Delivery delay

[igor@af]

Apparently, the production of the highly anticipated Nissan 350Z is behind schedule by 20-30 days and many of the supposed August arrivals have been bumped to September.

I am definately a bit anxious as I have one pre-ordered. Who else has ordered the Z?

[Sanchi]

Thats sad news, i like the new 350Z alil outa my price range as of now but seriously a consideration But does anyone know why there is even a delay, or what the reason was for the delay?? i hope its not anything seriouse.


:sun: :flash:

[LeMansSunset]

I cant say for sure the reason for the delay but I do have some thoughts on the matter.
Production delays are both good and bad.
For pre-order customers, such as myself, production delays are like torture. We were told we could expect our Zs by a such and such a date and we put our cash down on it (some given amount up to $5000 over MSRP). In a way we paid that extra money to buy a delivery date. Otherwise, most of us thought, "I could just be more patient and wait for them to hit the showroom floors and buy one at regular price."

Now we are learning that our dates have changed. We think to ourselves... "I should have got that in writing." And others might even think "I cant wait any longer to get a car. Maybe I should buy that used Supra, or a Boxter instead."

Keep in mind that Nissan knows that we only have so much patience. Plus Nissan is really betting on the Z to turn their company around. (They are not in the best of shape and there have been rumors of them going bankrupt in the near future.)
They have a lot riding on the new Z and they invested tons of money to create it. Every day that goes by between now and the moment they begin closing sales on the Z is a day that they lose money. The interest on borrowed funds and all of the man hours and equiptment hours they spend during delays adds up to big numbers (I would estimate that Nissan easily loses more money than 99% of the people who read this post will make in a lifetime everyday that production delays continue)
Nevertheless we can all feel fairly confident that Nissan is going to keep digging that hole as deep as it needs to get to get the Z off the ground - IMO it is their only hope (much like Obi Wan)

So how is any of this good news?
One thing you can count on is that Nissan is shooting for perfection.... Total perfection. I can think of a few companies that have let one or two "passable defects" slip on by on first year production models. Nissan can not afford to be like that. They are not just shooting for, it is their oath to achieve 'import car of the year' with the new Z. So for every day that the production of your pre ordered Z is delayed, rest assured that one more detail of the car has achieved perfection.
You are going to get one helluva car.

[LeMansSunset]

I had a long talk with my dealer.
I expressed some dissapointment about the production delays and some concerns about further delays. I mentioned that my deposit was paid based on specific information including expected arrival.
(I paid $2000 which will be in addition to MSRP)
I also suggested that there are one or two other cars that are begining to look more and more tempting to me as I wait longer and longer for the Z (-total lie). So I asked if I could be compensated somehow.
The arrangement we made is as follows:

My Z is expected to be delivered by the end of Sep. The saled manager at my local dealer offered to drop $1000 if the car did not arrive by that time. I told him that would be fine and I would hope he might continue to be so understanding if further delays became extensive. (all the while dropping hints that the Boxter was looking more tempting as the days went by)

I would be interested to know about other ways to keep the dealers on their toes that the readers of this post have used.
Also I have heard that the first Zs to hit the showroom will be priced way above MSRP. (like 5k - 10k above) Can anyone confirm this. It sure would make me feel better about waiting an extra month to get one at the price that I paid.

[igor@af]

Originally posted by LeMansSunset
Also I have heard that the first Zs to hit the showroom will be priced way above MSRP. (like 5k - 10k above) Can anyone confirm this. It sure would make me feel better about waiting an extra month to get one at the price that I paid.

Total BS - don't believe it. Nissan has expressly asked every dealer to sell the Z at MSRP. I am pretty sure that if they try to sell it to you over MSRP you can hint at this fact and they should back off.

[LeMansSunset]

Info like that could be very useful. Is there some official statement from Nissan somewhere. Or a press release that quotes them saying that. If I could bring a clipping in with me when its time to close the deal I could save myself an extra $1000.
Please let me know if there is any way I can get a more official quotation.
I find it difficult to work with - "I heard from some guy who said that he heard from some...."
Thanks..

[igor@af]

Some quotes:

I just ordered a 350Z today at my local Habberstand Nissan (the best Nissan dealer on Long Island). I was too late for the preorder program, but the dealer placed it as a special order. He had a 27 car allotment; I was 20. I paid MSRP for the Z. He said "We are not allowed [at this dealership] to charge more than MSRP". Told you it was the good dealer.

This following information is second-hand from a dealer, but I was told by them that the first pre-order allocation was a "test" to see which dealers would "play nice" and not gouge. Nissan was watching and taking notes. The ones that weren't too bad got a second pre-order allocation. Nissan kept track of which dealers were playing ball in the pre-order allocation. The ones that were got more cars for the upcoming regular sales year.

