Yeah, no matter what, don't settle. Trust me. It always feels cool to have a new car, but then after about 2-3 weeks, if there's something you compromised on, that's when the regret kicks in. And by that time, it's too late, especially if you financed it and didn't put much down ('cause then you're upside down, and it'll take at least 2-3 years before you'll have the car paid down enough to break even (or actually get something back).

Over a year ago, I bought a 2007 V6 Pony Package. I originally wanted a GT, but I was talked out of it by my parents who said "Oh you don't need that" or "It'll use too much gas" or "You can't afford it". So, in February of 2007, I ordered a Mustang V6, Pony Package in Blue w/ Parchment interior, Navigation, and Comfort Group. However, after almost a month, the dealer had told me nothing, no VIN, no build date, nothing. Oh yeah, first he said Premier Trim (which I really wanted) was not available on a V6 so that wouldn't be happening, and that Ford would also not put Navigation on a V6 either, so my Mustang would not have Nav.

Well, at the time I was driving a Ford Probe w/ 230,000 miles on it. The last repair had cost me $400, because the only vendor in the area who sold a certain $50.00 part wanted $300 for it because they stopped making Probes in 1996. I knew the steering was going because every time I turned the wheel it sounded like I was grinding corn. Well, I started checking the internet and found a V6 Pony package Mustang in Red w/ Gray interior, no Comfort Group, and it was the only one in Southern California at the time that came closest to what I was looking for.

So, I jumped the gun, bought the car, and within a month regretted it. I realized that what I really wanted was a Blue Mustang w/ the Comfort Group, Navi, and if at all possible, the Premier Trim package. I thought about retrofitting all three, and the cost would have been astronomical (probably in the range of $5,000+). I also really regretted not buying the GT. Shortly after my purchase, I started a new job making more money and I easily could have afforded the payments on a new GT.

However, by that time, it was too late. V6 Mustangs plummet in value within the first year!

Nevertheless, flash forward to the 2008 Labor Day Weekend sale w/ $6500 in rebates on 2008 Mustang GT's. I went to the dealership just to see if this would even be possible. Unfortunately, it was too late to order an '08 (and there were no rebates on '09's) but I figured that if I could come close, I'd make the jump again. This time, I told the dealer that I wanted a Blue GT w/ manual transmission and the Premier Trim w/ color accent package, and Comfort Group and that I would not compromise on those three. I wasn't so hot on stock Nav anymore after seeing the AVIC-D3, and I figured that any other options I could retrofit later.

Well, after a rather long and brutal negotiation session, I ended up with my current Blue GT w/ Premier Trim, Dark Charcoal interior (I would have preferred Black & Parchment, but it looks cool!), manual transmission, and Comfort Group. And, I got the whole thing for $8,000 under sticker, which basically wiped out what I would have still owed on the V6 after the trade. So, I'm now a lot wiser, and I have a car which I know I'm going to keep for at least several years.

Bottom line, though, I got very lucky. I haven't seen those Labor Day sale rebates repeated, and even if they are at Thanksgiving or New Year's, there would not have been many 2008's to choose from (if any). Not only that, I don't think dealers are ordering too many 2009's since it's a shortened model year and the 2010's are going to be on lots in roughly 6 months.

If I were you, and you don't like the styling of the 2010's, by all means, special order a 2009 ASAP. That way, you get whatever you want, and you don't have to compromise. Just make sure you order the Premier Trim package. It's a really cheap option, about 1/10th of what it would cost to retrofit it yourself, and you get a lot with it (leather wrapped dash, armrests, console lid, pedal covers, etc), as you probably know.

 

MetalMustang,

Once you choose a dealer, keep in mind that they can check inventory across the state and in neighboring states to see if anyone has what you are looking for on there lot and can usually trade one of their vehicles to get what you want. When I bought my first Mustang I had very specific items I did and did not want and I couldn't order one, because the Dearborn plant had just had a massive explosion and was shut down. Luckily another local dealer took delivery two days later of exactly what I wanted, so they made a trade and I got my car. Plus, you might even be able to score an '08 and save a few more bucks.

BTW....I always got some good deals on parts/install at DallasMustang there in the Metroplex, so you might want to check them out if you haven't already.

 

While that is 100% true, in this timeframe, with sales not nearly what they were, a dealer would be dumb as rocks, to not accept an X-Plan deal. I know we will take it on any car except a Hybrid Escape (just can't get these things at all!) and GT500.

 

Don't be ashamed of owning an automatic. Shifting gears in heavy traffic is overrated. The best thing to do is to go to a dealer and ask for an order sheet and pick what you want then have the dealer order it.

