earlygrey

Thanks to all for responding. The links were especially helpful in getting me up to speed. Since I was in a time crunch at time of original posting I went with the specified Motorcraft product. It looks like the Dex-Cool could be a more cost effective choice next time.

Is there a less expensive general market alternative to Motorcraft Specialty Orange engine coolant? Judging by the ingredients, the Motorcraft coolant does not have silicates or phosphates, but uses ethylene glycol and an hexanoate additive. Couldn't find anything that looked similar in Advanced Auto Parts and O'Reilly's around here, and only the dealers seem to have the Motorcraft brand. Thanks. Jim

Absolutely agree. I have an ingot silver hatchback SE and was more than pleasantly surprised to see the car turning heads in the parking lot at work, passing people at a bus stop, and even getting a shout out by some teenage girls waiting for the school bus! None of my prior cars had that effect on anybody. At first I thought they were looking because something was wrong! I've only had the car for a month but the way it catches the early or late day sunlight really makes it look good.

Well, this certainly wasn't the smoothest process, but I finally took delivery of the car on Tuesday. The dealer did ultimately give me a good price break and a generous offer on my trade in. Your brother's experience certainly sounds worse than mine. My commiserations.

I did reorder, with all the options originally specified. Based on the VIN and window sticker it looks like they got it right this time! The build date was suppose to be Aug 22 and the sales manager at the dealer believes it will be delivered the week of Sept 5. Fingers crossed. And you are right. I generally keep cars a long time and so it was important to get what was wanted.

No major damage to the car, just my credit card!

Thanks for sharing. Sounds like my conversation with the sales manager yesterday. And I am leaning towards taking the same approach as you. Don't think I really have that much negotiation leverage if I want the vehicle. I suspect they will be able to sell the not quite correct (for me) order fairly easily.

It is looking like I will need to reorder. Thanks to those who responded, I was able to at least convey the request for a priority 1. Didn't hear back today if the dealer sales manager talked to the zone manager or not. I guess we shall see how that affects the situation. And just to make things even more fun, this morning the timing belt broke on my current car!

I placed a custom order a few weeks back. After finding out that my initially preferred color was no longer available, the dealer resubmitted the order. Got my VIN last Saturday and the Window Sticker could be generated today. Alas, I find out that the window sticker does not include one of the requested options (the winter package to be specific). Had a "discussion" with the sales manager at the dealership tonight. He is investigating and is supposedly going to contact the regional zone manager tomorrow to see if/how the situation may be rectified. I only see a few options: accept the not to spec car that gets delivered, submit a new order and start the wait again, see if an equivalent vehicle turns up elsewhere, or walk away. Has anyone else had this experience? If so what did you wind up doing? Jim

As others have pointed out it apparently takes a few days. I got my VIN this past Saturday from the dealer and the Window Sticker was available today when I checked. Jim

It is nice to discover others who have been thinking/obsessing over this as much as me! In no special order: Get confirmation of delivery date/timeframe from dealer! Build iPod playlist for first drive Scotchguard at the ready Map out route and itinerary depending on weather See if wife can get a vacation day Hit the road! Any suggestions out there for the playlist?

I am a soon to be 2012 Ford Focus SE hatchback owner and this is my first post as a new member of the Blue Oval Forums. This will be my fifth car, but first Ford. Jim