Considering this... what is the wait time?

[mobius]

I have been watching the 818 allong the way and am seriously conisdering it. anyone know what the current lead time is from ordering to receiveing a kit? I would want the S version with a bunch of options.


My plan would be to get somewhere in the 400 whp range and Aftermarket EFI (probably Haltech) with digital dash. Might do some track days but mainly just to beat up other cars on the street...


Thanks

[wleehendrick]

From this thread:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?8572-When-are-you-getting-your-818&p=107005&viewfull=1#post107005

It looks like new orders are currently estimated 13 months out (next August)

[mobius]

Ouch that is quite the wait. I saw that thread but the dates jumped so much i figured people had other reasons for selecting dates that far out...

[Frank818]

Someone mentioned in a thread a few weeks ago that it may not be impossible that FFR will accelerate its pace at some point, cuz, according to that person, it would be kinda bad for business if FFR "always" has a 13-14-month lead time. I kinda agree to that, but I have no idea if FFR will be able to increase the volumes.

Or it's just the fact there were about just under 300 people who signed in pre-orders so they have a backlog of 300 deliveries and that may shrink with time, I don't know.

[wleehendrick]

Yes, but it wouldn't make sense to invest a lot of capital in tooling (additional frame jigs and body molds) to burn down that initial backlog if the future volume wouldn't support it. If tooling is the limiting factor, it would make more sense to temporarily add a 2nd shift. I'm sure Dave has a plan, and we'll see how it develops.

[Frank818]

I agree! That's why at "this time" the backlog is 13 months, but who knows, maybe in 6 months the backlog will be 4 months and in 12 months maybe 2 months, I say that just as examples. The current lead time may not be representative to the lead time in say 1-2 years. All we know is... he's called The Stig. :) Oh sorry, that sentence always reminds me of Top Gear. :) All we know is the current lead time is 13 months.

[Mitch Wright]

Ordered my 818R in early June with a early August 14 delivery. Yes the anticipation is tough to deal with but the up side is plenty of time to fine a donor (done) and research and gather all parts I want for engine and other chassis and brake upgrades. Also learn from builds prior to mine. That is what I have to keep telling myself.

[Evan78]

Why not just call FFR and ask?

[Mechie3]

They just sent out an email saying that they plan to ramp up production to 3 per week this month. That may, or may not, affect the wait times. I'm not sure if they banked on that somewhat when making the current delivery date list.

[Evan78]

They said there are 279 orders of 818R and 818S so far and have shipped 4. That leaves 275 to ship in the next 56 weeks or so, which is an average of 5 per week over that period.

At SEMA, I believe Jim told me that they expected to do 5/week at some point.

I wonder percent of pre-orders they expect to not convert to actual orders, if any.

[mobius]

279 preorders or orders?

[Frank818]

They just sent out an email saying that they plan to ramp up production to 3 per week this month. That may, or may not, affect the wait times. I'm not sure if they banked on that somewhat when making the current delivery date list.

Currently it is 2 per week?

[Evan78]

279 preorders or orders?The email said 279 orders, but in reality, the vast majority of those orders consist of a $100 deposit, which is what I was referring to when I said "pre-order". Now that the car is in production, placing an order requires a $1,000 deposit, just like the other FFR kits. Prior to production, they accepted pre-orders that required a $100 deposit with the balance payable as your production date nears.

[Bill Waters]

To supplement Evan78's comments, I was recently told by an FFR representative that the FFR folks will be soon be contacting all those with $100 "pre-orders" to convert these to "orders" which requires an additional $900. That may have the effect of cutting the wait time, as some are likely to bail. Then, as with other FFR products, as production time approaches, the full amount is tendered.

Bill

[wleehendrick]

FFR folks will be soon be contacting all those with $100 "pre-orders" to convert these to "orders" which requires an additional $900.

I'm waiting for the call... 19417

[cmcintyre]

From Dave Smith's message today -

"Since we know that some pre-orders will not be ready to take their car, we are developing a hot list so that if someone cancels, and a production spot opens up, those interested MAY be moved forward in the production schedule. If you would like to be added to the hot list, please e-mail jason.lavigne@factoryfive.com and let him know. All orders will be strictly first come, first served."

THAT should make things jump a bit. Too bad I still have to wait til Sept 21. Good luck, guys.

[Xusia]

Yeah. I emailed Jason so fast it was probably the first one he got! LOL