Since he's the only one to say it's 'off again' lets hope he was just reacting to being laughed at about the ADM.
He's a salesman, he was likely hoping to create a sense of 'better buy it now'

 

I just checked again, the pricing is good until at least march, he's full of it.

 

I kinda thought so, especially when he was treating a GT/CS as something nobody wanted. I guess i'm a nobody!

 

Every dealership I have visited or called has denied the X-plan telling me they cannot and will not accept it. Three dealerships will not even offer the Bullitt at MSRP. I have walked out of three dealerships with no deal. However, yesterday I put $500 deposit down for DHG Bullitt that just showed up on a dealer lot on Thursday we aggreed I will pay MSRP plus a cargo net thrown in to make me feel better for paying sticker price. All the other dealerships wanted over MSRP. I got all the options I wanted plus the ambient lighting that I am not to fond off. What a pain in the ___ buying this car has turned into. Here’s my story… if you’re interested.

Here’s how the Bullitt purchase started. Two weeks ago I started looking at some used Black GT/CS Mustangs online to replace my 1988 GT. I found a nice used on in Long Island and realized that purchasing new is really a better deal. In the process of building the GT/CS on Fords website, I come a across the Bullitt package. Clicked on it and liked the options that it came with. Everything I read about the 197s since it was released in 2005 has been great. I was planning on having a garage queen Mustang no matter what I type I got. Throw on top of an already great car a performance package and make it limited production and I was really interested, but not as interested as my wife. I was not initially sold on the look of the car, but my wife loved it. I got the green light purchase the Bullitt.

So if visited my local Ford dealership A (5 min. away) on Tuesday night to see if I could order a Bullitt with the options I wanted. The sales people knew nothing about the car other than it was limited production and IF they got one, they think the owner is going to sell it on eBay like he does with the 3 GT500's they get in each year. The guy that places the orders walked in the door and and expllains that he has already created a build sheet and he was just waiting for it be pulled into the system. The salesperson and ordering guy told me that I was welcome to make any changes I want and they will order it for me the way I want it. They told me that they would check with the owner because they were not sure of a price or if the car would be sold on eBay. They were not sure about the X plan either.

I went to dealership B (10 min. away) on Wednesday and asked if they are going to get any Bullitts and if they accept the X-plan. Two build sheets were created and waiting to go into the system. They sales manager told me Bullitts are being sold at $10,000 over MSRP, no X-plan. I laughed and left.

Thursday and Friday come and go. I look and look and look for Bullitts and absorbed any information I could find. I even took the time to watch the original chase scene on www.youtube.com.

On Saturday morning I look around on AutoTrader.com for green 2008 Mustangs knowing they have to be Bullitts since there is no other green offered on 2008 Mustangs. Two show up within 100 mi. and happen to have the options I wanted, plus the ambient lighting, minus the cargo net. I called dealership C (1 1/2 hrs west, 64 mi.) and asked about price. The salesman told me $10,000 over MSRP, no X-plan. I told him I would not pay over MSRP. He said “Okay. Call me if you change your mind, buddy.” He just called me buddy. Slimey salesman... Then he called me back one minute later and leaves a voice mail and tells me, “I’ll sell the car to you for $2,000 over MSRP.” I didn’t even bother calling him back.

I came back to dealership A on Saturday morning and told the dealership what options I wanted. This car alredy had a build sheet created and they had just about every possible option checked on this car, even down to blue tooth hands free option, Shaker1000 audio system, Sirius radio, ambient lighting, HID headlights, anti-theft system, mud flaps, and all weather floor mats. I looked at the build sheet and thought this car is set up winter fun or a home construction site. WTF? All I wanted is the Bullitt package, HID headlights which has to come with the anti-theft package, wheel locks, and a cargo net, nothing else. No hockey puck mounted to the trunk for Sirius- yuck! That puck antenna just ruins the lines on a spoiler deleted Mustang. BTW, the subwoofer on the Shaker1000 is so big you can't put anything in the trunk, not even a set of golf clubs.

So I listed the options I wanted and sales person told me that they are still not sure what to charge for the Bullitt and how to sell it. They will have a final answer on Monday. Oh, and they also tell me not to go to any other dealers.

