Someone's cashing in early..

[SteveS]

What is the actual waiting time at the moment? Many of us have been waiting a long time, but most of that was down to the fact that they weren't building them (in RHD) yet. I'd have thought it'd be 3 months, mainly taken up by the convoluted transport route. The factory would receive the order and presumably build straight away. The only thing I can think of that would cause delays is if they wanted to send in 'batches' if this meant getting the cheapest possible shipping rates. But I imagine this would be a false economy compared to the lost sales from all those people who won't a ridiculous amount of time.

That would assume they were up-to-date on current orders, or very nearly. I thought they were still quoting a year. I ordered in February and they haven't even guaranteed it'll be built this year...and I assume i'm not alone.

Shipping won't help.

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[tooley]

What is the actual waiting time at the moment? Many of us have been waiting a long time, but most of that was down to the fact that they weren't building them (in RHD) yet. I'd have thought it'd be 3 months, mainly taken up by the convoluted transport route. The factory would receive the order and presumably build straight away. The only thing I can think of that would cause delays is if they wanted to send in 'batches' if this meant getting the cheapest possible shipping rates. But I imagine this would be a false economy compared to the lost sales from all those people who won't a ridiculous amount of time.

I was quoted 10 to 12 months.

 

[SteveS]

I would assume the lead time would get shorter, if they wanted it to of course. They won't always have an order book of 1500-2000 cars.

 

[Toploader]

What is the actual waiting time at the moment

Ford UK dealer bulletin is currently quoting 9 months for GT ( i.e. V8 ) and 6 months for EcoBoost. ;)

The current feeling seems to be that Ford aren't concerned to speed the process up any further. They're aware that some German marques may take 6 - 9 months from order to delivery for the UK market. Obviously they're riding on the strength of the amount of early Mustang orders right now. There's no reason why they couldn't cut down the delivery time in the future. The 12 weeks from Flat Rock factory release to UK dealer is never going to change that much but if dealer order to factory build time could be cut down then things could be a lot, lot quicker obviously.

 

[McDoodle]

What is the actual waiting time at the moment? Many of us have been waiting a long time, but most of that was down to the fact that they weren't building them (in RHD) yet. I'd have thought it'd be 3 months, mainly taken up by the convoluted transport route. The factory would receive the order and presumably build straight away. The only thing I can think of that would cause delays is if they wanted to send in 'batches' if this meant getting the cheapest possible shipping rates. But I imagine this would be a false economy compared to the lost sales from all those people who won't a ridiculous amount of time.

I think the issue for Ford is that they are only planning/have the capacity to make so many RHD cars a year (for the global RHD market, remember). From what I understand they'll be built in batches so that in itself will lead to a wait. Obviously once scheduled for production - and providing they have a supply of RHD body shells - it only takes a day or so to build one and (providing the mystery 'upfitters' issues have been resolved) it should only be a short time thereafter before gate release - and then you're into the 12 week delivery period.

If this set of circumstances remains the same for the foreseeable future then it should mean Mustangs a fairly rare sight in the UK for at least a year and keep residuals reasonably high you would think.

I should just add that if the GT350 didn't exist I wouldn't be selling mine - but I don't think I could live with the GT knowing that it was the 'second best' Mustang out there. I realise that this depends totally on your own personal definition of 'best' of course, but the 5.2 flat-plane V8 and subtle changes to the looks pretty much do it for me! :love:

 

[deep south]

If this set of circumstances remains the same for the foreseeable future then it should mean Mustangs a fairly rare sight in the UK for at least a year and keep residuals reasonably high you would think.

I should just add that if the GT350 didn't exist I wouldn't be selling mine - but I don't think I could live with the GT knowing that it was the 'second best' Mustang out there. I realise that this depends totally on your own personal definition of 'best' of course, but the 5.2 flat-plane V8 and subtle changes to the looks pretty much do it for me! :love:

I applaud you for knowing what want, and going for it.

But there are always certain "types of people..." who have too much money and just want to spend their bonus to (maybe) show off to others, and the law of supply & demand will kick in. Fair enough.

I wonder what proportion of UK buyers wouldn't have bought the Mustang if it wasn't RHD? I know I was considering a new Camaro a couple of years ago, but when the RHD was announced - and at a better price than the Camaro that swung it for me. Even if I have had a 2 year wait compared to if I had plumped for the LHD Camaro...

I think the factory can make as many RHD's as they want to, but until the RHD markets have "caught up" with the initial enthusiast overload, no one - Ford UK or Ford US really knows what the "normal" demand is for them.

 

[Toploader]

I wonder what proportion of UK buyers wouldn't have bought the Mustang if it wasn't RHD?

I think the factory can make as many RHD's as they want to, but until the RHD markets have "caught up" with the initial enthusiast overload, no one - Ford UK or Ford US really knows what the "normal" demand is for them.

I think I know what you're saying.

