Late night rant about Ford - Anger follows. You've been warned

"themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce) 04/18/2014 at 01:30 • Filed to: Ford, Stealerships, Fiesta ST

2

44

It was a snowy day in January when I test drove a Fiesta ST. On summer rubber. I jumped railroad tracks in that little green booger. I loved it. I ordered one on the spot. Which one did I order? I had a performance blue FiST ordered with the gray recaros and a moonroof for options. I was told to expect a 6-8 week lead time. I have been ecstatic ever since.......until today.

It is April 18 at the time of writing. I was told the first week of April to "expect delivery" the week of the 21st. This is over a month and a half past my initial "expect delivery" date of the first week of March. Every week since that original week has been "One more week!" and I'm done. I can take no more. At this point, getting the Fiesta ST is an insult to myself because it means settling on the car I really didn't want. I am more than happy to take the depreciation hit for a car I love. But this? This treatment? No thanks. I'm one step away from being done. When I go into work this morning, I will place a call with the dealer. If I hear one more "Just one more week" then I will present the following ultimatum - Guarantee delivery by the end of the month or no sale to Ford. I will NOT settle on another FiST. I will NOT give Ford a sale of any kind. I have picked out some nice options from nearby dealers. They're not nearly as jalop but my lead option is a very low mileage (<20k) 2011 silverado V8, crew cab, 4x4, with the towing package for about the same price as the fiesta. It isn't jalop, but it will hold value and be useful while I wait. If I decide after a year or two I want to try again? I can bet money I won't lose more than a grand or so since I will limit mileage and won't "use" all of it.

I LOVE the Fiesta ST. I want one more than any other car in the world right now save for an air cooled 911. But I am also stubborn and vengeful and I have no problems buying a very nice vehicle below blue book value that will hold value AND meet my needs while I wait. I have zero doubt in my mind that the silverado will be a good vehicle to own. If anything, it might encourage me to finish my Audi project to have a manual again. But maybe after this, the MkVII GTI will be more appealing. Perhaps an Alfa hatchback might land on our shores. Or maybe I'll get bored of the truck and end up in a miata or WRX or refreshed FRS or IDX or who knows what else.

The takeaway is this - I know this is NOT the dealer's fault that they have been getting bad information. But the fact that I have constantly been the one to ask where my car is only to get "Uuuuuhhhh......maybe next week" isn't fair at all. I have been saving for YEARS for this moment and if they can't figure out when I will get my car in then they don't deserve my business. If they are losing sales because of this issue then they need to bring this up to Ford. If anyone from Ford is listening - FIX. YOUR. SHIT. It is unreasonable and unsustainable to string an enthusiast along because we do stuff like this.

Fox Ford of Grand Rapids has done nothing wrong besides not tell me immediate updates of the status of all of this (which might be a tad unrealistic as they will check for me whenever I ask). But the fact that Ford can't provide the vehicle to the dealership when promised is something I can't fathom. Allegedly my car is currently "built" but it also somewhere between mexico and kansas city and has been there since April 3rd or something. Why is it not in Grand Rapids? "Reasons" is the only answer I got. Well that isn't good enough. Not anymore. I have been MORE than patient and as I sit here, rewriting my CL post AGAIN after losing ANOTHER buyer who backed out because I asked them to wait, I'm done. This is Ford's last chance with me. Potentially for quite some time.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 01:47

0

The wait time is exactly the reason I settled when getting my BRZ I just called every dealership in a 100 mile radius of where I was living and ended up finding one in the trim level and one of the colors I wanted the only thing i didnt like about it is that it had the stupid chrome trim and the gas cap sticker.

NoahthePorscheGuy > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 01:49

0

I heard they stopped production of additional ST's until enough orders were placed. Who knows. Sorry you've had so much trouble.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ 04/18/2014 at 01:50

0

See I was prepared to wait when they told me the wait would be 6-8 weeks. But now that we're on week 13 and delivery is, as of week 11, expected week 14? I think my rage is a bit justified. And keep in mind - I was NEVER contacted first about a delay. I had to be proactive for each individual update. I shouldn't have to settle when I already set aside the time and money to order one built to my own spec.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > NoahthePorscheGuy 04/18/2014 at 01:53

0

WAIT WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?! THAT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL!

