Ford & FPV website configurator

flappist · 24-03-2011, 05:55 PM

I usually try to stay off the "Ford/FPV bashing" track but sometimes they do such STUPID things that are just annoying.

I am in the process of buying a new car and am jumping all over the web playing with various "build" systems seeing what costs what is available and how my budget could be "moulded"

A while ago the nannies at the ACCC in their attempt to stomp on the scammo $1 air fares etc. (apparantly we are all to stupid to understand that you can't actually fly first class around the world for $1) made it difficult to put pricing on car web sites as it had to include all the costs involved.

Looking around it seems that just about everyone has got this sorted.
All of the sites I go to except two ask for a postcode and then work out the RRP delivered inc state costs.

BUT NOT FORD OR FPV (FPV do the NZ one though)

Their clever idea......email for a quote.

Get stuffed.

I want to play mix and match NOW not every few days when they decide to get back to me.

Or go to a dealer.

See above......

Why would I ask someone who usually knows less about the vehicle than me and whose only interest is selling the combination that will make him personally the highest commission (being the one in stock or is coming shortly from their preorder)?

I want to buy a BMW, yes sir everything is there for you what options do you need priced?

Toyota, Nissan, Mazda....whatever all seem to be able to make it work.

But not Ford and not FPV.

Like they really NEED to reduce sales by making it harder.

I wonder if anyone in Ford actually realise that the majority of car buyers are NOT Ford vs Holden bogans who will always buy their tribal icon regardless?

P.S. Holden don't do it either so if I were considering Falcon G6 vs Commodore vs Aurion it is much easier to buy the Toyota as I could work it all out without some gold toothed rat pressuring me.

Or Focus vs Mazda 3 vs Corolla etc.
Or Mondeo vs........

No public pricing, just one more reason to not even consider any Ford vehicle of any type from the Fiesta upwards..............

Mr Hardware · 24-03-2011, 05:57 PM

So ah, did you email them telling them this?

fou_bleu · 24-03-2011, 06:08 PM

I agree... but. If the website says $21,000 for a Fiesta specced to your needs, yet realistically Ford have to charge $22,000, how well will that look?

I'd rather them not publicly price than lie and having people lining up at FoA for lawsuits...

PS: You'd go car shopping without actually looking at the car???

flappist · 24-03-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4RD4TW

I agree... but. If the website says $21,000 for a Fiesta specced to your needs, yet realistically Ford have to charge $22,000, how well will that look?

I'd rather them not publicly price than lie and having people lining up at FoA for lawsuits...

PS: You'd go car shopping without actually looking at the car???

Absolutely.

I ordered my GT-P before they were available. My datto was the first of its type in Australia (the second one was the one in the review and BFYB).

I know what a FG looks like and if my hard budget is for example $46000 then what combinations can I afford?

If the website says $21k and it is not $21k that they are in exactly the same position as before the ACCC.

If you were considering leather and a satnav in your XR6 and HAD to have a reversing camera and auto can you afford a turbo or will you have to buy a N/A?
If you drop the satnav can you now afford the T?
If you only get 18s and cloth seats now can you afford the T?

Or do you give up on the T and look at something else?

I am considering an ISF, GT-E, 335i or 135i. Three of these are easy one is a pain......guess which?

Franco Cozzo · 24-03-2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Absolutely.

I ordered my GT-P before they were available. My datto was the first of its type in Australia (the second one was the one in the review and BFYB).

I know what a FG looks like and if my hard budget is for example $46000 then what combinations can I afford?

If the website says $21k and it is not $21k that they are in exactly the same position as before the ACCC.

If you were considering leather and a satnav in your XR6 and HAD to have a reversing camera and auto can you afford a turbo or will you have to buy a N/A?
If you drop the satnav can you now afford the T?
If you only get 18s and cloth seats now can you afford the T?

Or do you give up on the T and look at something else?

I am considering an ISF, GT-E, 335i or 135i. Three of these are easy one is a pain......guess which?

Its quite annoying considering how much everything is online now, Hyundai asks you for your state and it gives a price based on that, which is what Ford should do. If I could do something online rather than having to deal with people in person, I'd rather do that.

I say go on principle and buy elsewhere.

**DJM83** · 24-03-2011, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

I am considering an ISF, GT-E, 335i or 135i. Three of these are easy one is a pain......guess which?

