GR86 Ordering

[PVGR]

Thanks all,

I think it's the fact that don't seem to care I'm a serious buyer that frustrates me the most.

I appreciate not everyone will want to run a pre-order scheme but why wouldn't they try just a bit harder - I don't know run a spreadsheet of interested people that they call when they get info?

Engage with interested people who will buy your cars and earn you commission?

I think I'll keep calling around and find someone who is interested in my business, I don't want to rely on the website.

It just sucks and a very poor new car buying experiance so far.

 

[AndyRC]

Thanks all,

I think it's the fact that don't seem to care I'm a serious buyer that frustrates me the most.

I appreciate not everyone will want to run a pre-order scheme but why wouldn't they try just a bit harder - I don't know run a spreadsheet of interested people that they call when they get info?

Engage with interested people who will buy your cars and earn you commission?

I think I'll keep calling around and find someone who is interested in my business, I don't want to rely on the website.

It just sucks and a very poor new car buying experiance so far.

Unfortunately it’s not just Toyota dealership, many of the larger group ones are much the same , you express an interest in a new model , they promise to keep you informed, you leave contact info and end up with nothing Most are only interested if you’re “ready to sign today”

I’ve found that the smaller dealerships which are still in family ownership are much more customer focussed and interested in keeping you longterm. Finding a ”good” local dealer is always preferable but I’ve often gone back to a dealer many hours away because I knew I wouldn’t have any issues and be treated as a valued customer

 

[PVGR]

Unfortunately it’s not just Toyota dealership, many of the larger group ones are much the same , you express an interest in a new model , they promise to keep you informed, you leave contact info and end up with nothing Most are only interested if you’re “ready to sign today”

I’ve found that the smaller dealerships which are still in family ownership are much more customer focussed and interested in keeping you longterm. Finding a ”good” local dealer is always preferable but I’ve often gone back to a dealer many hours away because I knew I wouldn’t have any issues and be treated as a valued customer

Thanks Andy - useful and good advice

 

[Ecsrobin]

Thanks all,

I think it's the fact that don't seem to care I'm a serious buyer that frustrates me the most.

I appreciate not everyone will want to run a pre-order scheme but why wouldn't they try just a bit harder - I don't know run a spreadsheet of interested people that they call when they get info?

Engage with interested people who will buy your cars and earn you commission?

I think I'll keep calling around and find someone who is interested in my business, I don't want to rely on the website.

It just sucks and a very poor new car buying experiance so far.

Not sure where you are but can recommend Kevin at Snows Waterlooville. I ordered my GR Yaris from him prior to them going on sale. He obviously only contacted me when he had updates but he was clear on that up front which I found opened up a good honest relationship.

 

[Polymorphic]

Unfortunately it’s not just Toyota dealership, many of the larger group ones are much the same , you express an interest in a new model , they promise to keep you informed, you leave contact info and end up with nothing Most are only interested if you’re “ready to sign today”

I’ve found that the smaller dealerships which are still in family ownership are much more customer focussed and interested in keeping you longterm. Finding a ”good” local dealer is always preferable but I’ve often gone back to a dealer many hours away because I knew I wouldn’t have any issues and be treated as a valued customer

Completely agree. I went into the showroom at Snow's Toyota in Exeter - the "salesman" told me the GR86 didn't exist and said "You mean a GT86"... Didn't ask for my info or anything else, so I just walked out!

Next, I rang Somerset County Cars, and they have been brilliant! Registered my interest and they promised to keep me informed. They rang me last week to let me know they will have a demonstrator in Q2 and they will invite me up for a test drive, and that that they are expecting order book to open up in March. This small gesture has guaranteed I will order through them!

 

[ZN8]

Same sob story for me. Unless its an Aygo or a C-HR then there is complete lack of interest or knowledge. That's why I went to RRG Macclesfield, they are 240 miles away but have got a great reputation in the GT86 community so it was a no brainer, not to mention Richard is the only one who has proactively come onto the forums to offer up the opportunity. Works for me.

 

[AndyRC]

The sad reality is GR models are quite a small percentage of sales to the average Toyota salesperson, some may have never have sold one. I’m guessing that most are more interested in a new hybrid or a bZ4X than a GRY or GR86 as thats‘s what will help them hit their sales target. The ones that actually take an interest in GR models are likely to be few and far between unless the GR Corolla has a more mainstream appeal

 

[Kiwi Greg]

The sad reality is GR models are quite a small percentage of sales to the average Toyota salesperson, some may have never have sold one. I’m guessing that most are more interested in a new hybrid or a bZ4X than a GRY or GR86 as thats‘s what will help them hit their sales target. The ones that actually take an interest in GR models are likely to be few and far between unless the GR Corolla has a more mainstream appeal

The sad reality is those guys are just salesman, could be selling shoes, or toadstools, certainly not car guys with any resemblance at all of fuel in their blood

That's why Guys like Richard at RRG Macclesfield are worth their weight in gold & should be very successful with their business & the car guys

Naturally that passion will flow though their organisation & selling the "ordinary" models will be even easier,

Most car guys have families that require vehicles as well so the flow on is natural & a no brainer

My local dealership CEO is similar, has a Supra, GRY, Lexus, Celica rally car etc, & is clearly passionate about the GR range, which flows right through his dealership into his customers, so we have a very high percentage of GRYs & Supras, in my area for this country

 

[TeenageProdigy]

Anyone know if Yellow will be a colour option. My dealer mentioned it but I haven’t seen anything else? Is there a definite UK colour list yet?

