SOS - California Route 1 vs Premium Standard

[timbop]

Yes, unfortunately I learned that when I called a dealer based off what their website said and that ended up being totally incorrect. I am definitely not liking this process. Really wish the online ordering process was more refined and streamlined.

In my searching, I have seen some asking for $10,000 above MSRP. That is WILD!

The online reservation process (dec 2019 to jun 2020) was smooth and worked well
Converting reservations to orders last summer was pretty smooth as well
Trying to find a car on the lot now is difficult; that has nothing to do with Ford

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[BMT1071]

Yes, unfortunately I learned that when I called a dealer based off what their website said and that ended up being totally incorrect. I am definitely not liking this process. Really wish the online ordering process was more refined and streamlined.

In my searching, I have seen some asking for $10,000 above MSRP. That is WILD!

Have you talked to these guys?
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...ple=BLACK&isNewSearch=false&clickType=listing

Mossy Ford in SD appears to be selling at MSRP also. I haven't talked to either of them, so the story may change once you get them on the phone.

 

[Hammy91]

The online reservation process (dec 2019 to jun 2020) was smooth and worked well
Converting reservations to orders last summer was pretty smooth as well
Trying to find a car on the lot now is difficult; that has nothing to do with Ford

Yeah, I am aware that the lot has nothing to do with Ford, which is why I wish the online method didn't have as many horror stories as I have read. It has not been June/summer 2020 for almost a year now so it can definitely improve.
And I know they can't do much about production either due to part shortages, but what I meant about it being refined and streamlined is being able to fully get your car through the online method as the Ford website suggests, without showing up to take delivery and finding out that they decided to markup last minute or misinterpret Ford Options as an actual lease, or having to hear the sales person talk your ear off and try to sell you a bunch of things despite just showing up to do a final signature and take delivery. :/

 

[Hammy91]

Have you talked to these guys?
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=584872346&location=[object Object]&zip=85305&city=Glendale&extColorsSimple=BLUE&incremental=all&modelCodeList=FORDMACHE&makeCodeList=FORD&listingTypes=NEW&sortBy=relevance&state=AZ&firstRecord=0&marketExtension=include&relevanceConfig=default&searchRadius=500&trimCodeList=FORDMACHE|Premium&interiorColorsSimple=BLACK&isNewSearch=false&dma=&referrer=/cars-for-sale/searchresults.xhtml?zip=85305&city=Glendale&extColorsSimple=BLUE&incremental=all&modelCodeList=FORDMACHE&makeCodeList=FORD&listingTypes=NEW&sortBy=relevance&location=%5Bobject%20Object%5D&state=AZ&firstRecord=0&marketExtension=include&relevanceConfig=default&searchRadius=500&trimCodeList=FORDMACHE%7CPremium&interiorColorsSimple=BLACK&isNewSearch=false&clickType=listing

Mossy Ford in SD appears to be selling at MSRP also. I haven't talked to either of them, so the story may change once you get them on the phone.

I haven't yet, I have only made it through part of my long list of numbers, but neither of these were on there, but now I will for sure call. Thanks for the info!

 

[BMT1071]

I haven't yet, I have only made it through part of my long list of numbers, but neither of these were on there, but now I will for sure call. Thanks for the info!

There have been positive reports about Robbins Ford on here. Hope you can make that deal work. Sounds like just what you're after.

 

[timbop]

Yeah, I am aware that the lot has nothing to do with Ford, which is why I wish the online method didn't have as many horror stories as I have read. It has not been June/summer 2020 for almost a year now so it can definitely improve.
And I know they can't do much about production either due to part shortages, but what I meant about it being refined and streamlined is being able to fully get your car through the online method as the Ford website suggests, without showing up to take delivery and finding out that they decided to markup last minute or misinterpret Ford Options as an actual lease, or having to hear the sales person talk your ear off and try to sell you a bunch of things despite just showing up to do a final signature and take delivery. :/

Ford dealerships are completely independent entities; they are licensed resellers who have contractual obligations - but in the end this is a capitalist country founded on freedom of opportunity. You are trying to find a low volume production, highly in demand vehicle. Two months ago utilities in Texas raised their rates a hundred-fold; a $4k markup for a car with a 6 month backlog isn't particularly unreasonable.

My point is that Ford gave everyone the opportunity to order the car long ago; the fact that you waited until now to decide to buy one NOW is probably not Ford's responsibility.

