1. Aston Martin DBS
Price (estimated): $265,000
Estimated wait time: 28 months
Deliveries of Aston Martin's new flagship model, which made its debut in the James Bond film Casino Royale, begin in the first quarter of 2008, but as it stands, the DBS is booked through the end of calendar year 2009. The DBS will be similar in exclusivity to its predecessor, the Vanquish, a model that peaked at about 650 annually. At least a third of all DBS models made will be coming to the U.S.
2. Morgan Aeromax
Price: $188,000 (94,000 U.K. pounds)
Estimated wait time: Two years, but now sold out completely
For years supply has long exceeded demand for the hand-built Aero 8 Roadster. The AeroMax is new for 2008. It's an even more sophisticated little sports car and offers a new six-speed automatic transmission aimed at increasing Morgan's appeal in the U.S. But you may have to settle for a used Morgan for now; all 100 are now sold out for its limited production run, and there's already a very long alternate list.
3. Ferrari F430 Scuderia
Price: $201,213 (2007 F430)
Estimated wait time: Two years
This new, lightweight, track-oriented version of the much-loved F430, with power boosted to 510 from the mid-mounted V-8, brings some of Ferrari's Formula One-bred technology to one of its production cars for the first time. This includes "Superfast" software for reducing shift times to 60 milliseconds--a fraction of a blink of an eye. By the time Ferrari officially unveils the Scuderia at the Frankfurt motor show this month, it is almost certain that the entire, very limited model run will be sold out.
4. Ferrari F599 GTB Fiorano
Price: $264,034 (2007)
Estimated wait time: Two years
Of Ferrari's regular production vehicles, the F599, which replaced the 575M Maranello in the lineup last year, is more exclusive than the standard F430, with just around 300 delivered to U.S. customers each year. Officially, the wait stands at about two years for this front-engine, V-12-powered supercar, though if you're a newcomer to the prancing-horse club, it might be significantly longer.
5. Lamborghini Murciélago LP640
Price: $311,100 (2007)
Estimated wait time: 18 months
With a 640 brake horsepower V-12 engine mounted midship and showcased by an available glass engine cover, plus all wheel drive, an ultra-low wedge-shaped body and scissor doors, the LP640 is the contemporary successor to the Diablo or Countach that might once have been postered as a teenager onto your bedroom wall. If some things never change, you might just want to get a Murciélago poster and dream.
6. Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG
Price (estimated): $195,000
Estimated wait time: 18 months
The new CL65 AMG marks the 40th anniversary of AMG, the in-house "skunkworks" that turns out limited-edition, high-performance versions of the Mercedes-Benz line. There's a hand-assembled twin-turbo V-12 engine under the hood, while the liquid-metal Alubeam paint brings a gleam like no other. Only 40 of these Anniversary Edition C65s will be made worldwide, and only 20 will be allocated for the U.S., though production of the CL65 is expected to continue at this exclusive rate.
8. Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe
Price: $407,000
Estimated wait time: 15 months
Building on the reputation of the squared-off, neo-formal Phantom VI sedan, which has developed a respectable following among the rich and famous who prefer to be driven, the new Drophead Coupe (Brit-speak for convertible), with its four-place seating and rear-hinged doors, has created quite a stir. Get in queue now; it could be well over a year before you see delivery.
9. Koenigsegg CCX
Price: $550,000
Estimated wait time: More than a year
The CCX is the latest in a series of supercars--this one capable of more than 245 mph--from Sweden's Koenigsegg, and the first aimed at U.S. customers. With only 12 CCXs expected in the U.S. over the next year and eventually as many as 20 annually, this exotic seems destined to be a toy for the most affluent collectors. If you want one and can afford it, beat the rush; next year at this time the waiting list could be even longer.
10. Tesla Roadster
List price: $98,000
Estimated wait time: One year
The Tesla Roadster is the exception on this list; performance or exclusivity alone aren't why the Roadster is in such high demand. The Roadster has especially caught on with the dot-com crowd, along with many in Hollywood's eco-elite, including George Clooney and the musician Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers. Tesla has about 600 orders for the Roadster but plans to produce 800 cars its first model year of production. First deliveries now anticipated in early 2008.
