Well I visited a dealer here in Dallas today and the best he would do was $750 over invoice. It HAS to be the big city causing prices to be a bit higher. I told him about another dealer near Austin (as per Kolb) who is selling them for $100 over and my sales guy balked. He said at $100 over, he would buy them from other dealers at that price and would still make a profit.

Something I did not realize is that Dealers do have a limit to how much they can sell. Since there are only a limited number of these in production, it does not make sense for him to sell all of them so cheap and not get more stock to replace it (as fast as he could sell it). Consequently they price to autos to sell at the rate that they can get more in stock (or order).

Maybe I didn't get it all exactly right but I think I am close. Still kind of wish I could find it lower but $750 over isn't terrible. I feel like my salesman wouldn't hesitate to let me walk if I stood firm at $100 over. Or maybe he's just a good salesman. =) This is still $750 better than the last dealership.

 

Aslan

$750 over invoice isn't bad, and it isn't great. So if I were you, consider other things like: Do you have any prior dealings with this dealer that make you want to give him your business? Do you feel "comfortable" dealing with the dealership? Is the dealer convenient to your home or work when service is required? If not, take that $750 benchmark and shop it at the dealer who you really want to get your truck from. Then go for it!

------------------
Ordered 4/21.Build date 5/22 Wedgewood Blue, Lariat. Med Graphite interior. 5.4, 4x4 L/S
6 Disc CD, Bed Extender, Skid Plates, Moonroof, Tow Group

 

Shoot Aslan just go ahead and say which dealer it was. :-) I bought two trucks at Middlekauff, a 99 Supercab XLT that I paid invoice for, and my new one, a SuperCrew Lariat 4x4 that I paid 3% over invoice for, and got a good trade in on the supercab. They are only a few miles from my house, have Saturday service, and are very easy to deal with. (And no, my name is not Middlekauff :-)) Where all have you been looking?



[This message has been edited by CrewBoy (edited 05-04-2000).]

 

"at $100 over, he would buy them from other dealers at that price and would still make a profit."

as a monday morning quarterback i'm bothered by that statement. however, knowing the way i am when i really want something i may have ignored it if they had the truck i wanted on the lot.

sounds like a good price, but (again) being a monday morning quarterback, i'd agree with the other guys comments. as i made my rounds among numerous dealerships patiently waiting for my truck to come in, i dealt with all kinds from "look at her ***, she wants me, i'm gonna do her" (sorry, i'm here to buy a truck) to my pleasant no-hassle good conversation dealings with Green Valley Ford in Fairfield, CA. definately look around before you commit. you'll feel alot better when it's all over.

and like a few others on the board, you'll enjoy letting others know about those who do good business.

[This message has been edited by USAF K9 (edited 05-04-2000).]

 

The dealer agreed today for $500 over invoice! Which in percentage terms is right at 2%. I'm satisfied now. It is not $100 but it is a Supercrew and not just a supercab, which I COULD get at $95 over invoice.

THE LONG STORY
You see it all started last summer with our SAM'S membership. I saw these automaker signs on the wall at SAM'S. I called the number for the auto pricing service and they gave my name and number to a local Ford dealer -- Bill Utter, in Denton. The fleet manager there told me I could have any car on the lot for $95 over invoice right over the phone. No haggling and he would 'prefer' I order it. I thought long and hard but was not ready to make the purchase at that time.

Eight months later I travel to Bill Utter (only a 15 mile drive for me) to enquire about the $95 over invoice pricing on the new Supercabs. The fleet salesman there told me I could still have any car on the lot for that price EXCEPT the Supercrew or the Explorer Sport-trac. He would sell either of those to me for $1500 over invoice. Without dealing I walked away (a bit saddened).

Next I call Ballairgan (?) Ford on Central Expy. He only gives me $1500 after I tell him what Bill Utter would give me. I hang up.

Next, I am checking out some stats. on Carpoint.com and click on the link for a dealer to give me a quote. A couple of days later I get a call from a dealer (who will remain nameless until I actually buy the truck) who offers me $750 (in person). I think about it overnight. I show the dealer some of the posts from here (w/out URL) which shows many folks getting $500 over invoice. He 'reluctantly' agrees (his words) and the rest is history.

