Guys and Gals:

I thought I hit the jackpot today but now I have a concern. Here's the story (sorry for the length)...A little over a month ago I finally started the ordering process on a Redfire GT. After talking with 3 dealers I ended up putting a deposit down and taking over an order that had been submitted to Ford's order bank already for a month but the person had backed out, hadn't been scheduled though so we could change options and thus I thought I would have a better chance at scheduling and be ahead a month on "The Wait". All fine and good I resigned myself to "The Wait".

Salesmen at the other two dealers both submitted orders to match my specs (we thought) but didn't take a deposit and figured they would be able to sell any GT they got in anyway. I called both and told them I had committed at another dealer BUT if they somehow came out ahead of this large dealer and got an allocation and a build scheduled on the unit I speced I would cancel the deposit and come over to them as long as they could provide proof the unit was indeed scheduled.

Today one of the other dealers called, the unit has been scheduled for build the week of 4/25 (I've confirmed with the ERL this evening after getting a copy of the VOC and also looking at the Order Managers schedule and confirming my order # had the same status as on the big list).

Hallelujah!!! Looks like I might have a Mustang before July!! Permagrin on my face all the way home as visions of a Mustang summer danced in my head...then...the other shoe dropped...I came home this evening and sat down to compare the orders from both dealers and found that this unit is MISSING the Active Anti-Theft option!!! %$%^$%#!!! I overlooked it in the brief sit down I had with the guy because I didn't think they would be getting my business anyway...wouldn't you know it!!!

So...the question...is it worth giving up an order that has been scheduled for build in a couple of weeks and has a VIN or can I have the option added by the dealer later...or is it worth worrying about at all???

I live in the 'burbs and not in a high crime district...currently all the sites I visit in my work have secure parking areas. Even without the active there is a passive anti-theft capability built into the 05 anyway isn't there???

Additionally, This dealer is asking MSRP (no markup) though the one I have a deposit with (but an unscheduled as of yet order) was doing $500 under MSRP. Given the recent rumors and the depressing length of the wait I think I can deal with MSRP if they throw in some goodies like free oil changes, etc. (they are 3 blocks from where I work so convenient) which they said they will. What do you all think about the situation...should I hold with the original order or take the new one and deal with the lack of anti-theft or look into having it dealer installed or go aftermarket????

Thanks in advance folks!!!
Greg

 

I'd call the dealer that has the scheduled build date and ask if the Anti-Theft feature can be installed at the dealership at a later date. If so, I'd go with that one and have it installed later, even if "later" means a couple months.

 

Personally, I wouldn't worry about the active anti-theft, go aftermarket if you want. Like you said, it already has the passive.

But, if you really want it, be ready for a very long wait, and your next order will probably be for a 2006.

 

Check out some of the posts here regarding Ford not going to build 13,000 Mustangs for which there are exisitng orders. Personally, I could live without the anti-theft.

 

What's the big deal with that anyway? What does the active anti-theft even do than the standard passive doesn't?

 

Yup, the active anti-theft isn't that big a deal. An aftermarket system will do just fine in it's place. Get the car!

The included passive system consists of coded keys.

 

Greg. I'll say it once. GET THE CAR! You won't regret it. It's better to have solid numbers, such as a firm price and a build date than a nebulous status with little hope.

Trust me.

 

Isn't the active anti-theft option like 250$? You could buy a 12 gauge for less than that, and it would be a far more effective anti-theft system

 

You might want to ask the dealer to add the theft system to your scheduled order. A minor option like this can usually be added up until the order is locked in for production, about 10 days prior to build.

 

Nice to see you Bruce!

 

Bruce...I thought once it had a build date options couldn't be changed??? But you're right it is worth a try...will be doing first thing tomorrow!!!

 

Hey Chris!! (And the rest who have replied so far!)

You're right and that's the way I'm heading, might try to hold out until Friday and see if the original order gets scheduled (with lower price and all options)...though there is probably as much chance of that happening as Carroll Shelby committing to build a new Volkswagen GT500 Cobra Edition!!!

...I'm going to check with the dealer in the morning about adding the option to the order or if it can be done by the dealer...that will likely cinch things up.

I'm still excited!!!!

 

You should be! It's getting closer....

 

this is why some people can't get their cars because *explicative* people like this guy orders the same car at 3 dealerships. Thanks a lot.

 

Hey Dustin...back it up there buddy...I didn't do anything other than provide the specs...the dealers didn't have cars to match so they in an effort to snag my business placed the orders supposedly as part of their retail order.

As I said I did not put any $'s down at the other dealers...I figured it was just a sales gimmick to snag me into sitting in their order bank for months because they didn't have allocation (order numbers like 9999 sure look like "placeholders" to me).

I didn't figure I would ever hear back from them given the number of legit people I figured would be putting down real money deposits but I gave them an opening if they should prove to be more than hot air and one of them has...someone else can have my slot already nice and warm in the bank at the original dealer just as I snagged it initially from someone else who canceled.

I think the key to the situation would be for Ford to only take orders for which there are PAID deposits...not just Joe Salesguy trying to lure another unsuspecting sap into their web. CelticCub and I both had similar experiences with the same dealers, and I'm sure we're not the only ones.

Sorry to tee you off amigo...

 

active antitheft system cant be put on after factory, at least thats what I was told. I like the dealer alarm system, with its global open window feature as well as every aftermarket alarm I have ever ordered always went off when it rained, when dogs barked etc. But if your ok with that then stick with the one scheduled.

 

It's true. I never placed an order with the first dealer. All I did was have them appraise my car. I merely told them what I intended to order, but I never signed anything, and they never wrote up a sales agreement. They never asked for a deposit, nor did they say they could guarantee me a car. They INSISTED that they put the car "into the system" (whatever that means), and enter it as a stock unit. We never discussed price. That's what got me nervous. I told them that I didn't feel as though I had placed an order, because the car they entered into the system wasn't earmarked for me, but was intended to be a stock unit. They said not to worry, that they didn't need a deposit and that we would work up a sales agreement once the car arrived at the dealership. The whole "deal" reeked. I told them I wasn't interested. They didn't seem to care. They said the car would be delivered regardless, and that they wouldn't have any trouble selling it.

Two days later, I ordered my car at the second dealer and they accepted a $500 deposit from me. I paid $775 under MSRP, with no purchase plans. Twelve days later, I got a build date. End of story.

 

UPDATE...I talked to the dealer yesterday and they were able to change the order. I checked ERL this morning and status still says "as of 3/31 your order is scheduled to be built week of 4/25" so apparently no adverse effects. My fingers and toes are crossed! Will go in next week and get an updated printout of the order to confirm the option is on.

Thanks all!