Hi All,

I'm going to order a F-350 CC/SB/SRW/PSD this next year. I can order on the Z Plan. I am not in a hurry.

Is there a time to order to take advantage of incentives from Ford?

I'm a picky SOB about my stuff and I think that I'd have a very hard time finding what I could put up with for 10 years on a lot. So, I've only thought about ordering.

TIA,
Greg

 

I would list your requirements and have a look see on adjacent lots for your requirements. I did same, down to color and all options which were must have. I found three in my Province, the dealers even list stock which is arriving. If you find a match, ussually your local dealer or one nearby will work hard to get an inventory unit sold to you. Worst case, they can't find something and they order for you, z plan and all incentives at the time. Also, I believe Ford should be giving you any further incentives that come out when you take delivery. Don't let the dealer tell you otherwise, they are pocketing the extra incentives. I would make them write this out in the deal if you are ordering so there is no confusion. If they didn't want to I would walk right there. Right now there are some parts issues and some lineups with delivery of orders so, I would atleast think about what you want and what is available. I have noticed there are a ton of white and black available, a lot less of the other colors, so this could influence your decision on ordering too.

 

Thank you for your reply.

Since 1987, I have never been able to buy a truck off the lot. But, this is a different kind of truck and, who knows, things might be different.

So, your kind reply also gets into something else the salesperson was trying to tell me...then incentives only apply at time of delivery. That doesn't make sense to me. I've heard ads on TV saying "from dealer inventory by <some date>", but I've heard and read others that didn't use that phrase at all. I've seen others online say the same as you. To wit, that it's the better of what applies when you order or take delivery.

The salesperson is also trying to tell me that their *dealer* incentives apply when using Z Plan. Now, I don't see how that works at all...

The salesperson has been good to us, and I'd hate to just drop her, but I suddenly feel like I've got so much sunshine up my skirt that my eyes are head lights.

Thanks again,
Greg

 

You can place the order towards the end of production and do okay. I recommend a few weeks before any posted "balance out" dates, because Ford can and does change them without warning sometimes. By ordering at the end of production you are more likely to maximize rebates. However, prices do also go up throughout the year on the identical truck. The more basic the truck the more stable the price, if you want something fancy it can be a bigger factor but still it's not bad to wait until late in the model year. Super Duty Balance out is still TBD, but I'd guess in the late spring.

 

There could be dealer perks, such as service offers etc, that could be continued. Car wash with service etc. But you can't discount off of Z plan. It's possible she's confused too, it's highly likely she's never done a Z plan deal. They are pretty rare unless you're close to the flagpole (Dearborn or one of the plants). I think I've written one so far, and the customer decided they didn't want to because they were expected 50% off.

 

Thank you so much for your reply.

My research says that A and Z Plan are Ford Invoice - Holdback - Advertising Fee + $275 Program Fee.

I empathize about there being a lot of confusion. My nephew also worked for Ford and thinks that it's 14% off MSRP, that you can get a deal, then throw Z Plan on top of it, etc. He's a great kid, but needs to learn to be skeptical (maybe I need to learn to be less so).

I am NOT in a hurry here. I'm not on a schedule. I just want to do what I reasonably can.

 

I ordered mine with A/Z plan. I was told by my sales lady that the best incentive would apply whether that be the one available when I ordered or if it got better while I was waiting. I think she called it purchase protection or something like that. The best deal for me was the $1k incentive that was there when I ordered. I love using A/Z plan because it sort of is what it is price wise. I did negotiate in a free first oil change though

 

Thank you, all. I appreciate all the help!

