IS300 5-speed manual anytime soon??

Yeah, everybody knows that is planned for the 2002 model year. But does anybody know for sure when it will be available? My local Lexus dealer had no clue. He said probably July-Sept next year. Another dealership on the other hand said it would be more like late December or early January this year. He even wanted me to put down a deposit to hold one. I don't know about you, but I have trouble puting down a deposit on a car that doesn't even exist yet. Plus why is it that two dealerships have two completely different stories.