ATLalien
Well-Known Member
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28 years ago my Dad got me into my first mustang (65 289 coupe) and over the weekend, I got to help him find a 2016 S550! Thought I'd share the experience here, along with lessons learned.
He had been thinking about getting a new Mustang every since I got my 15 GT over a year ago. I'd sold him my old 2000 GT many years back, he put some big mods on that car, but never really got it like he wanted. So he was looking to get out of that project car and into a new one.
Since he was in town for a visit anyway, I referred him to the same dealer where I purchased my '15, and met him there after work Friday. Then I found out that everyone I'd ever dealt with at the dealer (after purchasing two mustangs from them over the years) had left! They're under new management, and all the folks I knew and liked decided it was time to retire or move on (I suspect they had good reason).
My Dad had decided on a Ruby Red GT PP, with just about all the options, including Premiere trim. The dealer didn't have one of these on the lot, so it was agreed to order a 2017. And this is about where the deal started to break apart and I learned a lesson or two myself.
The car spec'd out at about $44K. They discounted $4K right off the bat, bringing their offer to $40K. We counter offered $37, hoping to land at $38 or even $39K. But they wouldn't budge another cent. Even though, I had purchased 2 cars from them in the last 5 years, spent loads of $ at the service dept. with other vehicles, AND my Dad was offering CASH.
We were basically hoping for just a bit more off than usual since I was a loyal customer, referred them new business, and we had a cash offer. Had they come down to just 39,500, we probably would've made the deal. But, no dice, so we walked.
Lesson learned: Cash offers don't seem to mean much anymore for new cars, I suppose the dealer still gets paid immediately with a finance deal AND they could more $ off that if you choose to finance with them.
I didn't expect much for customer loyalty, except maybe a willingness to negotiate. Didn't even get that!
But all's well that ends well; My Dad ended up finding the same car, on the lot, at a dealer in East TN, with the more options for $500 less than they were offering. The car he bought has Active cruise and Auto wipers, but is otherwise identical.
He had been thinking about getting a new Mustang every since I got my 15 GT over a year ago. I'd sold him my old 2000 GT many years back, he put some big mods on that car, but never really got it like he wanted. So he was looking to get out of that project car and into a new one.
Since he was in town for a visit anyway, I referred him to the same dealer where I purchased my '15, and met him there after work Friday. Then I found out that everyone I'd ever dealt with at the dealer (after purchasing two mustangs from them over the years) had left! They're under new management, and all the folks I knew and liked decided it was time to retire or move on (I suspect they had good reason).
My Dad had decided on a Ruby Red GT PP, with just about all the options, including Premiere trim. The dealer didn't have one of these on the lot, so it was agreed to order a 2017. And this is about where the deal started to break apart and I learned a lesson or two myself.
The car spec'd out at about $44K. They discounted $4K right off the bat, bringing their offer to $40K. We counter offered $37, hoping to land at $38 or even $39K. But they wouldn't budge another cent. Even though, I had purchased 2 cars from them in the last 5 years, spent loads of $ at the service dept. with other vehicles, AND my Dad was offering CASH.
We were basically hoping for just a bit more off than usual since I was a loyal customer, referred them new business, and we had a cash offer. Had they come down to just 39,500, we probably would've made the deal. But, no dice, so we walked.
Lesson learned: Cash offers don't seem to mean much anymore for new cars, I suppose the dealer still gets paid immediately with a finance deal AND they could more $ off that if you choose to finance with them.
I didn't expect much for customer loyalty, except maybe a willingness to negotiate. Didn't even get that!
But all's well that ends well; My Dad ended up finding the same car, on the lot, at a dealer in East TN, with the more options for $500 less than they were offering. The car he bought has Active cruise and Auto wipers, but is otherwise identical.
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