Bob: Gee Fred, we aint sellin enough of these fiesta STs!
Fred: Yeah let's not fulfill any outstanding orders until we get a LOT more
Bob: Yer a jeenus Fred!

That is all I can guess went down in Dearborn if that is the case. I KNOW I am not the only FiST "customer" waiting on their car. There were three of us that ordered. We're down to two. I might be the last one for this dealer. If I am, I am definitely not holding back.

The "official" explanation I have heard is "there aren't enough trucks to ship the cars" which doesn't explain why production of my ST was pushed back over a month to begin with but *might* explain why my Fiesta is expected to sit in a railyard for over a month without moving.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 01:57

0

Yeah I just wanted mine as the base model with no real extras, but i get the point of wanting exactly what you want and custom ordering it. I just couldn't be that patient to get what I wanted. I don't see how Ford could take so long to produce a car with what you wanted seeing as they probably produce a few hundred a day.

CRider > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 02:01

0

2011 silverado V8, crew cab, 4x4, with the towing package

From a Fiesta ST to that just because your car is stuck in transport? It happens, you're right to be angry but you'll kick yourself later if you buy the truck. And if you don't you'll probably like the truck and keep it. Delayed delivery is normal. Be patient, don't rush into anything.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > CRider 04/18/2014 at 02:08

0

It isn't "delayed delivery" when you promise a different date every week. Not when I'm trying to plan around this car entering my life and sell my old one.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 02:11

2

You pulled the classic rookie mistake that even Sherlock himself could instantly detect from far, FAR AWAY.

Never wait for your delivery. Buy one on the lot.

Birddog > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 02:13

0

Your second choice is a Silverado?

Only in Michigan..

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > CRider 04/18/2014 at 02:14

0

I should also add that my current DD is a mk3 Jetta lowered on coilovers with over 200k miles on it. It needs some work that I don't want to do. It will be a couple hundred dollars on a car worth about 1500. And that money comes out of my down payment for the new car. I was planning on it being gone by the middle/end of March at the latest. Multiple people have test driven and expressed intent to buy only to back out because I can't commit to a final "sell" date. If this wasn;t an issue, maybe I'd be more patient, but it is a HUGE stress when you have limited space for a car of any sort and have to plan around any other vehicles entering your life. I have maybe two days of storing a car I don't drive since my Audi takes up my extra spot. So I NEED to have this car pre-sold before I can pick up a new car. My current "buyer" is pissed and is waiting no longer than this weekend. As it is I have a feeling I'll have to let it go for less than we agreed on because I made him wait.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 04/18/2014 at 02:15

2

Why settle for something I don't love? That is terrible advice "Well you don't really *want* that one, but settle for it because it's there"

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 02:17

0

The thing is, why would you want to wait for delivery on an econobox that's... slightly spiced up? I mean, I would understand if it's Fiat and I would sympathize with you, but it's Ford, man.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Birddog 04/18/2014 at 02:19

0

Considering I have a project car and might be moving in a few months, I can get some "truck" use out of it. Plus it is priced below blue book AND crew cab V8 4x4 pickups with a towing package hold value like crazy. Any other vehicle would lose thousands over a year or two. But a properly optioned pickup? In America, they hold their value. This is a financial move. I don't drive much to get to work or the stores so if I just don't do a long road trip, I can keep the miles low and keep my cost for gas and depreciation low. Then in a year or two I can trade it in and have it be worth not much less than what I got it for. It certainly makes more sense than leasing a vehicle.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 04/18/2014 at 02:20

1

Ummmmmm.....wat? A fiat 500 abarth costs less than an ST and is slower and worse in every way. So you;re saying you'd wait for the worse car because it isn't a ford?

Soloburrito > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 02:22

0

When I did IT for a local Ford dealer, I sat in the fleet office (they also did non fleet sales occassionally) and heard this story many times, especially about cars sitting at railyards waiting to be moved.