 

[ARK]

Yeah, I am aware that the lot has nothing to do with Ford, which is why I wish the online method didn't have as many horror stories as I have read. It has not been June/summer 2020 for almost a year now so it can definitely improve.
And I know they can't do much about production either due to part shortages, but what I meant about it being refined and streamlined is being able to fully get your car through the online method as the Ford website suggests, without showing up to take delivery and finding out that they decided to markup last minute or misinterpret Ford Options as an actual lease, or having to hear the sales person talk your ear off and try to sell you a bunch of things despite just showing up to do a final signature and take delivery. :/

I believe you can see if the dealer wants a mark up before your order is finalized. Anyway, you effectively can do it fully online. I had zero interaction with anyone at my dealer until it became close to the original anticipated delivery date and I started reaching out to them for updates. Otherwise, it would have just been ordering online and getting a call when it arrived.

 

[MachEtyMach]

Originally, my only pick for a color was Infinite Blue, but as we all know, that is no longer an order option. AND after seeing how difficult it appears to get a Mach-E (plus a certain someone saying they were sold out), I am getting really bad FOMO and even though I always said I would not compromise or settle on a car I would be spending so much on, I am now desperate and partially willing. I am even willing to go with the grey interior (which scares me lol).

If I were to order, my choice is now Rapid Red, BUT I am also looking into some options at various dealers. The problem is I want a Premium RWD with extended battery, but all they have are Selects and the occasional California Route 1 or Premium standard battery.

Obviously, I wanted the extended battery for the range, but I like the extra features of the Premium. I guess, my question is, would I be missing out on much if I just go with the California Route 1? I am in Southern California btw.

From what I can find online, the CR1 means:
No heated front seats (current car does not have it so something I am used to not having)
No heated steering wheel (current car does not have it so something I am used to not having)
No power liftgate (was looking forward to this, but my current Scion is manual so used to it)
No ambient lighting (really liked them)
No perforated seats like the Premium (which I prefer the look of)
No B&O sound system
No exterior pony illumination on the floor (I though this was cool)

Is there anything else missing?

At this point, it is should I take the range or the extra features? Are those features needed? Can anyone with a CA1 tell me if the range is actually good?

Also, is the B&O sound that much better?

Sorry for the many questions, I am spiraling a bit with how stressed I am over all of this haha.

I believe most of this has already been covered, but I created this table when deciding between Route 1 and Premium. Parsed from the Ford web site. I also went with the Route 1. The other stuff was not worth $2200 to me.

 

[Ma9573]

If I were to order, my choice is now Rapid Red, BUT I am also looking into some options at various dealers. The problem is I want a Premium RWD with extended battery, but all they have are Selects and the occasional California Route 1 or Premium standard battery.

Obviously, I wanted the extended battery for the range, but I like the extra features of the Premium. I guess, my question is, would I be missing out on much if I just go with the California Route 1? I am in Southern California btw.

From what I can find online, the CR1 means:
No heated front seats (current car does not have it so something I am used to not having)
No heated steering wheel (current car does not have it so something I am used to not having)
No power liftgate (was looking forward to this, but my current Scion is manual so used to it)
No ambient lighting (really liked them)
No perforated seats like the Premium (which I prefer the look of)
No B&O sound system
No exterior pony illumination on the floor (I though this was cool)

Is there anything else missing?

At this point, it is should I take the range or the extra features? Are those features needed? Can anyone with a CA1 tell me if the range is actually good?

Also, is the B&O sound that much better?

Only you can really say how much the missing features of the Route 1 mean to you. I have a Route 1 and have no regrets, but if I were to buy another Mach E for my wife when her lease is up I'd definitely definitely go premium extended. The range in the Route 1 is way more than we need (averaging 3.9mpk), and I feel like my wife misses some of the features way more than I do:

No heated front seats - I never used this in my Energi or my wife's current X1, but she did and comments on it every time it's cold.

No heated steering wheel - Honestly have no idea why this is even a thing, but I'm in CA so....

No power liftgate - I prefer the assisted manual over the power. Faster to open and faster to close, but my wife likes her power lift gate in the X1 (it's finicky and I really dislike it)

No ambient lighting - I don't really have a baseline for this so can't really miss it, but it does sound pretty cool.

No perforated seats like the Premium - are they not perforated in the Route 1? I've never felt too hot like I did in my Energi, and it's been in the 80s and 90s in Norcal recently.

No B&O sound system - I listen to Audible books on tape so don't care, but my wife loves music and would definitely dig this

No exterior pony illumination on the floor - this works every time in my Route 1, and it's pretty cool to show people ?