I left dealer A and headed right to dealer D (1 hr. east, 36 mi.) I pulled up and there in front of the dealer showroom was the first 2008 Bullitt I have laid eyes on. Gorgeous. Just Gorgeous. You have to see this car in person to appreciate how nice and clean it really is. There was a crowd of 6 looking at it. I started looking it over for imperfections. The salesman approached and asked if he can help. I asked him what the price is. He said, “The price is the price. Whatever it says on the window. Not a penny under MSRP, not a penny over MSRP.” Then he told me, “Other dealers are charging $2,000-$5,000 over MSRP.” One of the guys looking at it says. "Ford is only making 1,500 of these Bullitts." I replied, "I read in several articles 7,700. 7,000 for the US and 700 for Canada." The salesman whispers to me, "That guy knows everything, He buys cars from us almost every year. He trades them in with 10,000 miles on them." I guess trading your cars in every year and losing your a$$ is a sure sign of intelligence these days. The salesman gets the keys and tells me to start it up if I like. I fired it up. The cabin is quite inside, but a little throaty outside. The exhaust has a little bit of backpressure pop to it when the RPM's drop. Very nice. The machined aluminum dash is quite handsome. I read it was a little over the top but I have to disagree. It breaks up the plain interior very well. I like it. It had 5.7 mi. on it. The salesman told me they took delivery on Thursday and thought it was sold on Friday but the guy's wife put the kibosh on the purchase.

I notice three flaws with the car though. The passenger side exhaust was not centered with the exhaust opening on the bumper. It needed to be adjusted to the passenger side 3/4 of and inch. The paint had a flaw on the door handle, like oil was on the door handle before paint was applied. The paint did not level out evenly on the door handle. I'm really not sure why. It's not orange peel. Finally, a small 1 inch scratch was visible on the driver side rocker. I showed the flaws to the salesman and he assured me they can fix the problems. Of course. We agreed to MSRP as long as he would throw in a cargo net and fixes the problems to my satisfaction. I put $500 dollars down as deposit. The dealership will call on Monday to tell me the status of the repairs. We shake on it and I walk out to look at the Bullitt again. The sales man hands me the keys again says take it for a ride. I took it for a spin. I had an opportunity to start from red light on a 55 mph speed limit road. Takes off straight as an arrow. It can lay some tire through second gear even with TCS on. That car is amazing, just amazing. The suspension was firm. The handling was responsive. The car had hardly any body roll at all. Great car. I love it. The S197 does feel huge compared to my Fox body with suspension mods. But S197 feels so solid and responsive in comparison. It will take a little getting used to driving this car. The windowsills and dash are really high. I’m 6’ 6” and even I feel short in this car.

The Bullitt at dealer C (2 1/2 hours west from dealer C) had the same exact options as the Bullitt at dealer D that I just put a deposit down on. I was curious as to what the Bullitt 2 1/2 hours west of me looks like and if it is flawless. I figured if it is flawless I would be happier with it if I can get it at MSRP. But they wanted $2,000 over MSRP. I figured I can get them down to MSRP. I left dealer D on my way to dealer C and the salesman at dealer C calls again. I did not pick up. I wanted to see the car and speak in person. 2 1/2 hours later I arrived at dealer C. The Bullitt is sitting in the showroom looking like a gem. I spoke with the salesman that I talked to on the phone in the morning. I told him, “I just put a refundable deposit down on Bullitt #XXX at dealer D but it has a scratch on the rocker that needed to be buffed out before I agree to purchase. If the Bullitt you have here on your showroom floor is the way I like it, I will purchase it for MSRP.” He tells me, "Check the car out and I'll check with my manager. Meanwhile, I look the car over. Another salesman approaches and tells me, "Let me tell you a little about these cars." I'm thinking to myself, "Please don't" Then he proceeds to tell me, "This is number 334." The car was not number 334. Then he tells me, "A Ford rep. recently came in here and told us production of the Bullitt has stopped and may not start again until March at the earliest. They are not taking orders at this time. There is some problem with the parts. They don't have them. I think it's the wheels or something. But they are supposed to make 7,000 of them and they might not make all of them meaning this car may be even more limited than anticipated." As he is spewing this load of crap I find the Bullitt I'm looking at has a friggin' door ding on driver door and a paint run right next to it on the rear facing edge of the driver side door. The salesman I was first speaking with returns and says "Let's go in here (his office) and talk. I said, "Wait, can you fix this paint run and door ding without having to repaint?" He replies, "It's just the lighting. You won't even be able to see that outside." I said, "No this is a door ding and a paint run. I'm going to store this car inside, keep it for a while and drive it occasionally on nice days only. It has to be right." My wife chimes in, "He's pretty particular."

The ding is in a bad spot for trying to make a paintless repair. It's about 2 inches from the back edge of the door. There are probably reinforcements there or the steel is doubled up making repair difficult. Anyway, the salesman can't promise to fix the flaws and he won't budge on the price. He was stuck at $2,000 over MSRP. I said if you can't work with me then I'll have to go. So I start to leave and he told me he would call me on Monday to see how the other Bullitt worked out at the other dealership. I tell him, "Okay, buddy."

