Most Coveted Cars It takes more than money to secure these sets of wheels. Find out which have the market's longest waiting lists. By Bengt Halvorson - Forbes.com The Bugatti Veyron supercar can go from zero to 60 in less than 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 253 miles per hour. And by most accounts it ranks as the world's most expensive production vehicle. But with a planned worldwide run of 300, even the most deep-pocketed will not likely see one, ever. That's because, in addition to dropping $1.4 million, buyers will have to wait in line about 10 months for the 80 to 90 models rolling off the assembly line this year. That's nothing compared to the Koenigsegg CCX. The all-new, exotic Swedish supercar performs like the Bugatti, at about half the price. Yet with less than 20 cars available annually in the U.S., some say it's destined to be more coveted because it's within reach of a much larger pool of the rich and famous. Ben Nef, who sells the CCX at its sole U.S. dealership, Exotic Cars at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, says that as soon as the first deliveries begin this month and later hit the road, the waiting list--now at just over a year--may double. That makes sense, according to Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute, a market research firm. He says people who can afford the most exclusive cars see them as status symbols. Such cars earn them a rank with oil sheiks, tech moguls and captains of industry, or at the very least allows them to be regarded as a mover and shaker in their own city. "These cars exert influence they say who you are in the hierarchy and can be a power base for business deals," says Pedraza. "And how long you've been on the waiting list for a particular vehicle says how long you've been a power broker." Car Cliques Quite simply, the more exclusive a vehicle, the more likely it is to be coveted by those who can afford it. Lack of supply builds demand, yet these automakers don't increase supply because they see the long-term value for their brands in exclusivity. But striking that delicate balance can be challenging for automakers. Stoking demand with truly special products and producing enough cars to turn a profit, yet holding back enough so that not everyone who wants and can afford one can get it, is behind what makes brands like Ferrari so successful. For years, Ferrari has masterfully managed its waiting lists, always making sure demand exceeds supply, and Ferrari ownership is something that is sought out by those with the means. There's now a typical wait time of two years on any of its models, and the company and its dealers follow a centralized system in which repeat customers are placed higher on the waiting list. Other companies that use a similar system in the U.S. include Aston Martin and Bentley. In general, the most successful prestige luxury and sports car makes are those that aren't going to compromise the exclusivity of the brand to appease newcomers, adds Pedraza. They include Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Bob Cann, who has sold exotic sports cars and prestige luxury cars for 30 years through his MotorCars International and Lamborghini Houston dealerships, compares these most coveted cars to high-end real estate, where location is everything. "Lamborghini and Ferrari have found that if they build cars in a limited number," he says, "it really drives the market, and price almost becomes secondary to other factors like 'How soon can I get it?' or 'How many are there?'" But also among the most in-demand are models from several larger automakers that manage to stay highly regarded by the elite crowd by making image-building, limited-volume cars. In these cases, the rules for waiting may allow a bit more line-jumping, depending on who you are. Mercedes-Benz, for instance, sells some pretty exclusive, distinctive models under its AMG line. But, like most full-line automakers, Mercedes leaves it up to its dealerships to divvy up those precious slots on the waiting list for even the rarest models. "We trust our dealerships to treat our customers well," says Larkin Hill, a spokesman for Mercedes-Benz. Hill says if dealerships want to grant preference to loyal longtime customers, that's fine. "It allows the dealership to reward their best customers," he says. Priority status is another solution employed by some of the industry's smaller automakers to help spur positive cash flow. For instance, Silicon Valley's Tesla Motors has a two-tiered reservation system. A a deposit of $30,000 merely puts you on the list, while a larger deposit of $50,000 allows you rush status and delivery a few months earlier. The Methodology To compile our list, we queried a wide range of automakers, and in many cases their dealerships, for the time from deposit to delivery for a new customer. We then ordered our list by current estimated wait times. 1. Aston Martin DBS Price (estimated): $265,000 Estimated wait time: 28 months Deliveries of Aston Martin's new flagship model, which made its debut in the James Bond film Casino Royale, begin in the first quarter of 2008, but as it stands, the DBS is booked through the end of calendar year 2009. The DBS will be similar in exclusivity to its predecessor, the Vanquish, a model that peaked at about 650 annually. At least a third of all DBS models made will be coming to the U.S. 2. Morgan Aeromax Price: $188,000 (94,000 U.K. pounds) Estimated wait time: Two years, but now sold out completely For years supply has long exceeded demand for the hand-built Aero 8 Roadster. The AeroMax is new for 2008. It's an even more sophisticated little sports car and offers a new six-speed automatic transmission aimed at increasing Morgan's appeal in the U.S. But you may have to settle for a used Morgan for now; all 100 are now sold out for its limited production run, and there's already a very long alternate list. 3. Ferrari F430 Scuderia Price: $201,213 (2007 F430) Estimated wait time: Two years This new, lightweight, track-oriented version of the much-loved F430, with power boosted to 510 from the mid-mounted V-8, brings some of Ferrari's Formula One-bred technology to one of its production cars for the first time. This includes "Superfast" software for reducing shift times to 60 milliseconds--a fraction of a blink of an eye. By the time Ferrari officially unveils the Scuderia at the Frankfurt motor show this month, it is almost certain that the entire, very limited model run will be sold out. 4. Ferrari F599 GTB Fiorano Price: $264,034 (2007) Estimated wait time: Two years Of Ferrari's regular production vehicles, the F599, which replaced the 575M Maranello in the lineup last year, is more exclusive than the standard F430, with just around 300 delivered to U.S. customers each year. Officially, the wait stands at about two years for this front-engine, V-12-powered supercar, though if you're a newcomer to the prancing-horse club, it might be significantly longer. 5. Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Price: $311,100 (2007) Estimated wait time: 18 months With a 640 brake horsepower V-12 engine mounted midship and showcased by an available glass engine cover, plus all wheel drive, an ultra-low wedge-shaped body and scissor doors, the LP640 is the contemporary successor to the Diablo or Countach that might once have been postered as a teenager onto your bedroom wall. If some things never change, you might just want to get a Murciélago poster and dream. 6. Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG Price (estimated): $195,000 Estimated wait time: 18 months The new CL65 AMG marks the 40th anniversary of AMG, the in-house "skunkworks" that turns out limited-edition, high-performance versions of the Mercedes-Benz line. There's a hand-assembled twin-turbo V-12 engine under the hood, while the liquid-metal Alubeam paint brings a gleam like no other. Only 40 of these Anniversary Edition C65s will be made worldwide, and only 20 will be allocated for the U.S., though production of the CL65 is expected to continue at this exclusive rate. 7. Bentley Brooklands Coupe Price: $340,000 Estimated wait time: 18 months Claimed to be "the world's most exclusive coupe," the Brooklands is the next big car for Bentley. Total production of the car, which has Bentley's most powerful V-8 engine ever at 530 horsepower, will be limited to 550 over several years. First deliveries are planned for April 2008, but the entire first year is already sold out. 8. Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Price: $407,000 Estimated wait time: 15 months Building on the reputation of the squared-off, neo-formal Phantom VI sedan, which has developed a respectable following among the rich and famous who prefer to be driven, the new Drophead Coupe (Brit-speak for convertible), with its four-place seating and rear-hinged doors, has created quite a stir. Get in queue now; it could be well over a year before you see delivery. 9. Koenigsegg CCX Price: $550,000 Estimated wait time: More than a year The CCX is the latest in a series of supercars--this one capable of more than 245 mph--from Sweden's Koenigsegg, and the first aimed at U.S. customers. With only 12 CCXs expected in the U.S. over the next year and eventually as many as 20 annually, this exotic seems destined to be a toy for the most affluent collectors. If you want one and can afford it, beat the rush; next year at this time the waiting list could be even longer. 10. Tesla Roadster List price: $98,000 Estimated wait time: One year The Tesla Roadster is the exception on this list; performance or exclusivity alone aren't why the Roadster is in such high demand. The Roadster has especially caught on with the dot-com crowd, along with many in Hollywood's eco-elite, including George Clooney and the musician Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers. Tesla has about 600 orders for the Roadster but plans to produce 800 cars its first model year of production. First deliveries now anticipated in early 2008. 11. Audi R8 Price: $109,000 Estimated wait time: One year Audi's new mid-engine flagship sports car is a German take on an Italian exotic; the R8, is related to the Lamborghini Gallardo (Audi AG owns Lamborghini), yet it's a little more refined and comfortable. Being able to use Audi's service departments when you're in a pinch is a big plus too. Only 300 R8s will be delivered over the first year. Production is eventually expected to ramp up to around 1,000 per year globally, but the R8 will remain a very exclusive car. 12. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Price: $1.4 million Estimated wait time: 10 months The Veyron has the highest price tag of any exotic car, but that also puts it out of reach for all but the richest collectors. So the wait for one of these king-of-the-road supercars isn't as long as you might expect. Every Veyron is built only to customer order, with a confirmed deposit of $417,000 (300,000 euros). Total production run is expected to be just 300 cars; 100 have been made so far, with 80 to 90 expected this year. 13. Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera Price: $220,300 Estimated wait time: Eight months to a year Weighing in at 154 pounds less than the standard Gallardo, and getting a 10-hp boost (to 530 hp), this special-edition model is true to its name (superleggera means "super light" in Italian). The number of these heading to U.S. dealerships is extremely limited, so this is one you'll need to move quickly on, if there's any spot remaining on the list. 14. Bentley GTC Convertible Price: $189,990 Estimated wait time: Eight months The new drop-top version of Bentley's Continental GT coupe has been one of this year's hottest cars in which to be noticed on a warm summer evening. And with the same twin-turbo V-12 engine as the coupe and Flying Spur sedan, it's a very satisfying drive. By the time first deliveries were made for the GTC late last year, there was a two-year waiting list, though it's now whittled down to about eight months. 15. Porsche 911 GT3 RS Price: $124,900 (2007) Estimated wait time: Soon, if you're one of the lucky ones The GT3 is a stripped-down, lightened-up, high-performance version of Porsche's legendary 911. The very limited-volume GT3 RS, which borrows visual cues from the memorable 1973 Carrera RS, takes it further: It's a very raw, racing-oriented model that just manages to be road-legal. The entire run, for the 2007 model year, was completely sold out more than a year ago when Porsche formally announced the model. Expect a similar wait--and a similar sellout--for the GT2 to be announced this month. Most-Coveted-Cars- Yahoo! Autos Article Page