I've never priced out a premium extended, so not sure where it winds up price-wise compared to the Route 1. I'd spend maybe $2-3k more for my wife to get a premium X. But If I were buying another car for me, it would solely come down to price when comparing the two, since the differences aren't important to me and both are getting 3.5-4.1mpk from everything I've seen.

 

[Ma9573]

I believe most of this has already been covered, but I created this table when deciding between Route 1 and Premium. Parsed from the Ford web site. I also went with the Route 1. The other stuff was not worth $2200 to me.

Just saw this this. $2200? Worth it for my wife, but definitely not for me.

 

[shadowsjc]

Personally I think the added range is a bit useless for most people. We're not truck drivers. Mostly we'll use the car for local commuting, and then recharge every day back at home.

For long trips you'll likely need to plan stops around fast charging stations anyway, and they're not so common that an extra 20-30 miles is likely going to matter. You'll likely need to stop X number of times on a long trip whether you have an extended range or standard range vehicle.

For me I much prefer the added functionality of the premium trim so I'd go with that.

 

[monolith10101]

Yes, unfortunately I learned that when I called a dealer based off what their website said and that ended up being totally incorrect. I am definitely not liking this process. Really wish the online ordering process was more refined and streamlined.

In my searching, I have seen some asking for $10,000 above MSRP. That is WILD!

If it helps, here are some Southern California dealers I had positive impressions from:

- Theodore Robins
- Tuttle-Click
- Galpin
- DCH
- Villa Ford (secondhand impression)

They were helpful while looking around. Galpin said they would sell off the lot at MSRP with Ford Options, so worth checking what they have and asking them to update you if anything is coming available which meets your needs.

 

[ARK]

Personally I think the added range is a bit useless for most people. We're not truck drivers. Mostly we'll use the car for local commuting, and then recharge every day back at home.

For long trips you'll likely need to plan stops around fast charging stations anyway, and they're not so common that an extra 20-30 miles is likely going to matter. You'll likely need to stop X number of times on a long trip whether you have an extended range or standard range vehicle.

For me I much prefer the added functionality of the premium trim so I'd go with that.

It’s more like 60-70 miles of added range and faster acceleration in comparing the AWD variants (though I think a shade slower for the RWD variants), but yes, I agree it’s really worth it for OP to consider if they really need the extra range based on their specific needs because if $2,200 sounds like a lot, it is $5,000 to go from a standard to extended range battery on any given trim.

If it turns out OP can live with the shorter range, the easiest way for OP to get their cake and eat it too is for OP to forgo the extended range battery.

One thing though that’s worth mentioning that I don’t really see mentioned, the charging cable on any EVSE is sort of annoying to handle, at least this has been my experience. They are heavy and don’t automatically retract and coil. By way of example, gas pump hoses are much easier to use IMO because they do sort of retract and are hanging from the top of the pump so easier to maneuver.

Anyway, it’s not a big thing, but then neither are things like the ambient lighting and power lift gates so something for OP to consider as larger battery means charging less often. I’ll be frank, it’s something I could imagine my older, female relatives having the most trouble with, i.e. they think opening a trunk manually is a hassle, have fun with the charger.

Counter-counter point, OP is in Southern California, I would pony up for the Premium package for the perforated seats alone.

 

[deadduck]

I believe most of this has already been covered, but I created this table when deciding between Route 1 and Premium. Parsed from the Ford web site. I also went with the Route 1. The other stuff was not worth $2200 to me.

Had a post on that but couldn't find it and yours is better anyways.

Most of that I can't really comment on but I did, unintentionally, test the heated steering wheel. It gets mighty warm. It's not meant for most Californian's, it's meant for the car being encased in ice.

Out of all of that the heated seats, 18" vs 19" tires and laminated glass seem the most relevant to me, meaning it's not that relevant as the 19" aren't really low profile and I doubt it's very noisy even in the Rt1. 18's will be cheaper to replace and softer on the bumpy roads, at least around here.

I do like the premium's wheels a lot better.

You can find RT1's, at least in the Bay Area easier than Premium's.

 

[musgang]

No exterior pony illumination on the floor

CA route 1 does have pony illumination on the floor. My route 1 has it as a welcome whenever I walk nearby.

Also the lift gate is not completely manual, its assisted and its not that much effort.

Sound system is pretty good to me and not an issue. The range is wonderful and I would say worth it. I live in SoCal and never owned a car with heated anything ?

The only feature I do miss from premium is the ambient lighting which I sorta can figure out myself - 100$ in amazon for a neat setup.

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