I started about 8 months before I pulled the trigger. I did though do a lot of looking around on the web for pictures and fun facts.
Once I knew I would buy one, it took me so long to come to the conclusion of what I would get.
You wouldn't believe how many days I spent flipping through the color charts to know what I was going to end up with. Then it was the engine, auto or standard...it goes on and on.
Once I sat down with the salesman to place the order, my wife looked at me and said, "I hope you're happy, you drove me and our daughter crazy each day with Camaro talk"...(Little did she know, it would get worse
)
Even when the car was going through the plant for approvals, I almost called the dealer to see if I could change the color, but I slept on it and I'm glad I did. IOM is beautiful in any light.
Have fun and good luck!