Hi Quickchick! My advice is
1. Don't limit yourself to the northeast, you might find a car quicker elsewhere, assuming you are willing to drive or transport it when it arrives,
2. Research this board. Dealer allocation is the name of the game! You might get a car a lot faster at #60 with a large allocation dealer than you would as #35 at a small alolocation dealer. Fox Valley in Chicago, Hunting Ridge in NY and Lotus of Atlanta are three dealers that come to mind that seem to get a lot of cars from Lotus
3. Keep your ears open for new dealers opening, which is rumored to begin happening. You might find yourself #1 or 2 if you are quick
4. Take up yoga, practice deep breathing. Lotus will test your patience! As many of us have found out ... Steve