FGX XR8 buying advice - have I left it too late?

[Focused]

Hi all,
I’ve decided on taking the plunge and going to buy an FGX XR8, so now I’m just in the process of finding one. My local dealer (rural NSW) has a gold coloured one, which I’m not keen on, and he seemed fairly disinterested in my business (ie. I turn up, well dressed, stating that I’ve already got finance approval and he didn’t even offer a testdrive* or ask about tradeins..etc). He said that there’s barely any left in the country, and the one I looked at had been sold twice but the finance fell through (really??)

My question is, are the dealers going to fight for my business or do they feel that there’s no need to because the car is somewhat collectable? A quick search of Carsales.com.au reveals plenty of new (or near new) FGX XR8s around so they can’t be that rare! And I suspect that the XR8 Sprint would have rendered the standard XR8s slightly less desirable. Will they budge on the price at all?

*Would I be expected to buy one without a testdrive? The car is "new" and not a demo so maybe that was a reason? Surely a little drive? I’m fairly sure I’ll love it, but am a bit worried the ride may be too rough.

[M&Ms]

Find another dealer. Although I must admit, I do side with dealers not taking out their new cars which may have less than 20km on them, because in no time they are selling a car with 250kays on the clock, hardly 'Brand New'.
I've just put a deposit on one, a 2016 white auto, and went to the country to buy it because Sydney dealers are basically asking retail ($61k). It's definitely a buyer's market with these cars, but if it is around the mid-50's, then they probably won't move too much on it, but grab it at that price anyway (especially if it's a '16 build).

[Focused]

Thanks. Yeah there's a few in the mid $50s DA and I suspect I won't get one much cheaper than that.
I might make a few calls tomorrow.

[Sabantien]

Check out carsales, 250 new FGX XR8s turn up. Surely there's a few near you.

[Focused]

Originally Posted by Sabantien

Check out carsales, 250 new FGX XR8s turn up. Surely there's a few near you.

There's certainly a few (all >100s of kms) which is why I was surprised by the dealers lack of interest. He made no attempt at trying to sell it to me so I guess I'll take my $55K elsewhere...

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Focused

There's certainly a few (all >100s of kms) which is why I was surprised by the dealers lack of interest. He made no attempt at trying to sell it to me so I guess I'll take my $55K elsewhere...

Thing is, come October, there will be no more. In fact regular XR8 production has already finished. Dealers are in no hurry to sell them, hence the attitude.

Stick with it and myself would be buying sooner rather than later because it will only get worse.

[Focused]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Thing is, come October, there will be no more. In fact regular XR8 production has already finished. Dealers are in no hurry to sell them, hence the attitude.

Stick with it and myself would be buying sooner rather than later because it will only get worse.

All true. I know that dealers may be keen to move stock before June 30th, but two months is a long time away (as you said, production has already stopped!)

[Shonky.]

just flick off messages through carsales, and then talk to anyone who comes back to you

in the meantime search through threads here to see the lowest prices people have paid, and offer that, see what they say

not rocket surgery fella

good luck

[bernbo]

There is about 4 at my local dealer in Townsville north queensland if you want a drive! White, blue, two silvers,two smoke and a black one. All been there from what feels like a month, the white and silver what send longer. Hopefully the link will work.
http://carmichaelford.sitedynamic.co...Max=&priceMax=

[Focused]

Sadly NSW's incredibly frustrating registration process renders any interstate imports far too much effort. I recently converted my Victorian Focus to NSW plates and swore to never again. It's easier to just buy a new car (I recall saying )

[ParisManfred]

Do a ring around to other NSW dealers and I'm sure you will find a better salesman. I had a similar experience with my local so I took my money to a more welcoming dealer 4 hours away. Let us know how it turns out. Are you after an auto or manual.

[Focused]

Originally Posted by ParisManfred

Do a ring around to other NSW dealers and I'm sure you will find a better salesman. I had a similar experience with my local so I took my money to a more welcoming dealer 4 hours away. Let us know how it turns out. Are you after an auto or manual.

Auto. Too much stop-start driving.

I've got a trade-in, which might complicate things but ah well. I might spend tomorrow afternoon making calls.

[Dave R]

Good luck in Sydney, I copped the same thing a couple of months back. These dealers are on the "collector's item" train and tend to have a very cocky attitude about them. My closest dealer had a 2015 demo and wouldn't budge from $62k. I let him know that I'd already been offered a '16 for $5k cheaper than his '15 demo and the response was basically "well go buy that one". Zero interest.

[Focused]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

Good luck in Sydney, I copped the same thing a couple of months back. These dealers are on the "collector's item" train and tend to have a very cocky attitude about them. My closest dealer had a 2015 demo and wouldn't budge from $62k. I let him know that I'd already been offered a '16 for $5k cheaper than his '15 demo and the response was basically "well go buy that one". Zero interest.