I'll be a bit busy on Monday. I'll have three dealerships calling. I hope the Bullitt I put the deposit down on looks right as promised. Not only do I hope it looks right, but I hope the repairs are not the type of repairs the start to show over time. You know, where paint starts to peel or blending starts to show.

Three of the four dealerships I worked with were jerking me around. Not a good feeling. Heck, you could argue that the dealer I put the deposit down on was jerking me around too. I'm not an impulsive person. I suppose I could just wait long enough to get a perfect Bullitt from the factory with all the options I want and pay under MSRP if Bulllitt don’t sell like the dealerships anticipate. The two Bullitts I saw were numbered under 700 so it looks like there are still plenty more to be built yet.

 

Great story! I really enjoyed reading it too, very well written. You've obviously dedicated a lot of time to buy the right Bullitt from the right dealer. In the end, I'm sure you'll get exactly what you want/deserve. Thanks again.

 

John...great post. Thanks for all the effort you put into telling your story. I'm going to print it out and pass along to my Ford dealership to show how not to sell a Bullitt!

MS

 

John said: "BTW, the subwoofer on the Shaker1000 is so big you can't put anything in the trunk, not even a set of golf clubs."

I agree and passed on a Bullitt after seeing the trunk and the extra $1300 for Shaker 1000 stereo. Here's a photo that is about it:

 

Yeah I had the rude awakening to 'the game' too. Which is why I started the Dealer.pathetic thread. A lot of grumbling about this ADM crud.

I admit I'm not an experienced car buyer. That's why I enlisted the Costco auto program but they didn't have a package on the Bullitt. What was really fishy is how the ADM's were nothing but numbers out of the air... 10k, 5k, then $2500. I only agreed to the $2500 ADM because at the time I thought I would have to pay about that much in sales tax if I bought out of state (I have since been corrected). Oregon doesn't have sales tax.

This board gave me a great education!! Thanx to all!!

So as I stated I would do on this board, I wrote a firm Certified letter to Butler Ford that some were getting x plan, most Bullitts on ebay were NOT selling and those that were only at MSRP. And I reminded them of their relationship with Costco.

The Mgr called and we had quite a discussion - he wasn't ready to give in. He whined about having to buy 4 extra Mustangs just to order my Bullitt. Don't know if that's true. I responded that he doesn't even have flooring on my car because I'm ordering one and paying cash for it as soon as it arrives. Its just free profit because I came to him (and same here - the sales staff didn't know crap about the Bullitt. Doesn't Ford send out memo's? LOL)

Where the Mgr went wrong was trying to claim moral high ground. Gave me that 'where I grew up, a deal is a deal and we honor our commitment'. I warned him not to push that. He ignored. And that's where I went off. As a veteran salesperson since '76 to '99 until becoming disabled, I told him the key to my success was ALWAYS "treating the customer's money like it was my own". If I got word that a discount was coming, I'd inform my customers to hold off if they could and get the sale price. My customers saw me as their partner and that led to increased commissions down the road instead of a one time quick buck. Many are still friends and I earned a great reputation throughout the 'State of Jefferson'. That last thing I would ever do to a 'walk in' sale (or anyone else) was add an upcharge. No dealer that engages in ADM has a leg to stand on moral high ground.

I am pleased to say that the Mgr finally agreed to MSRP. So taking the time to stand up paid off. And in the end, Butler Ford did the right thing and I will definitely refer people to them (with a 'caveat emptor').

Again, thanx to all the help from this board. My Bullitt should be here in a few more weeks... at MSRP!

 

John

Great post. I think the car you have a deposit on will be fine. That dealer is smart, they have sold a car.

The others can say they are getting 10,000 or what ever over MSRP, but asking and getting are not the same thing. I've followed the eBay auctions for Bullitts closely. I've yet to see a Bullitt actually sell over MSRP. A couple have sold just under.
There were a few Bullitts that appeared to sell over MSRP, but they have all been re-listed, so a buyer either dropped out or cars had shill bidders.
Also, there are dealers accepting x-plan for the Bullitt, it is not restricted fromplans, but of course a dealer doe not have to sell at a plan price.

has been allocated 50 Bullitts. They are selling them at 2.9% over Invoice. Also at a plan price if you have a PIN apparently.

 

Typical know it all that knows nothing. He's probably confusing the Bullitt with the GT500KR.
He's teh kind of person who happily pays that extra 10K out of ignorance.


