I know this is probably a stupid question, but since 2005 SCrew rebates are $1500 and are in effect til Jan 3, is there a possibility that the rebate will be less or even go away completely?

 

This is just my personal opinion, in no way do I know what is going to happen.

Can rebates go down? Yes, it is always possible.

Will they go down? Probably not anytime soon. Post 9/11 rebates have spoiled the American consumer and now we all expect them or we don't buy autos. SO the car companies have kindof worked themselves into a tight spot. I guess with time, they could not make them as high from year to year. For example the 04 F150 Supercrew rebate is $3000 (I am not going to work in the Ford Motor Credit Rebate on this) and the 05 F150 Supercrew is $1500, well at this time next year maybe the 05 F150 rebate will only be $2500, so in a sense I guess that is going down. But I doubt we would see a $1500 rebate cut to $750 on January 4, 2005.

Although, interest rates seem to be edging up a little, across the board. .. since the prime rate is higher, the percentages for auto, personal, credit cards will go up too. So that can change the consumers stane on buying now or buying later.

If it were me and I had the money, I would get a 2004. I don't know if Supercrews have ever had a $3000 rebate before????

 

First off: anything can happen. Rebates have gone down in the past, but it's rare. Since you asked about the 2005 F-150, let's concentrate on that, and look at some facts. Throughout the 2004 model year, Ford had 2 plants building the F-150; now they have 3 building the 2005s. Since 1985, Ford has been the number one sales volume car and truck division in the U.S., and we've beat Chevy almost every year by 150,000-200,000 vehicles. Right now, for 2004, we're ahead of Chevrolet- by just 8,000 units. Chevy's done it with cars, an area Ford has been weak in for the past few years. The LAST thing Ford wants is the bow-tie guys advertising all over the Super Bowl, "WE'RE NUMBER ONE!! WE'RE NUMBER ONE!!" Okay, so production capability on the 150 is way up, and Chevy's breathing down our neck for the top spot. No need to offer big rebates on the '05 Super-Dutys, as they're flying off the lots. Rebates on SUVs are pretty much maxed-out, and we can't get our car production up to match GM's, at least not until sometime next year. Ranger's facing stiff competition from all the new compact trucks that are either out or about to hit the market. So, WHICH vehicle line do you think Ford just MIGHT start offering big rebates on? Hmmmmm, let me see..........

This is strictly a hunch on my part, but I would not be surprised to see rebates on the '05 F-150 go up (maybe even WAY UP) just before the end of the year, to make sure Chevy doesn't beat us in sales for '04 calendar year. If you were to order one now, it should arrive at your dealership sometime in December. Think about it.

 

Excellent info, guys. I'm on the fence as to what I want to do. My heart is set on a Lariat supercrew, but my head says if I want a Lariat, I can only do a SuperCab. If I end up deciding on a SuperCrew, I can only do the XLT. A larger rebate would definitely help my heart's wishes and my head's frugal senses.

I'm possibly going to order this weekend. I need to make a decision.

Does Ford change rebate amounts before they are scheduled to change? Like I said earlier, the current incentives for SuperCrew are supposed to end Jan. 3.

 

I'm just suprised that the rebates are as much as they are now. I'm getting $5250 in rebates on top of Z-Plan for my new 04 F-150 Heritage.