If UK Ford dealers had offered S550 in LHD it wouldn't have sold in any significant numbers at all.

Over time American cars have achieved some sales successes in the UK - but in more recent times this has been very limited. For example Chrysler 300C was only as successful as it was in the UK / Europe due to the CRD Diesel engines - SRT8 and 5.7 Hemi versions which were the choice of the real U.S car fan sold in tiny, tiny numbers here. Same with Monaro and VXR8, I know people say they're Australian but its all GM, in the end the UK Vauxhall dealers were stuck with what they had and were virtually giving them away! Lets be honest anything here that is big engine V8 petrol, built down to a budget price and carrying top rate road tax has always been a bit of a disaster!

So its hard to see where Mustang will place here. However, the one big thing it has over everything else that has been tried here before is that its Mustang - complete with the Mustang nameplate and heritage! Not sure if true but I've read before that Mustang is the most recognisable and iconic vehicle name in the world?

 

[benanderson89]

I think I know what you're saying.

If UK Ford dealers had offered S550 in LHD it wouldn't have sold in any significant numbers at all.

Over time American cars have achieved some sales successes in the UK - but in more recent times this has been very limited. For example Chrysler 300C was only as successful as it was in the UK / Europe due to the CRD Diesel engines - SRT8 and 5.7 Hemi versions which were the choice of the real U.S car fan sold in tiny, tiny numbers here.

To give credit where credit is due, the V6 CRD was rated at 300hp (which is a lot for a Diesel) with so much Torque it'd easily shame many pickup trucks.

But yes, the Diesel made it popular. Hopefully once the new tax laws start in 2017 less people will be buying Diesels. A V8 mustang will pay the same tax per year as a 1.1L Diesel Kia Rio. The VW scandal has highlighted how environmentally unfriendly they are, too. "Clean Diesel" has never been a thing, hence why they need AdBlue in the states - people will click onto this and go buy a 1.4L Turbo Petrol instead.

I wonder what proportion of UK buyers wouldn't have bought the Mustang if it wasn't RHD? I know I was considering a new Camaro a couple of years ago, but when the RHD was announced - and at a better price than the Camaro that swung it for me. Even if I have had a 2 year wait compared to if I had plumped for the LHD Camaro...

I too almost bought a G5 Camaro. Albeit an imported 1SS rather than the "official" Euro Spec (which was based on the 2SS + almost all options and cost a sodding fortune!)

The Mustang being available in RHD had me at the Ford dealer the second I my credit card was clear.

 

[jord79]

If Mustang hadn't been available in RHD I'd definitely be considering other options and almost definitely not a new vehicle. RHD is the icing on the cake. Easier to drive on our roads and get insurance. Plus I have to get through security gates at work which would be impractical! Alternatives I'd be considering would all be V8 powered - that is a must.

 

[Monty]

I've 'ummed and arred' for nearly 10 years over a Mustang or Camaro! Never quite had the balls to go for it. When the RHD was announced, it was a wish come true. Although somehow being an 'official' car sold at the local scruffy Ford dealer (for anyone to buy) seemed to take away some of the special-ness. Talk about wanting cake and eating it.

If not going for the mustang though, I wouldn't be considering a new car to be honest and would be budgeting half the amount. Still wondering if I'll keel over with violent stomach pains when it comes to actually paying. It'll be beans on toast to eat for the next 3 years!

 

[Travel Lad]

Always wanted one but would never have considered it until the RHD was annouced and even without the IRS it would have been where do I sign up! But with the IRS it's just bonus time :-)

 

[benanderson89]

Yeah, the IRS was a very welcome bonus! I guess we're just lucky that the best and biggest change to the Mustang is the one we're getting first.

 

[croyde]

I too had said that I'd never buy new again. After owning a Grand Marquis V8, I was considering the previous Mustang (Insurance was eye watering) or a classic from the 60s (Needed a garage, a big one) but after they announced the prices of the RHD, I put my money down straight away.

Now the first part of my plan has come to fruition, having moved out of London for the first time in my life to a house in a secluded hamlet with space for the new edition.

I just bloody well need the car now.

BTW I now have a garage with the new house but it's a foot too small for the Mustang. Anyhow the insurance companies charge extra if it's garaged anyway.

 

[SteveS]

Anyhow the insurance companies charge extra if it's garaged anyway.

Well...
Car insurance is a bit of a black art...

 

[benanderson89]

Well...
Car insurance is a bit of a black art...

Its actually quite simple.

First, get a dart board. Then the insurance agent has a few shots of neat Vodka followed by 6 pints of cider. Once said agent is well and truly plastered he throws three darts at the board as if its the face of his sworn enemy.

Add a 0 to the score.

Post to website.

:cheers:

But on a more serious note. Insurance really is befuddling. I've been quoted £485 for a Mustang GT and £1500 for the smaller, lighter, cheaper and less powerful 370Z.

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