fsb99

Thanks for the info. I use it to make it easy on the car wash process because I'm too lazy to bend over and scrub the wheels :)

What about wheel cleaners like this? It says it's safe for clear-coats, but any reservations? http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_deta...sp?T1=MEG+G9524

Scott, I guess you didn't want to wait the 8+weeks to get the color you wanted? I got the Platinum White ordered. I'm in SoCal also - Huntington Beach (OC). What city are you in?

I guess this is just music service and doesn't include traffic?

Sorry to hear your misfortune, but maybe you'll get a much better treatment upon delivery like vschmidt did. Maybe the dealer will offer some concessions and offer you vehicle extras at "cost"...

OK it happened again overnight and discovered this morning. My SmartGauge went to Enlighten and Vines from my normal Empower and 20-min Graphs. The first time happened at around 2,500 miles. That would be just after fillup 6 (day after I filled up). I noticed my MPG has increased in the following tank full of gas. Maybe coincidence or effect of window tinting (less AC demand even though days are hotter in fillups 6-7) that I got done in middle of fillup 5. But remains to be seen as fillup 7 came close to overall average. Fillup-Gallons----Miles-MPG 1-----14.855-----517-- 34.80 2-----15.267-----550-- 36.03 3-----14.912-----557-- 37.35 4-----15.313-----555-- 36.24 5-----15.325-----538-- 35.11 6-----14.669-----570-- 38.86 7-----15.477-----569-- 36.76 Total-105.82---- 3856-36.44 I was hoping for 40+ MPG but no dice, at least in the summer. I guess Oman would say that I drive like crap :)

Is this maintenance plan only offered (and good) through this one dealer? I don't see Ford Maintenance Plan (good on all dealers) that offers more than 10 visits.

Sounds odd but if you get your MMH...who cares?

Yes I agree with the MPG per mile comment...I mentioned it in one of the "vote" postings. http://www.fordfusionforum.com/index.php?showtopic=2441 OOPs..just saw your post on that same thread...we went full circle :)

Look in page 3 of this forum (thread: Engine Warning Light, Have Engine/Transmission/Brakes/EMG Sysem Checked). I believe you and tonifan have the same problem. As far as car replacement, depending on where you are, there may be some lemon laws that gives you some consumer rights. Research a little and good luck.

Out of curiousity, did you happen to notice how many gallons were left in the tank (appx) when the "Miles to E" hit zero? I'm guessing ~2-2.5?

Make sure you know the maximum number of visits you bought on your service package and make sure you get your money's worth.

Congrats!. If I remember right, you were the one that was thinking of cancelling the order because of the delays, correct? Also, you haven't bought the ESP yet? Does that mean you won't be able to fold into your loan (pay cash for ESP instead)?

I did too. Although I think it would be more useful for me if it were 20-mile period instead of 20-minute period...

I understand your long-term plan fully and your willingness to execute at any cost is admirable. We are all different. I respect your choice. My choice is to be selective based on what I decide along the way and try to determine probabilities as best I could. I just happen to think that this choice is one that will be useful in the future. And no, I invested $1200, so you better believe that I want to get that and more from year 4-7, whether through repairs or recouping the cost when selling the vehicle. It may take me 1 repair or 10 to get there, but you can bet I'll try my hardest to get value for my money. Sorry if I gave you and everyone else in this forum that impression. To some extent people do shop for cars by monthly payment (or what they can afford). Otherwise, it is irresponsible like sub-prime home loans. But no, I don't consider myself compromising on FFH. My bottom line is the overall cost. That is why I shopped around to get this vehicle on $250 over invoice and only picked up an alarm as an add-on option.

Wow never thought I'd see this, but sounds like you're opening up to the idea of ESPs (price dependent, of course). Look at it this way, you're a big believer in law of averages...you're 5 for 5. Maybe this is the one that pays out? No doubt the previous vehicles were OK due to proper care and maintenance but those electronic failures may come out of nowhere and definitely can make it pay for itself in a hurry. As far as the high deductible option it is entirely up to the buyer, but the reason I'm buying the $50 option is because I want to fix every little thing that may be wrong before I sell it or before my warranty runs out. Difference of the insurance plans between the two deductibles is about $280. Assuming there is one warranty work that exceeds $200 during the plan (scenario you stated above), you recoup $150 of that difference. I'm sure I'll find something else that may need replacement ($150-$200) that would make up for the rest. Remember, the dealers want to make money too...they charge Ford for warranty work that I request and my portion is $50. I happen to have a contact that works for Ford as a mechanic. I'm sure he can pull a favor or two for me (some cosmetic work etc.).

When I ordered my vehicle, I got the DORA the day after since the "ordering manager"? was not in the dealership that day. I guess they had a salesman, finance person and ordering manager (whom I've never met) helping with my order. They took my $500 refundable deposit on my credit card and charged it on the day I walked in even though they could not order for me until the next day. That was fine because it added to my proof that the order was made on 3/29 (for the $3400 credit). They were very responsive to my emails for status but hinted that sometimes data is slow since they didn't want to bother the ordering manager too much (apparently not a morning person :) )

I would not even think about non-Ford warranty. Don't buy them when you purchase your vehicle unless you get a steal. The line they tell you is that you can fold the cost in and spread the payments over the term of the loan. Do your research before going in and buy from the best legitimate Ford dealer offer. Many dealers are online and sell at very low profit margin. A few of the lowest cost are posted in this forum.

Dealer Order Receipt Acknowledgement - a one or two page printout. Mine has info on date processed, receipt date, partial VIN, priority, order options, MSRP and invoice price among other things.

Whoa easy on the caps...:) Anyway, rather than going with MSRP, go with invoice price. I got mine ordered for $250 over invoice. You can probably get a little better price but that depends on where you are.

So you drove each of the 5 vehicles over 100k miles?

I understand the risks of buying exteded warranties and don't necessarily agree that they are gambles. I don't think any of us need a lecture on this. I didn't buy it with my 1996 4Runner (186k miles) and won on that "gamble." This car is different. An issue with my backup camera or one of the LCD dash displays (annoying dead pixels, etc) or NAV or BLIS/cross traffic sensors would cost hundreds of dollars to repair. I never bought extended warranties on home electronics but this one is on wheels where vibrations can shorten their lifespan. Don't get me wrong, it's not just the electronics I want to protect. The peace of mind I get with bumper-to-bumper protection is well worth it to me. I'd like to get every little thing taken care of to keep my resale value up. If I keep the car past 3 years, I'm guessing for the 4-year/64000 mile extension I will be needing to fix something pricey on the car. The bottom line is the price you pay for this ESP. Remember the value of this ESP goes up after year 1 and year 2 (keep in mind mileage limits also). After year 3/36k it starts to depreciate. Maybe FFH will be vastly improved and I will upgrade before my ESP expires. You've made your point clear. Let people decide if they agree and let's move on.

akirby, don't worry, I didn't spend your money. Move on and push your opinions elsewhere (like DRLs)

Thinking about the surcharge...I guess I can say that the warranty value appreciates after one year and more after two years, since I believe Ford charges $100 extra per year prior to expiration of 3/36. Investment? :) I primarily got it because of the electronics and sensors that would be expensive to fix. Not worried at all about the transmission.

Adam, as long as your DORA is dated before 9/30, you're eligible for $1700 credit...at least that's Ford's implied interpretation of the tax laws :) I bought mine on 3/30, got it on 5/22...about 8 weeks...I'm operating under the assumption that I get the $3400 credit.