I don't think I'll ever go to the trouble of ordering a car after seeing and hearing those stories. I'd rather they find me one sitting on a lot.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 02:24

0

>costs less

Uh, no.

Fiesta ST: $21,400* *Starting MSRP

Fiat 500 Abarth: $22,095*

Mini Cooper S R56: $24,000*

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 04/18/2014 at 02:34

0

MSRP of the fiesta I ordered is about 25k before tax/delivery so yes, it is. And fiat is more aggressive than ford on deals because the abarth gets its head kicked in by the ST. I could've had a decently loaded abarth for 21k. But its too small and just isn't right to me.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Soloburrito 04/18/2014 at 02:37

0

my question to that is "why lie to me?" Why tell me every week that its coming in the following week? How do these dealers stay in business? How has no one reported a problem before because I feel like just my dealer got the shaft somehow. Like I said, I know I'm not the only one there having issues.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 02:37

0

Once again, this is from the website themselves. You got one marked up or something because the MSRP from the start should have been $21K.

Dsscats > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 02:44

1

Eh. If it has leather I'd get the truck over the ST

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Dsscats 04/18/2014 at 02:48

0

Cloth seats. I prefer cloth to leather personally but the thing is the truck is the same price as the fiesta. 2011 silverado 4x4 with the 4.8 V8 and the towing package in crew cab configuration. The damn thing has 18k miles on it......I can't see it losing much value if I keep it in good shape and leave it stock. Plus it will be bulletproof and be ready to do work if I need it. Financially, since I don't need to out more than about 50 miles a week on it, it works out better than leasing a smaller car. Gas prices included.

The Transporter > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 04/18/2014 at 03:02

0

Did you just insult the FiST? I heard Sir Kenneth B. Blockington himself say that you just dun goofed. He says consequences will never be the same. Look upon the face of disapproval:

Trampling on the FiST is almost as bad as desecrating a Miata around these parts.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > The Transporter 04/18/2014 at 03:30

1

I REJECT THE PROPHECY OF BLOCKINGTON.

I AM A HERETIC.

Soloburrito > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 03:51

0

The truth is they don't know. All they can do is verify when you car has a vin, when it's built and where it is in the shipping process. Beyond that they can't tell you anything else.

Now imagine if everytime you asked about your car they said "I don't know". That wouldn't really mke things any better would it? Obviously the situation with you current car complicates things further.

I really do wish the best for you. I can't imagine how unbearable the wait must be.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 05:19

0

If you love it, buy a slightly used one from a fellow enthusiast. Don't punish yourself for someone else's mistakes.

jariten1781 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 07:34

0

Yeah, their logistics chain once it leaves the Mexico factory is bunk...I've heard this story more than once. Why it takes longer to put the car on trains and trucks from point A to point B than it does to build from pieces, quality check, and paint is mind boggling. Annnd...you'd think they'd have tracking/delivery date for a many 1000$ product at least as good as a USPS 4$ flat rate box...but nope. Still I'd wait it out, the car's that good.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 04/18/2014 at 07:43

0

I qualified for 0% financing. It would be more expensive to get a used one in the long run because of interest and loss of warranty. Not to mention whatever wear and tear they put on it. And that still brings me to the problem of it not being the car I want.

cabarne4 > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 04/18/2014 at 07:46

0

MSRP is $21k. The Recaro seats are a $4,000 option. Ridiculous, I know. It's why I haven't bought one yet. I can afford a $21k car, I can't afford a $25k car. I don't want to order one, and literally every dealer in the country checked off the Recaro option (at least when I had a local dealer do a national dealer search a few months ago).

