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Comments
Anyone want a really nice 2000? It seems to have ALL of the factory options and it's still under warranty.
tidester, host
Secondly, I have had loaners in the past for as long as 2 weeks that Lincoln paid for, so unless something has changed, or my local dealer picked up the tab for me, and I didn't know it, this sounds wrong to me.
In either case, it's unacceptable, and I wouldn't stand for it.
MSRP = $47,555; Invoice = $42,008; Purchase Price = $41,508 - $4500 rebate = $37,008.
Credit Union financed @ 4.0%. In my case, with the down payment I made, I was in better position by taking the rebate. Plus, if the truck gets totalled, I already got the incentive built in. With 0% financing, it could get totalled tomorrow, due to no fault of your own, and you got nothing for an incentive.
I'm in the Chicago region. Finding the 2003 Expedition exactly like you want it is getting difficult (I suppose it depends on what you want on it). I searched over 30 Ford dealer's inventories (on-line) in a four county area. The one I bought was the only one in the color (Estate Green) and exact equipment I wanted.
The Navigators are also getting to be very few. I didn't find a Lincoln dealer last week in the area with more than 3 Navigators left. The 2004's are starting to show up in decent numbers though.
The dealers will state they do not get advance information on upcoming rebate/finance incentives. They hear about them the same time they are made public. You would need to find one of the car maker decision makers, and they aren't normally talking.
It's actually to the dealers favor that they do it this way. If you were to buy a car one day, only to find out the rebate went up the next, you would be back at your dealer screaming, "Why didn't you tell me the rebate was going up". In all honesty they can reply that they didn't know.
It is unlikely the rebates will go down for 2003's, but of course the selection will soon be extremely limited to non-existant.
I wrote a letter to Lincoln Committment...Darryl Hazel, Pres. Had a call (not a letter) from Duncan Alderson; he has stuck by the 72 hours....considers that the dealership not being able to immediately work on the transmission as something beyond their control. As if it were not beyond mine. My reply to Mr. Alderson was that I felt Ford was being inflexible in their business attitude and that it is no wonder they are losing business (a business that has no flexibility soon is left behind).
As to the type of transmission, I am going to have to read the copy of the repair report with an eye to whether the same type was installed. Also, will check on the fluid.
I haven't seen a posting for a similar problem so I'll see if anyone else out there has a similar experience.
The liftgate closes fine, but occasionally the message centre on the dash indicates "Liftgate Ajar". Although the gate is actually shut, the interior lights stay on, mirror lights are still on, and the rear wiper won't operate. The dealer has replaced the latch sensor once, checked all motors .. yada yada .. but the problem still persists.
Anyone out there have a similar experience or suggestions?
So, this leaves no place to go. I guess one has to swallow and move on. However, I hope everyone who is thinking of buying a Lincoln that they negotiate a better price by letting their dealer and sales person know that the Lincoln Prestige and Red Carpet Treatment is not any better than one would receive buying another brand of auto for a lot less money. Lincoln goes by the contract no matter what a roadside assistance operator says at the time of breakdown. However, I was told by a sales person at an Arizona Lincoln dealership that the 2003 Lincoln's roadside assistance was extended to cover 10 days. Does this say that they have had more problems such as mine. If this is so, I believe they should have honored my claim as their extended coverage on a new vehicle seems to set a marker that the older models should receive.
There are other manufacturers. We were waiting for the 2004 F-150 to come out....we must now consider other options.
Thanks.
Maybe, just a slight tool to point out to your dealer. Barring breakdowns away from home, the Navigator is a beautiful unit....just will not be buying another anytime soon.
Escalade: Nice truck, great engine, but more than I needed - lost out on the 3rd seat not folding away, no folding mirrors, no power liftgate. Really lost points on the Chevy Truck dash compared to the unique and gorgeous Navigator dash & interior.
LX-470: Too expensive & a lot smaller. A little underpowered.
Sequoia: Way underpowered, no features, cheesy interior.
Expedition EB: Didn't like the dash design, mostly.
The 3 years free service, is pretty much just oil changes, which are only $20 anyway, and they like to do them at 5,000 miles intervals, so it's not much to have, or to lose.
Any thoughts on the depreciation of the Navigator? As I've posted before, cars.com has listings of slightly used MY2003 Navs at right about 40K. While the local papers are full of new EB Expy advertised at huge (e. g., 8K off MSRP) dealer discounts, I sense that Lincoln dealers don't sell these things at the minimal markup as the Ford stores. If that's correct, it makes the resale look even worse/better (depending if you're buying or selling).
I don't care much about the depreciation, since I lease, and that's set when I execute the lease, so what happens after that doesn't affect my deal. If the car is a serious depreciator, I'll know that up front, and won't buy it because the residual will be low, and the payments too high. If Ford is wrong on their calculations, and it depreciates much faster than projected, it's their problem when I turn it in, not mine.
The Escalade (new body style)
Has better brakes
Has a power folding right hand Mirror
Tighter turning radius
More power
Looks cool
The Navigator
Loaded car, low miles with ALL options:
$8000 cheaper than the loaded Escalade
I'm thinking of buying an Escalade ESV (extended chassis). I looked at the Navigator and loved it. But, the sunvisors don't slide once positioned over the door. If that has changed for the 2004 model, I would definitely reconsider. It's a big deal to me when traveling across country (sun sits low in the sky during the winter).
If I'm not mistaken, the Escalade has power folding mirrors on both sides and tire pressure monitors standard for 2004 (opt. for 2003). Believe me, I have not been a GM fan for a looooong time. The last disaster I purchased from them was a new 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brogham...diesel! My parents had owned GM since 1969 and have had good luck except the ones from the late 70's/early 80's.
Again, I think the Navigator is a top notch vehicle and I think Ford makes a good product. I don't care for the power window switches on the console (like my Mercedes). I also like that the Escalade offers rear seat heaters, I don't think the Lincoln does.
Just my .02 worth. Mark
If the new escalade has the features you want then go for it. plz dont get the impression that the cadillac is bad, because that was not my intention...just maybe not as good as the Navi (I am biased)
Rich
Of course, If I had half a brain for these things I'd go back there, open the rear window and make sure nothing was pressed up against the hatch.. but guess how often I remember to do this??? This truck needs a cargo net in the back big time! This way, no more SPLATS!! I don't see cargo net hooks back there so I'm thinking it cannot be done.
Anyone out there with an'03 gator have similar issues and how have you remedied it (aside from a brain transplant).
As to Wearecare (jim52)... with my dealer my truck would have to be pretty banged up to get wear and tear costs piled on after a lease.. but I guess this can vary from store to store. If you are planning to lease again from this dealer you'll probably never see a wear and tear charge.
BUT I'd be curious to see what EXACTLY this policy covers -- worn tires?? large dents?? ripped leather?? Also, what are they charging you for this policy? If you're doing a long-term lease (let's say 48 months), don't plan on leasing from this dealer again, the policy doesn't have a million exemptions and if it is reasonably priced then it might be worth it.
Try a hard cargo floor cover-mat (all weather), that has raised edges. That should help quite a bit.
A net would be nice, but alas, it's not a reality.
Loaner Cars: I'm not sure what the Lincoln policy is, but my dealer has always provided a loaner for me. I've bought a lot of cars there.
MEMO TO FORD: Please add cargo hooks to the truck.. its a small, cheap accessory, but an IMPORTANT ACCESSORY when you have a power liftgate. Most SUV's out there have them (my 00 gator had one)why not my wonderful '03?!?!?!?