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I have an '04 ZTS, which is not as hard nosed as the SVT, and because of the 2.3 motor which is recommended ( was only available for about 2 model years in limited parts of the country) has a still a lot of spunk or torque which continues to surprize. If you get a used model make sure that it has been regularly serviced. Auto trans should have been serviced at 30-40,000
An "S" trim with aircon and 5 speed should be your best buy. Avoid the "loaded" SES variants although in the last years of the ZX3 they were the only ones to get a rear sway bar (but the absence of the rear sway bar didn't seem to hurt the S's and SE's).
For 1996 and newer cars, this normally consists of plugging the car in and reading any OBD codes, at least that is the case where I live. You can get this done free at many auto parts stores or buy a cheap reader for maybe $20. If seller has reset it to temporarily turn off CEL, I think it will read that it is not ready or pending.
I want to purchase a 2008 Ford Focus SE with automatic transmission in vermillion red, charcoal black cloth interior with ABS, Sync and Sirius radio.
Thanks for the previous information regarding getting email quotes, I plan on following this advice.
The standard vehicle price MSRP is $15,585 on this vehicle. The charges for the options that I want in addition are roughly $815 for automatic, $385 for ABS, $395 for Sync, plus $195 for the Sirius.
Could anyone give me an idea of what rock bottom price I should be shooting for on this vehicle including dealer fees?
If you can't get near 5000 off msrp ( and you should) the mazda3 s touring value editon sedan and its other models then become far more attractive. The mazda6 i sport value editon 4cyl msrp 21200 is frequently available in the low 16s and is good.
Also some have been successful in getting the 09 Hyundai 4cyl sonata (20000 msrp) in the high 15000 range, and the 08 Elantra in the high 12000 range. (usually in CA or NY area). Hyundai has a helluva warranty, these vehicles are higher quality,and should be explored before settling on a Focus unless lots off.
good luck
--jjf
Hello,
I want to purchase a 2008 Ford Focus SE with automatic transmission in vermillion red, charcoal black cloth interior with ABS, Sync and Sirius radio.
Thanks for the previous information regarding getting email quotes, I plan on following this advice.
The standard vehicle price MSRP is $15,585 on this vehicle. The charges for the options that I want in addition are roughly $815 for automatic, $385 for ABS, $395 for Sync, plus $195 for the Sirius.
Could anyone give me an idea of what rock bottom price I should be shooting for on this vehicle including dealer fees?
Am I to hope to be able to attain this price of $13,000+ out the door, including all tax, title, destination, fees? I am assumimg this figure also takes into account the $1500 in Ford incentives currently available, or is this in addition?
Thanks
I was quoted on a 2008 Ford Focus SE Sedan with Auto Transmission. It has ABS, Sync, Driver's Package, Ambient Lighting, and all the options that come standard with the SE. The dealership said the MRSP on the car is 18,175 but that they would sell it for $15,308. I do not believe this includes taxes but does include the destination charges. Do you think this is a fair price?? I am looking to lease for 36 months, 12,000 miles a year so if anyone knew the residual and money factor on this car that would be great. Thanks!
KNeedsACar
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If you would, e mail it to me djackson@startribune.com
Thanks
What was the salepersons name ????
Thanks, Dan and Michelle from Minnesota
If these are direct marketing dollars from the manufacturer(Ford) why would the dealer not honor them? Do dealers have to kick in something on these national manufacturer rebates/discounts???
Coupons, military discount, college grad discount, loyalty discount, conquest (non-loyalty?) discount, college dropout discount, Texas horsemen's assoc discount, recently divorced discount, humanoid life form with a pulse discount are marketing gimmicks. Many times they are mentioned in the ad to generate some flow and limit response. Most have disclaimers out how dealer participation may vary. A few actually represent cash from the manufacturer but they are in the minority. Also make no doubt some get just as good or better deals without mentioning or technically qualifying for none.
A coupon may be issued with a blanket statement that it can be used on top of any other incentives which themselves state dealer participation may vary (usually based on enough profit, whether dealer wants to, ). There are sometimes so many gimmicks out there the factory (or dealership) usually has enough loopholes to keep someone from (legally) stacking too many.
