Remember, ALL cars are slowing down in sales and production is only increasing. At some point the dealers will need to begin flipping cars for parking lot spaces. They can sit on cars until their lot fills which, at least in my area, is start to become a real consideration for the dealerships. Add in the Type-S is now released so people cross shopping the two now have (at least the 3 Bay Area dealerships I was talking to) about 4 Type-S's per dealership within the next 30 days. I'm still holding to later this year, as long as you don't need financing or can pay it off immediately, it'll get easier later in the year.
I agree with all you said. A couple of months ago, i myself mentioned on this forum how the showroom floor cost would take its toll, but the people here who work at dealerships don't think it would apply to special cars like the FL5 -- which does make sense. I also have posted how the type S would probably ease the FL5 market. So, i am totally in your camp, but as is typical, it's not just one issue causing the market to move in a certain direction, but yah...there's often a main driver of the trends.
Yes, I recall that discussion re cost of holding inventory. It's a non-issue because the volume isn't there. A number of these dealerships, as someone mentioned, view the CTR as showroom jewelry and have demonstrated a willingness to hold onto them for months. The presence of an FL5 on the showroom floor draws a crowd and provides an opportunity to cross sell. I'm sure many of you have been asked, "Are you interested in a Civic Si? We have one available in Sonic Grey Pearl for only $5K over MSRP!!!" While some of us are repulsed by the proposition of going into a dealership for a Type R and leaving with an Si, I'm certain there's some level of sales conversion.
Yep. Totally agree, especially when they sit down and really start crunching the numbers between an FL5 with a $10k+ ADM vs an Si with maaaaaybe $5k ADM, the Si starts looking like a major bargain (which it is). And I bet some even buy an Si as a stop-gap till they can get ahold of an FL5. Not a bad plan at all.
Even just looking at the CTR, look at the allocation map. You're beginning to see 2 cars at the same dealership in the major metro areas. It's just a decision of how long they want to fill the floor with CTR's, a car 90% of the public have no interest in buying (cost and manual), over a CRV or Pilot Trailsport or something that a lot more people want and will come down to see/buy.
Just because they are showing up on your list does not mean they are available.....stop spreading false information.
That was my experience very recently when I reached out to about 50 dealerships between the East Coast and TX before finding a deal I was happy with. About half the cars were already pre-sold or in-transit with the dealer not releasing pricing info until the car arrived (to start bidding war with their client lists). The other half had either ridiculous options/accessory packages in the $12k+ range or had $10k-20k ADM.
There are also a number of vehicles showing on Autotrader.com, Cars.com, or CarGurus, in transit or on the ground, that are "spoken for." I would view the data on any of those sites with a jaundiced eye. The list price information is almost always bogus as well. Most of the cars listed on those sites show MSRP. I think everyone here is smart enough to know those are not MSRP cars. And if the car is MSRP + dealer add ons, it's not MSRP.
I can spot a TJ's bag a mile away!And...
Here is why i needed (and am so glad i got) the CTR. While taking passengers is critical, the cargo room is also a BIG deal for me.
This was just a normal weekend project...
where??
Oh, ok... guilty 