 

Ford you gives you the better of the deal you write at time of order or what's in place for incentives when you take delivery. Doesn't matter A or Z plan, though some incentives may not apply to A or Z plan price. I am in northern BC Canada. The deal I had written on my truck I drove home two weeks ago almost fell through when the dealer it was going to arrive at sold it, but it was on hold for me. I ended up getting it, my dealer sent them one of their inventory so I could get mine. But, when they thought they couldn't get it, they assured me my written up deal was good on an order. Including the $2300 worth of add one I had negotiated which was to be included. I could have done a better deal on a 2016 but I had been waiting for the right 2017. I know I keep my trucks a long time and why would I want the older body style and technology. I totally agree with you wanting to order exactly what you want. I originally was going to do that. I was skeptical on a few this I didn't think I wanted with the lariat ultimate. Now I have it I am converted, the sunroof is awesome, the sun shade inside makes it like its not even there when you don't want it. (It's -21 here C now. I wasn't so sure I needed BLIS, lane keeping, rear camera, backup sensors, both, but two longer trips already have me converted on the technology. I am also happy I stuck to the LED headlights and tail lights. Wow, they are great. Don't forget to add rear well liners and proper mud flaps.

If you go on line to fords site and build what you want, enter your ZIP, and ask them to find you your truck, they will find it.

 

Thank you, Mike, I was going to PM you about the Lariat Ultimate. That, basically, is what I'm planning.

I'm going to be towing a 5th wheel and want the features for safety.

 

Fifth wheel prep is a must. I didn't go for the 5th wheel camera or the 360, got everything else. Before you order test drive a few for the feel, I know it really solidified what I was looking for. I totally love mine, the handling and the power is awesome, new cab is super comfortable for the whole family. Really bad roads around here now, very sure footed and drives really nice despite the bad roads. Definately love the LED lighting. It's so good I don't even need extra lighting but I may do that anyway. The towing and rear pin capacity are very good on a single wheel. This is my 3rd new SD, first was a gasser, second a 6 liter, I had for 12 years from new, this one blows them both away but then it should for what they cost.

 

Hi again, Mike.

I've test driven the 2016 and 2017 models. Even traveled to one of the SD Drive events to get a look see and a demo of the trailer assist technology.

I'm looking at the Anderson Hitch. So, gooseneck prep is required, I believe. Might go with the 5th wheel prep just to cover bases.

I'm looking at the full camera package and especially the trailer package with the TPMS sensors for the trailer tires.

I've been leaning against the LED. If I can get into the light housing, I can put in LEDs myself. Already done it on several vehicles. I've also thought about using a LED light bar or similar with regular lights to have the versatility. People drive me crazy high beaming me now in my current truck.

I was good with the 2016 cab, but I like the 2017 better. It's very refined. I don't need a heated steering wheel, but the heated seats sure feel nice on my beat up back.

I didn't think that I'd care about keyless entry and push button start...then my wife got it on her car and I've gotten very spoiled.

The power. Wow. I drove a MegaCab with a Cummins for a while. This engine is much nicer.

 

Do yourself a favor and upgrade to the LED light package especially if you are ordering. No aftermarket LEDs in the halogen housings will come close. I drive up north there is very bad lighting, no street lights, lots of wildlife. The LEDs are amazing. Auto high beams pretty handy too. On my old truck I ran H13 PIAA extreme, high beam in driving lights AND a Brite box (lights up low and high beam filaments and keeps fogs on high beam). Doesn't compare to the new LEDs because the LED housings are the key to distributing the light well and having a clean cut off on low beam. I also ran 650 watts of additional Moose lights most of the time on highway in winter. We have dark from 4 Pm to 8 am in winter so lighting is important for the wildlife especially around here. I don't even think I need an additional light bar on this truck. I might do one anyway, just have to figure output how to hide behind the grille out of the way. No room for additional length in garage now with the Long Box.

 

GSPV,

I order with A/Z-Plan. It's Invoice - Holdback - Advertising Fee + $275 program fee. Z-Plan is Invoice -0.4% + $275 program fee. When you sit down with a sales person and tell them it's A/X/Z- Plan, seems like they all do the same. Pull out the pricing sheet and shows me what the dealership buys the truck for and tells you you get the additional % off that. There is no negotiation with A/Z, I don't know about X. What a good salesperson will do is get all the Ford and dealer incentives that are offered at the time discounted in additional to that number. It will be protected until the truck (if ordered) comes in, then they relook at the incentives and if there is a better deal, you get that. Really, it's as hassle free as you can get.

 

There can not be dealer discounts in addition to Z plan, only the factory rebates.