I am trading my 2010 XLT Scab in for a new 2012 Screw 157" Lariat. I know there are deals now on the 2011 models but I can't find what I want with what on the lot(s).

My question is when is the best time to order? I assume the next good time would be around Presidents Day? When does Ford usually announce new rebates?

From what I read, its seems I can either lock in current rebates (which there are none for 2012 right now) or get the rebates when the truck arrives if there are any...

BTW, looking at an Ecoboost Lariat with 157" WB with the Lariat Plus package and chrome step bars two tone dark blue metallic.

EDIT: One dealer told me new rebates are announced on Jan 3rd. I can either take the rebates now, which from what I searched is only $500 cash back, or take my chances after Jan 3rd.

What has everyone else experienced here ordering a new truck around this time? Obviously dealers dont want to talk ordering, they are pushing the 2011s they got in stock...

 

Orderd 2012 similar truck 10/11/11.. Still no news. Believe you accept rebate if any when you pick up the truck.. Not aware of any other option.

 

I've been told you can get locked into rebates now, but if the rebates are better upon delivery you can take those instead. People here have done it but when i was considering ordering i was told only rebates offered then from the couple dealers i talked to.

 

i just ordered one today, they said 8-12 weeks.....

 

That sounds about right 8-12 weeks. Fords been running well behind the old 4-6 weeks you use to be able to get them.

Now is typically the best time to buy if you can find what your looking for in an 11. Worst time to buy the new model year in this case the 12's. The two trucks are virtually identical in every way except the price and the year model on the title. There are few differences in certain features and options on a few specific models, like a 36 gal tank on a EB for 2012, but man in my area the rebates are 500 on a 12 and 5000 on an 11, or 1500 and 0%. Book value 3 years from now maybe a 500-1000 difference at the most. That is just a lot of money not to take an 11 or wait till spring for the 12s to start getting better incentives.

I do like to order my trucks just the way I want them, but I typcaly do that right before the order bank is about to close for that model year, say 30 days prior to the changeover. That way I am getting just what I want and also getting good rebates, the best rebates are now but they are only about 1000 more then they were last summer.

 

quick update, I'm expecting delivery next week, so we are looking at a 5-6 week delivery time

 

You will receive whatever rebates are active at the time you pick up your truck

 

I notice all of the current rebates expire on January 3. Is that usually the end of the gravy train, or does Ford typically extend those same rebates through Jan or Feb?

 

I would expect them to get enhanced or at least extended on the 11's but they will probably have been pretty well picked over by then.

 

I was locked into the incentive's that where in place of my last few ford orders.
If the incentive at the time of picking up my vehicle's was better, i had the option to take the better incentive. My choice!

 

I ordered a 2012 0n 11/17/11 and the dealer has 11 new 12 on the lot now. I ordered 2012 Screw 157" Lariat.

 

Yes, no 2011s I found where matching what I wanted. All the odd ball stuff is leftover in my area, weird colors and package combos, etc.

Depending on what the rebates are in the spring I might do this as well. Is the switch over the same time every year? If not, is it announced someplace? I rather get exactly what I want than compromise on options.

 

I believe that the rebates will cease to be offered starting in January. There comes a point where Ford will no longer offer rebates on the 2011's, but will rather cash out the rebates they were offering and leave it up to the dealers to sell the trucks. For instance, if you have a 40K XLT and there is $7k in rebates, Ford will cash out those rebates and now the dealer has a truck that would "sticker" for $33k. Some dealers take advantage of this and sell the truck for say, $34k to an unsuspecting buyer. The buyer thinks they are getting a great deal(saving $6k as compared to sticker), and the dealer actually makes $1k more than if they had sold it for sticker price. Fun little wrinkle in the rebate process.......