With the recent rise in gas prices, I have been looking into something more economical, but I did not want to give up my 4wd capability. I then discovered the FEH.

Test drive went good (AWD 2006 model), I really liked everything about the vehicle. I would give up my Jeep Wrangler for this vehicle. However I learned for some reason, I can not get a Blue or a White one with a moonroof? I wanted a base model Blue AWD 2006 with a moonroof and the Hybrid/Navigation option (I specifically wanted the cloth seats and black molding on the outside) with some of the extra accessories like the power plug and cargo cover (no leather, no heated seats, no monochromatic color...etc) Anyone know exactly why this is? I would even consider a Blue or White with premium package just to get the color and the moonroof.

Also, what’s up with the markup over MSRP? I see other posts on them. Is it even remotely possible to buy one somewhere between invoice and MSRP? Are these vehicles even nego? I can also get the X plan from my company, is this something you mention having after you strike a deal on the price, or will it need to be mentioned up front before reaching a price?

 

I paid MSRP. The dealer, in N.VA, tried to pump up the price by $3,000 over MSRP as a "area markup". I did some internet research and found that even my dealer could be flexible to the point of dropping it. When I told him I could drive to Richmond tomorrow, not have to pay the area markup, and would do so. That markup evaporated. In my area, there are 11 Ford dealers within 15 miles. I would make sure your guy knows you won't hesitate to go someplace else. Good luck.

 

Hi ChadsMach1:

___We have access to the X-Plan at the company I work for as well but the Escape HEV was not included in the list when it first came out all the way to about 3 months ago. That was the last time I checked anyway? I will look again when I get back to work on Friday but even after my employer purchased more Escape HEV’s in bulk then any other corporate entity in the world, I haven’t heard that the X-Plan was available to us on the Escape HEV yet

ComEd Demonstrates Environmental Leadership by Investing in Hybrid Vehicles

___I have read of Escape HEV’s hitting the street for MSRP all over the country and I do not see the need for you to pay more then this unless you really have to purchase it from an unscrupulous local Ford dealership? Shop around a bit and I am sure you will find an MSRP or slightly under deal in your locale. If you need some leads, hit the Edmunds - Townhall - Ford Escape - forums to start.

Ford Escape Hybrid Discussions

Ford Escape Hybrid: Prices Paid & Buying Experiences

___The best bet is to wait until these vehicles are offered under the X-Plan. Afterwards, do not walk but run to your local Ford Dealership with the pre-approved paperwork and a down payment in hand As you can tell, I am thinking about one for the wife given my Ranger’s extraordinary FE capabilities, toughness, and fantastic pricing. I think about a lot of vehicles for the wife (she absolutely has to have a 4WD now for some reason ) but it is just early leg work with little to show other then a lot of test drives over the last 6 months.

___As an edit, I added the Edmunds Townhall links …

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

 

Not sure about why certain color/option combinations aren't available. Were you willing to order one and wait a couple months or were you looking for one "off the shelf"?


I bought two Escape Hybrids in the last 3 months and got them both well under MSRP. I had to work a little bit on the first one but when I came back the day the first of this dealers '06 came off the truck, I really didn't have to negotiate too hard. And they gave me a great trade in for my '04 Escape.

Like was said, make sure they know you have choices in vehicle, dealership and whether or not you HAVE to get a new vehicle. They'll work with you unless the type of vehicle is flying off the lot. If you find one in the lot with two weeks of dust built up on it, call their bluff and walk away. They'll chase you down in most cases, in my experience.

 

Well, I got mine with no markup (And with A plan somewhat substantially lower) along with a good trade in value on my '95 Explorer. As I've said before, I told him that if I even thought he was screwing me, I was gone. (Living in the Metro Detroit area means lots of car competition, so it wasn't hard, but it was the second dealer I went to.) I told him right off the bat I was A plan, so when I saw some spec numbers, the discount was added right there so I would have a real number; not just a guesstimate.