11. Audi R8
Price: $109,000
Estimated wait time: One year
Audi's new mid-engine flagship sports car is a German take on an Italian exotic; the R8, is related to the Lamborghini Gallardo (Audi AG owns Lamborghini), yet it's a little more refined and comfortable. Being able to use Audi's service departments when you're in a pinch is a big plus too. Only 300 R8s will be delivered over the first year. Production is eventually expected to ramp up to around 1,000 per year globally, but the R8 will remain a very exclusive car.
12. Bugatti Veyron 16.4
Price: $1.4 million
Estimated wait time: 10 months
The Veyron has the highest price tag of any exotic car, but that also puts it out of reach for all but the richest collectors. So the wait for one of these king-of-the-road supercars isn't as long as you might expect. Every Veyron is built only to customer order, with a confirmed deposit of $417,000 (300,000 euros). Total production run is expected to be just 300 cars; 100 have been made so far, with 80 to 90 expected this year.
13. Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
Price: $220,300
Estimated wait time: Eight months to a year
Weighing in at 154 pounds less than the standard Gallardo, and getting a 10-hp boost (to 530 hp), this special-edition model is true to its name (superleggera means "super light" in Italian). The number of these heading to U.S. dealerships is extremely limited, so this is one you'll need to move quickly on, if there's any spot remaining on the list.
14. Bentley GTC Convertible
Price: $189,990
Estimated wait time: Eight months
The new drop-top version of Bentley's Continental GT coupe has been one of this year's hottest cars in which to be noticed on a warm summer evening. And with the same twin-turbo V-12 engine as the coupe and Flying Spur sedan, it's a very satisfying drive. By the time first deliveries were made for the GTC late last year, there was a two-year waiting list, though it's now whittled down to about eight months.
15. Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Price: $124,900 (2007)
Estimated wait time: Soon, if you're one of the lucky ones
The GT3 is a stripped-down, lightened-up, high-performance version of Porsche's legendary 911. The very limited-volume GT3 RS, which borrows visual cues from the memorable 1973 Carrera RS, takes it further: It's a very raw, racing-oriented model that just manages to be road-legal. The entire run, for the 2007 model year, was completely sold out more than a year ago when Porsche formally announced the model. Expect a similar wait--and a similar sellout--for the GT2 to be announced this month.
Price (estimated): $265,000
Estimated wait time: 28 months
Deliveries of Aston Martin's new flagship model, which made its debut in the James Bond film Casino Royale, begin in the first quarter of 2008, but as it stands, the DBS is booked through the end of calendar year 2009. The DBS will be similar in exclusivity to its predecessor, the Vanquish, a model that peaked at about 650 annually. At least a third of all DBS models made will be coming to the U.S.
2. Morgan Aeromax
Price: $188,000 (94,000 U.K. pounds)
Estimated wait time: Two years, but now sold out completely
For years supply has long exceeded demand for the hand-built Aero 8 Roadster. The AeroMax is new for 2008. It's an even more sophisticated little sports car and offers a new six-speed automatic transmission aimed at increasing Morgan's appeal in the U.S. But you may have to settle for a used Morgan for now; all 100 are now sold out for its limited production run, and there's already a very long alternate list.
3. Ferrari F430 Scuderia
Price: $201,213 (2007 F430)
Estimated wait time: Two years
This new, lightweight, track-oriented version of the much-loved F430, with power boosted to 510 from the mid-mounted V-8, brings some of Ferrari's Formula One-bred technology to one of its production cars for the first time. This includes "Superfast" software for reducing shift times to 60 milliseconds--a fraction of a blink of an eye. By the time Ferrari officially unveils the Scuderia at the Frankfurt motor show this month, it is almost certain that the entire, very limited model run will be sold out.
4. Ferrari F599 GTB Fiorano
Price: $264,034 (2007)
Estimated wait time: Two years
Of Ferrari's regular production vehicles, the F599, which replaced the 575M Maranello in the lineup last year, is more exclusive than the standard F430, with just around 300 delivered to U.S. customers each year. Officially, the wait stands at about two years for this front-engine, V-12-powered supercar, though if you're a newcomer to the prancing-horse club, it might be significantly longer.
5. Lamborghini Murciélago LP640
Price: $311,100 (2007)
Estimated wait time: 18 months
With a 640 brake horsepower V-12 engine mounted midship and showcased by an available glass engine cover, plus all wheel drive, an ultra-low wedge-shaped body and scissor doors, the LP640 is the contemporary successor to the Diablo or Countach that might once have been postered as a teenager onto your bedroom wall. If some things never change, you might just want to get a Murciélago poster and dream.
6. Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG
Price (estimated): $195,000
Estimated wait time: 18 months
The new CL65 AMG marks the 40th anniversary of AMG, the in-house "skunkworks" that turns out limited-edition, high-performance versions of the Mercedes-Benz line. There's a hand-assembled twin-turbo V-12 engine under the hood, while the liquid-metal Alubeam paint brings a gleam like no other. Only 40 of these Anniversary Edition C65s will be made worldwide, and only 20 will be allocated for the U.S., though production of the CL65 is expected to continue at this exclusive rate.
8. Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe
Price: $407,000
Estimated wait time: 15 months
Building on the reputation of the squared-off, neo-formal Phantom VI sedan, which has developed a respectable following among the rich and famous who prefer to be driven, the new Drophead Coupe (Brit-speak for convertible), with its four-place seating and rear-hinged doors, has created quite a stir. Get in queue now; it could be well over a year before you see delivery.
9. Koenigsegg CCX
Price: $550,000
Estimated wait time: More than a year
The CCX is the latest in a series of supercars--this one capable of more than 245 mph--from Sweden's Koenigsegg, and the first aimed at U.S. customers. With only 12 CCXs expected in the U.S. over the next year and eventually as many as 20 annually, this exotic seems destined to be a toy for the most affluent collectors. If you want one and can afford it, beat the rush; next year at this time the waiting list could be even longer.
10. Tesla Roadster
List price: $98,000
Estimated wait time: One year
The Tesla Roadster is the exception on this list; performance or exclusivity alone aren't why the Roadster is in such high demand. The Roadster has especially caught on with the dot-com crowd, along with many in Hollywood's eco-elite, including George Clooney and the musician Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers. Tesla has about 600 orders for the Roadster but plans to produce 800 cars its first model year of production. First deliveries now anticipated in early 2008.
11. Audi R8
Price: $109,000
Estimated wait time: One year
Audi's new mid-engine flagship sports car is a German take on an Italian exotic; the R8, is related to the Lamborghini Gallardo (Audi AG owns Lamborghini), yet it's a little more refined and comfortable. Being able to use Audi's service departments when you're in a pinch is a big plus too. Only 300 R8s will be delivered over the first year. Production is eventually expected to ramp up to around 1,000 per year globally, but the R8 will remain a very exclusive car.
12. Bugatti Veyron 16.4
Price: $1.4 million
Estimated wait time: 10 months
The Veyron has the highest price tag of any exotic car, but that also puts it out of reach for all but the richest collectors. So the wait for one of these king-of-the-road supercars isn't as long as you might expect. Every Veyron is built only to customer order, with a confirmed deposit of $417,000 (300,000 euros). Total production run is expected to be just 300 cars; 100 have been made so far, with 80 to 90 expected this year.
13. Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
Price: $220,300
Estimated wait time: Eight months to a year
Weighing in at 154 pounds less than the standard Gallardo, and getting a 10-hp boost (to 530 hp), this special-edition model is true to its name (superleggera means "super light" in Italian). The number of these heading to U.S. dealerships is extremely limited, so this is one you'll need to move quickly on, if there's any spot remaining on the list.
14. Bentley GTC Convertible
Price: $189,990
Estimated wait time: Eight months
The new drop-top version of Bentley's Continental GT coupe has been one of this year's hottest cars in which to be noticed on a warm summer evening. And with the same twin-turbo V-12 engine as the coupe and Flying Spur sedan, it's a very satisfying drive. By the time first deliveries were made for the GTC late last year, there was a two-year waiting list, though it's now whittled down to about eight months.
15. Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Price: $124,900 (2007)
Estimated wait time: Soon, if you're one of the lucky ones
The GT3 is a stripped-down, lightened-up, high-performance version of Porsche's legendary 911. The very limited-volume GT3 RS, which borrows visual cues from the memorable 1973 Carrera RS, takes it further: It's a very raw, racing-oriented model that just manages to be road-legal. The entire run, for the 2007 model year, was completely sold out more than a year ago when Porsche formally announced the model. Expect a similar wait--and a similar sellout--for the GT2 to be announced this month.
