Deposits on new cars before they are officially on sale
Discussion
I'm about to place a deposit on a new 718 Cayman. The third time I will have put a deposit on a car before before any real info/reviews/test drives are available. The other two being a MINI Cooper Covertible (12mths before It went on sale) and a GT86 (7mths before it went on sale).
I wonder who else is as mad as me to do this?
Who's done this the most times?
Who's waited the longest between deposit being paid and car being delivered?
Has anyone waited ages for their new toy to arrive only to dislike it?
I wonder who else is as mad as me to do this?
Who's done this the most times?
Who's waited the longest between deposit being paid and car being delivered?
Has anyone waited ages for their new toy to arrive only to dislike it?
Well I think half this forum would tear you alive for having the gall to want a blown four cylinder car in place of a glorious N/A six (I personally think it'll be a cracker and you buy what you want).
As regards putting a deposit down well in advance, it's fine with companies like Porsche. I have known a few people do the same with TVR (the old one), Lotus etc.. and have been bitten!
As regards putting a deposit down well in advance, it's fine with companies like Porsche. I have known a few people do the same with TVR (the old one), Lotus etc.. and have been bitten!
jayemm89 said:
Well I think half this forum would tear you alive for having the gall to want a blown four cylinder car in place of a glorious N/A six (I personally think it'll be a cracker and you buy what you want).
As regards putting a deposit down well in advance, it's fine with companies like Porsche. I have known a few people do the same with TVR (the old one), Lotus etc.. and have been bitten!
I was expecting to be burnt at the proverbial Pistonheads stake for wanting a 718! As a current manual 981 owner I can appreciate the wonderful NA 6, but as its my DD a move to more torque and PDK suits my needs. But that discussion has been done to death already!As regards putting a deposit down well in advance, it's fine with companies like Porsche. I have known a few people do the same with TVR (the old one), Lotus etc.. and have been bitten!
Rawwr said:
I don't think I could ever do it. I'd have to be supremely the confident the car was what I wanted. I came close once with the Alfa Romeo 4C and I'm very glad I didn't.
I have no personal experience of the 4C but looks like a bullet dodged 
Edited by neilf on Saturday 6th February 12:49
Edited by neilf on Saturday 6th February 12:49
I'v done it several times,the last couple were an Audi R8 and BMW i8 both ordered the day I'd read about them in the Sunday Times which was about 2/3 years before launch.The salesman at Audi didn't know anything about a new model.. But still excepted a deposit..! I had one of the very first in the UK,can't belive that's 9 years ago...
I don't think it's "mad" but I wouldn't do it - I've bought lots of new cars but wouldn't even wait the normal build lead-time, I pick a car that's at least already in the pipeline.
I'd prefer it if we adopted the American system where you arrive in your old car, do the deal, then drive out in the new one. Even Porsche dealers there carry tons of "inventory". Americans think it's hilarious that we'll wait for a car for months.
I'd prefer it if we adopted the American system where you arrive in your old car, do the deal, then drive out in the new one. Even Porsche dealers there carry tons of "inventory". Americans think it's hilarious that we'll wait for a car for months.
Sheepshanks said:
I don't think it's "mad" but I wouldn't do it - I've bought lots of new cars but wouldn't even wait the normal build lead-time, I pick a car that's at least already in the pipeline.
I'd prefer it if we adopted the American system where you arrive in your old car, do the deal, then drive out in the new one. Even Porsche dealers there carry tons of "inventory". Americans think it's hilarious that we'll wait for a car for months.
In the cases of long lead time/special order vehicles the problem is worse than the UK with dealers actively charging substantial mark ups for vehicles with high demand. I'd prefer it if we adopted the American system where you arrive in your old car, do the deal, then drive out in the new one. Even Porsche dealers there carry tons of "inventory". Americans think it's hilarious that we'll wait for a car for months.
I know the practice happens in the UK, but its an awful lot rarer and usually done by third parties dealing on some form of brand new exotica. Not when ordering a Ford Focus (RS)...
Rawwr said:
I don't think I could ever do it. I'd have to be supremely the confident the car was what I wanted. I came close once with the Alfa Romeo 4C and I'm very glad I didn't.
I keep wanting to place a letter of intent for the 6c if they ever produce it, but if it turns out like the 4c I'll be very disappointed. GetCarter said:
I put a deposit down on the E46 M3 before it was announced. Two years later I got one of the first 6 delivered to the UK and was immediately offered £5k over list to sell it back to the dealer.
(I didn't sell).
Pal of mine did similar. Ordered an E46 M3 Coupe and a Cabrio a few months later. Ran the coupe for 5mths until the Cabrio arrived. Chopped the coupe in for the Cabrio and walked away with cash in his pocket!(I didn't sell).
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