The reason I do not name the dealer is because he asked me not to. Whether that is a sales tactic ploy or real request I am unsure. However I will err on the side of caution in case he is reading these posts. This guy's job title is "Internet Sales Manager" -- no joke. He only sells from contacts on the Internet.

So thanks for all the posts on pricing here. They helped me get what I wanted on my soon-to-be Supercrew.

 

OK..

I have read the many of the posts on engine size choices: 5.4L or 4.6L?

1. I see some people are unsure about the stability of the 5.4 (especially Bugman) although it appears that the problem that plagued it is long gone. No one complains about the stability of the 4.6 (that I have read).

2. I don't need the 5.4L. This truck is a family car that will occasionally tow or haul but will be used mostly for commuting. So in this light the 5.4L seems like a bit of overkill.

3. I test drove BOTH engine models. I could tell a marked difference between the performance of the two (and I am not a mod guys who will tweak the engine). So now I am hooked on the performance of the 5.4L.

What it boils down to is that I ought to buy the 4.6L given my use of the truck but I want the 5.4. I am split down the middle, pragmatist on one side and hedonist on the other. Argh! =)

I am ordering on Saturday so I have to make a decision in two days.

Are there any real stats. out there on what the real world difference is in gas-mileage between the two engines?

Anyone have any thoughts. Ultimately I know this is a personal decision. I just enjoy hearing how others might have made the same decision.

 

Aslan

I know your quandry with the engines! I ended up ordering the 5.4, and this is how I made the decision.

-The 4.6 was a little less HP and torque than my current vehicle, a Durango with a 5.2, and I didn't want to "step down".

-I decided that problems with the 5.4 were now a "non-issue", there are too many people that are in love with the 5.4

-Gas milage is about 1-2 mpg difference, but no truck is frugal with petro anyway. This isn't a Civic!

-I could probably recoup the entire 680 bucks the 5.4 costs extra when I sell.

-The 5.4 will be easier to re-sell than the 4.6

Did I convince you yet?!

------------------
Ordered 4/21.Build date 5/22 Wedgewood Blue, Lariat. Med Graphite interior. 5.4, 4x4 L/S
6 Disc CD, Bed Extender, Skid Plates, Moonroof, Tow Group

 

If you are having trouble deciding, go 5.4. Will there ever be a time that you think you have a little too much power? There may be times you could use a little more. When you consider the cost in relation to the truck cost,it isn't a lot.

------------------
Supercrew on the way.

 

OK...

What about the limited slip diff.? Do I need this? I know what it does basically. I did not see that option in your signature EvilleSupercrew.

(I'm pricing my truck right now so I can email to dealer in order to work up my order ahead of time).

The irony to your comment Eville, is that we are getting rid of a very reliable, but tired Honda Civic. ;=)

 

Aslan, if your considering 4x4 get the 5.4 milage difference will be negligible. And what type of daily commuting? 5 miles a day? 50 miles? As far as the limited slip goes always getm the most traction available regardless of what type of driving 2x4 or 4x4.

------------------
2001 Supercrew XLT 4x4.
5.4L, 3:55ls, tow package, heavy-duty electrical and cooling, skid plates, 17" 10 spoke wheels, remote keyless entry, moonroof, bed extender(still waiting for it), rear slider, dark graphite int. and bright red clearcoat ext.
mysupercrew.com

 

Aslan, I had the very same problem you do. I use to have a 5.0 and didn't want to go any smaller. The MPG with the 5.4 is almost the same as the 4.6, You will of course always want the more power of the bigger V8. When my dealer told me almost all 4x4's are ordered with the 5.4 that made me think. At resale (yes, someday we will sell these trucks) the 5.4 is the engine of choice.

As far as limited slip, you may never miss it but for the price it's a must. It can come in handy at times.

------------------
2001 F150 SuperCrew, Lariat,4x4,5.4,Tow,Slider,6 CD,Moon Roof,60/40,Two Tone. Color:White/Silver
Photopoint.com

 

Aslan,

We had a similiar dilema about the engine size, but finally decided on the bigger 5.4L engine. We don't really have a need to tow anything right now, but for resale value and potential future use we figured it was worth it.

