Oz S550 spotted thread

[tantash]

Yeah, I dunno without pictures or actual details about all the problems, I don't really believe that one yet.

I suppose it could just be someone being a tyre kicker at that. I don't even know if a dealer would give a refund after you've paid in full. Thought they'd do the replacement vehicle type of solution - probably in the fine print of the warranty somewhere?

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[msweet]

Interestingly enough I was reading my contract today and found a clause that says I can cancel the contract if they can't deliver the car within 30 days of the estimated delivery. Surely if they had to get you a new car similar terms would apply

This is worst worst case scenario though and the cars are looking better quality wise compared to the early ones

 

[Davo]

I suppose it could just be someone being a tyre kicker at that. I don't even know if a dealer would give a refund after you've paid in full. Thought they'd do the replacement vehicle type of solution - probably in the fine print of the warranty somewhere?

Sounds legit. Her details are easy enough to google. There is a bit of a dialogue between her and FordAU on Facebook. Bit of a worry really, that's my dealership

 

[MC]

Okay, got close to the car I ordered yesterday afternoon on the Gold Coast (Dan Murphy's/Fitness First Robina/Varsity Lakes Tavern) car park. Race Red GT, but with black rims (I have ordered the nickel coloured ones). The owner got in it and started it up while I was talking to my wife on the phone about it.

Good/okay things: the view from the rear along those wide haunches - it's clearly the best angle; the space in the rear - it's not as cramped looking as many have said and can be used for emergency trips or baby seats, etc.; the stock exhaust isn't too bad, and has a nice note, though I'd certainly be interested in upgrades; 3rd brake light looked fine to me; couldn't detect any paint flaws, but it had been raining and the car was covered with water droplets; the wheels look okay, but they don't exactly fill out the wheel arches; it's a nice size - I was fearing it would be bigger - and it's not scarily XJ220 or some other supercar wide.

Bad things: the bonnet pinch was pretty bad, now that I'm looking for it, and the panel fit above the rear bumper was questionable, and I'd not say the bonnet was absolutely sitting square either; the paint itself looks pretty thin (as others have said) and I think it will be of limited longevity without some sort of protection; a more minor thing but the front-on look is a bit nondescript (I actually almost walked past it as it was nestled between two other cars) and I immediately thought Japanese/Korean before I saw the pony and thought, hey that's what I've ordered!

Overall, I am concerned about the built and paint quality. I spent a good deal of time inspecting other cars after it went (I missed out on going to the gym) and I can safely (and regrettably say) that it's well below average, even after just a superficial exterior inspection. And brand-new SS-V Commodores, it's main competition, look hand-built by highly-trained artisans in comparison, and the higher quality paint presentation is obvious (I admit that I only found SS-V utes at the gym, but looked at some Calaises and an HSV at the shopping centre afterwards and they looked pretty nice).

My conclusion is that, after fighting to get the car, many of us will be fighting with the dealer to get it into the shape than we can at least tolerate (not sure too many will be getting a respray in the first few years). Others may not be bothered, such as the owner of the vehicle in question (I could have pointed out the flaws to her, but I think that would be bad form as she's probably still in her Mustang bubble). Whatever the case, it's a real shame and I think Ford have lost an opportunity here because most of the basic ingredients for a great car are there. I would have gladly paid $10,000 for better panel fit and better paint. I can only hope that by the time my car is made, things will have improved. And I am also second-guessing my choice of colour as the Race Red is going to show up all the imperfections. I think darker colours may be the way to go if you're a bit picky.

Sorry for the length of this, and the downer (it kept me awake last night!), but I assumed people would be interested. I took some photos on my phone but I don't know how to download them. My wife says she'll help me tonight.

By the way, I am wondering if Ford really think that bonnet pinch is 'normal'? I can't say I've ever seen a new car with such an obvious panel alignment problem.

 

[tantash]

Wow MC - very in depth review. Thanks very much for sharing it. The white convertible I saw over here (which is what I ordered) had a baby seat fitted in the back without any probs too.

 

[MC]

Wow MC - very in depth review. Thanks very much for sharing it. The white convertible I saw over here (which is what I ordered) had a baby seat fitted in the back without any probs too.

Thanks and good luck with your own delivery battle! I forgot to say that those Ford-supplied brackets (I assumed that's what they were) really need full-size number plates. I think the others options, e.g., Lakin, are really worth the effort.

 

[Bobsp12]

Went to the dealership today to finalize the price and give them my number plate details. It was actually a pleasant experience. All the staff they had on today were very good. Yeh.. a dealership being nice...it had to happen one day..
They had four mustangs there...a black ecoboost vert, a white ecoboost fb, a guard vert gt and a black gt fb.
I had a good look at the paint and the panel alignment on them and the rear windows on the fb's.
They were all very good, no paint defects that I could see, the rear windows on the fb's were perfect, no waves at the third brake light and very even at the roofline on both sides.
Two of the cars had a slight bonnet pinch, but that was the only faults I could find.
I would have been more than happy to accept delivery of any of the cars.

 

[MustangDownUnder]

Good news

 

[FPV GT]

Thanks MC, great honest opinion, with obvious loyalties left outside and staying objective.

For the life of me I can not understand how Americans accept the continual issues with their cars. The mantra "Well its American built, of course its not European", for me just does not cut it.

Maybe built with American Pride....however let loose from factory with blindness.

I now don my fireproof suit....Lucky I am a Fireman.

Regards
Paul

 

[MC]

Great to hear that Bob. The bonnet pinch shouldn't be too much of a hassle to correct. Hope yours turns out to be a good one!

 

[MC]

Thanks MC, great honest opinion, with obvious loyalties left outside and staying objective.

For the life of me I can not understand how Americans accept the continual issues with their cars. The mantra "Well its American built, of course its not European", for me just does not cut it.

Maybe built with American Pride....however let loose from factory with blindness.

I now don my fireproof suit....Lucky I am a Fireman.

Regards
Paul

Thanks Paul. Yes, it was a bit difficult to accept that the SS-Vs out there are a lot better presented than the car we've all been obsessing about, and which SHOULD look so much better than a Commodore. Was a bit of a kick in the guts to be frank and I felt a bit depressed afterwards. At the end of the day, if you plan to keep the car for a reasonably long time, you can always improve it - the bad thing is correcting what shouldn't need correction.

I wonder if the US mindset is connected to the idea that, if you really like cars, the car you buy is just a bit of a blank canvass that you need to improve upon and personalize. I'm happy to do restos on older vehicles, not so keen on doing that to new ones :(.

 

[peambros]

Geeze how depressing...all this wait and a dodgy effort re Ford especially as mine is RR. Shite!!!

 

[peambros]

By the way what is bonnet pinch, how do I recognise it and how is it fixed!!

 

[Drewbo]

I would have been more than happy to accept delivery of any of the cars.

If they pass the [MENTION=15083]Bobsp12[/MENTION] test, that's surely a good sign.

 

[MC]

By the way what is bonnet pinch, how do I recognise it and how is it fixed!!

You can see it here:

You need to readjust the catch (think there is a thread on the UK section of this forum on that). But best tell your dealer to fix it up I guess before giving him/her the cheque.

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