How to get a Z if you didn't pre order!
 

I just want to put in a word for my dealer here. Let me start by saying I get nothing for this (well maybe I could get a Nismo parts discount in the future!! J/K). Team Nissan in Oxnard Ca is going to sell any pre order Z's that aren't accepted by their orderer for only $1K over MSRP. It's going to be on a first come first serve basis, so even though they have a waiting list a mile long, if you show up to buy first; the car is yours. Is it worth a grand to not wait 4 to 5 months? That's up to you, but it's a hell of a lot less than any other dealer. I also seriously doubt that you would get any other dealer to sell to you with this little markup for the next 4-5 months. Supply and demand.

Ask for Lee Bowles; Sales manager
and ask for my Salesman; James Conroy
805-485-8787

Tell them raceboy sent you. Maybe if you develop a good relationship with one of these guys they will let you know when the cars are coming so you can be there if the owner declines to accept and just step into their place.

1000 over MSRP is supposed to be a good deal? I didn't pre-order because I wanted my car next spring. I called one of my local dealers yesterday and asked him if I could order now for March 2003 delivery at MSRP and he said "No problem."

Well, March 2003 is 7months away. I would have gladly payed $1000 over in January, over 7 month ago, if I could have had my car then!!! Have fun waiting, we all had no choice!!

There's going to be plenty of supply, and they're projecting it will surpass the Corvette in '03 as the best selling sports car in the US (for the initial full year, at least).

Why anyone would pay a markup just to get it a little sooner is beyond me...I expect discounts to be readily available within 6 months to a year.

Please don't pay markups...if consumers would walk away (from the deal and the dealership), markups would fade away.

Re: How to get a Z if you didn't pre order!
 

So, is this fair to those people who went in and put their name on the waiting list? I'm on a waiting list, but some slug who just happens to be at the dealership when someone backs out of a deal gets the car instead of me? Hmmm. If they are going to do that with the waiting list folks, why not also do it with the pre-orders? Does that seem fair to you?

Assuming that was you who let me and my wife check out your car last night at Team Nissan, thanks again. Slick ride.

However, I'll also be taking a pass on the land rush deal. In addition to not being able to bolt out of the office on a moment's notice to try and race everyone else to the dealer, I've got a severe allergy to paying over MSRP for any car, even one as nice as the 350Z.

For what it's worth, I just got an e-mail from Universal City Nissan that they're doing the same exact thing. I think they're asking for even more than $1K over MSRP, though. :(

I've contacted several other dealers in SoCal, and hopefully one of them will come through with a car for me at MSRP. Otherwise, I guess I'll wait until December or January when supply starts meeting demand.

-Darren

That was me, and you and your wife are very welcome.

The reality is, everyone places a different value on things. To me, it would be worth it. I am impatient. If you can handle the wait. More power to you. I am sure if you really look, you'll find one at MSRP but you might have to travel far and wide to get it.

As far as fairness goes. If you ran a business you would do the same thing. The first person with cash in hand takes the deal, not some guy that will maybe get it once he comes and looks. People often regret not taking the sure thing and that is no more true anywhere than in the business world.

Cerritos Nissan.
$1K UNDER MSRP...if you join the GroupZ Car club (cost = $45.00)

You give them a $500 refundable deposit, and you go on a waiting list. As they get cars in, they call the people on the list - top of list get's first option to buy. If they pass (wrong color, trim, whatever) they call the next person on the list.

Granted, there are over 50 people on the list right now, but for $500 refundable at anytime, sounds like a good deal to me.

Raceboy - Thanks for the heads up. I certainly appreciate the info. Reading about all these happy new owners makes me wanna get it NOW!

Scaf - The $1000 off MSRP deal is over. It is only for people who got on the wait list before Aug 8, according to the new Z lady, Kathy. The #1 guy dropped out, I think that leaves ICYBLUE with first pick. I move up to #6.

Hey ICY, wanna sell me your spot. Make some cash and take my #6 spot??????

Thanks for correcting me. I spoke with Kathy earlier today, but I didn't re-confirm the $1,000.00 off part.

That's great news for you and Icy! I'm probably going to go over to Cerritos on Saturday, to pick up some of the accessories I ordered from them (mats, kick plates, etc). I was also going to add my name to the list (#58), but primarily if they were still doing the $1K off. I figured if they get a base model in, Icy, you, and 55 others might pass on it.

:D

Then I guess they should do the same with the pre-orders also. Just ignore them and sell the car to the first guy who shows up. Sounds good to me since I didn't pre-order.