[andykeck]

I think I might throw up.

Edit: It's a little to late tonight to get any information but I gotta say this is really weird. I just talked to Austin a couple of days ago and he apologied for the delays and mentioned that he was as disappointed as I was. He also confirmed that my car, which I already ordered, would arrive toward the end of the year.

I don't know what to make of all this.

 

[andykeck]

They have begun delivering cars. I know of at least one person who picked up an Elise from DE. In fact he picked it up last week and drove to Monterey.

I'm hoping that physi just misunderstood a concern about his specific order. But I wonder if he's a troll?

 

[andykeck]

Re: I hope if I misunderstood him

Let me call him up tomorrow, and hear what is the "true" reason of cancelling my reservation.
(Desert European has not released any information regarding its allocation status nor even customer's waitlist number.)

Let us know what you find out. And please don't take offense at my 'troll' comment. I was just speculating given how strange this whole deal seems.

 

[andykeck]

I'm #20. I put in my deposit only a few days before Shay.

 

[andykeck]

Re: so..you guys are paying $2500 over the MSRP

I haven't contacted Austin yet, guessing he does not work on weekend.

You might want to also call Pat Marsh (sp?). I'm sure one of the two of them is there.

 

[andykeck]

Anybody hear anything?

 

[andykeck]

i don't want to call Pat and bug him anymore. I've called the poor guy about the demo once a week.

Likewise, I don't want to call Austin for fear he'll put the dreaded black mark next to my name to change me from #20 to #200. But you haven't gotten the call like the original poster, no?

 

[andykeck]

Fantastic news, thanks for the update. Be sure to fix your sig!

I'll get the stage 2 later on. He told me $900 or so plus $200 install labor.

Ouch! I think I read somewhere here that another dealer was only charging somewhere around $700 installed!

 

[andykeck]

Don't think this is possible. The Stage 2 exhaust is 622.27 from DE parts dept. NOT including installation. No mechanic is going to cut the diffuser and install the exhaust for $77.73. The installed price is usually about $1125.00.

In this thread, Stan mentions that his dealer installed the Stage 2 exhaust for about $850. Not quite the 700ish I remembered, but a lot less than Shay was quoted. Did someone at DE quote that 622.27 price for the parts? 'Cause it looks like they just told Shay that the exhaust was $900 just for parts.

 

[andykeck]

Probably $1100 or so installed.

Good Lord! What's their labor rate?

 

[andykeck]

Put Tahoemark into November and you'll have all I know about.

 

[andykeck]

I don't want to say exactly what number or VIN I am until after delivery. I've posted some frank and unflattering views of the (lack of) information from DE, so I'd rather not risk it.

Yeah, there have been many times that I've kicked myself for using my real name. Not so much because of any issues I've had with DE, but rather due to the problems I was having with my previous dealer. You know, the one where I'll have to take the car for service.

The good news is that it sounds like things are proceeding smoothly for the most part. At least once a week the head of my company asks me if I have my car yet. I've been able to give him the same estimate four times in a row now and that never happened before.

 

[andykeck]

Andy is #20 and is expecting his in January.

That's not entirely accurate. Last time I emailed Austin he predicted an October/November delivery. Based on their rate of delivery I guessed that January/February was more likely. If it's true that #14 is being delivered in early December then I think that's still possible but it's not something I heard from DE.

 

[andykeck]

Actually, this is not entirely true.

You called and specifically wanted your car for June delivery and at MSRP. When i called you back i said that it was not possible to guarantee your requirements and you were absolutely specific about June delivery, so i suggested that we would refund your deposit to which you agreed.



Austin

That makes more sense than the original poster's claims. Thanks for clearing that up for us.

 

[andykeck]

I'm up for it. When should we do it? Seems like half of the names on the list are low posters. They may not see the date we pick. Although, if we pick a later date, everyone may get a chance to see it and come to an agreement.

I'd love to join you for this but it's a hell of a drive. Also, I have no car.

 

[andykeck]

Just to add more confusion to this mess....

I spoke to Pat yesterday and was told that I have moved up on the "list". He says I am now #19 and should expect Late February, early March delivery. He said deliveries are going MUCH slower than was expected (only 2 or 3 a month so far).

I've decided that in order to maintain my sanity about this process, I have to abandon the idea of the list and just expect to get the car whenever it arrives.

I wonder what number I am these days then? I think I don't really want to know lest blood spurt from my eyes.

 

[andykeck]

now you're 10 spots ahead placing a deposit after me. Have you ordered your car already? I'm really confused here. :wallbang:

Something is certainly not right.:shrug:

 

[andykeck]

I am confused. DE received my $2500 deposit on 3/5/2004 (and was told I was the 22nd person to put a deposit down), yet you put yours down on 4/15/2004 and appear to be ahead of me on the list. They are telling you to expect delivery in late February or early March, and are telling me April. This is very odd. Have you placed your order with Lotus yet? They haven't taken my order yet. Are you paying extra beyond MSRP and the Lotus standard delivery fee?

I spoke with Austin last month just to make sure nobody forgot about me. It seemed like everything was on track.

Here's a data point:
deposit placed 3/1/2004, spot #20, estimated Feb. delivery

 

[andykeck]

Has your order been placed with Lotus?

As far as I can tell, yes. I was originally #21 but someone dropped out on the day they submitted orders so I moved up a spot and and ordered the same day I placed my deposit.