If it was cheaper, sure they would. Crown Vics were cheaper, roomy, and dependable. Now, whether that would be the case if they modernized it is the question!   We may get that answer though if the Mustang based sedan is produced as rumored and they offer a police package...   There are several state agencies that have purchased Mustangs now and have commented they are cheaper to purchase. Of course they have limitations and are primarily used for special patrol...

by many accounts you are an exception

I paid MSRP for both my Mach-E and Lightning and was the first delivery of both at the dealer I purchased from. 

So, my 2023 Nautilus with 2.7 could be a concern over the the wet belt?  

The one thing Slate has over this, is potential Dealer Markup.  If my memory is correct, (ha that's a laugh), Slate is purchased by bypassing dealerships.    $28K, we'll take care of that!  How's $35K sound?  

Fathom is definitely better than ranchero, however, ever since Sherminators typo (fantom), I keep thinking Ford Phantom sounds so much better than both of them.

Overall, calling it fathom was the right move. A neat sounding, fresh name for a super innovative and groundbreaking product. Using a heritage name for that always felt kinda off. Plus ranchero is up there with Thunderbird for being a pretty clunky sounding name imo.    This would have been Capri or mustang mach-e all over again had they called it ranchero. A bunch of enthusiasts bitching about it ruining the ranchero nameplate. Giving it something new was the better approach.    Hopefully that means other future Ford icons introduce more new names instead of relying on heritage alone. 

I did? Man must be getting old 😛  

You also said no way it would be $30k. 😎

Our city has full sized trucks and suvs and the county has explorers.  I bet none of them would go back to a car.