I have to disagree here, if i were in the market for either of the above cars i couldnt care what the internet page says id be going straight to a dealer as that is a lot of money.
I understand you probably wouldnt buy it based on what is on the internet page though

Adamz Ghia · 24-03-2011, 08:24 PM

I gotta agree with Flappist. When I buy a car, I like to know as much as possible what $$$ I'm up for before I go in, and with the world becoming more online every day, Ford not having pricing on the website is like Coles not having prices on the Cornflakes on the supermarket shelf. Not good enough. It's not hard for them to do. But I guess it's not a good thing for them to have customers having too much knowlege and bargaining power...

flappist · 24-03-2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

I have to disagree here, if i were in the market for either of the above cars i couldnt care what the internet page says id be going straight to a dealer as that is a lot of money.
I understand you probably wouldnt buy it based on what is on the internet page though

But then Dallas, how do I work out what I can actually afford.

ISFs are about $135k, 1 series go from $70k to $150k, 3 series from $110k to well over $200k.

If, for example, I decided on a 135 then the DCT costs, the leather and paint cost, the wheels cost, the satnav and ICC cost and I can mix and match.
The same for most of the others.

When I have decided that a vehicle is in my price range I then go, test drive (if it is my personal car) and negotiate.

P.S. ISFs go like cut cats are smooth as silk and quiet as a mouse until you stand on the go pedal, M3s are playstations on wheels and 135s are one of the best kept secrets in the performance car market. They are bloody unbelievable........

Of the last 6 new cars I have bought (GT-P, F6, Yaris, Getz, Navara, Ranger and 350Z) I only test drove 2 (F6 & 350Z) and sat in the demo GT-P at the Brisbane Motor Show in 2003. The rest were straight off the internet and then over the phone. I still have not driven or even sat in the Ranger (owned since October).

If they are not my personal drive cars then I really don't care much about anything except operating costs and resale.

phoonfan · 24-03-2011, 09:48 PM

Hey Flappist, PM what you want with options, i'll work it out for you!

i'll even take my gold tooth out!

deesun · 25-03-2011, 12:45 AM

It's a long way from Hervey Bay to Vic but at least you are trying. Thats really not the point though. If all the others can do it then why not FORD and FPV?

1TUFFUTE · 25-03-2011, 01:14 AM

i say they should keep up with the times and get net savvy. People want to eye shop there stuff before there purchase..and if its made easy...guess what...its easy

blk6t · 25-03-2011, 06:48 AM

Mate, what I have been doing because i'm looking at a new car is using the power of CARSALES.

Do a search of brand new cars in stock...ready to go. This will give you a really good indication of driveaway dealership prices and what inclusions are on the car. These cars are not demos, just built and awaiting a new owner.

Just for example there was recently a Holden SS Ute for $34k drive away with leather and auto....zero kms. 2010 plated but just sitting there awaiting an owner. So if I was in the market for a Holden ute (which I am not), then I have a basis of where I can expect the sales price to be agreed with a dealer for a similar product.

I love carsales!!!!

deesun · 25-03-2011, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

i say they should keep up with the times and get net savvy. People want to eye shop there stuff before there purchase..and if its made easy...guess what...its easy

+1.
You should be able to "build" a car and get as close as possible to a price.

GTP owner · 25-03-2011, 08:43 AM

I agree with blk6t. Use carsales for a good indication of what is available and for what price. I prefer to go into the dealer with figures already close in my head, and then play two dealers off against each other. I will let them know that by the end of the week i will sign for a new car, and let them work to make me sign for their car. I don't care how far away the dealer is either. The cost to transport to my front door is negligible in the whole scheme of things

FordRTV08 · 25-03-2011, 09:31 AM

No one has mentioned a phone call?? Just ring a dealer and ask the comparison costs while looking at the website for the different options.

flappist · 25-03-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTP owner

I agree with blk6t. Use carsales for a good indication of what is available and for what price. I prefer to go into the dealer with figures already close in my head, and then play two dealers off against each other. I will let them know that by the end of the week i will sign for a new car, and let them work to make me sign for their car. I don't care how far away the dealer is either. The cost to transport to my front door is negligible in the whole scheme of things

Provided you want to buy a povvo pak vehicle.

Carsales seldom has anything except extremely basic vehicles.

Do a quick look now for new FPVs or falcons fitted with upgraded brakes, satnavs, rear cameras or other factory options. Not a lot of choice....
(actually look for a new GT that has anything other than stripes)

The idea of the configurator is to look at new as yet unbuilt totally custom cars not what some sales guy thinks will sell quickly.

The majority of FPVs (and HSVs) are sold on power by the hour to non private users (people who claim the vehicles against some sort of income or novate) so the actual retail price is often not as important as getting the vehicle exactly right.

flappist · 25-03-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FordRTV08

No one has mentioned a phone call?? Just ring a dealer and ask the comparison costs while looking at the website for the different options.

Yes I often ring dealers at 10pm when I am comparing various options.

