RobErnst

As near as I can tell (I just built "my" 2009 that I'm hoping to actually purchase), the Interior Upgrade Package is part of the premium. It's kind of sketchy as to whether that includes mycolor or not. Its worth the price (IMHO) for the aluminum dash, shifter, steering wheel and running boards but I've always kind of liked the MyColor. I'm more excited about the glass roof though! First thing I'll do to it is get a TRUE shaker hood kit and then a louder exhaust (the stock is "ok"). Might even jump up to the 3.73 or 4.10 gears from FRP. :stats: Rob

Let me give you my perspective on the Mustang GT's from the Dealer's Side. Also, if anyone is interested, I have a 2007 GT Convertible in White with Tan leather at $500 BELOW invoice minus the current (for our region in Cincinnati anyway) $1000 rebate. I had a soldier (in Iraq) email me that he wanted a Black GT 5 Speed. I'm the Internet Director at a small dealership (60 cars per month total) on the West Side of Cincinnati so of course I want to support one of our "boys in uniform". This was in April. Several emails back and forth. Say's he's putting $10k down so I figure credit won't be a problem. We nail down what he wants (Black GT Premium 5 Speed Manual with Black Leather Interior interior upgrade pkg). I agree to sell him a stick (commodity) at invoice minus rebates AND he gets the $500 military discount. I didn't feel the need to take a deposit because we'd been talking back and forth since April when he tells me in October that he'll be home in December do I think I can have the car for him by then. The sales answer to that question is ALWAYS "Yes! Absolutely!" I also offer to sell him the car at Invoice minus the $1000 rebate and also minus the $500 military rebate. By the time he was coming home, Ford even put an additional $500 December Bonus Cash Rebate on it! I have my GM order the car the way he wants. Allocation cuts in (5 speed manuals are a commodity) but we get it scheduled to be built. It has a build date of Dec 16th. I told the guy this and he said he'd be home the week before that. I still didn't take a deposit but I got on the phone and called a LOT of dealers and found a Black GT 5 Speed Manual exactly like he wanted but with the Satelite Radio ($195) and the Exterior Appearance Pkg ($2-something hood scoop and engine cover). We talk (by now he's in Houston TX) on the phone and he says yes, that's fine, I'll take it. I go and GET the car for him (remember, I still have the other one ordered as well). I offer to PICK HIM UP AT THE AIRPORT in it but he says, "No, I want to spend Wednesday with my family, I'll be up on Thursday at 9AM to sign the paperwork and pick up the car." I've also offered to sell him the car at Invoice minus the $1000 rebate and also minus the $500 military rebate. Ford even puts an additional $500 December Bonus Cash Rebate on it! So far, all very understandable and we're all in agreement. Thursday Morning? No show but we'd had some icey/rain/snow that morning so I'm figuring he doesn't want to get his new Black GT all dirty. I call him at 11 and he says, "I'm at the mall, let me call you back." He calls me back and says, "Oh, I went out last night and bought one from another dealer. Oh by the way, its not black, its Alloy cuz I couldn't find a Black one" This is why I HATE to order cars for people. I WILL not without a non-refundable $500 deposit ever. The only other time I ever took a deposit before this one was for a Lariat Crew Cab Super Duty Diesel with a 6 speed manual transmission. I do 5-7 dealer trades per month and typically only asked for their word but after this situation, I take a deposit on all of them now.

Sorry for the long quote. I sell Fords for a living. We just took in a 1987 F-150. Regular cab, long bed, inlind 6 cylinder, 3 speed automatic. Nothing fancy (in fact its an XL). It's got rust on it. But one drive around the block in it and you'll never even CONSIDER driving a Toyota. From the wimpy shift knob in the Toy to the goofy looking dash and no stick shift version (Ford really should offer a 6 speed manual and long bed across the lines but at least they still do in the Super Duty), Just more proof that Toyota doesn't really get it yet. Wait for the 09 boys. I've already seen pictures of the 6 speed automatic. The '08 Superduty's will be here any day with their new twin turbo 6.4 quieter Diesel and I've heard rumors of an IRS on the F150's (they already have a 6 speed auto and second generation IRS on the Expedition). Let's see Toyota top that.

I sold Toyota's for a while and trust me their quality is slipping. The press doesn't report it like they do when anything is wrong with an "AMERICAN" product (don't get me started about the local news announcing a Ford recall that will effect "EVERYBODY" and then listen to the news to find out its something obscure on a Volvo. Hello, 1% of the US market maybe?) but the new 2007 Camry's have a LOT of quality issues and that's one of the reasons why JD Power said the new Fusion is their best pick for initial quality. Now, we have to get people past the "boring Taurus" of the past and look at a new Fusion. For about $16k (at invoice minus the $1000 rebate) you get a 5 speed manual tranny that shifts like butter, a height adjustable driver's seat power windows, power locks, keyless entry and I just LOVE the look and seats. I'd personally go for the SE (for a few more dollars with fog lights and alloy wheels) but even the base model has Side Impact Air Bags and Side Curtain Airbags. When you compare it to 19k for the same thing in the Camry its an even BETTER value. When you go onto a Honda lot and get the "we don't need rebates" routine, you'll appreciate looking at a Ford even more! Go online and look at the Fusionchallenge.com website. They even have a $249 a month lease on an SE with only taxes down (ford even makes your first payment for you so you get a 39 month low mileage lease with only 38 payments). Sorry if I sound like a salesperson (which I am by the way!) for Ford but I just get so AGGRAVATED when people start downing American Products over Japanese. Ford even upped their warranties to 5 year, 60,000 miles. The lowly Focus has a 5 year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty and you can take it out to Bumper to Bumper for less than a $1000... Did you sales person even show you that the seats are height adjustable on the Focus? OR that it had tilt AND Telescopic Steering? Did you drive the ST model with the 2.3 Litre 4 Cylinder and manual transmission? Fords ROCK! FORD Toyota