2007 SEL AWD Loaded on the way!

[PCRob]

Hi all,

 

I ran across this forum while researching a Fusion purchase, and it looks like a great place for information.

 

I worked a deal with my local dealer for the following:

 

2007 Ford Fusion SEL AWD

Dark Blue Pearl

Spoiler

Black Leather

Audiophile Sound

Moonroof

Anti-lock Brakes

Heated Seats

Remote Start, etc.

 

Pretty much every option they have except navigation.

 

My wife's dad is retired Ford so I got the Z plan price No money down, 36 month lease, 12,000 miles per, with 3 remaining Explorer Limited payments rolled in for $395 a month out the door. The sticker is $28,015, so that seems like a good deal to me. They gave me $2000 in rebates (auto show too), and an extra $500 rebate for coming out of an Explorer lease. They threw in the remote start and some winter premium floor mats as part of some winter package for AWD vehicles Does that sound like a good deal overall?

 

I pick it up Thursday evening, so I am exited to get into it.

 

Anyone else with the Audiophile sound: is it good enough for those with picky ears? I am used to the Audiophile system on my Explorer with a sub, and I had an after market Head Unit which blew away the factory. Will the newer Fusion head unit be good enough? Just trying to get some opinions. If not, I may have to get a harness kit and put my other HU in this one.

 

Anyway, sorry for rambling. Just wanted to say hey and post my deal since others seem to share the same.

 

Regards,

 

Rob

[robertlane]

Welcome to the site - congrats on the Fusion AWD purchase. The AWD absolutely rocks - I'm a big fan of these puppies

[akirby]

Anyone else with the Audiophile sound: is it good enough for those with picky ears? I am used to the Audiophile system on my Explorer with a sub, and I had an after market Head Unit which blew away the factory. Will the newer Fusion head unit be good enough? Just trying to get some opinions. If not, I may have to get a harness kit and put my other HU in this one.

 

The audiophile system sucks - no way to sugarcoat it. It's better than the non audiophile system but it's not nearly as good as the audiophile system on my Lincoln LS. I've already replaced the front component speakers with Polk Audio 5 1/4" components and that made a huge difference. The front speakers only weigh a few ounces - they're much cheaper than I expected. I'm trying to find some suitable replacements for the 6x9 subs but it's hard (almost impossible) to find dedicated 6x9 subwoofers so I'll probably end up using some Pioneer 6x9 2 or 3 ways. I think the problem is in the cheap speakers, not the head unit, but then again I'm not that picky. KC and the Sunshine Band sounds just fine on less than stellar equipment.

[ctrcbob]

Hey Rob,

 

Something wrong here. The "Z"-Plan (like the A-Plan and X-Plan) is for a PURCHASE, not for a Lease.

 

I smell something "Fishy" here.

 

What SHOULD happen is that there is no negotions whatsoever. You get the car for the Z-Plan price, and add on anything you still owe on your trade. No leasing, no dealer markup, no documentation fee, etc.

 

Did the dealer get you a "PIN" number? If you want to be sure that the dealer is not pulling a fast one, or just to make sure your dealer is being honest with you, call Ford's Information Friends and Family Plan at the following phone. 1-800-348-7709 and they will give you the correct information.

 

I purchased my car with Fords "X"-Plan. (Cost me more than your Z-Plan but I was still happy). I'm sure the Z-Plan is like the A and X Plans with no leasing, just purchase.

[akirby]

Hey Rob,

 

Something wrong here. The "Z"-Plan (like the A-Plan and X-Plan) is for a PURCHASE, not for a Lease.

 

I smell something "Fishy" here.

 

What SHOULD happen is that there is no negotions whatsoever. You get the car for the Z-Plan price, and add on anything you still owe on your trade. No leasing, no dealer markup, no documentation fee, etc.

 

Did the dealer get you a "PIN" number? If you want to be sure that the dealer is not pulling a fast one, or just to make sure your dealer is being honest with you, call Ford's Information Friends and Family Plan at the following phone. 1-800-348-7709 and they will give you the correct information.

 

I purchased my car with Fords "X"-Plan. (Cost me more than your Z-Plan but I was still happy). I'm sure the Z-Plan is like the A and X Plans with no leasing, just purchase.

 

You can lease or buy with X plan or any other plan AFAIK. For a lease it lowers the cost of the vehicle and accordingly lowers the monthly lease payment.

[bbf2530]

Hey Rob,

 

Something wrong here. The "Z"-Plan (like the A-Plan and X-Plan) is for a PURCHASE, not for a Lease.

 

I smell something "Fishy" here.

 

What SHOULD happen is that there is no negotions whatsoever. You get the car for the Z-Plan price, and add on anything you still owe on your trade. No leasing, no dealer markup, no documentation fee, etc.

 

Did the dealer get you a "PIN" number? If you want to be sure that the dealer is not pulling a fast one, or just to make sure your dealer is being honest with you, call Ford's Information Friends and Family Plan at the following phone. 1-800-348-7709 and they will give you the correct information.

 

I purchased my car with Fords "X"-Plan. (Cost me more than your Z-Plan but I was still happy). I'm sure the Z-Plan is like the A and X Plans with no leasing, just purchase.

 

Hi ctrcbob. PCRob and akirby are correct. The A-Z-X Plan pricing is also available for Ford Red Carpet Leases. The Plan pricing essentially lowers your starting point (vehicle purchase price) in the Leasing procedure (as akirby explained).

 

To PCRob: Just read the rest of the RCL pricing paperwork very carefully, as the more complicated Leasing procedure makes it easier for a Dealer to slide in extra charges, fees and higher interest rates (as we all know, some dealers are more honest than others) to pad their profit margin.