When I was calling around, some dealers were getting as few as 4 cars for the whole year, others were getting as many as 24.

Kinda funny hunh? Play nice, do the right thing, and it all works out.

Nissan has really worked hard to get these MSRPs where they are at and frowns big time on any dealer that plans on gouging on the pricing. Nissan needs this car to be affordable to the masses and for the sales to be strong.

I personally believe that they will punish these sharks that try to gouge their consumers. Yes, the dealerships can mark them up to whatever they want and Nissan can't do a whole lot about that. There are many other ways that they can pressure and punish the dealers though.

I couldn't find the place where I heard that Nissan has asked every dealer to not sell the car over MSRP, but that's not a big problem.

Call this number:

1-800-NISSAN1

QUOTE:
"If a customer is frustrated with their dealer where should they turn? 1-800-NISSAN1. The Nissan Customer Assistance team is TRAINED to handle these inquiries. The people in the regions have other jobs to do and it is hit and miss whether they can help."
End QUOTE.

Simply ask them if Nissan has asked the dealers to sell each and every car at MSRP and see what they say. You could also probably get advice from them on how you could the car you pre-ordered dropped down to MSRP.

Good luck and report back!

[vanstorm16]

I actually just ordered my 350Z this morning. I was somewhat concerned about delivery as well as I wasn't the first to put the order in at my deal (I'm 7th in line). As of this morning, everyone in front of me that ordered the Z from this dealer will be taking delivery no later than October and all have their order numbers from the plant to confirm this.

However, I did write in a subject on my deal sheet noting that it was subject to delivery of the car by a certain date. The dealer was certain that the date would be met so I don't believe there will be a problem.

I paid MSRP.

[carlson]

4 cars for the year? Or a month? I heard from other dealers that they are getting 15Zs a month.

[Z06Lover]

Originally posted by igor@af



Total BS - don't believe it. Nissan has expressly asked every dealer to sell the Z at MSRP. I am pretty sure that if they try to sell it to you over MSRP you can hint at this fact and they should back off.

maybe so, but the same happened with the S2000. Honda told dealers to sell them at MSRP..some did....most did not.

no one here is feeling uneasy about buying a car you have never test driven?? i was sure i was gonna get a Z06, but then i drove an S2000 and decided for the money it was the car for me. I have scheduled a test drive of a Z now, but it is going to have to be something special to get me to sell my car and buy it. i just can't imagine buying a car without test driving it...especially if i'm gonna be paying over MSRP and it isn't that limited of a production run. Just curious! :flash:

[vanstorm16]

You bring up a good point about the test drive thing. That's exactly why my dealer and I agreed on writing in some subjects to my order including a test drive. That way, if I don't like it, I don't have to buy it. The dealer certainly didn't have a problem with since since demand for the car is high since its new and it wouldn't sit on the lot for any time at all.

However, that said, I can't get in and drive any of the Z's that come in before mine since they've all had money put down on them in advance so its not the dealer's car to allow test drives. I have to basically wait until the car that I've ordered comes in or find one otherwise.

[Elderan]

I am leaning heavy towards the car, but I just bought a RSX-S this feb. I did not plan on buying a new car until 2004 but the 350z has impressed me so much and I want something with more tourqe. The Test drive will either seal the deal for me or break it and make me wait for something like the rx-8. If I buy it I plan to wait until a few are out there so I dont get screwed on the price, most likely later this year or early next.

[wadd3456]

I also ordered a Z. Actually i took over SOMEONE ELSES order that backed out.

The dealer didnt write much if ANYTHING down on the sheet when i cut him a deposit check.

1) did they tell you WHAT WAS IN the car? Feature wise? This guy cant seem to even tell me what extras it has.

2) did they charge you a $490 paper work charge?

3) he TOLD me early NOV on the date, yet didnt write it down. What gives?

4) he also didnt write down the VIN # for the vehicle. So how the heck do i know if IM getting the first blue performance 6spd or the LAST to hit the country?!?!?!


THanks
Scott

PS- email me back [email protected]

[Z06Lover]

well i'm looking to sell my s2000 in the PDX area if anyone is interested. But, I won't buying any kind of Z....the snake is calling my name!

[mrsnetpro]

I was told that mine will be on its way in late October. There is a dealer in my area that claims to have 17 on its way and will not sell it at list, best he can do is 2000 above.

Keep this in mind. If you pay over list and someone nails you on the way home from the dealer and the car is totalled you lose. What is an extra 60 days to wait?