 

[AndyRC]

Anyone know if Yellow will be a colour option. My dealer mentioned it but I haven’t seen anything else? Is there a definite UK colour list yet?

Welcome to the GR-Zoo

Nothing definite on colours for U.K. or European market but Yellow has not been an option in either JDM or North America for the GR86 The best bet is the same colour palette as JDM and US which is here

https://www.gr-zoo.com/threads/gr-86-u-s-colours-what’s-your-choices.290/

Don‘t forget to vote

 

[TeenageProdigy]

Welcome to the GR-Zoo

Nothing definite on colours for U.K. or European market but Yellow has not been an option in either JDM or North America for the GR86 The best bet is the same colour palette as JDM and US which is here

https://www.gr-zoo.com/threads/gr-86-u-s-colours-what’s-your-choices.290/

Don‘t forget to vote

Hmm ok. Slightly disappointed cos yellow would’ve been great but it looks like that blue is the one to go for. Cheers!

 

[PVGR]

Saw some chat elsewhere that orders are being taken in Europe today - phoned my dealer and they have no info and not able to place orders yet.

He thinks it will still be a few months.

Who knows......

 

[SJR202]

I think we've been watching the same thread. Strange that only 1 country (I think) in Europe has access to a pre order system and their volumes are tiny. Given the value of deposits for cash flow, it would make sense for dealers/Toyota to open books early, the initial demand will also determine build planning I'd have thought.

 

[AndyRC]

Not sure what’s going on in some European countries but the rumour of order books officially opening at the end of Q1 with first deliveries of customer cars end of Q2 still looks most likely in the U.K. The spec we get in the U.K. may also differ , a premium sound system is usually an option or standard on higher spec U.K. models.

 

[Mantho]

Not sure what’s going on in some European countries but the rumour of order books officially opening at the end of Q1 with first deliveries of customer cars end of Q2 still looks most likely in the U.K. The spec we get in the U.K. may also differ , a premium sound system is usually an option or standard on higher spec U.K. models.

Thank you @AndyRC for info on UK Forum. I was really hoping to place an GR86 order this week versus being on dealer pre-list. Looks like more waiting

 

[AndyRC]

Thank you @AndyRC for info on UK Forum. I was really hoping to place an GR86 order this week versus being on dealer pre-list. Looks like more waiting

@Mantho , glad you found the ”Zoo”

It‘s starting to look like a very fragmented roll out of the GR86 across the European market. I’m happy to be on a ”Pre-order“ list with a deposit placed with my dealer. Things may be quite relaxed here compared to the GR Yaris , but it could also become a bun fight as no doubt the flippers will be in there snapping up early cars , especially if supply is limited due to supply chain issues

 

[Deleted member 534]

Agree with you Andy. Limited volumes, high demand, best car in its class and the UK reviews and Youtubers haven't even started yet.

We saw this with the GRY and it became a nightmare for people who actually wanted to buy one for personal use.

If you are thinking about a GR86 then stick your (refundable) deposit down now and see how it plays out. I don't doubt this one will go for more than retail once hype starts.

 

[AndyRC]

Agree with you Andy. Limited volumes, high demand, best car in its class and the UK reviews and Youtubers haven't even started yet.

We saw this with the GRY and it became a nightmare for people who actually wanted to buy one for personal use.

If you are thinking about a GR86 then stick your (refundable) deposit down now and see how it plays out. I don't doubt this one will go for more than retail once hype starts.

All the “Influencers “ and “Content Producers” will have flogged their GRY to death so need something new to shout about. The only “on sale until 31.12.2023” will probably create a bit of a frenzy too. Hopefully watching how it pans out having placed a pre-deposit with my local dealership

 

[Ecsrobin]

Agree with you Andy. Limited volumes, high demand, best car in its class and the UK reviews and Youtubers haven't even started yet.

We saw this with the GRY and it became a nightmare for people who actually wanted to buy one for personal use.

If you are thinking about a GR86 then stick your (refundable) deposit down now and see how it plays out. I don't doubt this one will go for more than retail once hype starts.

There was about 6 months to place an order with the Yaris before any reviewer got their hands on a production car. Those who then ordered after seeing those reviews are the ones still waiting for their cars.

 

[AndyRC]

There was about 6 months to place an order with the Yaris before any reviewer got their hands on a production car. Those who then ordered after seeing those reviews are the ones still waiting for their cars.

Some of the “influencers” seemed to get hold of a car pretty quickly