going to time this

[sambot]

Okay, nissan is on the clock. We've got an order number. We have a VIN. We are "on the rail" whatever that really means.

The last communication we had from the dealership was Dec. 13th. Today's communication, a response to an email requesting an update, suggests we might see the car "landing" later this week.

Can't decide if I'm excited, or prepared to be disappointed with more delay. Hoping to soon see the Blueberry SL.

[rbswimrun]

From what I understand, once a VIN number has been given, delivery is approximately 3-4 weeks. This is currently our scenario. Ordered car Nov. 1st with options AND definitely ABS and cargo kick plate in addition to other items. We were phoned the other night January 8th and were given VIN number and told car would be in one month later. I believe the cars are beginning to roll now. We are getting SL

[CALGARY]

I ordered mine Nov 01, it was @ "Rail Status" on Dec 6th. It got here today. I pick it up Wed @ 1400L. For a while no one knew where it was. all I can say is f-ing finally

[sambot]

Hey CALGARY, we ordered 13 weeks ago, and are still waiting. So if the dealership says we are are the first page of their order book, maybe, just maybe, the car is going to come some time before the summer.

I'm beginning to get the feeling that the cars come somewhere within 14-20 weeks, and the status is just creative non-fiction. So words like VIN, rail, order book are merely terms sales people toss around like vegetables in a salad.

I find it interesting that your car had rail status 5 weeks after you ordered it, and ours was 13 weeks. Nevertheless, it seems that you're getting yours first.

[proxim2020]

Rail Status sound like a buzz word thrown around with sales people. Ask them for a "Rail Ship Date" and a ETA. Both should be present on a print out from NNANet. The rail ship date may be blank if the car hasn't shipped or the info hasn't been updated yet, but the ETA will be there from early on. It will either say "The week of the XX" or it will have an actual date. If they can't give you the ETA, they are blowing smoke up your wazoo.

[CALGARY]

I pitched a total fit about the BS "status" of the cars. My dealer says she has been going this for like 15 years and w/ Nissan for like 10.... she could not give me an exact date. Another dealer I went to when I was ready to walk said thwy could give me a guaranteed date of arrival. I don't quite know who to trust. On a happier note, I go to pick mine up tomorrow afternoon and I'm so freaking excited!! I bought a new MP3 for it and am furiously trying to load up my last 100 CD's so I don't have to carry them w/ me in the car.

[PamelaJ]

I have been waiting since Oct. 14. Was told Christmas Eve. Still waiting. Now I am told February something. I ordered a black SL, fully loaded with most options, also ABS.Curious what you think about purchasing extended warranty?

[Bubs daddy]

Save your money. Extended warranties rarely are ever claimed. It is high dealer profit item. Cars are built much better than ever.

Don't get the extended warranty. Use that money for food, for your kids, for a box of good cigars.

[proxim2020]

I agree with Bubs Daddy. When you consider that lots of warranties only cover mechanical failures and not wear and tear failures, then you begin to think twice. Cars built today are made to last for a good long while (when driven and maintained properly). Every manufacturer (with the exception of Ford IMHO) wants to be able to make the claims that Toyota does. You can take the $1500 or so that you would've spent on the extended warranty and put into a high yield savings account. After 5 years or so (and not adding or subtracting from it), you'll have about a $500 addition to the money you put away. This way you can protect yourself with little or no out of pocket expenses in case you had a huge repair that needed to be done.

[sambot]

Still ticking.

So the car was supposed to arrive yesterday. Checked with sales guy, and the car is apparently off-loaded to the storage lot. I guess if we just keep nagging, the car might make it to the dealership this week.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

[sambot]

And the wait continues.

But, what's this? An email saying the car is now on a truck, and is supposed to have been unloaded at the dealership last night? Could it be true?

So anyone else had to decipher dealer babble for "on the rail", "offloaded to the lot", "strike", "sorry, there's a miscommunication with...." and so on?

tickety tickety tickety tickety tickety tick tick tock.

[proxim2020]

A status of truck is pretty indisputable, although I have been surprised in the past. On Truck status means the car has arrived at port, loaded onto a truck for dealer delivery. Depending on how far you are from the port (really rail depot) it should only take a day or 2 to get it to the dealer. The dealer likes to fart around after rolling the car off the truck. They'll probably tell you, "You're car's here. You can't come now though, it's going to take 4 to 5 hours to prep it." I showed up shortly after I got that call and they got the car done in a couple of hours. People are motivated to do their job when you're watching them.

[sambot]

People are motivated to do their job when you're watching them.

Maybe we should all stand around and look interested. Things started happening when I dropped 'round the dealership and complained that I need a car to drive, even a loaner.

Still waiting to hear about the possible delivery time for the wee beastie. I'm thinking that I could always be passive-aggressive and take my time getting to the dealership so they can wait.

Actually, I am busy today, and the roads are all snow covering black ice. Of course, maybe the car is still on the rail/truck/prepping.....

[sambot]

Arghhhhh

So I checked the inventory, and there, at the top of the list is my car. Has the salesman phoned me? Emailed me?

Hello?

[sambot]

It's a little disconcerting that you can find out that the dealership has your car and they didn't notice the car was there. And I quote, "You mean to say you found your car on-line? And the VIN matches? You're way ahead of us. Wow."

I am underwhelmed by the sarcasm.

I get my car on Tuesday morning. The V is at the bottom of the list for prepping and delivery. And who says money doesn't talk? $20K merely whispers.

[proxim2020]

My sales person was the same way when I called trying to get a date for my car to be delivered. I think the sales managers keep the sales guys in the dark so they won't spill the beans and get the dealership in trouble when they can't meet that deadline.