But a conversation like:

Ok XR6T, leather, satnav, reversing, auto, 19" how much?...take out the satnav....put it back in but take out the reversing....what about a g6et in the same....can you get that in green still...hmm maybe a GS instead....is the auto free....no back to the 6.....ah what about.....

Will end in ....go away you bloody wood duck.....CLUNK

FTE72 · 25-03-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Their clever idea......email for a quote.

Get stuffed.

I want to play mix and match NOW not every few days when they decide to get back to me.

Or go to a dealer.

.

I agree with Flappist. I asked for a quote in September 2010 and asked to be contacted by a dealer....still waiting. What is the point of the configurator without pricing anyway?

**Elks** · 25-03-2011, 10:22 AM

You can thank the Government and the ACCC.

Pricing used to be a part of the configurator or what they call it. But all prices must be actual drive away, not just list.

So they must include rego, stamp duty and other charges. Rego charges vary from state to state, metro to country, if your a pensioner or not, etc. They didn't want to put the highest cost as they might scare of customers and they cant put the lowest as they would be held to it.

So the manufacturers as a group therefore decided not to list pricing anymore. I'm sure they could have worked out a way but chose not to. If you go to Holden or Toyota you will find the same thing, no pricing.

Interesting that Hyundai have again stepped away with their "drive away" pricing

flappist · 25-03-2011, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elks

You can thank the Government and the ACCC.

Pricing used to be a part of the configurator or what they call it. But all prices must be actual drive away, not just list.

So they must include rego, stamp duty and other charges. Rego charges vary from state to state, metro to country, if your a pensioner or not, etc. They didn't want to put the highest cost as they might scare of customers and they cant put the lowest as they would be held to it.

So the manufacturers as a group therefore decided not to list pricing anymore. I'm sure they could have worked out a way but chose not to. If you go to Holden or Toyota you will find the same thing, no pricing.

Interesting that Hyundai have again stepped away with their "drive away" pricing

Try going to Toyota again.......
Or Mazda, BMW etc etc.

Scott · 25-03-2011, 11:02 AM

Agree, it is a PITA.

I've recently been looking at GT's and Rangers but have been relegated to Carsales.com.au for an idea of pricing.

I am less caring of Ford/FPV's feelings and have for a very long time just known that their marketing department are among the most useless I have ever experienced. Fortunately for them, another department at FoA beats them for "overall most useless and annoying" but I'm sure there is another thread or two on them somewhere..

I struggle with finding reasons to spend money with them anymore - and I struggle to care about their future (jobs aside).

Really, how bloody hard is it for a global company to get right?

GTP owner · 25-03-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Provided you want to buy a povvo pak vehicle.

Carsales seldom has anything except extremely basic vehicles.

Do a quick look now for new FPVs or falcons fitted with upgraded brakes, satnavs, rear cameras or other factory options. Not a lot of choice....
(actually look for a new GT that has anything other than stripes)

The idea of the configurator is to look at new as yet unbuilt totally custom cars not what some sales guy thinks will sell quickly.

The majority of FPVs (and HSVs) are sold on power by the hour to non private users (people who claim the vehicles against some sort of income or novate) so the actual retail price is often not as important as getting the vehicle exactly right.

True. I buy as a business, so the prices are effected by that.

My last experience in trying to buy a discovery series 4 ended in frustration and a cancelled order. I walked into Misubishi and within 5 minutes had all the details i needed (prices and configurations), and had the new pajero in the driveway later that week.

Dr Smith · 25-03-2011, 06:27 PM

Merc and VW don't offer this facilty I believe.

**DJM83** · 25-03-2011, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

But then Dallas, how do I work out what I can actually afford.

ISFs are about $135k, 1 series go from $70k to $150k, 3 series from $110k to well over $200k.

If, for example, I decided on a 135 then the DCT costs, the leather and paint cost, the wheels cost, the satnav and ICC cost and I can mix and match.
The same for most of the others.

When I have decided that a vehicle is in my price range I then go, test drive (if it is my personal car) and negotiate.

P.S. ISFs go like cut cats are smooth as silk and quiet as a mouse until you stand on the go pedal, M3s are playstations on wheels and 135s are one of the best kept secrets in the performance car market. They are bloody unbelievable........

Of the last 6 new cars I have bought (GT-P, F6, Yaris, Getz, Navara, Ranger and 350Z) I only test drove 2 (F6 & 350Z) and sat in the demo GT-P at the Brisbane Motor Show in 2003. The rest were straight off the internet and then over the phone. I still have not driven or even sat in the Ranger (owned since October).

If they are not my personal drive cars then I really don't care much about anything except operating costs and resale.

Yep valid points there, i guess as just an 'indicator' on price its good. Im speaking from my purchase of my Focus i wasnt bombarded with options so i was pretty safe.