Owning a supercar is quite gratifying; however, buying one is not as easy as walking into a dealership with the full amount and driving out in the sleek, high-speed machine. It’s a painstaking process, especially for big brands like Ferrari whose cult-following creates demand that far outstrips supply. Some models, like the new Ferrari 812 are often spoken for before they’re even released. And then there are supercar manufacturers that have unspoken and unshared rules (for legal purposes) that determine who gets the chance to buy their next limited-production exotic. The lucky exclusive clients find the buying process easy, but they’re still not guaranteed to get the next special edition supercar.
On the other hand, there are regular buyers ready to spend amounts higher than most people’s retirement portfolios but still encounter hoops that will make them doubt their influence, net-worth, and power. They’re mostly surprised after finding out about the “Special Waiting Lists” that take more than money to be on. Those who don’t want to wait and hope will often go to supercar makers who are fairly chill about the buying process and how the buyers customize their cars.
Ready to buy a supercar or just curious? Our list reveals the 5 supercar manufacturers that make you jump through hoops and 5 that are fairly chill.
10
Jump Through Hoops – Ferrari
favcars.com
Ferrari has a stringent set of unwritten rules and codes that must be honored to get their best supercars. Buying a standard Ferrari is already hard, getting on the VIP list for limited editions is even more complicated, no matter how much money you have. Reports have it being less than 40 years old, having a history of driving incidents, owning Lamborghinis, and less than 4 Ferraris means automatic rejection for exclusive models (autoevolution.com). Also, getting on the waiting list is not a guarantee a buyer receives a Ferrari limited edition model.
Via Reddit
It’s the automaker that chooses its buyers after a background check, as Ferrari can never be associated with individuals with tainted reputations. Buyers then sign a contract that forbids them from selling the car for a certain period and must inform Ferrari when they sell — no flipping. Other rules include agreeing to attend their events, not tampering with the engine or modifying the exhaust, and not covering the Prancing Horse badge. Extreme bodywork changes like using generic parts or applying crazy paints — rose, pink, and salmon — are also not allowed. DeadMau5 and Glickenhaus have had their share of legal battles with Ferrari because of their customized cars — the Purrari 458 and Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina.
9
Fairly Chill – Aston Martin
via Aston martin
Almost anyone can buy an Aston Martin from the comfort of their house. All they need to do is visit Aston Martin’s website, select a dealer in their vicinity, choose from the model range, get contact details and register their interest in making a purchase. The reason it’s this easy is that the British Automaker has been hard-pressed financially over the years because of poor sales and they’re always looking to sell more.
Via : Roman International
The easy process is only for Aston Martins’s mass-produced sports cars, not limited-production supercars like the Aston Martin One 77 and Valkyrie; those, for sure, are a bit harder to get. Clarke, an Aston Martin executive told Car and Driver that there is no formula for their supercars, but they always start with contacting loyalists before they cast their net wider. This points to Aston Martin not having strict conditions and rules like Ferrari and Bugatti. The only thing that stands between an Aston Martin and a determined owner is procuring the amount of money required.
8
Jump Through Hoops – Bugatti
Via alainclass.com
Getting a Bugatti involves enduring a rigorous process that not many manage. Bugatti chooses buyers from applicants who have expressed a strong desire to purchase and own any of their supercars. That’s after thorough background checks — they have to know if the buyer’s image aligns with the Bugatti brand. Those pre-approved get invitations to the Moslheim factory and get taken through a long sales pitch process to weed out the not-so-serious buyers. Pitches start with easy-to-digest information like the brand’s history to technical and mechanical details that will easily bore the non-enthusiastic.
Via: Bugatti
Potential owners then have to fork out a $250,000 initial deposit and be ready to add more when production starts. Also, they must agree to more conditions like becoming Bugatti’s Ambassadors, attending Bugatti’s customer events, having to change tires every 2,500 miles, and only taking their car to registered Bugatti locations for repairs and maintenance. Lastly, color customizations must only involve unique and original paintwork
7
Fairly Chill – Lamborghini
Via: Lamborghini
Lamborghini is probably the biggest supercar manufacturer that is fairly chill with its prospective buyers. They don’t care about the buyer’s image much, and how they use or customize their car. In fact, they encourage buyers to show off their car, have the gorgeous scissor doors open when taking pics, make loud entries and let crowds enjoy the car by taking pics. There is no overt requirement for prior purchases; the only problem is with those that own Ferraris, as their rivalry is big.
Via Novitec Group
All the automaker wants, though at a hefty price, is to sell these marques. Vittorio Gabba, head of Lamborghini’s One-Off and Ad Personam programs, told Car and Driver that they sell to buyers on a first-come, first-serve basis. The average price of a new Lamborghini is $200 000. Ready to raise that amount of cash? If yes, then owning a Lamborghini will be easy as walking into a dealership, making or arranging for full payment, and driving off in the Lamborghini.
6
Jump Through Hoops – McLaren
Via: McLaren
For its exclusives, such as the McLaren’s P1 and Mclaren BP23 ( successor to the storied McLaren F1), the British Supercar maker won’t allow just any billionaire to simply write a check. They have to be on “The List,” as Canton, a McLaren executive, revealed. Getting on The List requires registering interest, having loads of cash, and owning other McLarens. Having bought rare previous models like the F1 does help bring the buyer higher on the priority list. McLaren then does a background check on their car buying and driving history from the application details to ensure they aren’t reckless drivers or known flippers.