 

You guys have been awesome with all the insight you've provided, so thank you again, the help has been immense. I'm off to the dealerships tomorrow to see who will offer what and if I cant find myself a decent salesman to work with...The "good ol boy" stereotype can be painfully true down here...at least I should get a little better treatment now that my hair is short though...Couldn't get the time of day from them with long hair until I had a friend take me there in his corvette (of course then all they did was talk about how no mustang I got would ever keep up with it...thanks geniuses...).

I'm going to go forward assuming that I wont get an x-plan PIN since the odds seem low, but still check and see if I can get lucky as soon as I have a solid plan ready. Thanks again for all the positive comments and feedback!

 

MetalMustang,

I moved away from Dallas two years ago now, but when I was there, I had discussed a Mustang purchase with a sales rep at North Richland Hills named Sara and she was very laid back and easy to work with.....not sure if she is still there, but might be worth a shot.

....oh, and my 2 cents...don't be ashamed to get an automatic, but also don't be intimidated by the manual trans, just because you haven't had the chance to learn. I never drove a manual until I bought my first Mustang 10 years ago and in all honesty, it only takes about a week at the most to get everything down pat, including starting on a hill. Now, I wouldn't dream of going back to an automatic, because I love the additional control you have with a manual trans. ...but just my 2 cents.

 

jcc07, the "corn cracking steering" was probably a CV joint going out. like $300 to replace, or $300 more down on a mustang..


I would try a little harder to get an x plan pin, go on blueoval forums and request one there. or buy 1 share of ford.

 

Yes, the purchase of Ford stock (right now, its under $5 a share), will get you the ability to buy a car at X-Plan!!! Do this, it makes things easier!!!

As for finding someone to help you order it. If you go into a dealership (and this worked for my customer who ordered his GT/CS from me), as if any of the salespeople are into Mustangs? My customer actually asked my boss, if, by any chance, did we have a "car/Mustang enthusiast" that worked here? Once he saw my office, he told my boss and my co-workers to leave a note for me, to have me call. He came in, when I wasn't working, and waiting till I arrived to chat about a purchase. He did this, as he wanted to talk to someone who was "into" the culture. For him, it made the purchase a piece of cake, as we both knew all the opitons and all the aftermarket itmes he wanted.

I know for a fact, that not alot of car sales people are into cars as much as I am (and the other salespeople on these boards and on other boards. The % is VERY LOW). Most see them everyday and don't want to deal with them on their off times (I LOVE weekends...car shows and cruise nights). But if you ask, you may find someone who has a Mustang and is as enthusiastic to order you your new car! Its worth a shot.

 

That's something interesting to consider, is there a wait period if I buy a piece of ford stock before I can get an x-plan pin? In all honesty I've never bought any stocks before (or had the spare capitol to do so) so I'll have to do some quick research on that now.

As for finding the right salesman, I actually had a salesman tell me that he didn't even care for mustangs (at a ford exclusive dealership!) "I'm to old to care about impressing chicks with some cheap sports car", can you believe that! He went on to tell me the only thing Ford sold that anyone should care about are their trucks...Needless to say the man lost my attention right then and there.

It's too bad I cant get a sale from the maintenance crew though, at the same dealership their head mechanic had a beautiful modded 07 GT (which he let me test drive, though I'm pretty sure he really just wanted me to hear the new exhaust he put on it haha) and he had a story for ever mustang he'd owned since the 70s. That will have to be my first words though then, to ask for their car enthusiast/mustang guy. Luckily there are a lot of Ford dealerships around here and I'm not afraid to drive a few hours.

 

When I ordered mine in '05 I sent off e-mails to the dealerships in the area with specifically what I wanted and told them I would go with the lowest price. I got a deal lower than MSRP and got exactly what I wanted...you should definately hold out for exactly what you want or you'll be kicking yourself later

 

Well, I just got back from the first dealership and it was Kind of a buzzkill; the guys there were terrible. I asked for the mustang/car enthusiast guy and they set me up with a guy who didn't even know what half the options were or if they could even get stripes on it for me. The guy acted like I wasn't worth his time too, left me sitting around for a good 20 minutes for no reason (twice), I almost got up and left. Then after he puts in my choices/options the price he gives me (including x-plan) was roughly the same as the MSRP numbers I got from Edmunds.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I was expecting somewhat different numbers since they've got cars on the lot with cheaper sticker prices...

I also just got told that investors cant use the x-plan by a dealer. He said "well I have plenty of stock in ford and I cant get one" When I replied "well, isn't that because you're a dealer, you get the D-plan?" And he kind of trailed off and said he'd have their mustang specialist call me back...

