TechnicalLimitation
Active Member
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2017
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 32
- Reaction score
- 13
- Location
- California
- Vehicle(s)
- 2017 AG GT350. H3562
- Thread starter
- #1
Hey everyone!!
I've lurked these forums for a very long time now, and after an incredibly difficult search, finally secured my GT350 (at MSRP). Here she is:
Living in SoCal means basically every dealer has ADM. Some 5k, some 30k (yes, I'm serious, $30k markup on a non-R is real in Los Angeles). For the past few months I've hunted not just in California but also across the nation. There's a number of dealers outside CA (IN, PA, MN) that are well below MSRP, enough so to make the buy + ship proposition a reality. That said, I was able to use some of that as leverage for a local CA dealer to knock off their $5k ADM to MSRP and make the sale with me.
She had 12 miles on her when I got in. No test drives, I was the only one.
Avalanche Grey with Black Roof is such a hot combination. I've always liked White + Black Roof, and AG + Black is just as sharp (IMHO).
Driving this car is insane. I can't make this stuff up, on the test drive I had a mustang (pre-'15) pull up next to me, roll windows down, and stare like none other. After following me for a while, I got huge grins from both driver & passenger, and thumbs up as we cruised past each other.
This car is very special indeed. I feel like Chewbacca is literally in the back seat screaming to his lungs while gargling some ungodly concoction. It's an intoxicating sound worth rolling the windows down to listen to in 90+ degree weather. I can't imagine ever getting bored of this. :hail: :ford:
For some perspective, I'm coming from a Mustang 2011 V6. You can imagine the delta/difference here I'm experiencing. It's Mars & Pluto sort of differences. Not even fair to call this car a "mustang". It's not. This car is something else entirely.
Here are some initial problems or observations I'm seeing:
1. It's really hard not to want to push this car. I should be breaking this in, so I'm not really opening up the throttle full-on (but also not really babying the car either). Shifts between 4-5k or so, tops. Hopefully that's reasonable, it's sort of a challenge to get above that while still maintaining a legal speed
2. The car is incredibly HOT after driving. I park it in my garage, and I've popped the hood open. The thing is just smokin hot. Hopefully leaving the hood propped open for a while to let that heat out is a good idea. I'm not entirely sure if it matters, but this thing just radiates like none other.
3. That clutch. Man, what is up with that spring? Never had a clutch pedal so drastic in it's change of resistance over distance before. First 50-60% has solid feel, then BAM, the remaining 40% travel distance has nothing (dead). Going to take some getting use to this.
4. I almost don't want to touch the steering wheel - it's that nice. Of course I touch it (gripped firmly), I have to, and refuse to handle it in a way that sacrifices any of my confidence. But that alcantara feels amazing, and I don't really want to mess that up with my sweaty hands on it. Are gloves a common thing?
5. The parking break. Something is very different with this here. I really have to rip on that parking break to get it on my medium/strong incline driveway to not slip and roll backwards. I wasn't expecting this at all, and it's really thrown me for a loop. Hopefully this isn't indicative of a problem.
6. There's an odd (?) foam padding lining that appears partially torn on the upper part of the engine bay. It almost looks like this foam padding runs a continuous line from the battery all the way across to the other side, but it doesn't. Part of the foam is glued (?) to the engine bay, then it breaks/tears, and the remaining part of the foam lining is stuck to the roof of the hood. Really scratching my head on this, couldn't really figure out what the deal is here, if that's on purpose or not (and even more so: why). I can post pics if anyone is curious. :shrug:
--------------
A few notes to other GT350 enthusiasts in California:
1. Never settle for ADM. Stick to your guns, and you'll find a dealer willing to sell at MSRP.
2. Don't get discouraged. It's easy to, especially after talking to hundreds of Ford dealers. One salesman literally chuckled at me asking for MSRP, and then had the gall to ask me to tell him if I find one, because he's interested in purchasing at that price. I told him I might for a $5k finder's fee ;). Part ways with the "bad dealers", and don't bother.
3. Create a special gmail account, and use a google voice number. Use these two for all initial contact with dealerships, and maintain a google spreadsheet of vehicle, dealer, MSRP, quoted price, etc.
4. If you are willing to buy from out of state, and have the car shipped in, you can get a solid 5% below MSRP, enough to save a good $1-2k after shipping costs, compared to an in-state MSRP deal. I chose in-state MSRP, because I've never gone out of state before and didn't want to deal with any of the additional overhead just for a grand or two.
To everyone on this forum: I've read countless posts, and this community has helped me become very educated on these vehicles. I knew more than the salesman at the dealership. Thank you all for in-depth posts, insightful comments and helpful responses. These things not only are useful for the ones you interact with, but were very useful for people like me (lurkers mostly) who read them.
