Paying a markup here
It looks like I will pay the mandatory $2500 markup to Desert European motorcars. To me, it's just risk management.
This dealership was able to offer an earlier delivery -- July of this year instead of July of next year, and an actual List Position # instead of vague handwaving.
It is worth $2500 to me to have the car a year earlier. I understand this is not true for many folks here, but everyone has to make their own call.
There is also the risk that MSRP next year could be higher, because of demand or US Dollar devaluation. If I wait an extra 18 months for delivery, I may STILL end up paying more than $40k.
Other dealerships could swear MSRP, but with a triple-digit waiting list position, I'd have nothing but pictures to look at for over a year. From buying other cars, I know how "flexible" MSRP is when it comes time to take delivery -- flooring charges, dealer prep fees, who is going to argue and refuse the Elise keys sitting on the table?
If I was early on a list for MSRP with a reputable dealer, I'd be as happy as some of the smug folks here -- but that just isn't an option to latecomers who haven't been hounding Lotus dealers for the last two years.
