What to expect when ordering a BRZ..
 

So, just to give you guys a little background first..my wife has a 2004 350z which is paid off. The car is alright (not) but it's starting to show signs of age with the timing chain making noises (most likey the tensioner needs to be replaced) but a repair like that will set me back a few grand.

Now, onto the main point of this. Basicaly wifey only wants to get a new car once the car dies or almost at that tipping point. I believe the tipping point could come anyday this year. She likes the BRZ and she already test drove the FR-S and she loved how fun it was to drive it. Now, my question is (i've been keeping up with the status/delivery posts) what should i expect when going to the dealership trying to get one? Should i be ready to just turn around and go home since it will take 5 months to get one? Or, is the wait shorter than that? I am very realistic in terms of I don't expect to walk into a dealership today, order one, and then expect to arrive 2 weeks later. I am curious since most of the current owners seem to have ordered it when the first orders were being taken or early on deposit (i am none of those).

I could go into the dealership and find out but I am sure it will be a different answer from each one depending on the allocations so thats why i thought i would ask the FT86CLUB members first and get some insight. I am sure there are some who have just ordered recently or going to be ordering soon that may have some answers. Thanks in advance.

It all depends. Remember the BRZ is coming in more limited numbers than the FR-S. Your best bet is just to contact your local dealers and see if any even still have the option to order one or get on a list to be contacted when they know what additional cars they are getting in.

Take this for what it's worth, but while picking up my BRZ on Saturday, someone called about the grey BRZ for sale (mine) and spoke to my salesman. He told him that they've pre-sold their entire allotment, and don't expect more cars until the December/January range.

With Subaru, who knows how accurate that date is. I think your best bet is to find a dealer that doesn't have their allotment spoken for, or look for a pre-order that backed out and pick one up now. Since you said the 350Z is on its last leg, it makes sense to trade it in now, as you're more likely to get a better trade-in before it's out of commission. Just my $02.

There are some people here that have had luck just looking around at car sale sites a.k.a. autotrader, and have found cars that were pre-ordered and owners backed out and got there car that same day!

I have read in several places New England has dealers with cars sitting in the lot and high volume of cars incoming in the next months. Look into that. Someone from that area may be able to help yo out even more.

New timing chain and tensioner should not cost $2k+. Shop around. I would expect to get that repair done for under $800.

Last I heard North Reading Subaru in MA had a couple unspoken for. That's where I got mine and found it on Autotrader...there are some out there...you just have to get a bit lucky and be willing to drive.

last i check patrick subaru in shrewbery MA. had 5 brz on lot including the one i wanted, but its just too far.