Hi all:

I've seen some generic info on this topic elsewhere online, but nothing specific to our cars like I might find here. If there's already an existing thread please feel free to direct me.

I'm (eagerly) anticipating delivery of my special order '13 GT Premium Coupe (SGM, 6MT, Track Pack, Black 401A, Glass Roof, Electronics Package, Pedestal Spoiler Only, et al) within the next couple of weeks. It's a combo I've not seen in person or in pictures online yet, so I'll post some shots as soon as I can.

Between now and then I want to instruct my dealer on what to do and what not to do prior to my driving it away, and I'd welcome some guidance. Although I've seen pictures and videos of what our cars look like fresh off of the transporter, I'm not familiar with the typical dealer preparation regimen so I can pick and choose what to have them do and what to tell them to skip. What I don't want is to tell them to skip something that I won't be able to do later for lack of tools / expertise or something that could bite me later service-wise if I say, "Don't touch the car."

The only things I am certain of are:

1. I don't want the front bumper drilled (I'll install an aftermarket frame later that bolts on more discreetly). I know about the tiny pilot holes from the factory -- oh well...
2. No dealer advertisement stickers
3. I want the protective film left on at least the nav screen (I'll be putting the custom Lexerd screen protector on right away) and the black back panel (not sure what I'm going to do with that yet, but I'll do something -- clearbra, etc. -- to keep it from getting scratched as its bound to).

Other than those things, I'm open to suggestions. I know some will tell the dealers not to touch anything; are these cars basically customer / road-ready when they're unloaded at the dealer?

Thanks in advance!

 

Okay. This is easy.

I repeatedly told them, "DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING." Just let them know, if you touch ANYTHING, I will not buy the car. It's a little extreme, I know, but there have been people who instructed as clearly as possible and still ended up with license plate holes.

When I got there, all the seat and floor covers were still there, factory stickers and films all still on the car. Dirty as hell, which I was happy to see. I was going to clay bar and wax the very next day so I did not need them to wipe it down with raggedy rags.

It wasn't until the next day did I realize that they didn't even drill the rear license plate holes. GOOD!

 

I told them not to do a thing.. They did exactly that. P.S. don't be too worried about the decklid/backpanel Its a plastic, it does not scratch like black paint does. I was worried but it just doesn't scratch easily

 

I told them not to do #1 and #2 on your list. They didn't. I was happy.

Before my car arrived I found out what booze my salesman liked - and then I took him a big jug to facilitate the process. Then I told him about #1 and #2 on your list. (I hate getting hit with #1 and #2).

 

I'm glad I buy used. This way I can drive the car off the lot and not worry about plastic on screens and panels. It's a fun car to drive!

 

I'm in NJ so we have to have front plates. I've read about a few alternatives than drilling holes in the front, does anyone have any links?

 

Dealers also make money by adding things like tint and pin stripes or mud guards and paint sealant. Not as likely that they would throw them on a car that's been ordered thru retail, but maybe worth mentioning. I know I will. Also you prolly paid for a full tank of gas, which means some schmuck is gonna rip the snot out of your new car on the way to the gas station where he'll put 87 octane E-10 in it Think I'll skip that and let them keep my $65 fuel charge if I can't get it refunded.

I'm gonna tell my dealer a few days before arrival to do absolutely nothing to it. And I'm gonna show up and watch it unloaded from the truck, and keep a careful eye on it until my paperwork is done. I'm also gonna slip the transport driver $20 and see if he'll let me pull it off the truck. We'll see how that goes.

Don't forget also that you still have to visit the F&I office and give them one last chance to rape you. Stay strong and don't buy any of the silly dealer add on.

Your cars very similar to mine, good choices!

 

So true about being raped in the office. My finance guy tried selling me everything. The best one was the stolen car policy. Basically, you pay $300 to put an etch on your car and you won't have to pay your deductible if your car gets stolen, lol. Well, I said to the guy, my insurance covers stolen vehicles and my deductible is $500. He tried everything on me, finally I just said if it costs extra I'm not buying it. That saved a ton of time.

 

My dealer was cool, i told him not to do anything to the car. He obliged, because this particular dealer has a tendency of putting those decals on the back of the car. He also told me that if a dealer removes the Window Sticker from your car without your permission, they can be fined several thousands of dollars.

 

Here's a question. So I already signed my order agreement where I have my monthly payments, what I have due at signing, what options I chose, my deposit amount, etc. What if when my car gets here they BS me and say oh you need to put more $ down or they try to up my monthly payments, or maybe even one of my options I chose isn't on the vehicle? Not saying they will do this, (hoping not) but if they do, am I entitled to get my deposit back and walk away without any penalties? Even though on the bottom of the agreement says deposit non-refundable?

 

My rear license plate holes are not drilled either. What size bit are we supposed to use?

 

I think the screws they (Ford) supplies are self tapping. Apply a small amount of pressure while screwing in.

Just be sure to watch the prep person as they do it if you're having them put on the plate. When my son went to pick up his first brand new Dodge Neon SRT-4, the sales person screwed the rear plate on about 1 inch lower on the right side. We made them order a new painted rear plastic bumper because of it!

 

Well, it seems like every dealer does business differently. When I ordered my car my salesman went over a rough estimate of what the car would cost based on a similar invoice. I agreed and he literally drew an X_______ on the order sheet and I signed and gave him my Amex to put down $500.

By doing that, I could dispute the charge if they tried to play games. Once the car came and they did the credit check they were able to tell me how much I needed to put down and what the invoice would be.

It sounds like you did the same thing, but as long as you charged the order payment to your credit card they can't really jack with the price. In my case, the price went down but because I'm only 23 I had to put a fairly large down payment down in order to not have a co-signer.

 

Amex as well, they're the best in backing you if need be. Yeah they ran the credit check and all that was done, I already filled my credit application. I'm expecting it to be exactly what's on my order doc and not a penny more. If it is I'll walk...

 

I dont think the dealer drilled the holes in the front. Here where i am only rear license plate is required and no cars have front license plate. but my car came in with two tiny holes in the front bumper. i think it might be how they are out of factory.

 

Question for those that detail....

How soon after I receive my car can I have it clay'd and waxed?? I'd like to get the rail dust out of / off of the car as soon as possible

 

i did mine right away, car was very dirty when it got to the dealership. touchless auto wash if it has too much dirt on it, and then handwash, clay, polish, (clear bra if needed,) wax, drive, happy.

 

I'm definitely getting the clear bra installed. but not until after I get my Roush front bumper cover. I'm getting the hood and front fender sections done, black section between tail lights, mirror covers and strip along the roof above the windshield.... and then the front bumper cover when the Roush piece becomes available.

 

I let the dealer do the whole car. They pulled it into a prep area, with a full glass wall, so I could watch them work on the car. They cleaned the entire car, and the engine compartment. After they finished, I walked the car with the salesman and looked it over for scratches, swirls, chips, paint flaws, etc. We then sat in the car and checked the interior, and he explained the operation of Sync. He also took my phone and loaded it into the car, and then demo'd how the whole thing worked by having me make a phone call. Quite honestly, I was extremely pleased with the dealer prep, and no dealer tag on the rear, without me telling them. I have been back for service several times, as well as having two TSB actions worked on. The car always comes back just as clean as when I drove in. Great service!

 

This was similar to my experiance. No stickers, no plate holes, and the car was detailed flawlessly when i picked it up. It was obvious that they even waxed it but I could not find any swirls or scratches. Very pleased.