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Steve
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Ya know, it helps a lot to bring 2 friends with when car shopping. The reason for 2 is that you don't want to end up with the car someone else wants (if you brought one friend, and THEY talked you into something). Two friends can also help ask you and the dealer questions which you might not think of. You should write down on a piece of paper what you are looking for before you even go there. Include color, options, etc.
Then, do as someone else said, and sleep on it. Go elsewhere and compare prices/packages/deals. Then come back here and ask away.
Good luck.
P.S. Don't forget to check out JEEP Wrangler before you buy anything. Take one for a test drive. I bet if you do, you'll want one.
I know I should have asked about the invoice, etc. - I know the sticker was 24.6 - but I am leasing and with $1,500 down they want 425 a mon/36mos. Is this unreasonable - I already suffered price shock when I was looking at the Sebring for 398mo/39mos. (dont you just love the extra 3 months + yearly registration fee).
What makes it worse it that my salesperson is a friend of many years so I have a certain trust - and he hays after starting at 2000 down and 465 month - I should jump now - especialy if I want the yellow because they go quickly. I need a sanity check here - do these numbers sound very wrong or right?
ALso, I understand the reidual is low because they dont know how the market will do - but what is the market does well and I am spending a fortunate in lease payments because of low residual value?!
help.
You sound like your afraid your going to miss the opportunity of a lifetime. Its a "CAR" for heavens sake. I am no expert on leasing, but go to "carbuyingtips.com" for a better grip on the facts about leasing new vehicles.
I don't know what options you picked but my sticker was 23,700 & my invoice was about 22,000.
Nice profit huh?
Also, if you really trusted your "friend", would you be here now??
Good Luck!
I have talked to dealers in my area, and the statement about yellow is a lie. When they asked me about colour, they usually say "yellow is the hottest color", but then if you ask them to look around for blue or green, they can't find one. "But I can get you a yellow one yesterday", she said. ALSO, they are -not- going to run out (see point 3).
2. Leasing:
I am not an expert on leasing either - but I am paying 450 / month on a 60 month (credit union) loan. (I bought on the X-plan.) I don't know what the advantages are to leasing,
if it is more expensive, but again, www.carbuyingtips.com has lots of info.
--> my credit union offers something called a "payment shaver loan" which works like a
lease. So even if you want to lease, you don't need to finance at the dealer.
3. Dealers:
Go to www.dealerconnection.com and put in your geographics. You can find dozens of dealers. Each will have two or three Escapes, one of them will always have close to exactly the car you want (they don't come w/ that many different option sets) -- so relax, let them
sweat over you instead of the other way around. Shop at another dealer and compare their stories. Get more info.
P.S. If you are considering -buying-, check out the X-Plan (see post 172) and save 1500-1800 bucks.
You guys are great with this "sleep on it mentality," but have you ever heard of a little something called "impulse buying?" Our friend Melissannh is falling victim to it as we speak! I, too, am definitely an impulse buyer, but have somehow been staying in control, although I'm not sure how (not enough money, mostly). I almost leased the Escape last October for $330/month for 4 years. But...the guys at work talked me out of it, and it was the best thing I ever did.
Now, I've had the time to research the vehicle, test drive other vehicles (Jeep Wrangler is just not what I want, nor my style sasquatch -- I did look at the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, but backed off based on price and it really is too much vehicle for me), and I KNOW I definitely want an Escape. I want a black (yeah, yeah, I'll be washing it plenty) XLT, 4X4 V6 (for the tough MN winters). The only other accessories I care about are: moonroof, center console (which I can't imagine not having -- where do you put your arm?!?!), and the split back seat (hence the XLT). Remote keyless entry is cool, and also standard with just the XLS. So...I think I've got my bases covered...hopefully I'll run across a good deal!
It's just convincing my parents that I want a NEW vehicle that is the stalling point for me right now (in addition to saving a few more bucks for a down payment). They seem to think I should wait until at least the 2nd year of a new model...they'd like to see me buy used actually. But hey, it's my life, right?
I understand where Melissannh is coming from though. There is this urgency around getting the vehicle right away, right that second, otherwise it will be gone. But, the fact of the matter is that if we can wait long enough, more options will be available (no boundaries option, recalls taken care of, etc.).
A very good point, seriously.
Sounds like that would be easy. It is convincing them you NEED it that will be tough.
center console: Your arm (hands, really) should be at 10 and 2.
