Test Drove a FFH Yesterday

[Buster1]

Well, it was pretty nice! I loved the fit and finish, quality, and ride. For a daily driver sedan it seemed pretty good, with quite a bit of power and acceleration. Tried it around town, and then some on the highway too. I think it was quicker and quieter than my current 1999 daily driver V6.

 

We test drove a White FFH that was basically "loaded." it was very nice with the tan leather and moonroof...but it was just too far out of our price-range. We really need a base model. Walked in with the invoice numbers, but the dealer only had 4 FFH, and none were base models. The dealer wasn't too pushy, but before you knew it, he was offering some pretty low prices. We thanked him and got up to go when the manager came over. He decided to offer us the car AT invoice!, but it was still too much for us ($28,xxx before taxes). As we got to our car and loaded up the kids, he came out AGAIN and offered the car a few hundred BELOW invoice...wow. We still walked, feeling kinda low...but it was still out of our range. Guess a Saturday on the last day of the month they are REALLY willing to move a car.

 

If they had a base model, at invoice, we would have bought it.

 

Great car, loved driving it. No 'negatives' noted at all really other than the sound it made at idle...which varied between nothing and a weird "whirr" for the A/C going.

 

Maybe we can make it happen soon, but when do the 2011s hit the lots?

[rfruth]

Wait till the end of this quarter (Sept 30 for Ford ?) then the'll really be wheeling & dealing + even more 2011s will be on the lots !

[Scott A320]

Good for you in sticking to your principles and not overextending financially! While you may have gotten a potentially stellar deal due to timing, was the dealer willing to trade for a base version?

Alternatively, are there nearby dealers that may have what you seek?

[Buster1]

The dealer had no base models, and was eager to get the 4 "higher end" models off his lot. They seemed a little receptive to looking for a base model for us...but not overly so.

 

I just called the dealer and am waiting to hear back. I told him to please begin to search for a White Base model FFH, and if one was to be found, we would be willing to work with them.

 

There are a few base models at another dealer here in town, but I don't know about the colors they have. I know color is a silly thing, but hey, I'm paying $25k+...I want the color I want. Besides, a gray or black car here in Vegas...no thanks!

[mort]

Hi Buster1,

As far as I can tell all dealers have theirr inventory online:

Friendly Ford

or

Gaudin

or

Team Ford

 

and so on

 

_mort

[Buster1]

Thanks Mort, yep...seen them all. Unfortunately all the base models in the Vegas area are dark color. Not sure if I should go that way with the tremendous heat here.

[Buster1]

Thanks Mort, yep...seen them all. Unfortunately all the base models in the Vegas area are dark color. Not sure if I should go that way with the tremendous heat here.

[sullied]

As far as I can tell all dealers have theirr inventory online:

The online inventory is usually incorrect. It often includes cars that are not there yet or have already been sold. I had that problem several times while searching for my car.

[Rhino]

Buster,

 

I have an Atlantis Green Metallic FFH that I bought from Gaudin. As long as you get some dark window tint, the dark cars don't seem much warmer during the summer than then the lighter colors. Score the savings and spend some on limo tint!

[akirby]

The online inventory is usually incorrect. It often includes cars that are not there yet or have already been sold. I had that problem several times while searching for my car.

 

Yep. My 06 Fusion showed up about 2 weeks before it actually arrived at the dealer. Handy though, since I bought it based on the online inventory. I think it shows up as soon as it's shipped or while it's in transit. Not sure how long it takes to get removed after they're sold though.

 

One thing is for sure though - if it's not listed in online inventory then it's probably not there.

Edited August 3, 2010 by akirby

[AptosDriver]

Well, it was pretty nice! I loved the fit and finish, quality, and ride. For a daily driver sedan it seemed pretty good, with quite a bit of power and acceleration. Tried it around town, and then some on the highway too. I think it was quicker and quieter than my current 1999 daily driver V6.

 

We test drove a White FFH that was basically "loaded." it was very nice with the tan leather and moonroof...but it was just too far out of our price-range. We really need a base model. Walked in with the invoice numbers, but the dealer only had 4 FFH, and none were base models. The dealer wasn't too pushy, but before you knew it, he was offering some pretty low prices. We thanked him and got up to go when the manager came over. He decided to offer us the car AT invoice!, but it was still too much for us ($28,xxx before taxes). As we got to our car and loaded up the kids, he came out AGAIN and offered the car a few hundred BELOW invoice...wow. We still walked, feeling kinda low...but it was still out of our range. Guess a Saturday on the last day of the month they are REALLY willing to move a car.

 

If they had a base model, at invoice, we would have bought it.

 

Great car, loved driving it. No 'negatives' noted at all really other than the sound it made at idle...which varied between nothing and a weird "whirr" for the A/C going.

 

Maybe we can make it happen soon, but when do the 2011s hit the lots?

If I decide to buy an FFH (still a big if), I will want -- and can afford -- a fully loaded model, mainly because I want leather seats, plus a moonroof and that seems to be the only way to get both. But finding a dealer with only fully loaded models and feigning that I'm only looking for a base model sounds like a great negotiating tactic!