Advice for First-Time Car Buyer?

[SDMMEGT]

Well, the day is almost here... my Mach E should be delivered to the dealer on Friday! ??

This is my first time purchasing a new car and I'm not sure what to expect. Does anyone have advice (general or specific to Mach E) for how to approach going to the dealership to officially buy the car? I know dealers can try to take advantage of people and want to be prepared so I can have a pleasant experience.

I've read a ton of forum posts but wanted to specifically ask for purchase day tips. As excited as I am to finally meet my Mach E, I'm a little anxious about the buying process. Thanks for the help!

Also, meant to say...congratulations! Also revel in the fact that you have run the numbers, saved, done all of your research and the day is finally here! yes, take into consideration what everyone here has mentioned about add-ons and bringing someone you trust (or making sure they're available for a phone call during the process), but also enjoy the fruits of your labor! You will never forget your first car and that first car-buying experience! Learn from everyone here, but also understand that you will learn from the experience on your own too! Ok, off of my soap box now...

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[Bcshrader]

Thank you all so much for the replies! I have a newborn so haven't been able to respond like I wanted to.

Dealer called today and I am scheduled to go purchase it tomorrow! I will post another update tomorrow for anyone that is curious on how it went.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Thank you all so much for the replies! I have a newborn so haven't been able to respond like I wanted to.

Dealer called today and I am scheduled to go purchase it tomorrow! I will post another update tomorrow for anyone that is curious on how it went.

With pix please! ??

 

[Bcshrader]

For those interested in my experience:

Showed up at the dealership around 10AM. I got to test drive the car and then we got down to "business". I got a discount using the Z-Plan (my grandfather worked for Ford for 30+ years). The salesman had instructed me not to get the PIN ahead of time, so I had to call my grandfather and have him call the 1-8000 # with some of my info to get the PIN. It took a while for the finance person to draw up the numbers, but we finally made it to his office.

I had planned to say "no" to all extras, but I also wanted to hear him out. He almost had me on the extended warranty, but I didn't feel comfortable so I said no. I signed a million papers and then we finally got to the "contract". They had a certain number for the car's "price", but it didn't add up with what I was expecting. I asked to see their calculation, and (like I had expected...) they were using the higher MSRP that was adjusted in December. I had ordered in November and asked my salesman explicitly (after the price adjustment) if I would get the original MSRP. I was able to show them the printed emails and they gave them to the sales manager. He returned and tried to tell me that because I used Z Plan they weren't going to honor the original price, but I held firm and told them that them guaranteeing the price I agreed to should have nothing to do with Z Plan. He made some calls and finally agreed that they would honor the original price ?.

Sadly, they needed some special form or approval from elsewhere so we couldn't complete the transaction today. They were fine with me driving my Mach E home, which surprised me. Anyway, I am somewhat exhausted by the 3 hour process and slightly disappointed that everything isn't totally done yet. However, driving my MME home was a BLAST and I can't wait to explore more when I have more time this weekend.

I hope to take some better pictures later, but here is one from the dealership. Thanks everyone for your help in prepping me for today!

TL;DR Version: I had a mostly comfortable experience. It took 3 hours, partially due to Z Plan and disagreement over what the MSRP should have been. We couldn't complete the paperwork so I have to return tomorrow to complete the deal. I'm so happy my MME is finally home!

 

[RickMachE]

Pins are good for 12 months...

 

[MacherAWD]

For those interested in my experience:

Showed up at the dealership around 10AM. I got to test drive the car and then we got down to "business". I got a discount using the Z-Plan (my grandfather worked for Ford for 30+ years). The salesman had instructed me not to get the PIN ahead of time, so I had to call my grandfather and have him call the 1-8000 # with some of my info to get the PIN. It took a while for the finance person to draw up the numbers, but we finally made it to his office.

I had planned to say "no" to all extras, but I also wanted to hear him out. He almost had me on the extended warranty, but I didn't feel comfortable so I said no. I signed a million papers and then we finally got to the "contract". They had a certain number for the car's "price", but it didn't add up with what I was expecting. I asked to see their calculation, and (like I had expected...) they were using the higher MSRP that was adjusted in December. I had ordered in November and asked my salesman explicitly (after the price adjustment) if I would get the original MSRP. I was able to show them the printed emails and they gave them to the sales manager. He returned and tried to tell me that because I used Z Plan they weren't going to honor the original price, but I held firm and told them that them guaranteeing the price I agreed to should have nothing to do with Z Plan. He made some calls and finally agreed that they would honor the original price ?.

Sadly, they needed some special form or approval from elsewhere so we couldn't complete the transaction today. They were fine with me driving my Mach E home, which surprised me. Anyway, I am somewhat exhausted by the 3 hour process and slightly disappointed that everything isn't totally done yet. However, driving my MME home was a BLAST and I can't wait to explore more when I have more time this weekend.

I hope to take some better pictures later, but here is one from the dealership. Thanks everyone for your help in prepping me for today!

TL;DR Version: I had a mostly comfortable experience. It took 3 hours, partially due to Z Plan and disagreement over what the MSRP should have been. We couldn't complete the paperwork so I have to return tomorrow to complete the deal. I'm so happy my MME is finally home!

Nice work, sounds like you are a pro! And yeah it always takes awhile.

 

[ChuckA]

Problem at the dealer is that the z-plan price is what was at the bottom of the dealer invoice. The number was wrong because the top line was wrong.

Don’t give the dealer too much credit. They don’t know how to calculate the z-plan price and needed Ford to provide it.

 

[Bcshrader]

Pins are good for 12 months...

I wanted to do it ahead of time but my dealer said to wait... Oh well.

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