graham

In tangentially related news: I received confirmation from Tesla this morning that I will need to come up with the balance still owed them by December.

Ack! Not sure where that money is going to come from at the moment. Perhaps I should hold a bake sale.

Laurent

That's actually good news ! It means your car is getting closer to production !
If you can't come up with the remaining balance, let me know and I'll buy your production slot !

SByer

I'm thinking it means that we're getting close to hearing about the transmission switchover and production ramp up.

graham

That was my take on it too. Slightly surprised after so many public delays that it will actually happen. Word to the unaware, however: Balance is due at lock-in, not at delivery.

Know anyone who needs a spare kidney? (slightly used...)

Tim M

I was never given the option of what type of buyer I would like to be. By that time (Nov 07) it was just a "5k deposit and we'll let you know when we want more," basically.

Tim M

Graham,

Yeah, that fact was made clear to me when they asked for the second installment. I had to take a deep breath but I guess if they are going to make it to your specs (colors, options...) it makes sense. Have you locked in all your options yet? I am under the impression that these two events take place that same time.

Tim

graham

The December date is where I would have to lock in my options. I was an impatient buyer and have paid for half(ish) the car already. Until this morning I was unclear if I need to pay for the rest of the car at lock in time, or upon delivery 3 months later.

Apparently the balance is due at lock in time -- which is no longer "oh, sometime in a year or so..." it is now in a little more than 3 months... Eek!

Laurent

Did you guys recently get an email from Tesla about your reservation number ?
I got one today:
"Your 2009 Tesla Roadster production sequence number is 778. This is not your VIN (to be assigned at production), but represents your place in line relative to the rest of the 2009 model year reservation slots."
It sounds like I moved up about 120 slots (I was number 896 in late June). Unless it means that I'm 778th out of 850 (600 US + 250 EU), I hope not.

Tim M

Laurent,

Yes, I got one of those emails today as well. We seem to be within the same "block"of customers.

I was first given a production number of 793 earlier this year. My email today, from Zak, stated my production number as 645. That is quite a jump as well. I don't really care what the number is, of course, as long as the estimated delivery date doesn't start to slip (April-ish).

When first given 793 I was told it would probably change when the list got compressed to eliminate (reposition?) those that were not willing to go beyond the initial 5k deposit. I was also told I would probably have a lock in date at the end of this year. Haven't gotten that notice yet....

Tim M

graham

I have not received such a letter. It must have only gone to 2009 folks. I was pretty far down in the 2008 list -- I wonder if my number has gone up as well.