loop]

Thanks for posting this. I know Gary must be sick to death of the obsessive ET'ers calling him for a fix, but posts like yours sure ease the wait.

He told me as of now 2 cars have been delivered at Steve Harris
in SLC where I'm #25. He told me 91 cars have been delivered in Western half of US.

91? Wow, sounds like the East/West allocations are a bit skewed then. Don't they know we can Drive All Winter!

 

[mact3333]

I had reported here that in my inquiries about dealer status
of Galpin I had left a voice mail for Gary and he didn't call back
so I only had the secretaries word to go on.

Gary said he had been traveling so much that he didn't retrieve my message till today, and to his credit he did return the call.

He told me as of now 2 cars have been delivered at Steve Harris
in SLC where I'm #25. He told me 91 cars have been delivered in Western half of US. He told me Galpin is not a dealer yet. They are 90% of the way there and one issue has to do with address that Galpin uses, or displays cars. Galpin will not get cars 3rd week of September as per info from a prior Galpin and Hagen discussion. Gary said it will be "some time" till they see cars and if the issue is not resolved Lotus will be pursuing other avenues
for an LA dealer.

The news while not awful doesn't sound too encouraging for Los Angeles, or me.

Steve

Very disturbing!...

so why did the guys at Galpin tell many of us it was done deal and the contract had been signed.

 

[Modern Wedgie]

It was a done deal with Lotus when I talked to Galpin back in January

I'm sure it will get sorted out...

 

[pianomaniac]

I was surprised that Lotus would have considered Galpin to begin with........so I am not at all surprised and even encouaged to hear that Lotus has the integrity to choose their dealers more carefully. It's,in fact,a good indicator for LA and Lotus. I'm certain that a more 'representable' dealer will be negotiated soon.

 

[Sownman]

I was surprised that Lotus would have considered Galpin to begin with........so I am not at all surprised and even encouaged to hear that Lotus has the integrity to choose their dealers more carefully. It's,in fact,a good indicator for LA and Lotus. I'm certain that a more 'representable' dealer will be negotiated soon.

Please illustrate your personal bad experience with Galpin. I've purchased two cars there and have been quite happy. Also,
how are they lacking in "representability" ? They carry Jag and Astin Martin. Also, how is this good for LA. We currently have ZERO, no dealer, no cars. You think adding more delay is good ? Not me.

Steve

 

[zvezdah1]

Compared to the level of service Symbolic would offer if they still had an LA dealership (unless you're one of the wealthy) no way could Galpin be any worse.
Chris

 

[shay2nak]

what about DE?!

 

[perryeyges]

I got a call from Gary today as well he must be cleaning up his calls today.
Gary told me that he is expecting my VIN to show any day now.
The customer just ahead of me at my dealer currently has his car on a vessel. Encouraging....
Perhaps Lotus is trying to get as many Elises delivered on the east coast and to the mid west before the winter arrives.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL IN ATLANTA AS IVAN ARRIVES!!

 

[clrodrick]

Wow, I am quite upset with this news. While I know I should never count my chickens and all that, I *did* pretty much believe Galpin when they told me it was a done deal. Thus I withdrew my deposits at Silver Star (didn't really matter since my # was high) as well as DE (they seemed like nice guys and I didn't want to yank them around). Now, I could be left high and dry. I realize I'm not one of those who have waited 4+ years with deposit down to get the Elise experience. Still, to say I'm disappointed would be selling my feelings short. Staying with DE would have netted me a car by mid 2005 I would guess. I guess is Galpin doesn't happen I'll turn my interest to other cars, or more likely no cars since nothing else really gets me excited without spending some serious money.

 

[Patricko]

Call DE, hopefully all will be forgiven...

 

[mact3333]

nope, we will not be forgiven at DE...I was told today that I could have my place back in line if I paid 2500.00 over MSRP...I told them no thanks...I would rather buy a Porsche than pay over MSRP...if galpin will not be a dealer, I will be abit upset cause while I know many used Elises will come up soon enough, I really want touring,lss and hardtop and there will not be many of these cars around.

 

[Sownman]

I have three deposits, two going back a year. Galpin deposit for two months or so. Silver Star just seems to hose me around. My relationship with them is ****. I don't hold much hope of ever getting a call to order, let alone a car. Steve Harris in SLC seems to be the ULTIMATE SMALL DEALER. They have not delivered car #1 yet. Galpin now may disappear.

Some things in life just slip further away the harder you work to make them happen. I'm considering dropping the whole idea also, or at least not visiting this site any longer. It's too frustrating to see East Coast guys in the teens being delivered and guys in upper 20's getiing build dates while I seem to be no closer than I was a year ago. Galpin was really my only hope of a car this year. This really isn't very entertaining any longer. There may be only one Elise, but there are several fun cars.


Steve

 

[rtking]

Sownman, hang in there. Galpin may still turn-out... it really depends on what happens in the next few days from what I've heard. If not Galpin, then one of your other two deposits are bound to turn-up a car.

Bob

 

[Steve W]

My experiences with Galpin have been nothing but good. I think they will be very good for Lotus in that they have the showroom to do these cars justice, they have a staff who are extremely courteous and helpful, and they advertize a lot for all their lines.

One of the obstacles to final signature as I undertand it is other prestige companies not not wanting their cars in the same showroom as Lotus. I guess Jag/AM/Panoz are worried about the comparison not with the Elise, but maybe a follow on GT car...

 

[shay2nak]

nope, we will not be forgiven at DE...I was told today that I could have my place back in line if I paid 2500.00 over MSRP...I told them no thanks...I would rather buy a Porsche than pay over MSRP...if galpin will not be a dealer, I will be abit upset cause while I know many used Elises will come up soon enough, I really want touring,lss and hardtop and there will not be many of these cars around.

you withdrew your deposit from DE? What # were you?

 

[ChrisB]

nope, we will not be forgiven at DE...I was told today that I could have my place back in line if I paid 2500.00 over MSRP...I told them no thanks...I would rather buy a Porsche than pay over MSRP...if galpin will not be a dealer, I will be abit upset cause while I know many used Elises will come up soon enough, I really want touring,lss and hardtop and there will not be many of these cars around.

You would probably have had to pay the +$2,500 anyway. Those of us who placed deposits early at Newport European were told that they intended to sell the cars at MSRP, but when it came time to order, the order form had +$2,500 on it...take it, or leave it.