Rack up a deal at invoice -grad-military-loyalty and then drop the 750 coupon on them and demand they subtract it from the contracted price and they may choose not to participate in the grad rebate. (on the basis of not enough profit for them if they participate now, or their general participatiory policy is to honor no more discounts than 15% of the cars msrp ... etc) ., Or only honor the grad rebate in the addition of factory coupons with a special "pro pack" ($1000 for vin etch and wheel locks) Perfectly legitimate unless a proveable discriminatory pattern based on race or sex. On the other hand if your deal is towards the end of the month and the dealer is the one out of 10 or so usually hurting each month your threatening to walk without your price may produce $750 (or more) out of their profit. (not reimbursed by ford, perhaps without the coupon even)
750 off msrp or invoice and another 500 grad credit for a car that will only move adequately for 3000 off msrp (2000 under invoice) after true factory rebates for example is nothing but a marketing gimmick. No money changes hands for the dealer to glom onto from ford no matter what because thats above their (true) cost anyway .Some yutzes may get a better price from another (or the same) dealer without the coupon or the gimmicks.
Virtually none of the coupons, military discounts, college, x-plan (local co discounts) loyalty, conquest (non-loyalty) represent any cash from ford at all below dealer cost in the way factory to customer rebates do. (heavily regulated, big do-do if tried to divert from customer from both Ford and atty general)
Someone could easily drive away from a dealer with no gimmicks with a better price than someone with msrp-dealer disc-loyalty disc-military-college dropout-dogowner discount -draftdoger (volunteer dodger?) disc. (this last gimmick is only popular in a few congressional districts if you know what I mean)
Good luck
--jjf
Others have extended military rebates to sons, distant relatives, neighbors or veterans of ANY armed forces US, german SS, NVA, Great great niece of Techumseh Sherman. viewers or people who've heard of "Saving private Ryan". So flexible and progressive is their participation policy to the Military discount for US servicemen mentioned on ads and websites that they have expanded it to all fighting men! Or folks who've thought about it once.
Really the Factory coupon thing isn't that common but not unheard of. I think we had a post on the issue a few pages back. I really don't know if you send it in or call the Ford district manager what can happen. The coupon from Ford seems unusual. Seems we didn''t think much then . If it says must be presented upon negotiation and you did, theoretically they could honor the coupon and not participate in some other(s) grad, loyalty, their own dealership discount ($ from msrp to invoice that disappears for anyone with IQ>60) or the military program.
If you search back, since these are big companies and they have been doing this a long time their bases are covered. I don't know if your deal is done but regardless, something like this requires F.lee bailey on retainer for 10000;s. And is usually silly.
Ironically the most effective measure you have to put pressure on them is to mention the coupon to the sales manager, how it just doesn't seem right and how you would love to give a glowing report on your customer experience in any surveys the factory sends you, however this experience would produce a lot of negative answers. And if you don't recieve a form, you will request one. These survey forms have become more and more important in the last decade, for many dealerships, and if this one is marginal.... Assure him a resolution will result in a glowing report, A 6 yr 100000 mi bumper to bumper warranty agreement for the coupon and $150 perhaps, you even get a warranty sale here.
A Focus is (or should be) about a $5000 off msrp vehicle. A 08 19000 focus will hardly trade in for 12000 in 12 months. Anything a lot less than that and the mazda3, Hyundai Sonata and Elantra, and others mentioned the last few months become far more attractive.
If you got about 5000 off work the manager a little hard. If you got 3500 off you need to be complaining to the district and dealeship sales manager about your displeasing buying experience (which will guarantee mostly poor survey results ), Fords misleading choice of promotion and a little matter of a 7year/100k mi service plan (worth about 700 or so I think) and a 600 or 1300 check.
Good luck
--jjf
Thanks again, Dan and Michelle
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Thanks, djackson@startribune.com
MSRP 15585
+ 815 automatic trans
+ 670 destination & delivery
Final price: 17070 + tax + title/etc
w/X plan it is $16,155
w/MI tax + title final price w/X plan is $17147 less $1,500 rebates if using Ford credit.
That comes to a final price of $15,647
This is SE vehicle w/standard equipment.
Is there anything else I can negotiate? The dealer says that with the X plan, there are no other offers other than the posted Ford rebates. Is that true?
Thanks for any help!
Many can get the mazda6i sve auto sedan msrp 21200 for the 16000's the mazda3 loaded i touring value edition auto sedan for the 15000's. Certainly if you drove any of these after you paid 14500 for a Focus you would feel sick to your stomach.
The dealer says ... Certainly you jest.
