Holding out for better price

[Mercury_Rising]

Hey guys-
I'm new to the MM forum. Last year I wanted the MM but wouldn't pay $1000 over sticker. So I settled for an '02 Crown Vic LX sport @ $23,450. It's a nice car, but not enough ummph! With the prices I've seen listed here, I began looking around to see if I could land a deal of the century on the MM.
Went to a dealer here in MA that has 6 on the lot.(all 300a's, cd changer, 2 w/trunk organiser). They wouldn't go below $28,900 after rebates,(a good price $350 over invoice) and only offered me $13,500 for my CV with 4500 miles on it. So of course I walked.
I feel I'm in a good position to wait because of the slow sales numbers, but the rebates are supposed to end on 5/5.

Any rumors or facts available on the future rebates?

Oh yeah, and the sales manager squashed th "A" plan idea I suggested. Has anyone really gotten that that is not officially qualified?

If anyone know any dealers in MA or southern New Hampshire that are more buyer friendly, I'm open to sugestions.
If not, maybe I'll just put an AED supercharger on the Vic.

Thanks alot and wish me luck on my quest!

Jay

[jgc61sr2002]

CrownVic1 Welcome aboard. As you probably already know this the best site on the web. As far as the trade the same thing happened to me, I had a 2000 GM with the handling package with only 7,300 miles. They offered me $12,000 and they said the were doing me a favor. Yea right. I sold it privately for considerably more and then bought the MM. If I didn't sell it for my asking price I would still have it and there would be no Marauder. Good Luck. John

[jerrym3]

To get the A plan, you have to have a valid PIN directly from Ford/Mercury. The A plan "grantor" has an emplyee number that must be given to Ford before the PIN is granted.

I have one from my father-in-law (35 years with Ford security in NJ), but I'm wondering if it's still valid since he passed away last month. My mother-in-law is still allowed to get (and grant) 3 A plan PINs every 12 months.

I can't see how any dealer can give you the A plan without the PIN.

2002 leftover Tbirds are now down to A plan minus 4K. Getting very close to under 30K. Every dealer that I browsed on Sunday still has all the 2002s that they've had for weeks.

[RoyLPita]

welcome aboard CrownVic1!!

[Macon Marauder]

You don't need a plan. Marauders are going for less than invoice to the public. You may just have to work to find a dealer willing to "deal."

Bummer part is that used car sales are WAY depressed and trade in values have hit rock bottom.

[jerrym3]

If you are A plan eligible, you can get the A plan and any factory rebate, and then haggle from there.

The A plan is less than factory invoice, so if you get the A plan AND the facory rebate, the price becomes very attractive.

A Ford dealer tried to sell be a 2003 TBird for cost plus $300. He sent me all the paperwork to prove his claim:

List: $41,650
A Plan: $36,876 (he would not sell the 2003 on the A plan)
Edmunds invoice cost: $38,191
Dealer's selling price: $38,955

Difference of $764 between cost and selling price due to:

$300 dealer "profit"; NJ cost surcharge $125; dealer assessment: $315; gas: $24.57.

One dealer in North Jersey was selling Marauders on the A plan from day 1.

[WolfeBros]

Shop around. I beat the A plan price by just going to different dealers. I would bet the rebates will be back again. No one is selling many cars with them. And be prepared to get clobbered on any trade. You may have to sell the CV yourself and still lose a ton of money. Good luck and welcome to the site.

[autolisle]

Welcome aboard, CrownVic1!
And yes, this is the best dang site on the world wide web. Thanks to the orginators and members of this here site, I have saved a bundle of $$$$, vastly increased my knowledge of
"automotive engineering", and had loads of larfs from participating!

Now, back to one of CrownVic1's first questions, guys and gals!
Any facts or insights about the next round of rebates, holdbacks, cashback etc. for the Marauder or other Ford/Mercury products after April 30/May 3 or 5???

(I'm currently shopping for a Ford conversion van and have a 2001 F-150 SuperCrew for sale).

Thanks to all.

[FordNut]

Macon,
You hit the nail on the head about used car values... Whew, did I take a beating on the trade in. But we're getting the silver one for the wife now anyway!

[Mercury_Rising]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!! This is a great site with access to lots of info.

Responses to the emails I sent to some area dealers are now rolling in, and several look promising. I've been told that AARP members or anyone in their household get an additional $500 rebate. Nice-My dad is a member.

The big question mark will be my trade. I don't owe that much on it so I'm willing to accept some degree of loss, but I won't be insulted.

Thanks again for all the replies and the warm welcome!

Jay

[Directedby]

Invoice including the $725.00 destination charge is $31,583. Less the $3,500 rebate comes to $28,083.

My local dealer just called me. I left my number with him 2 months ago. He says he just got in 8 new Marauders in Black, Blue and Silver and he has to sell 4 in the next 2 days, before the end of month.

I told him I would buy if I can get the $28,083 price AND he takes my current lease off my hands.

He is getting back to me tomorrow.

[TAF]

Finally!!!

I hope he does the right thing and works the deal for you...which color are you going to choose?

[MassMarauder]

CrownVic1 - What dealer are you working with? Which one has 6 left? I bought from Rodman in Rayham but Rodman Foxboro advertises them for 27500.

Welcome aboard!

[Directedby]

TAF

Gotta go with Black.

My lease ends in September and I was going to wait it out, but if he takes it off my hands, I'm in.

It's going to be interesting to see what he does.

My Leased Tahoe has $25,500 owed and the blue book wholsale is $25,000.

I will let you know what happens.

[TAF]

Good Luck!!! We're all pullin or ya!

(think about that silver, though...I think it looks HOT!)

[dok]

Originally posted by CrownVic1

. I've been told that AARP members or anyone in their household get an additional $500 rebate. Nice-My dad is a member.


Jay

True

I picked up my MM this afternoon. Got the $3,500 Mercury rebate plus $500 AARP.

[Directedby]

My mom is an AARP member but I don't live with her.

Do you think I can get the $500 discount?

[dok]

Don't know. I just looked at the Mercury website and it says $500 rebate for AARP "members".

If they want to sell you the car bad enough, they'll probably give it to you. Doesn't come out of the dealer's pocket.

They did take a copy of my AARP membership card.

[Mercury_Rising]

To MassMarauder- Thanks for the info on Rodman-I didn't have them on my list.

Clark and White in Newton has 6 on the lot and that's where I went initially.

I'm not quite old enough to qualify for AARP (34 in June) and I don't live with my Dad either, but I will ask the dealer that made the suggestion to me if I qualify for the extra $500. I will let you know...

Jay

[MM03MOK]

Hi CrownVic1 - good to see another enthusiast from the Commonwealth. Moparzz, an MM.net member from the Cape, is selling his Marauder, FYI.