Sadly that Region Rep may have said that, even though it's completely incorrect. Ford's Regions are a problem in all this as far as I can see.

 

1.15.08
Butler</ST1 Automotive Group<O</O
<O</O
Dear (mgr):<O</O
<O</O
As I talked with you before ordering my 2008 Mustang Bullitt, I made it clear that I did not like the ADM sham. I still don’t. I have never heard of such a thing. Virtually ALL other new products are typically below the MSRP “printed on the box”. I have only factory ordered one other new car in my lifetime and I didn’t have to gear up for a world war III price battle.<O</O
I find it unethical that a car buying customer would come to you through a referral program from Costco, and even though the Bullitt was too new to be on their list of negotiated prices, to then be confronted with ADM’s drawn out of the air starting with $10k, then $5k, and finally $2500.<O</O
Ford Motor Company’s sales & stock are both in the toilet. Ford, Butler Ford, (sales rep) and you should be pleased that I dropped in your lap to order a new car at this time. Instead, (sales rep) had no product knowledge on the Bullitt, and on 12.5.07 put the misrepresentation in writing that Ford was cutting back production to 3000 – 3500 instead of the factual 7000 US and 700 Canada. I knew that was false information but ignored it. To add insult to injury, I was upcharged $2500 above MSRP. You should have been pleased that I was ready to pay MSRP as quoted by Ford. Being in sales since 1976, I always appreciated a ‘lay down, walk in’ sale that I didn’t even have to work for, and therefore never got greedy with them - which led to more sales and referrals.<O</O
I have registered on a number of internet forums for the Bullitt and have found numerous west coast dealerships that will sell a Bullitt at MSRP – whether I order or buy one off the lot that has just arrived. And I have just learned that out of state dealerships can arrange a waiver of sales tax for <ST1</ST1residents. (The only reason I agreed to $2500 was because I thought I would have to pay CA or WA sales tax if I bought out of state.) I have also learned that many were able to get a discount through Ford’s alphabet soup programs (A,D,X,Z, etc.). Considering that you are a Costco preferred Dealer, at the least I should have been shown the MSRP, manufacturer's invoice, the Member-Only Price Sheet, and worst case been charged no higher than MSRP. And in case you haven’t noticed, very few Bullitts are selling on ebay and only for MSRP. <O</O

Therefore, I am insisting that you remove the $2500 ADM and honor the MSRP price on my 2008 Bullitt. I need written confirmation within 5 business days of your receiving this Certified Letter that my actual price will be $31,975 instead of $34,475. Email is acceptable.
<O</O
If you are unable to comply then please provide an explanation. I am prepared to go up the ladder to the CEO’s of all the company’s mentioned and detail my experience if you don’t remove the $2500 ADM.<O</O
I would like to conclude this issue promptly and amicably, and move on to complete the transaction as an overall great experience with you, (sales rep) & Butler Ford. Since becoming disabled in 1999 and losing my career, it is an important lifetime treat to even be able to purchase this new car. I am a ‘product evangelist’ so a good ending with Butler Automotive Group will go a long way for you in my town<ST1</ST1. Thank you for fixing this.<O</O
<O</O
Sincerely,<O</O

 

Yea I picked my Bullitt up friday using x-plan .Their are other dealers who will welcome x-plan.

 

Charlie, a good letter but you went overboard with the razz emoticons

 

John, you state you're 6'6", how'd it feel to you re: dead pedal location? I ask as I myself, am 6'5", and it seemed that my left leg may have been a bit cramped, however, I'm withholding judgement until I can actually take one for a test drive (unsure if any are available around here yet, that will be "allowed" test drives).

Appreciate your comments on legroom and whether the dead pedal was/is an impediment or not much of an issue?

 

No dead pedal on the s197 mustangs.

 

Correct, I should have said fender well bulge, or something to that effect...

 

Well. I brought home number 0655 last night. Very nice car. Bought it from Bill Marsh Ford in Newtown, PA for MSRP plus a cargo net thrown in. As for the dead pedal... I wish there was one there on the BULLITT. My foot just goes there from driving my Fox body (for sale on craigslist 1988 Mustang GT, Philadelphia) all these years. I would say the S197 is a tad bit roomier on the right leg than my Fox. But the left leg is a little more cramped, but not too bad. It's a sacrifice I am willing to make.

 

Hey John, I'm sending you a PM. Where in PA are you from?

 

is the last of the VIN 162542 ?

 

I find it odd that there's no dead pedal on a "track" car such as the Bullitt...