Good luck
--jjf
I'm working with a dealer for an '08 SE Focus and here's what they're telling me so far:
MSRP 15585
+ 815 automatic trans
+ 670 destination & delivery
Final price: 17070 + tax + title/etc
w/X plan it is $16,155
w/MI tax + title final price w/X plan is $17147 less $1,500 rebates if using Ford credit.
That comes to a final price of $15,647
This is SE vehicle w/standard equipment.
Is there anything else I can negotiate? The dealer says that with the X plan, there are no other offers other than the posted Ford rebates. Is that true?
Thanks for any help!
Good question.
Posts from jfritsch might be correct, but I sure don't know, $5K off of a $15K car that's selling well . . . and the posts from jfritsch usually seem to be accompanied by a plug for the "superior" Mazda 3. Well, that's all in the eye of the beholder. For example, for those who don't live in large metro areas, Mazdas might not be the best bet. In fact, our Mazda dealer dropped Mazda and there's no Mazda dealer within 100 miles of where I live! The dealer network is actually a little thin on the ground in many areas of the country (which is too bad, they make nice cars, we had an MPV we liked a lot).
Do the above with the mazda dealers on the 3 and 6 value edition sedans.(18100 and 21200 msrp respectively) and if you can get in the 15000s for the 3 and mid 16000s for the 6 seriously consider them if you can't get near the 5000+ off the Focus. Things may be kinda batty with the run on 30 mpg vehicles but can't imagine you can't work something out. Test drive both brands and the quality differential is obvious.
The 07 mazdas used go for about 13000 and change 07 while the 18500 loaded Focuses barely trade in for for 11000. (kbb.com).,
Of course, in many areas of the country the 09 sonata gls auto (msrp 20000) is going for about the 15000's, is loaded with a massive warranty and is competitive with the bigger Mazda 6. Either at the price points is superior to a loaded Focus for 14000 and change.
Good luck.
Where are these 5000 off msrp deals supposedly happening........thanks"
Good question.
Posts from jfritsch might be correct, but I sure don't know, $5K off of a $15K car that's selling well . . . and the posts from jfritsch usually seem to be accompanied by a plug for the "superior" Mazda 3. Well, that's all in the eye of the beholder. For example, for those who don't live in large metro areas, Mazdas might not be the best bet. In fact, our Mazda dealer dropped Mazda and there's no Mazda dealer within 100 miles of where I live! The dealer network is actually a little thin on the ground in many areas of the country (which is too bad, they make nice cars, we had an MPV we liked a lot).
2008 Focus SE auto, SYNC, 6cd, ambient lighting, 4dr:
msrp 18,590
invoice 17,450
maximum dealer discount -500
rebate -1,500 customer cash
rebate -500 using ford credit
subtotal: $14,950 plus tax and fees
3,640 is not 5,000. This is pretty official pricing
I know things have picked up in the 30 mpg vehicle segment but the Focus is a 5000 off msrp car. At only 3500 off (Focus) the mazda3,(about 15500) Mazda6 (21200 msrp, 16000), and others are much higher quality. My brother just bought a 09 Hyundai Sonata sedan gls auto (msrp 20000) for 15300+ ttl. Huge warranty and much higher quality and more car than Focus. Mazdas and Hyundais great ratings from edmunds.
You fellas may be hopeless but for the many others fyi.
Good luck
--jjf
one more thing jfritsch....chances are unless you go internet and grind deal so bad you don't car about the poor salesmen you could'nt get this deal becuase Focus's at 500 below inv don't need that much disc. ...you's be lucky to get 500 over invoice nowadays
We have many comparison threads... do a search...
Thanks!
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So perhaps what was a $5K off car is now a $3800 off car.
In the same issue is an article titled: As car buyers flee bigger engines, dealers scream for 4-bangers. In talking about one large dealer this article says: His Ford-Lincoln-Mercury store has a 10-day supply of me (sic?) Focus and four-cylinder Fusion. "I could take all the Focuses and four-cylinder Fusions they could send,"
2008 Focus S, Auto,Anti lock brakes,Sirius satellite radio.
MSRP 16,850, Purchase price 15,000.00, Doc fee 250.00 Tax (6.5) 991.25 tile fee 25.50= 16,266.75 minus 750.00 Ford rebate brochure, minus 2,000.00 public rebate w Ford Financing = 13,516.75 OTD.........Thats 4600.00 in savings.......
We couldnt be happier with the purchase, love the fit and finish, and the way this car handles! No doubt you get your best deal when the EOM looms large and the sales manager needs to move some metal.
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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