Via NetCarShow
McLaren also revealed they use the application list to estimate the number of units they will make. For the McLaren’s P1, the automaker received 1500 applications, with buyers ready to fork out $1.15 million. From experience over the years, they expect only half to be serious, so they plan for 750 buyers. To make the supercar even rare and preserve the brand’s value, they halved the units to 375. This makes it harder for buyers to purchase and forces serious buyers to have a stronger commitment. Ultimately, those that secure a McLaren get more gratification while it adds unfulfilled demand that will motivate those that miss out to buy future specials. Those accepted have to go through a long McLaren car buying process that involves factory tours and track testing.
5
Fairly Chill – Porsche
via Porsche
According to Porsche Atlanta Perimeter, buying and crafting a bespoke Porsche is very easy . The first part involves visiting any nearby Porsche Experience Center (PEC) at any time. There, the buyer can check out the various models and options, or send a representative on their behalf. Next is choosing the customizations, which can be done at the PEC or online and sent to their retailer for final confirmation. Before the special order reaches Porsche, the buyer can negotiate the price with the dealer.
via Porsche
After a deposit, which is typically refundable if the buyer decides not to purchase the car, it takes approximately 12 weeks. The period counts from when Porche’s factory receives the custom specifications. The wait is worth it because the car comes with everything built down to the finest detail as ordered, and the buyer can save money by opting not to include features they don’t need. Once the Porsche is ready, the buyer can optionally test it at Porsche purpose-built test tracks in Germany before it gets delivered or wait for it.
4
Jump Through Hoops – Koenigsegg
Via: YouTube
Founded in 1994, Koenigsegg is known for producing some of the fastest, meticulously crafted, and fine-tuned supercars. Koenigseggs are rare and only end up in the hand of the most passionate buyers – it’s very infrequent to spot them on the road. The automaker doesn’t sell its cars directly to buyers; they use dealerships. Only dealers know the whole process for reserving and buying new Koenigseggs. This doesn’t make it any easier though for any buyer; when a rare chance of ordering a Koenigsegg presents itself, the dealerships only call their best buyers first. Buyers who have Pandora Papers quantities of money which they have spent on multiple expensive supercars with the dealer.
Via: Wikimedia
Those without established relationships will find the challenge of tracking a new Koenigsegg down, from the 1160hp Agera RS to the 1500hp Regera, very complex. Once the selected buyer accepts the invitation and puts down a deposit, they now get a chance to work with Koenigsegg for bespoke features. And it takes years of waiting for Koenigseggs; in 2017, the waiting list was four years long, implying that orders made in 2017 were due in 2021.
3
Fairly Chill – Noble
Via Noble Cars
Noble is a UK-based company — a success story of its founder Lee Noble who left the company in 2008. They build low-volume supercars, with the most notable models being the 4.4-liter V8 power plant M600, M400, and the famous M12-GTO. The fact that Noble doesn’t even own the US distribution rights for some of its models means they won’t enforce strict rules for buyers.
Via: Noble Cars
Noble doesn’t even stop enthusiasts from modifying the engines for more performance. With a good credit score and a driving license, anyone can go to a dealership and purchase a Noble.
2
Jump Through Hoops – Mercedes
via Benz-Insider
While it’s pretty easy to buy production models from this German automaker, getting special models like the Mercedes-AMG Project One is complicated. Only 275 units will be delivered in 2022 which have all been snatched up. Those whose offers were accepted had to make a down payment and sign a contract with some very strict clauses, preventing the selling of slots or flipping the hybrid supercar. It’s powered by an F1-derived 1.6-liter V6 engine (11,000 rpm redline) plus four electric motors for 1000+ hp. Each car costs an eye-watering $2.7 million, and each buyer got the chance to visit the AMG factory in Affalterbach to spec out their car.
Via: mercedes
Another Mercedes special edition — the AMG Black Series P One Edition – is also not available to just anyone. Mercedes rules specify it’s only available for the who have reserved the AMG One supercar. And there’s no discount for the buyers even though it’s priced $52,200 more than the standard car.
1
Fairly Chill – Pagani
Via Squir
Despite Paganis being extremely rare — only around 30 examples get handmade each year — they are not hard to buy. The process for purchasing the Pagani Huayra BC was pretty simple and very streamlined for buyers that had the estimated $4 million it costs. They only had to wire a six-figure deposit, then be ready to wait for an year (with the possibility of the waiting period getting extended). When their supercar arrived, all that they needed to do was cut a cheque for the remaining amount and register the car with the DMV.
Via Youtube
If the buyer doesn’t have the remaining amount when their ride arrives, they can sign up for a 5-year lease. For the Huayra roadster, the initial deposit is $700,000 while monthly payments are $25,339/month for 60 months. The only stumbling block with getting a Pagani, especially limited-editions, is that they only get offered to existing clients. The world only gets to know about them after the units have already been spoken for. By starting with the “entry-level” models, anyone can become that “existing” client.
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About The Author
Dennis Kariuki
(46 Articles Published)
Dennis Kariuki is a tech enthusiast who writes for Hotcars.com. Previously, he wrote for the.car .He likes covering the marriage between technology and cars. Besides that, he is big f1 fan. After working tirelessly through the week, you can be sure that on Sundays he is most likely enjoying and following motorsports events.
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