akirby

Sure he did. Then he's going to add a $400 documentation fee and maybe some "dealer accessories" to make up for it. Or he's taking it out of the trade-in. Or he's keeping the rebate. None of which is allowed under X plan rules. The dealer gets a spiff check from Ford on every A/X/Z plan sale. X plan is also below invoice on Fords. Why would a dealer give up the spiff check and sell you a vehicle $250 below actual invoice (eating into the holdback) on a popular vehicle? Unless you're getting a special deal from the owner - not likely. Any regular incentive you'd qualify for on a normal purchase are still applicable to X plan purchases. Some special rebates (like AQHA) can't be used but there are sometimes special plan only rebates available that make X plan even better. These are typically done when the mfr is offering dealer incentives that aren't advertised. They are not deceiving. Invoice is invoice - that's what Ford charges the dealer. Of course the dealer gets up to 3% back on the holdback but the advertising fees on the invoice are 100% legitimate. The dealer pays this to Ford on each vehicle and then Ford gives that money to the local dealer association to cover local dealer ads. The dealer doesn't keep any of that money or the fuel surcharge, etc. There is nothing deceptive about it. Unless you have a special arrangement with the owner or you're buying a vehicle that the dealership really, really wants to get rid of - you're not going to beat X plan.

You asked for all opinions, so here goes. I think it's nuts to spend that much money to change brand new wheels and tires. I understand the desire and in most cases I think they do look good, but anything over 20" starts to degrade braking, fuel economy and acceleration because the wheels are too heavy. It might be different if the OEM wheels were ugly or tiny, but they're not. Then again, it's your money - or should I say it's you and your wife's money.

Did you ask the dealer? It's a dealer installed option now. Someone else reported getting some from Ebay.

Go with the dual headrest DVD screens. They can operate independently, you don't have to mess up the headliner. I had a ceiling mounted screen once and it's always in the way of the rear view.

It's by design - they wait until the 07s are mostly gone and the 08s are well stocked before they start advertising the new ones. Around here some dealers don't have any 08 models yet. Not saying I agree with it, but at least they have a valid reason.

I will get a bunny and I will name him George! And I will rub him, and pet him, and.......

That was the 2007 models - the 2008 models have Michelin tires and are supposed to have improved braking. The CX-7 is a lot smaller than the Edge so keep that in mind, too.

Try paying attention. The advertising fee is included in the actual dealer invoice but is not included in the invoice prices you see on edmunds or kbb. If the dealer charges you dealer invoice plus a doc fee then you ARE paying the FDFA assessment - you just didn't know it because it wasn't a separate line item. It's not a ripoff. The dealer does not keep any of that fee. The doc fee or handling fee is a ripoff but almost every dealer charges one on non Z/X/A plan sales. Just count it as part of the profit. I guess you don't pay destination charges or sales tax either.

Assuming these trannies operate like previous Ford trannies - they do not learn driving styles and will not behave differently with different drivers. What they will do is compare the time it takes to perform each shift (from gear, to gear, rpm, throttle position, etc.) and compare it to the factory spec and the computer will adjust the shift pressure to keep the times in spec. This will account for manufacturing differences and for wear over time. If you and your wife drive differently (more or less throttle, etc.) then it's possible that the learning is more or less complete for one of you. But that should even out over a few days or weeks. Again - that's how they've worked in the past on the Lincoln LS e.g. and I would assume the new ones do the same.

Really? Golly gee Mr. Wizard, I would have never guessed. I was merely pointing out that the factory fill is a synthetic blend and not regular oil, so you're going from a synthetic blend to a full synthetic - not as big of a jump as going from regular oil to full synthetic.

The advertising fee is added by Ford and it is paid by the dealership to the local dealer association. The dealer does not keep any of that money. It is a legitimate part of all invoices. So don't feel bad about that one. Invoice plus a $490 doc fee is still a heck of a bargain.

Don't forget the factory motorcraft 5W-20 oil is a synthetic blend already.

If it's looks you're after just find some compatible exhaust tips. You'll have to modify the rear valance to fit them. Or for a slight performance boost and change in sound to go along with looks get a cat back exhaust kit.

Almost all dealers charge something like that outside of A/Z/X plan purchases. You've probably paid it and never realized it.

Yes, that sounds right. X plan on Fords is $50-$100 below invoice. The difference is with X plan the dealer cannot add any fees whatsoever (not even the infamous Documentation Fee). Without X they can and usually will charge that. That's still a heck of a good price even with a $400 doc fee though assuming you still get to keep the rebates.

But it does happen with other vehicles - just not the ones you've driven. Any car will do it given enough incline - it is a function of the torque converter stall speed.

Exactly. The torque converter in the Edge does allow more roll than other vehicles but that's why they put brakes on the darn things. And as poor as the brakes may be (according to some folks) I'm pretty sure they'll hold the vehicle in place when your foot isn't on the accelerator. I was behind a Lexus RX300 this morning and it was rolling backwards on a slight hill also.

It may not be as much a "contract" as an "offer to buy". Check the fine print. I'd be more worried about them trying to add things that you weren't expecting - regardless of what your contract says. Just be aware of the possibility and keep your eyes open. Hopefully it works out.

Rain-X

Well, they don't even have to sell it to you. They can come back tomorrow and say that they can't get the vehicle. What else they can change depends on the wording in the contract. Not trying to scare you, just to warn you to be a little skeptical until the deal is done. And you might want to have a backup plan in case this deal falls through.

Umm....not quite. The saga doesn't end until you actually have the vehicle and you've signed all the paperwork. I hope for your sake that it is a legitimate deal but when any dealer offers a vehicle like that for less than invoice it is very suspicious. If it was a vehicle that wasn't selling well or one that had been on the lot a long time - maybe. Just keep a sharp eye on the paperwork and make sure they don't pull a fast one on you.

My thought is there's a catch somewhere unless you're related to the owner or have some incriminating pictures of someone.

If that's a 2WD, invoice is around $32,500 so that's a decent price. If it's a 4WD then that is actually just below dealer invoice which I find hard to believe given that it's an 08 limited.

There are one or two on every forum. The Fusion, Milan and MKZ are all built in Hermosillo, Mexico.

You paid $33,750 TOTAL out the door? Was there a trade-in? Did that include Sales Tax or did they just leave off the sales tax? There are no incentives on the 08 Limited right now.