I want to place a custom order for a 22 Reserve, but I’m going to be out of the country for over a month in about 3 months… and I’ll be living across the country once I get back, so I’ll need a car almost immediately. Does anyone have an idea how long dealerships will allow a custom ordered car to sit at the dealership before fining me or getting pissy, or worse, letting others test drive it?
Hi leon. You need to ask your Dealership those questions. Tell them your situation and see what they can/will do to accommodate you. There is no way for anyone else (like us anonymous Internet mooks) to give you an accurate answer as to what an unknown Dealership may or may not do.
My opinion from experience: Most Dealerships want to sell a vehicle as soon as it arrives, since having it sit there unsold costs them money. That goes for Factory Orders and stock vehicles.
But again, no one here can tell you what your Dealership definitely will or will not do.
And whatever they tell you...get it in writing, in detail, from the Sales Manager or the General Manager. Not a Salesperson.
And just as a reality check...Even if they agree to hold it a week, two weeks, a month etc....there is no guarantee they would not let someone sit in it, test drive it etc., if doing so might get somehow them a sale.
A possible option would be to give a family member or very close friend limited Power of Attorney to sign in your place to purchase the vehicle for you when it arrives. But even that would need to be cleared with the Dealership in advance.
Let us know how you make out and good luck.

