sunnyr

I have had a deposit for a 991 GT3 since last year. All I have from the dealer is a receipt for the amount with a note saying they will sell it @MSRP. Should I be asking them for something more - like an allocation number/slot/date or anything else? Never put a deposit on a car before, so not sure what to expect/ask.

Thanks for any input.
-s

stevecolletti

In my experience, it's all about the dealer.
Some take the deposit knowing where you are in line, others just to 'lock' you in.
I don't know the bay area dealers well enough to say who you can trust.

Mooty?

savyboy

Unless you've bought a hard to get car from this dealer before and you trust them with your life, then you have only one single possible way to lock in price and positiom: A buyers order filled out with that specific info and signed by dealer sales manager.

Without that you have nothing....

MaxLTV

Without being dramatic, I'd say you gave the dealer a promise that you would buy the car from the dealer in exchange for the promise that the dealer would sell you the car when your turn in queue comes. The deposit is fully refundable, so it's just a token. Both you and the dealer can break that unenforceable promise at any time, and while there should be no hard feelings if you do it, if the dealer does it (e.g., sells the car to someone else bumping you down in the queue), it should slightly negatively impact the dealer's reputation if made publicly known. But probably not enough to guarantee this will not happen.

As for any tracking numbers and such - that comes into the picture only after you actually place an order. For now just wait.

I'm in the same position - #2 in line with Sonnen

Regarding the price - it's not firm for either side at this point. You can bargain and so can the dealer when the actual order is placed.

Dr.Bill

It's not available to order yet, so there are no allocations, etc. Who knows how many deposits dealers have taken?

tredirtyfive

+1

why would folks put the deposit when the car isn't official released ... yet we don't even know what spec. on the car..

TRAKCAR

Call it right of first refusal.

Mike in CA

+1 Nicely summed up, Max. I'd add that if the dealer did try to screw you on price or allocation they would obviously put at risk any further dealings with you as a customer. If you're a multiple repeat customer like I am that would be significant leverage, I'd think.

BTW, I don't know whether you're in line for a GT3 or an RS but I'm also in line at Sonnen; #1 for a GT3.

MaxLTV

GT3 - cannot wait for RS. I'm planning to get rid of my M3 this summer or fall at latest, so will need something to get the track bug out of the system.

10 GT3

I put a small deposit down in 2008 for a future GT3 that was not even announced at that time to be put into line. Dealer said the deposit is fully refundable until an actual order is made. They said they normally ask for an additional down payment at the time of order. I had a low option build and easy to sell spec (no strange options: unusual exterior color, colored dials, deviated stitching, lots of leather, etc.), so they never asked for any more for a down payment. All around, very good experience.

TRAKCAR

Made my deposit April 08 and the car arrived April 10, got the first allocation they had and it was one of the first 26 car shipment from Germany.

I never paid anything more until I picked up the car. Just did the same thing with the same sales man.

sunnyr

Thanks for the input guys, appreciate it.

I think I am #2 at the Porsche dealership in Fremont. They said they have some one who brought multiple cars from them in front of me - understandable. Will see how it goes. Till now they been very helpful including letting me testdrive multiple PDK cars - cause I am not so sure about the PDK thing.

mooty

heeeheehe

sunnyr. smart move.
best dealer in town, and you sure avoided my FAVORITE.

mooty

some dealers dont care about multiple repeat customer, say 30+ cars .....
see signature

sunnyr

Haha, I gather you are the #1, congrats .

ps. Do you mind posting/PMing me the reason for your signature about Carlson? Just curious. But it definitely played a part in me not calling them first.

pps. Just saw your second post, guess they bumped you - not cool. Good thing I stayed away.