More good leasing info in Lease Questions - Ask Here
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
So now I am just accruing more miles - and the sooner I return my vehicle the less I pay - so there is urgency that I don't care for. (I wont get all soft on you - but msg. boards like this do help to reinforce sanity at very insane times. Is amusing to see my emotion interpreted by other adults = Your right - I seem panicky and I don't want to be - but I am.) There is an endorphin rush though just walking into the showroom........I think its the new car smell trigerring a mixture of fear and anticipation, coupled with a sense of new excitement - its almost as good as.......ok you get the point....
I received several sales calls inquiring if I will take the 36mo/$425 lease - through gritted teeth I said I had to still think about it - I have shopped around - there is a dealer that does custom work/upgrades on a lot of their cars - which is a great selling tactic - I looked at a Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 with a custom theater DVD player in the backseat for the kids - with surround sound. Of course, my 6yr old promptly jumped in the back and of course they were playing A Bugs Life. I have to admit it was very cool - a cool $1,900 option. But that XL-7 worked out to be around 425 month too - and I get the satisfaction of knowing I am NOT getting a 1st year car.
You would think car companies would sell the first year at great prices - to sort of "test market" the 1st yr model, high sales&lots of drivers - they could work out all the inevitable quirks quickly.....but I guess that makes too much sense.
I am glad I waited because I didnt have the confidence I needed to sign - but the Escape I want is the fully loaded Yellow (I too need a moonroof - boy when did I get so spoiled), and I dont expect it to last the week at the dealer....
OKAY _ Have another question for you knowledgeable folks -!
Are Presidents Day sales "gimmicky", or will I really incur good value if I wait it out - and look at lease options/programs then? Remember every mile I drive KA*CHING - .15 cents - but is it worth it to wait 2 more weekends?! Thanks people! ;-)
Good Luck!
I live in Grand Junction, CO and I drove to Greeley just to get it. I found out about Ford dealer's internet department through a friend living in Denver. The dealer ordered it just the way I wanted and only asked $200 over invoice plus dealer handling $159.00. I am sure that the internet is the way to buy one. If you live in or near Colorado I can give you the dealers name, address etc.
I hope this helps!
my email is mhall@getknown.com if you need further info.
My wife and I really love the vehicle but are really put off by the practices and the principal of the whole incident. We do not want to wait another 14 weeks for another vehicle and with the exception of the privacy glass, we think this is an outstanding vehicle. Had the salesman been up-front about his intentions to tint instead of replace, I'm sure we could have worked things out and I probably would have taken delivery anyway.
Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can go to get some satisfaction with this issue? Also, can anyone give me some advice on
window tinting and whether I should consider it.
Oh by the way, the name of the Dealership:
Sutton Ford, Matteson, Illinois (708)720-8000. The General Managers name is Ken Perry and the salesman name is John Crawford. Steer clear of this high volume dealership, their practices are less than admirable.
How have you been harmed by all this? Yes, you have been misled into thinking that the dealer is going to tint the existing glass as opposed to replacing it, but how is that such a big deal? Will the locally-tinted windows be inferior to the ones the factory would have installed? Does it justify your outrage and time spent trying to make the dealer's employees look like criminals for it? Again, if this is your worst complaint about buying a new vehicle, count your blessings and move on.
YES, they will.
lease on new Escapes (12,000 miles/yr)
I would be very interested to know if this is perceived as an expensive deal to you - if the ratio is the same or not......
I wonder - if I took one way car rental to Omaha - bought the vehicle - I would spend maybe 200 to get out there - and then save what would have been my 1500 down payment (less your 349) and my 425/monthly payment x 36 months - versus your 349 paymentx36mo Thats $3,887 in savings!
There some interesting food for thought in what "convience factors" would prevent me from doing that...hhmmmm...........
My comments were not to bad mouth the vehicle but rather, to point out the extremely poor customer service that I received while purchasing my new vehicle.
With regard to "counting my blessings", I think it is a pathetic shame that any consumer would expect and accept cheating and lies while making a purchase of such significance. In my opinion, what the sales person did was criminal. Furthermore, for the dealership to accept his practice and arrogantly state that they could have made much more money on the deal with a "take it or leave it" attitude astounds me.
