How long does it take for a Protege 5 to come in if I special order it? My dealer says 6-8 weeks, thats a pretty long time . I want a Vivid Yellow with a moonroof, and my dealer was unable to locate one. Any info would be helpful. Thanks in advance

 

Six to eight weeks would be pretty fast. That's the normal time for ordering a domestic product special order, and when you consider transit time from Japan and all other factors, that can add another month.

To understand why this takes so long, the automakers don't build cars without an order. Usually, the dealers (or the regional distributor) decide what cars they would like to sell, and place the order with the manufacturer, usually with about a months lead time. Popular cars can have longer lead times.

When you place a special order, you get placed at the end of the line, just like a standard dealer order. If you get really lucky, they might have an order that is cancelled farther up the line, and you get placed in there. But not too likely. After all, you're only buying one car. Some dealers buy thousands.

Some manufacturers are better than others in regards to special orders. A friend ordered a F-Super Duty (tow vehicle for his CSP RX-7) and was told 4-6 weeks. After 6 months with no truck, he finally cancelled the order and bought a Durango. He's not the only person I know Ford has done this too.

BTW, I asked how long it would take to get a Lexus IS300 special ordered. I was told 4-6 MONTHS. 10% deposit placed with order. So if they only want 6-8 weeks, with no deposit, consider yourself lucky.

BTW2, where are you located. I'm in the L.A. area, and today rode in a yellow P5 auto w/sunroof, ABS, and CD changer. They had quite a few. It's hard to find a P5 (or ES, which is what I want) in CA without a sunroof.

 

If your dealer wasn't able to locate one they were not trying hard enough. Go to www.mazda.com and build one the way you wan't it and after you're done get a dealer quote. Your build specs are send to your local dealers and I'm sure that at least one of them will have one or will be able to locate one for you.

 

My wife and I ordered are Protege5 the last weekend in September and were told 6 to 8 weeks.
8 weeks later, around Thanksgiving, we were told it would be in around mid-January.
I called this week and was told the car will be built next week and should arrive in about a month.
They said it hasn't been built yet due to allottments and trouble shipping across borders since 9/11.

We knew going in it might be awhile, which was OK by us because we were in no hurry and wanted to get exactly the car we wanted.

If you are in a hurry, don't special order.