As far as the limited slip, we decided not to get that option. From what I heard it's really only necessary if you're playing in the mud or off-road. We also decided not to get the skid plates or the engine block heater.

My wife wanted leather seats, but I didn't want to pay extra nor did I like the Lariat 17" wheels and coloring. I figure if leather becomes necessary that we'll do aftermarket leather.

Also, at the last minute we decided to get the bed extender. We figure if we decide we don't like it or need it that we can probably sell it. Apparently the price difference between ordering it and buying afterwards is pretty big.

The dealer (as well as myself) tried hard to locate a truck with our requred options and color, but we were unsuccessful. We ordered our truck last week at $500 over invoice from a local fleet/internet dealer. In a world of so much "instant" gratification, 8-12 weeks seems like a VERY LONG time to wait, but we will wait.

BTW, we too are going to be getting rid of one of our two Civics. The family is growing and the horses are getting tired (90 Civic), but we're going to miss the ~30+ mpg we've been getting for so long!

----------

2001 SuperCrew 4x4 XLT, 5.4L, Oxford White, Dark Graphite cloth, 60/40 bench, 17" 10-spoke wheels, power seat, cab steps, sliding window, tow package, remote key entry, CD changer, bed extender

[This message has been edited by robnbuf (edited 05-05-2000).]

 

aslan,

these guys wear you out yet. i'm gonna join them. i started my order with budget in mind and ruled out tow package, bed extender and skid plates. within a month of original order i added tow package, skid plates and in the end fanagled a bed extender from the dealer. why? value at the time of order and i wanted it.

i got 5.4 and 17" wheels. why, "tim the toolman" syndrome.

tow package - where are you gonna get an oil and transmission cooler, larger radiator, class III hitch, 7 pin wiring, electric brake wiring, heavy duty shocks, and i think a heavy duty battery for $309.

bed extender - option at time of order $190 (may be off a little). at the parts counter, $381 w/tax. just picked mine up tuesday. the dealer paid for it.

i guess the point is...if it is within your means, GET WHAT YOU WANT. if you don't you will be second guessing your decision every time you visit this board during the agonizing wait for your truck. we can all attest to that. it's living HELL.



------------------
Deep Wedgewood Blue 4X4 SuperCrew. 5.4, 3.55 LS, 17" R/T, Skid Plates, Tow Package, Sliding Glass - http://www.geocities.com/fordsupercrew/index.htm - Add Ons: Line-X

 

I'll agree with EvilleSuperCrew, don't focus as much on price as you do the dealer. All dealers are going to offer roughly the same price, but it's the service afterwards that makes or breaks the deal. When I bought my 99 I paid $500 over invoice, which isn't great but it's not bad. But the dealer I went to I love and trust very much. They offer great service plus other offers to car buyers. So even though I might have been able to shop around and get a cheaper price, I would gladly take my business to this dealer.


------------------
1999 Lariat SuperCab Flareside, Amazon Green with Silver trim, 5.4L, 4x2, 4 wheel disc/ABS, 3.55 limited slip, towing package, fog lamps, sliding rear window, captains chairs, keyless entry with alarm, spray-on bed liner, bug guard, and K&N. http://www.csc.calpoly.edu/~bfriesen/truck.html

 

You guys are great! Like a bunch of teammates sitting around after the game talking about all the good and bad plays. =)

I am getting a 4X2 so limited slip may not be as big of a deal. It seems to me that even if I didn't tow anything ever that lmtd. slip will at least help is slick road conditions.

Yeah, the prices you pay at order time are very good. I'm just trying not to add everything on and get in the perpetual buying motion that only seems to have forward inertia and cannot (some law of physics I think) go backwards. =)

I feel that "tim the toolman" syndrome.

I am getting the tow package for the very same reason... for $300 I MIGHT tow something. =)

Actually my wife has two horses but they are 'retired' so we don't plan on moving them from their pasture. But we MIGHT have to some day (..devil on shoulder whispers "get the tow pkg. and the 5.4L")

=)