No... it's not the end of the world, but unless consumers are willing to stand up to this type of behavior, we can continue to expect being treated in this manner. Make no mistake, we really love the vehicle but the dealership deserves some wrath for their unethical business practices.
Also, IMHO, 425 a month for a lease seems outrageous. I think you could buy an Escape for that with a 48 mo loan - that is unless you get bored with vehicles very easily.
A good detailer should warranty his(her)work for at least a year.
As far as the "deception" angle is concerned. I concur that the salesman was less than forth right & should be reprimanded. The manager should be fired since he is ultimately responsible for his salemans actions.
Good Luck!
My question is: What of the options that are listed as N/C or $0.00(tow package & 16"tires I/full cladding)? Are they automatically included on the vehicle even though they are not listed on the order form (contract)?
Thanks for any input!
for their leather you can get aftermarket heaters
put in by most customizers. Factory heater seats are nothing more then a heater pad placed between leather slipcover and foam cushion.
For the DIY'ers, here is a link that sell the heaters for about $160 canadaian (about $100US).
http://calgary.shaw.wave.ca/~csobchuk/Comfort_Seat/index.html
lastly, To suvshopper4 about tint....
seems like you'd fit
right in at that dealership since you must be either a foolish buyer or a slimey salesman. Aftermarket tint sucks and it looks like crap compared to factory tint.
It may be a good idea to try and obtain a complete listing of all options and features that should be on the vehicle you ordered.
Several years ago I placed an order for a new Dodge Shadow S. At the time I ordered, I specified the options I wanted in addition to the standard features. When the vehicle arrived 10 weeks later, it was missing several of the features that were supposed to have been standard and even a couple that I had specified as options.
For example, it was supposed to have alloy wheels standard. Instead it arrived with steel wheels with wheel covers. It was supposed to have speed control, but it wasn't installed. Even the hood installed on the car was different than what should have been on it. When we asked the dealer what had happened, he stated that we ordered in the middle of the model year and that the assembly line had begun re-tooling for the '93 model year. So I had received a '92 model year car re configured to some '93 model year cosmetic and content changes (namely the elimination of standard speed control, alloy wheels were no longer standard, different style hood, etc.) We declined the car and kept looking elsewhere.
If I were to ever order a vehicle again, I would get a complete listing attached to the order of all features (both standard and chosen as options) that should be on the vehicle at delivery. That way, if anything is missing it is carder for the dealer to make up excuses or try to sneak in a different vehicle just to fill the order.
Just my $.02
Thanks
Ryan
My next question to all is : What is the average wait for a vehicle after you receive the "vin" #?
Thanks!
Second question, any thoughts about avoiding the first month of a new model year? I wonder what the production delays will be in the fall...
Thanks for any advice.
When you apply there is a question to answer such as when do you intend to buy, within 3mos? 6mos? one year? that implies that it is good for up to a year, but why not contact them by phone when you join and they may be able to answer your specific questions accurately. Have your credit card and social security number handy. Someone posted that they got their membership number and PIN number over the phone on the same call when they joined. You can get the EAA phone number on www.eaa.org Be sure to ask them about qualification for Ford Escape since I think only Escape/Tribune qualification may be expiring, not the X/S Plans for other models. They will send you a membership card later to prove you are a member when you pick up your car. You just need your membership number and PIN to buy it. That's how I ordered mine and it was no problem with the dealer since the Ford computer will have a record to check your PIN too. Hope this helps.
However, this technique won't work with the driver-side rear seat cushion because it's too wide and will interfer with those models equipped with the console.
The truly aggravating thing about this whole camper, converting-the-seats-to-a-bad business is that if Mazda/Ford had used front seats with removable headrests, it might have been possible to simply lay both front seats down completely flat in conjunctions with the flat-folded rear seat and the rear cushions removed. You'd have some real stretching room with no gaps, then.
only other question is, would one also be able to take advantage of a college/grad student discount and financing with the X plan also?
thAAnks
Another thought came to mind, any chance the MACH system also plays MP3 music? Lot nicer to have 200 titles on one CD that can read MP3 than have wires running around from a portable player.
Good Luck
The fuel smell fix has been engineered and will be announced very soon when there are enough replacement gaskets and manifolds available.
Demand for Escape is so high that dealers sell out their stock quickly and factory orders have taken about three months with the heavy ordering for spring. The assembly line always ran fast and long trying to catch up with demand. Parts vendors are struggling to keep up the pace.