Sorry, I'm sure all this information can be found looking through past topics, but I think it'd be so much quicker if I just got replies to this post. I'm about to place an order on an 05 GT. I live in the Bay Area. This is the package I'm looking for:

Sonic Blue
Charcoal Cloth
IUP
Shaker 500
Side Airbags
Anti-theft

I've been told by one dealer that my order will take about 4 months because of the IUP. Is that realistic? Do you think I will even end up getting the car, or will I just have to wait for the 06 model year?

I want to offer $400 over invoice. Is that too high or too low? The first (and only) dealer I've talked to would only accept MSRP, but they were cocky. I remember some people saying they got just a little over invoice for a GT. You think I could get my price (or better) in the Bay Area? Dealer suggestions around here are more than welcome!!! I'm willing to drive up to a 100 miles away...

 

From what I know about CA, you'll end up paying MSRP at best. But I don't live there so don't ask me.

Noone is in total agreement on this, but your car won't be delayed 4 months because of IUP. It will be delayed because of dealer allocation, or lack thereof. There are lots of folks that ordered last October, November, December that still haven't been pulled. IMO, this is not because Ford can't prioritize, it's because their dealers have exhausted their allocation, or they have too many orders in front of them. Check with the dealer you intend to order from and decide based upon how many orders are in front of you, and what priority they will assign you.

I ordered from a small dealer out of town who only had one order in front of me, and they assigned my order a priority of 12, with a guarantee that no other orders would be given a priority 10 or 11.

As you can see from my signature, I ordered 1/25, got pulled 2/10, and my car was built today. I'll be 9-10 weeks when it's all said and done.

Good luck!

Sean

 

I live in the Bay Area and can tell you MSRP is probably the best you can do on an order unless you have X, A or Z plan (for Ford employees, friends, family and some professional affiliations like EAA). Some dealers want WAY over that. You might be able to order a V6 for invoice +$400 but not a GT.

I have X-plan (right around invoice) but ordered in mid-January from one of the few dealers around here who would accept it but I cancelled when I found out I probably wouldn't receive my car until June or July.

I ended up buying out of dealer stock for just below MSRP from one of the few dealers in the area not marking up stock units over MSRP. Magnussen Ford in Fremont has a Windveil Blue GT Coupe in stock (with no dealer-installed extras) and they are asking $8995 over MSRP!

 

Hmmm...my offer of $400 of invoice is not looking too promising... Anyone know of the situation just outside of the Bay Area like in Gilroy, Walnut Creek, Sacramento, etc, etc? I live in Redwood City, and I'd be willing to drive 100 miles or so...

 

I purchased mine from The Ford Store in Morgan Hill. They also have a location in San Leandro. I've checked around, and really believe they are the best deal in the Bay Area, but I could be wrong.

GTs there are $50 below MSRP; V6s are $450 above invoice. I believe those prices are the same whether you order or purchase from stock, but you might check with them to be sure.

The salespeople there are much lower pressure than at most other Ford dealers I've been to. I was referred there by a forum member and have referred another forum member to them. Worth checking out if you decide you are willing to pay $50 below MSRP.

There is at least one forum member from the Sacramento area. I recall some info being posted on dealers in that area, so you might want to try a search. I don't remember any great deals around there though, since I would have been willing to drive that far.