GR86 Names to Orders thread
 

I thought it would be useful to start a thread so that people can track when folks can actually put names to cars/orders. Instead of just a waitlist for example.

My dealer isn't maintaining a waitlist, so it seems like it will be first come first served when allocations/orders open up. I would love to be early :).

Of course any updated developments and useful news would be welcomed. Can't wait!

I have been to two Subaru dealers and two Toyota dealers local to me. None of them have any clue what is happening. The Subaru dealer was arguing to me that the engine was undecided as of last week (lol) and that the car wasn't going to arrive until fall of NEXT year. As far as I could garner, none of these dealers are doing much until the car is allocated to them from the port. No waitlist like for my Supra, and nobody seems to be putting deposits.

You can order a Subaru at 3pm EST today.

It was pretty much like this in 2012 with the MK1 release, at least with the First 86 promotion winners. Some dealers (mostly west coast) were all over it, thought it was the second coming, and treated every customer like they were buying some custom Ferrari. Others, like my designated dealer, had no idea about the car, knew nothing about the promotion and really weren't that interested in the whole thing.

Let's face it, these cars are probably more of a nuisance to dealers than something to celebrate. They bring little new traffic into the showroom and have no real "up sell" potential.

I saw that right after I posted. Awesome news!

I also see this argument. For Subaru especially, these cars don’t fit their portfolio and they also don’t move much volume. I would the Toyota dealers seemed much more interested in selling/receiving the GR86.

With a long career in sales (OK, not auto sales), I don't get it. Every person that enters the showroom is a potential customer and should be treated as such, even the tire kickers. Even though I'm only interested in the GR86/BRZ at this time, that doesn't mean that my SO wouldn't be interested in an Rav4/Outback or Highlander/Venza/Forester for their next vehicle. Remember, you only have one opportunity to make a first impression. Why screw it up?

Car salesmen is just a job nowadays and not a profession. Many Toyota dealership salesmen fall into these categories:

a. They've been around for a hundred years and take the time to know the products (whole lineup)
b. They've been around for a hundred years an know only what sells (Camry/Rav4/Corolla)
c. They are new and barely know about what sells (Camry/Rav4/Corolla)

After speaking to several of the them, car sales is a transient job and not an ongoing concern enough to bother to at least have a cursory knowledge of the products they are selling. Not expecting them to be anywhere near as knowledgeable as a fanboy or a gearhead but they should attempt to do some homework and know SOMETHING.

Has anyone had any luck even getting put on a waitlist for the GR 86? I called my local dealer and they said they weren’t taking pre-orders until October.

I figure it’ll be a lot longer now though with the news today about Toyota’s chip stockpile running out though.

Unless Subaru was sourcing chips from Toyota for the new cars. This news will not impact them from being built. However the chip shortage has impacted every maker to some degree. To be honest I would expect shortages of any car for the rest of this year.

My local dealer had no idea what was going on and said they would know more after the GM went to a "show" in September.

I love how much car dealers make crap up. Every time I’m shopping for a car I always ask a question about the car that I already know the answer to. Very rarely do they themselves actually know it.

they generally don't.

my brothers worked in the service department at dodge/chrysler for many years. when the hellcat was going to come out, the dealer couldn't get anything out of corporate until very near the official release date. but knew to start taking 'pre-orders'(code for, yeah, we'll hold your place in this pretend line that we have no info for) when guys started walking in throwing cash on the counter, and stating when the forums said the car was going to be released...

dealers are completely independent from the car company. they're just the best buy store for cars. car company isn't going to release info to the dealers as that info will be easily leaked, which is why most car enthusiast customers will have more info than the dealer.