This is my first posting, but I've been reading these for weeks, ever since I laid eyes on this car and decided I have to have it, even after just writing a very large check to pay my taxes and having no idea where that's going to come from.
More people know about and care about this car than know about this forum. I wish I could agree that being one of the first 1000 will be no sweat, but I'm unable to sleep worrying about making sure I have a computer and printer and TV all set up and ready to go so I don't somehow stumble and miss out on the most exciting new car since the Miata.
If they ain't all gone by next week, may be they will make them available to Canada!?
I did some quick math... GM sold 417,281 vehicles in March 2005. Out of these 167,744 were cars. If I figure 27 sales days that's about 6,200 cars per day. I'd say the first 1,000 Solstice's should last longer than a day.
If 1000 Solstices do not get snapped up right away within a few hours to a couple days, I will begin to wonder just how big of a hit this car will be. Obviously, the masses are not that familiar with it, but its also not a car targeted at the masses. Those in the "know" who are sports car/roadster enthusiats are well aware of it and have been waiting for it. 1000 cars is really not very many cars. Heck, we have over 1000 members here, and internet sites generally have a mere fraction of the number of actual oweners there exist for any particular car. Plus we have way more lurkers than actual members too.
On the bright side, if they don't sell fast, I don't think there will be as much gouging!
I did some quick math... GM sold 417,281 vehicles in March 2005. Out of these 167,744 were cars. If I figure 27 sales days that's about 6,200 cars per day. I'd say the first 1,000 Solstice's should last longer than a day.
However, the Solstice is in a different situation than every other GM vehicle currently sitting on dealer lots. They are new. There are a horde of anxiouis buyers. 1000 is not that many for an initial rollout to get sold out. They are not actually selling them yet, just accepting orders and deposits for them. 2000 dealers have filed for the program. I assume that means each one plans on getting at least one order into the system early. Even if only 50% of those dealers place just one order on Friday, the EOP will still be fully allotted by the end of the day.
Pontiac delivered 39,808 cars in March. That averages to 1475 a day, using 27 business days.
However, also remember that this includes such supposed "duds" as the GTO and G6. My point, no single car in their lineup is brand new and attracting attention like the Solstice, or as appealing as a new product to enthusiats that would want one right away as the Solstice. GTO comes closest, but its been on the market a year and does not raise the passion of the consumer through its styling.
PS, for comparisons sake, Chevy delivered 83,268 cars.
All I know is that my dealer will putting in an order for the maximum of five EOP cars. They have about a dozen people interested with deposits. Luckily my deposit date makes me number 2. If my dealer is anything like the other 2000 dealers signed up, then they will go as fast as the system will take them. My dealer estimates about three minutes. I think he's a little optimistic, but it will probably be fast.
We have to remember that there are people who are interested and willing, that never post or are even members here. There are way more Solstice fans than just here at this site.
__________________
Thanks again Bob, for building my car! Envious/Ebony VIN #0051
Because of the new information we have received from our member dealers, I'm thinking the EOPs will last longer than initially expected. When we were just entering in our number, I figured all the cars would be gone in 10 minutes or so. Now, with 5 screens of data to enter, I would guess it'll take about 30 minutes for the 1,000 to be claimed. Of course, then there's the waiting list for those that aren't in the top 1,000!
__________________ 506 - acquired 3 YEARS AGO Sept. 23rd!!! Vanity: SUNSTED (Old Eng. for Solstice) Mods: Stubby ant. w/blk rings; lil' chromies; ctr cap red logos; sport pedals Extras: CA Car Cvr; splash guards; GM bra; KappaShield Oops: front bmpr (road debris) 4/28/06; Blown rear diff @ 14,797 mi on 9/29/06, fixed 10/05/06; new cat @ 29,550 on 9/26/07
-> Celebrating over FOUR+ YEARS on this Forum!
-> NASSOA Founder #44
-> CURRENT MI: 39,204
Wow! My dealer just called me and said they can pre-fill all of the screens - All they will need from me tomorrow is the number that I get from the website tonight! THESE GUYS ARE GREAT!!!
__________________ 506 - acquired 3 YEARS AGO Sept. 23rd!!! Vanity: SUNSTED (Old Eng. for Solstice) Mods: Stubby ant. w/blk rings; lil' chromies; ctr cap red logos; sport pedals Extras: CA Car Cvr; splash guards; GM bra; KappaShield Oops: front bmpr (road debris) 4/28/06; Blown rear diff @ 14,797 mi on 9/29/06, fixed 10/05/06; new cat @ 29,550 on 9/26/07
-> Celebrating over FOUR+ YEARS on this Forum!
-> NASSOA Founder #44
-> CURRENT MI: 39,204
Wow! My dealer just called me and said they can pre-fill all of the screens - All they will need from me tomorrow is the number that I get from the website tonight! THESE GUYS ARE GREAT!!!
Awesome news for you! That should help get your order in right away tomorrow afternoon!
Ok, looks like it lasted all of 42 minutes, but in fairness, the only reason that it lasted that long is because of all of the server errors.
Sorry to hear about all of the forum member who didn't get one, from my estimates it looks like by the end of the day GM will have presold more than 6 months worth of Solstices! I sincerely hope that they increase production to more than 20,000 per year or else this car could be backordered for over a year!