Interesting. There's heaps on Carsales in the mid-50s so I hope they not advertising lower prices just to get phone calls. Interestingly, I saw the same car on carsales.com.au that I checked out this afternoon and it was $1K cheaper online... ($56 vs 57K)

[RHR]

Theres a maroon looking one and a grey/blue one sitting at the dealership in Goulburn if that helps

[boss351290]

Ring lake ford in Newcastle they have a black February 2016 xr8 auto for about $57-$58000. Brand new. The last one they have. Better hurry up, they have sold there last 4 in a month or so.

[boss351290]

Or buy one with 5000ks on it for around $50000

[Focused]

Thanks for the replies. I'd prefer a lighter colour (it looks fantastic in white) but I'll have a look.

[Professor Farnsworth]

Find a better dealer. My xr6 was brand new on the floor, we test drove it with 9km on the Odo, then bought it. My xr8 I haggled into the 52's, bought in early jan, October 2015 model brand new. It's all about your dealer, and the rapport you build with them.

Also don't trust how many are advertised, they're not all actually there.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Byrne ford in Brisbane has been selling demos for 46k. Cheap!

[PepeLePew]

Just don't try and find a manual....

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

Byrne ford in Brisbane has been selling demos for 46k. Cheap!

High Km demos? That price is stupid unless they have up to 10k on them

[WyldOne]

If you're looking for manual, you may have missed the boat. I called up virtually every dealership in the country chasing a manual XR8 about 2 months ago. I was told there is none on the database plenty of times, but I did get lucky and manage to find a brand-new one sitting on a show room floor.

[Rodp]

You experience mirrors mine when I was looking at an XR8, several Sydney dealerships seemingly didn't want my business - but this has been my experience with Ford dealerships for as long as I've been buying cars.

The first Ford dealer to actually show interest and actually selling me a new Ford was Craig@Rockdale. Might be a little too far for you but ping him and see if he can sort something out for you.

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by Sabantien

Check out carsales, 250 new FGX XR8s turn up. Surely there's a few near you.

A lot of those ads have no stock backing them up. They're just billboards on Carsales to get you into the dealership.

[PepeLePew]

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

A lot of those ads have no stock backing them up. They're just billboards on Carsales to get you into the dealership.

It is BLOODY ANNOYING how often this is the case now. Bait and switch, just wastes your time.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

Find a better dealer. My xr6 was brand new on the floor, we test drove it with 9km on the Odo, then bought it. My xr8 I haggled into the 52's, bought in early jan, October 2015 model brand new. It's all about your dealer, and the rapport you build with them.

Also don't trust how many are advertised, they're not all actually there.

Wow 52 is a great price.

I haggled at 54 and all I got was mats.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Focused

Thanks for the replies. I'd prefer a lighter colour (it looks fantastic in white) but I'll have a look.

As of 4pm this afternoon (when I drove past) Lanham Ford in Leeton have a white XR8 in their yard. No plates on it that I saw. May be worth a call.

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by Focused

Hi all,
I’ve decided on taking the plunge and going to buy an FGX XR8, so now I’m just in the process of finding one. My local dealer (rural NSW) has a gold coloured one, which I’m not keen on, and he seemed fairly disinterested in my business (ie. I turn up, well dressed, stating that I’ve already got finance approval and he didn’t even offer a testdrive* or ask about tradeins..etc). He said that there’s barely any left in the country, and the one I looked at had been sold twice but the finance fell through (really??)

My question is, are the dealers going to fight for my business or do they feel that there’s no need to because the car is somewhat collectable? A quick search of Carsales.com.au reveals plenty of new (or near new) FGX XR8s around so they can’t be that rare! And I suspect that the XR8 Sprint would have rendered the standard XR8s slightly less desirable. Will they budge on the price at all?

*Would I be expected to buy one without a testdrive? The car is "new" and not a demo so maybe that was a reason? Surely a little drive? I’m fairly sure I’ll love it, but am a bit worried the ride may be too rough.

G'day..Absolutely not doubting you in regard to "not" seemingly wanting to sell you a car , just flummoxed is all...and we wonder why Ford are so far down the sales nowadays!!!!!!!...In the good old days ..salesman would drive you insane trying to sell a car..What's happening ?...Hope you end up finding a great XR8 soon..Cheers Rod..

[4vxc]

I cant understand everyone saying about sales people not being interested.
I just bought a new Falcon and went to 3 dealerships they were all pretty much no bs and all wanted to do the deal. I'm pretty sure it comes down to how you come across to the dealer because no doubt they would get lots of tyre kickers wanting to drive this and that.
Like Rodp I ended up with Craig@Rockdale