Good luck with your new Fusion! :D

[PCRob]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

Yes, I have used the Z plan twice in the past on leases. I am always extra careful about what goes into, and is taken off of the lease price. I never put money down, and keep it at or under 36-39 months.

 

I got such an awesome deal on the Explorer last time that everything now seems so much more expensive overall. That was a completely loaded 2004 Explorer Limited with quad captains chairs, and every option but the DVD system. Sticker was $41,350, and I rolled out the door with not a penny down for $429 a month. They had $6,000 in rebates, plus Z plan, plus 1k Retiree bonus cash, plus auto show cash. That was a deal.....

 

I hope the Fusion treats me as well as the Explorer did. It was by far the nicest vehicle I have ever owned.

 

I pick up the Fusion tonight, so I'll try and post my impressions this weekend.

 

Thanks all!

 

Rob

[ctrcbob]

I learn something new. Thanks.

 

I wonder if anything has changed since I used the X-Plan four months ago. I.E., Not allowed to first try to negotiate with dealer, but must tell dealer right from the start that you want to buy using the A/X/Z Plan. Also that the dealer is not allowed to charge "Dealer Fee's" etc. Also, the dealer must show customer the A/X/Z Plan price listed right on the paper (invoice?) that is in the dealers position. Only extras paid are State/Local Taxes, State Title and Tag (License Plate) Fees.

 

BTW, my purchasing dealer did try to pull a fast one on me. They told me it would cost me $181.00 to get the car Titled, plus licensed (new tag). I told them that I know it does not cost that much in Florida. They said that I would get the refund from the dealer after the it was titled. OK, ten days later I received the Title from the state. A week later, still no refund, so I called my local DMV to find out just how much it cost. DMV told me the cost, so a couple days later, I emailed the dealership and told them that

"I know your are very busy so I assume you just forgot to send me my refund". They phoned me and said they were sending the refund that same day, and I received it two days later. You have to keep them honest.

 

Again, I did not receive my PIN from a Ford Employee, but from the department at Ford that handles the A/X/Z plans. They checked that my employer was on their "partners" list, ask me a couple questions, then gave my my PIN. At the time (four months ago) they told me that with the X-Plan PIN, I could purchase Two Cars a year. Told me that A-Plan (and perhaps Z-Plan) PIN could purchase Four Cars a year. A and Z Plans cost the customer less than the X-Plan, but I think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. People have told me that I could have gotten the car for even less by negotiating, but I don't like playing those dealer games, so with the A/X/Z Plans, the price is the price. No games.

 

I always inform people who are interested in a FoMoCo product about the X-Plan. If they can't purchase from the plan, I inform them about a dealership with two locations, one Ford and the other Ford/Mercury that is within easy driving distance that has a "One Price Policy". The price is the price is the price. No dickering, clearly posted, and always much lower than MSRP. I purchased a Mercury Marauder from them a few years ago and it was a pleasure dealing with them.

[akirby]

I learn something new. Thanks.

 

I wonder if anything has changed since I used the X-Plan four months ago. I.E., Not allowed to first try to negotiate with dealer, but must tell dealer right from the start that you want to buy using the A/X/Z Plan. Also that the dealer is not allowed to charge "Dealer Fee's" etc. Also, the dealer must show customer the A/X/Z Plan price listed right on the paper (invoice?) that is in the dealers position. Only extras paid are State/Local Taxes, State Title and Tag (License Plate) Fees.

 

No, the rules haven't changed. This is what the FordPartner.com website says (for those who obtain their X plan pin through the Corporate Partners plan):

 

24. When do I need to identify myself as a participant?

 

You are OBLIGATED to identify yourself as a Partner Recognition participant at the time you first visit a dealership. Not providing this information to your salesperson up-front, may jeopardize your ability to obtain a vehicle using the Partner Recognition Program.

And this is what the myplan.ford.com website says (for those who get a friends and family PIN from an employee):

· Immediately identify yourself to the dealer as an X Plan eligible customer.

 

I'll leave the interpretation up to you in the interest of not starting up an old argument.

[bbf2530]

I learn something new. Thanks.

 

I wonder if anything has changed since I used the X-Plan four months ago. I.E., Not allowed to first try to negotiate with dealer, but must tell dealer right from the start that you want to buy using the A/X/Z Plan. Also that the dealer is not allowed to charge "Dealer Fee's" etc. Also, the dealer must show customer the A/X/Z Plan price listed right on the paper (invoice?) that is in the dealers position. Only extras paid are State/Local Taxes, State Title and Tag (License Plate) Fees.

 

 

Again, I did not receive my PIN from a Ford Employee, but from the department at Ford that handles the A/X/Z plans. They checked that my employer was on their "partners" list, ask me a couple questions, then gave my my PIN. At the time (four months ago) they told me that with the X-Plan PIN, I could purchase Two Cars a year. Told me that A-Plan (and perhaps Z-Plan) PIN could purchase Four Cars a year. A and Z Plans cost the customer less than the X-Plan, but I think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. People have told me that I could have gotten the car for even less by negotiating, but I don't like playing those dealer games, so with the A/X/Z Plans, the price is the price. No games.

 

Hi ctrcbob (and akirby) :D! As akirby says, follow the rules that you have been told for the FordPartners Plan site. Since FordPartners is the provider of your PIN, you need to follow their rules.

Any other rules in effect for other A/X/Z Plan providers, although they vary slightly, would not apply to your purchase with the Partner Recognition Program.

Concerning other people claiming that you (or they) can get a better price than X-Plan by negotiating on their own, as they say anything is possible. But in many, many years of providing Z and X Plan Pins to family and friends, no one has ever been able to negotiate a better price on their own. That would be in over 30 purchases, including my own. But it never hurts to ask, right?

Good luck with your new car! :beerchug:

[Drake]

Congrats on the new ride!