You may want to check, the guy I bought it from said they were taking A plan, but not X, and the A plan people at Ford were surprised when my Grandfather called for the pin number; that I had found a place that was taking A plan on the FEH.

As mentioned in the other thread about markups, you may want to use fordvehicles.com or whatever that website is to get a quote; as they may be a lower price, and the dealer has to honor it.

As for your options, I'm not sure why you couldn't get a moonroof and all the features you wanted; that's news to me. I didn't want a moonroof, as I barely used the one on the Explorer; and I even had to take it in to get it fixed when it jammed halfway open because a pebble got stuck in the track. (A $300 repair.) Though I think it does have something to do with the moonroof in being a package or something like that.

 

According to the Ford web site, and the dealers, a moonroof is only available with Premium package, and the premium package omits the Blue, White and Black in the Hybrids.

I wanted to get a Blue AWD Hybrid in standard trim, with the following options (Cargo cover, Hybrid/Navigation system, Moonroof and the power outlet).

My local dealer said they would take my X Plan (Crossroads Ford in Cary, NC), and could have me a moonroof installed by a local shop that specializes in installing them (for a separate charge of course) before delivery to me. I would get the color that I want and pay less than a Premium package, however I have never had a sunroof/Moonroof installed after market before. Just want to make sure that 5 years down the road it will not start leaking. Using my X plan, according to Forddirect.com, I can get my FEH for just a few hundred above Invoice. (By the way, if anyone is looking for a 06, there are about 5 local dealers around Raleigh NC that each have 5+ on the lot).

On the X plan, is it a set predetermined price by Ford? Of can I nego a deal, then have the X plan applied to the final deal?

Chad

 

From what I know, the X plan is not available for the FEH. Hope your dealer knows that, and you're right in saying that the X-plan price is still over invoice. I was able to purchase my 2005 FEH at invoice, drove 300 miles NYC to Rochester, NY to get it. Well worth the trip. You might negotiate with the dealer to get it down, down, down. Beacuse a FEH at invoice still costs more than a regular Escape with all the incentives these days; the dealer will make more off the FEH's.


Yes, I wanted a moon roof. But I'm not a fan of aftermarket anything, especially those that cut holes in the roof. I was also led to believe that it would interfere with my side curtain air bags.

10,000 miles later, I'm pleased as hell with my purchase, and regularly get city mileage in the 30's, as designed. Sips gas on long trips, too.

 

I just want to remind those in the buying mood that I will send you a buying guide for the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid that lists all equipment and options and a price guide that tells you what the dealer is paying. Those that have gotten it seem quite happy and say they are now smarter. Just drop me an email at sdctcher@yahoo.com

I also have a pdf guide on how to add towing to your FEH.

 

I just ordered a 2006 FEH with X-Plan pricing. Interestingly enough, when I first looked at the Ford partner site (www.fordpartner.com) is showed the X-Plan is not available for the FEH. I then clicked on the FordDirect link, this site found a FEH at a local dealer and showed me X-Plan pricing for it. I then used the site to ask for a quote and the dealer came back with an X-Plan quote. The vehicle wasn't exactly what I wanted so I asked for pricing with the options I wanted and they still gave me X-Plan pricing.

So I guess the moral is officially X-PLan pricing is not available with the FEH but some dealers will still provide it.

I ordered a 2006 FEH with the premium and safety package. I was given a price of $31,093.10, which according to Edmunds, is $318 over invoice and $2,732 below MSRP.

 

I just got back from speaking with two more dealerships in person. Stearns Ford in Burlington, NC and County Ford in Graham NC. Both dealerships tell me they would honor my Xplan, and on top of that, tell me that they can get me the 2006 AWD Hybrid with Navigation, Moonroof, cargo cover and power outlet in the standard trim (cloth seats) in either Blue or White (I am still debating which I really want). They both told me that I do not need to get premium package to get a factory installed sunroof from Ford.

Chad