Jayhawk Jake > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 08:00

0

Eh, it kind of makes sense. Economies of scale, they'll lose a ton of money if they only build a handful of cars.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > cabarne4 04/18/2014 at 08:09

0

The recaros are 2k in the fiesta, the option package for them is 4k in the Focus.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jayhawk Jake 04/18/2014 at 08:12

0

But you have to make a car to sell it. I would understand if dealer lots were choking on these like a chevy dealer chokes on malibus but understand that the Grand Rapids metro area is about a million people. I checked all of the dealers and not a single one of them have one. There are about 10 in the Detroit area, none of which are blue.

cabarne4 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 08:19

0

That's not what the window sticker on the Fiesta in Scottsdale said. I'd post a pic but my phone took a shit since then.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 04/18/2014 at 08:20

0

You know some manufacturers don't have this buy off the lot model. Mini is a decent example. Both Mini dealers I visited in my last car shopping experience were small. One was a closet in the back of a BMW dealer (practically).

They have little stock on hand (over 2/3 of Minis sold in the US are custom ordered, according to both dealers), and one didn't even have the model I was looking for. So to even see it, I would have had to order it.

Jayhawk Jake > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 08:21

0

They made a batch, and checked the sales numbers. They must not have been good enough to continue. If you only make a handful of cars, it costs a lot more than making thousands of them.

It's possible that Ford did a run of a set number of cars and then decided to wait for orders before doing another one. If those orders aren't enough to justify building the car, they won't build it.

Team6.1 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 08:23

0

Maybe it's the dealership giving you the runaround trying to keep you hooked, or maybe it's ford being bad with updates. Either way waiting sucks. Never ordered a new car before partly because of this but mostly because the depreciation hit.

It took me 6 months to find my mustang in the right color/trim/manual/year, but I also got it 1 year old with 11k miles for $10,000 less than msrp when it was bought

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 08:26

0

They stay in business because they're the only game in town, sadly. Your choices are between dealers, and some dealers in the same general area are owned by the same corporation.

But franchise laws are to Protect The Consumer(tm).

Once they know you want a special order car, there is practically no incentive for them to speed things along. As they hold a large dollar amount in inventory, they would much rather you buy one of their lot cars over a special order.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 08:28

0

I hear you. When you're paying money for a new (or even near-new) car, it's hard to accept getting it any way but exactly the way you want it.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 04/18/2014 at 08:35

0

Sometimes I envy people who just walk in to a toyota dealership and are happy with a corolla.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 08:38

0

[slap]

Snap out of it! Pity is the only emotion for those people.

Coty > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 09:08

0

The reason we're being told a ton of our shit isn't moving (both inventory and customer special orders) is because there's a shortage of train cars. Dunno if that's the case with yours, but it wouldn't surprise me. We've had a Mustang waiting to ship since like January.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/18/2014 at 10:04

0

Can you track you car's status by vin number? I can tell you this straight up,and it doesn't matter which dealer you deal with. they don't care about your problems or issues. once you buy the car they never want to hear from you again.

I realize you haven't bought the car yet. but I do think you are overreacting a bit. 6-8 weeks is VERY best case scenario. realistically it's probably more like 3-4 months.

The dealer has nothing to do with the manufacturing process so annoying them for a promise date is pointless because they cannot provide it. It's best for you to keep an eye on the build status by using the vin number.

Be patient it will be worth the wait. If you take joy in driving the truck altho more useful,it is boring to drive and don't forget the Truck will rape your wallet every time you drive it whereas you can hoon the fiesta all day long and not feel guilty about it cause it will only cost you $50 to fill.

AndTheyCalledHimGearhead > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 04/18/2014 at 18:14

0

On the contrary, my dear Katsura, there is nothing elementary about enthusiast cars. Ordering the whip you want when you've imagined it dancing around apexes is not a mistake. Trusting a gargantuan automaker that can't barely see their own toes to provide flawless customer service, may be.

Buy off the lot - you may compromise on what you get.

Order yours fresh off the factory floor - you may compromise on when you get it.

Both may possibly make you haz a dissapoint. Neither are a "mistake."

AndTheyCalledHimGearhead > cabarne4 04/18/2014 at 18:20

0

Proverb:

"Trust the web you must. Trust the window sticker altered at the dealership's every beckoning whim to make a $3,488 profit on that "hand-laid" pin-stripping option, you must not." - Anonymous

cabarne4 > AndTheyCalledHimGearhead 04/18/2014 at 21:42

1

Hahahahaha

Jalopnik proverbs need to become a thing.