After using my 66 Mustang as a daily driver for years I've decided to make it my weekend car and buy a 08 GT for my day to day use.

Can someone please explain how ordering a mustang works? I haven't found a thread that explains it. I have the 08 ordering guide and know what options I want but I want to know the process before I walk into a dealer.

What is the process? How long does it usually take? Can I do it at any Ford dealer? etc...

I live in Southern California so there are a lot of Ford dealers near me.

Any info would help. Thanks

 

Hey Edgar, if the dealer is efficient in his knowledge, it won't take you long at all. You meet with someone and tell them you want to ORDER a car, not take one on the lot. Then you sit down and tell him/her what options you want in the car, transmission, colors, etc. Once they have them on paper, they will go to a computer and imput all the options into CONCEPTS, the dealer computer system that you use to order cars. When he's done, he/she will come out with a price and from there he/she and you can negotiate the price.

In regards to rebates, you get what is available when the car ARRIVES, not what is currently going on. Ususally take 6-8 weeks to get a car, depending on the dealer's allocation. With the holidays coming up, it will take a few extra weeks as AAI (the plant) closes for 2 weeks. You can order your Mustang from any Ford dealer, though some I know like it when they sell out of stock mainly. For me, I love ordering cars, as its guaranteed business when the car arrives. I'm sure you can find a dealer in your area that would love to order you a car instead of forcing a car on their lot onto you. If you want, I can price up the car the way you want it built, with all options, and let you know what the prices are going to be, so you have the info going into the dealer? If you want, either PM me the details, or give me a call later today (my number to the dealership is in my sig below). Even if I can't sell you a car, I'll be happy to offer my assistance. Look forward to hearing from you. Its a fun process and even more fun waiting for your new car to arrive.

 

thats a great offer

 

Ditto what hamrs said, and don't pay too much for it. Find out what the invoice price is from Jeff and use that info as power. this is what I did; I walk out to the lot and started looking at mustangs. Of course the salesman comes out. I told him I was considering one and could I test drive? Sure. I found one comparably equiped and test drove it. When we got back and he gives me the ol' "Well what did you think? Any way I can get you to buy today?" I said tell you what, I don't like haggling, I'm not in a hurry, and there are 20 more Ford dealers within 100 miles of us BUT, if you give me one for 500 over invoice I'll order it right now and give you the deposit. He checked with the sales manager, they both came over to me shook my hand and we had a deal. Very nice folks and it was a great experience. I got my car for 4000 less than the sticker on the one I test drove. OK, 2800 less if you don't count the ADM. It'll be fun for you. The hardest part was waiting.

 

The key though is to find a dealer that has a interest in mustangs. For a lot of Ford Dealers the mustang is just another product on the their lot. If you get a knowledgeable sales manager he will have all the ordering information for you. I believe one of the forums members is a Ford Dealer and I am sure there are several posts on this subject.

 

Ray, that forum member who is a dealer would be me. ! Edgar, send me over the car you want in a PM, with all the options, and I'll price it out for you and send you back the MSRP and invoice prices, so you know what to expect. Glad to help.

 

Or you can go to the Ford website

http://www.fordvehicles.com/

and build variations of your vehicle.

This helped me decide which options I really wanted.

Then Jeff can help you out with the details.

 

I did both my 05 & 07 from Ford site you can play around with differnt options to get a good idea of what you may or may not like, I wish they's have like an online chat available for when you have those kinda of questions that a dealer would not know, or ask them to incorporate the Sync system with it. If it were out when I ordered my 07 GT/CS I would have now I have to do it the HARD way. Oh Yaaah both Factory orders have run EXCELLENT !

 

Edgar, if you have patience, ordering is a very good way to go. In our gotta-have-it-now, instant-gratification American society, I guess it is no surprise that most people buy from stock. I think I have read that only 3% of orders are "customer orders."

The advice above is right on. As for me, I just tallied up that of the thirteen new cars I have purchased, seven have been special ordered (and three more were dealer trades for the exact vehicle I wanted). By doing so I ended up with precisely the car(s) I wanted.

I have fond memories of each of these processes. By and large all were painless, even pleasant. In doing so, I ended up with vehicles which are particularly unique-- like my recently purchased, highly-loaded Roush.

In doing your research you may find you want something unlikely to be in dealer stock (e.g. spoiler delete GT, chamois interior).

I'm glad others mentioned that the ordering and waiting process is fun.... I certainly think it is, because of what you can do during the wait. Specifically, contributors at blueovalnews.com (Ford employees at AAI) will track your car through the process if you ask them nicely. I believe there is a new process whereby the saleman can also do this. After the car is built, you can even follow its shipping progress by tracking the rail car. Furthermore, if you order under x plan, your name ends up on the window sticker. How cool is that!! You can always then back up your comment "I ordered this car special for me."

I also suggest asking for the "Mustang specialist" (like Jeff from above). Querying the receptionist when you call ahead might lead you right to him/her. Be up front with what you want to do and you will likely be a happy customer.

good luck

 

Thank you everyone! All the information really helped me understand how the ordering process works. I'm definately going to be patience and order the mustang I want rather then just picking one off the dealer lot.

Does anyone know why when I tried building a GT Coupe Premium on the Ford Website? It didn't allow me to select the Navigation System as an option. I made sure it wasnt conflicting with any other option and it still wouldn't let me select it.

 

you have to choose the premium not the deluxe package

 

Hey Edgar, you got a PM last evening. Got the prices listed for you.

 

Thank you Jeff!!! I got your PM. You really helped me with whole ordering process. I will keep everyone posted with what happens.

 

No problem at all Edgar. Glad to help out a fellow member. Good luck with your order!

 

Jeff was a big help for me after I ordered mine last year. I placed the order on 8/17, then waited 3 monts until she was delivered EXACTLY as I specified. I was able to call the dealer status hotline armed with my order number and find out exactly when she was being built and delivered.

 

Another question...Do I have to pay for the car in full since I'm ordering it?

I was planning on paying half of it and financing the rest. When are the finance details covered in the order process?, since the incentives are at the time of dealer delivery.

 

Hey Edgar. Happy Holidays. To answer your questions, no you don't have to pay for the car in full since you ordered it. Its the same as buying off the lot, except the incentives and or APR rates are based on when the car arrives. The dealer you are ordering it from, should make you aware that the rebates are based on when the car comes in. I really don't see the rebates going down. If anything, they may increase after January 2nd.

 

Thanks Jeff!
If I lived in a state near you I would go order it off of you. You've been a big help. If everything goes according to plan I will place my order in January.

 

Thanks for the kind words Edgar. I'm just glad I was able to help you out in the process and make sure your getting a fair shake.

 

I finally went in and ordered my own 2008 GT this week. Thanks to everyone for the help. The order process was extremely easy. I will never just get a car off the dealer lot now.

Special thanks to Jed (JedCranium) for recommending the sales guy and Jeff (05fordgt) for helping me with the pricing. Pics in 6 to 8 weeks when I get delivery.

Let the modding begin!!!