 

Dude,

Go elsewhere... They are not interested in helping you and it will not get any better...

My dealer was upfront and honest and so far has treated me with respect. I got the X-Plan via stock ownership and they gave me no trouble. They didn't take any cash to order and they have been very helpful... They called me 3 times to double check my order; the last time being right when they were about to push "go" on the order... That is service...

 

Hmm...So I talked to another dealer and he gave me a price that was about a thousand dollars lower (with the exact same setup/options/destination charges etc)...Isn't the x-plan a set price?

 

Yes, the X-plan is a set price and the dealer will show you the x-plan price on the invoice....provided you have an X-plan pin.

 

Xplan usually runs like 40 under dealer invoice. I had grabbed a hold back sheet for the 08s before I purchased one.

I think pretty much that Xplan is dealer with hold back and the family and employee is dealer price. Keeping in mind this sheet is outdated.

This is a sheet the salesmen get and he looked somewhat surprised when I pulled it along with an option list out of the folder I took in.

I actually made a phone call and told them I was looking at ordering a Mustang. When I got on the phone with the salesman I told him If I was going to get one it would be on Xplan but first I want to come in to test drive. That day I went in and drove a grabber orange 5spd with 3.31 rear and everything passed to say the least. I then left for whatever reason I don't remember. I think I was having a difficult time just commiting to the deal plus I needed to source a pin. A week later I went in after work and placed the order. Then it was about a 7 week wait. The salesman kept me updated by faxing in status updates as it went along. I also got on blueoval and got more details including the window sticker in a PDF. During the wait they had started 500 cash incentives. The day I took delivery they had just started $1000 incentives.

 

Hey Dan, I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles. Its dealers like that, that give my profession a VERY bad reputation and bad name. I just wish you lived closer than Dallas Texas, as I would love to order you the car under X-Plan, and it would be an easy transaction for you.

 

You know, I'd fly out to PA and buy it from you in a heartbeat if I could...this has proven far more complicated that I would have imagined. I've talked to seven dealerships now and have prices from two (both different) with promises from the rest to have prices "soon." Some told me they had to talk to their fleet manager to deal with ordering at all, some because it was for x-plan, one told me it would take a few days to get the information (with no reason supplied), and another simply insisted that he could find one on a nearby dealer lot and left me to search for that instead. When he called back with one about "nearby" grabber orange GT it was missing half the options I wanted, had several I didn't, and was 36 grand! I asked him what was so special about it that it would be so far above sticker and he simply replied "hey I'm just trying to present you with all the options here! Trying to save you from waiting!" He seemed a bit insulted when I suggested that I would be a fool to pay thousands of dollars extra for a car that wasn't what I even wanted.

Most of them were fairly rude and treated me like I had no idea what I was asking for (one actually insisted that I had to pay about $700 extra for satellite radio and mycolor even with the premium gt with premier packages). Though one guy was very nice, he seemed a little clueless, but the way things are going he might get my business simply because he was the only guy with a decent personality and a genuine desire to help me.

 

For the 08s anyway, I believe that satellite radio is extra. If I remember it was like 200 something. I opted not to get it because of the visible antenna. The my color is part of the IUP. Unless your talking about ambient lighting which was like a high 200 dollar option I think. You should be able to see the price list above.

Maybe someone has posted an 09 price list so you know almost exactly what you're looking at.

The salesman I worked with had been at that dealership for over 30 years and while he didn't know the minute details of all the options, he was pleasant to deal with. I did establish right away that I knew exactly what I wanted and how I wanted it so that may have helped but most likely this guy had enough experience to know how he needs to make the sale the best way. I noticed some of the younger salesman looked like some kind of gangster/ hi roller and I don't think I would have even wanted to talk to them. I was 25 at the time by the way.

 

Hey Dan,

I'm a local guy, maybe I can help with some of your questions! There are a "few" dealerships in DFW, I am sure there has got to be a good salesman at one of them. PM sent.

Tim

 

Hey Dan, I may be able to do something for you. Ever hear of "drop shipping" a car? Its where you order the car from a dealer, out of state, and have them put in the dealer ship number nearest to you. You do all paperwork over the phone and via mail. The car is built and instead of shipped at my dealer, its sent to the dealer of your choice, where they do a "courtesy delivery". Prep it, inspect it, detail it. I've been doing this job for almost 12 years, but never did one of these. Would you like me to look into it tomorrow? I can order it X-Plan (as long as you get a PIN), and its built to your EXACT specs. Let me know if you want me to ask my boss about it.