Advice for a road trip purchase

Mirak

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I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch, but it looking highly likely that I may be flying about 500 miles away to buy a Mach E and drive it back home, in a matter of weeks.

I am having the dealer sign a pricing sheet with my VIN and out-the-door price: xplan, options bonus cash, taxes, the whole deal. I obviously don’t want to take a one-way flight to be caught in a bait and switch. The dealership appears to be reputable. I will also be paying a deposit.

What else do I need to do in advance? I’m going to need to charge this thing probably three-four times to be safe on the way home. I’m not banking on FordPass working so I thought I’d buy a month membership to EA. I also will be bringing a new toll transponder sticker. I’ll obviously be bringing the signed price sheet.

What else? As soon as I put my deposit down can I start using FordPass to try to start setting things up or will I need to wait?

What am I overlooking?
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KAustin

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A couple of things to consider:
- Get everything set up as much as possible at delivery.
- There is a delivery checklist "sticky" in the forum. Probably worth going through much of it before you leave the dealership because it is so far away.
- Ensure they plug it into OASIS before you get there and again before you leave to ensure the latest software has been loaded. This will save you a lot of trouble.
- You should be able to set up the Plug and Go charging before you leave. I see you signed up for EA, but I recommend testing it close by the dealership to get familiar with it before you actually need it. Know that EA only allows fast charging to 80%.
- Plot your course early using the ABRP app and the directions app in FordPass so you know where you will need to stop on the way back.
- The toll transponder has to go in a specific area on the windshield for it to work. At the top in the dotted area near the center. A search for "transponder" in the forum will lead you to a thread that has pictures.

Good luck!
 
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Mirak

Mirak

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Good thoughts. I’m going to stop at every EA charger (every 100-150 miles) to be safe. I might be able to skip the last one because I’ll have my Level 2 garage charging at home.

I’ve got OASIS updates on my checklist for the dealer before I take delivery. Other items for dealer: clean it, charge to 100%, no decals, no front plate.

I know where to put the transponder.

I’ll obviously do an inspection before I take delivery, but the risk here is that I’m realistically going to have to accept minor issues and get them fixed at my home dealer. If I note the issues but drive it home, that shouldn’t be an issue to ask for warranty work at my home dealer, right?

Oh and I almost forgot, I’ll need to get it insured in advance of that road trip!
 

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Good thoughts. I’m going to stop at every EA charger (every 100-150 miles) to be safe. I might be able to skip the last one because I’ll have my Level 2 garage charging at home.

I’ve got OASIS updates on my checklist for the dealer before I take delivery. Other items for dealer: clean it, charge to 100%, no decals, no front plate.

I know where to put the transponder.

I’ll obviously do an inspection before I take delivery, but the risk here is that I’m realistically going to have to accept minor issues and get them fixed at my home dealer. If I note the issues but drive it home, that shouldn’t be an issue to ask for warranty work at my home dealer, right?

Oh and I almost forgot, I’ll need to get it insured in advance of that road trip!
no problems getting warranty work at a different dealer! They are paid by Ford for the repairs.
 


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Make sure they fully charge it before you pick it up, and check 12 V battery. You might want to test drive it before finishing everything, just to be sure it doesn't throw any codes or have 12 V issue.
 

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Consider joining other charging networks. I’ve been a member of ChargePoint for years with other EV’s I’ve owned, and it came in handy because there were few “in network” Ford options in the part of mid-Michigan I was visiting (but plenty of ChargePoint stations). You might also consider downloading the PlugShare app, just in case.
 
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Mirak

Mirak

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If you're getting it in a state that requires front plates, you likely won't have a choice.
I plan to pester them pretty hard about this. If they absolutely must just for me to roll it off the lot, I’ll tell them I’ll bring double-sided tape.
 

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T
I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch, but it looking highly likely that I may be flying about 500 miles away to buy a Mach E and drive it back home, in a matter of weeks.

I am having the dealer sign a pricing sheet with my VIN and out-the-door price: xplan, options bonus cash, taxes, the whole deal. I obviously don’t want to take a one-way flight to be caught in a bait and switch. The dealership appears to be reputable. I will also be paying a deposit.

What else do I need to do in advance? I’m going to need to charge this thing probably three-four times to be safe on the way home. I’m not banking on FordPass working so I thought I’d buy a month membership to EA. I also will be bringing a new toll transponder sticker. I’ll obviously be bringing the signed price sheet.

What else? As soon as I put my deposit down can I start using FordPass to try to start setting things up or will I need to wait?

What am I overlooking?

This guy is driving from CA to FL in his new MachE. Has not had any issues at charging stations and has been having a great trip. I think he's just using the Sync Nav and mapping.

Follow his thread on Twitter. It's a good read.

 
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generaltso

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I plan to pester them pretty hard about this. If they absolutely must just for me to roll it off the lot, I’ll tell them I’ll bring double-sided tape.
The dealer won’t be able to do anything about it. The front plate bracket is installed at the factory if it’s going to a state that requires front plates.
 
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Mirak

Mirak

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That makes me very sad. Guidance on best way to fix other than going to a body shop?
 

wmaney

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I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch, but it looking highly likely that I may be flying about 500 miles away to buy a Mach E and drive it back home, in a matter of weeks.

I am having the dealer sign a pricing sheet with my VIN and out-the-door price: xplan, options bonus cash, taxes, the whole deal. I obviously don’t want to take a one-way flight to be caught in a bait and switch. The dealership appears to be reputable. I will also be paying a deposit.

What else do I need to do in advance? I’m going to need to charge this thing probably three-four times to be safe on the way home. I’m not banking on FordPass working so I thought I’d buy a month membership to EA. I also will be bringing a new toll transponder sticker. I’ll obviously be bringing the signed price sheet.

What else? As soon as I put my deposit down can I start using FordPass to try to start setting things up or will I need to wait?

What am I overlooking?
So this is doable - my son and I did this earlier this month - I posted about it here:

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...4-hours-and-800-miles.3148/page-5#post-107618

Used the Ford system for finding charging spots and PlugShare app - I also have the ChargePoint app. Other things to consider include maintenance plan - but standard maintenance is only every 10K miles - and extended warranty? I went for it after negotiating a discount - thought it was a good idea given this is a brand new type of car - although you would think Ford would help if there were wide spread or obvious manufacturing HW or SW issues. Take snacks!
 

MattG

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Don’t forget to bring proof of eligibility for the x plan pricing...if it’s via the mustang club, bring your membership card. Also print out the x plan pin.
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