I've lurked these forums for a very long time now, and after an incredibly difficult search, finally secured my GT350 (at MSRP). Here she is:
Living in SoCal means basically every dealer has ADM. Some 5k, some 30k (yes, I'm serious, $30k markup on a non-R is real in Los Angeles). For the past few months I've hunted not just in California but also across the nation. There's a number of dealers outside CA (IN, PA, MN) that are well below MSRP, enough so to make the buy + ship proposition a reality. That said, I was able to use some of that as leverage for a local CA dealer to knock off their $5k ADM to MSRP and make the sale with me.
She had 12 miles on her when I got in. No test drives, I was the only one.
Avalanche Grey with Black Roof is such a hot combination. I've always liked White + Black Roof, and AG + Black is just as sharp (IMHO).
Driving this car is insane. I can't make this stuff up, on the test drive I had a mustang (pre-'15) pull up next to me, roll windows down, and stare like none other. After following me for a while, I got huge grins from both driver & passenger, and thumbs up as we cruised past each other.
This car is very special indeed. I feel like Chewbacca is literally in the back seat screaming to his lungs while gargling some ungodly concoction. It's an intoxicating sound worth rolling the windows down to listen to in 90+ degree weather. I can't imagine ever getting bored of this. :hail: :ford:
For some perspective, I'm coming from a Mustang 2011 V6. You can imagine the delta/difference here I'm experiencing. It's Mars & Pluto sort of differences. Not even fair to call this car a "mustang". It's not. This car is something else entirely.
Here are some initial problems or observations I'm seeing:
1. It's really hard not to want to push this car. I should be breaking this in, so I'm not really opening up the throttle full-on (but also not really babying the car either). Shifts between 4-5k or so, tops. Hopefully that's reasonable, it's sort of a challenge to get above that while still maintaining a legal speed
2. The car is incredibly HOT after driving. I park it in my garage, and I've popped the hood open. The thing is just smokin hot. Hopefully leaving the hood propped open for a while to let that heat out is a good idea. I'm not entirely sure if it matters, but this thing just radiates like none other.
3. That clutch. Man, what is up with that spring? Never had a clutch pedal so drastic in it's change of resistance over distance before. First 50-60% has solid feel, then BAM, the remaining 40% travel distance has nothing (dead). Going to take some getting use to this.
4. I almost don't want to touch the steering wheel - it's that nice. Of course I touch it (gripped firmly), I have to, and refuse to handle it in a way that sacrifices any of my confidence. But that alcantara feels amazing, and I don't really want to mess that up with my sweaty hands on it. Are gloves a common thing?
5. The parking break. Something is very different with this here. I really have to rip on that parking break to get it on my medium/strong incline driveway to not slip and roll backwards. I wasn't expecting this at all, and it's really thrown me for a loop. Hopefully this isn't indicative of a problem.
6. There's an odd (?) foam padding lining that appears partially torn on the upper part of the engine bay. It almost looks like this foam padding runs a continuous line from the battery all the way across to the other side, but it doesn't. Part of the foam is glued (?) to the engine bay, then it breaks/tears, and the remaining part of the foam lining is stuck to the roof of the hood. Really scratching my head on this, couldn't really figure out what the deal is here, if that's on purpose or not (and even more so: why). I can post pics if anyone is curious. :shrug:
--------------
A few notes to other GT350 enthusiasts in California:
1. Never settle for ADM. Stick to your guns, and you'll find a dealer willing to sell at MSRP.
2. Don't get discouraged. It's easy to, especially after talking to hundreds of Ford dealers. One salesman literally chuckled at me asking for MSRP, and then had the gall to ask me to tell him if I find one, because he's interested in purchasing at that price. I told him I might for a $5k finder's fee ;). Part ways with the "bad dealers", and don't bother.
3. Create a special gmail account, and use a google voice number. Use these two for all initial contact with dealerships, and maintain a google spreadsheet of vehicle, dealer, MSRP, quoted price, etc.
4. If you are willing to buy from out of state, and have the car shipped in, you can get a solid 5% below MSRP, enough to save a good $1-2k after shipping costs, compared to an in-state MSRP deal. I chose in-state MSRP, because I've never gone out of state before and didn't want to deal with any of the additional overhead just for a grand or two.
To everyone on this forum: I've read countless posts, and this community has helped me become very educated on these vehicles. I knew more than the salesman at the dealership. Thank you all for in-depth posts, insightful comments and helpful responses. These things not only are useful for the ones you interact with, but were very useful for people like me (lurkers mostly) who read them.
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