What is it about Ford and colours?

bwhinnen · 13-03-2006, 02:22 PM

Placed an order for an XR8 on Saturday, all went well, enjoyed the test drive, liked the options and picked the one and only colour we liked in the current range Rapid (after confirming no less than 3 times in the last forthnight that it was available still).

I get a phone call from the salesperson this morning saying that they are no longer making the XR in that colour and only existing March orders will get that colour.

First it was the Envi that got dropped, then the Orange, and now Rapid, why is it the only colours my wife and I can agree on get dropped.

It looks like we'll probably now cancel the order and await a more suitable colour in the future, I must say a great start to my Ford experience. Oh and I was so looking forward to getting the car as it was the only one that met all of our selection criteria plus being a nice car to boot!

Thanks for listening to my rant.

Cheers
Brett

flappist · 13-03-2006, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwhinnen

Placed an order for an XR8 on Saturday, all went well, enjoyed the test drive, liked the options and picked the one and only colour we liked in the current range Rapid (after confirming no less than 3 times in the last forthnight that it was available still).

I get a phone call from the salesperson this morning saying that they are no longer making the XR in that colour and only existing March orders will get that colour.

First it was the Envi that got dropped, then the Orange, and now Rapid, why is it the only colours my wife and I can agree on get dropped.

It looks like we'll probably now cancel the order and await a more suitable colour in the future, I must say a great start to my Ford experience. Oh and I was so looking forward to getting the car as it was the only one that met all of our selection criteria plus being a nice car to boot!

Thanks for listening to my rant.

Cheers
Brett

Yes it is sometimes annoying but then they always release new colours. I am sure there will be a new yellow, orange & green soon.

If they did not do this then there would be even MORE blueprint, blood orange and citric acid XRs & FPVs getting about and there never would have been rapid, envi or mandarin would there?

outback_ute · 13-03-2006, 02:29 PM

While it is frustrating, they do change the "flavour of the month" colours a fair bit.

Don't give up on a Rapid though, press the dealer to find a car with the options you want in the system. The colour has only been unavailable for a very short time, so there should be lots floating around. Eg one of the dealers here in Melb had an ad in the paper with only Rapid XR's - a number of each model.

smciner1 · 13-03-2006, 02:41 PM

It annoyed me no end when I ordered my EF XR6 in Cobalt Blue, only to have the same thing happen to me way back in 1994.............

:lookedat:

MoreHPformyXR6 · 13-03-2006, 02:54 PM

Don't give up on a Rapid though, press the dealer to find a car with the options you want in the system. The colour has only been unavailable for a very short time, so there should be lots floating around. Eg one of the dealers here in Melb had an ad in the paper with only Rapid XR's - a number of each model.[/QUOTE]

I agree press the dealer there has to be a few Rapid's in the system.

fiery · 13-03-2006, 03:07 PM

Maybe if you say that the Rapid is the only colour acceptable or you will go buy another brand car, the dealer might (and I do say might) try that little harder to find it for you...
Can't hurt trying to push the dealer as hard as you can considering you liked the car and the colour of it........ go for it.. nothing to lose really!!

bwhinnen · 13-03-2006, 03:12 PM

Unfortunately, with the options I want, Manual (is this so strange an option these days) and the Luxury Pack, there are no stock vehicles in Australia. I am very disappointed.

I wouldn't mind so much if in the last two weeks the dealer (who knew what options I wanted) and Customer service (who I rang to confirm availability) had of said sorry, no that colour is discontinued. I have just been informed that the decision to discontinue was made in January...

Oh well, thanks for the replies though, very encouraging.

Cheers
Brett

Citric GT · 13-03-2006, 03:31 PM

I just hope that in the new colour line up they include a nice yellow. Rapid was OK but there are better yellows out there...bring back 'Yellow Glo'!

fiery · 13-03-2006, 03:35 PM

I have to agree with that, the Rapid is Ok but it's not a colour I would rave over.. but we are all different in our tastes.......
If someone really wants that particular colour, then the dealer should be leaning backwards, sideways and upside if they must to try and get it...

bwhinnen · 13-03-2006, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiery

Maybe if you say that the Rapid is the only colour acceptable or you will go buy another brand car, the dealer might (and I do say might) try that little harder to find it for you...
Can't hurt trying to push the dealer as hard as you can considering you liked the car and the colour of it........ go for it.. nothing to lose really!!

I did. I informed them and the customer service department that I would cancel the order in that case. Didn't help my case at all. The sales person has been most helpful I will give credit where it is due.

Citric GT · 13-03-2006, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiery

If someone really wants that particular colour, then the dealer should be leaning backwards, sideways and upside if they must to try and get it...

Yeah, but with there wouldn't be many with manual and luxury pack, so its understandable.

Smoke Pursuit · 13-03-2006, 04:18 PM

Go the Six Speed Auto, id say you would have a fair chance of getting a Rapid with the Luxury pack..

To be honest Rapid is already looking dated just like shockwave is now, if i was buying a new one id go Menace or Bionic.

I wouldn't cancel the order just because of the colour either, just go look at them all again and come to a comprimise.

Which dealer was this thru btw? Denmac Still have a BF XR8 in Rapid with the Six Speed Manual, this car would also be alot cheaper then an 06 as its an 05 with the $3000 cash back.

:

bwhinnen · 13-03-2006, 04:34 PM

Is through Q Ford in Springwood (QLD). As I said salesperson has been good.

Funny you should say that I'd just looked at shockwave as an alternative. The other option (a long wait one) is to go for seduce, which I need to see again and only saw the paint chip at the motorshow in Brisbane.

Menace is not a colour I can relate too and bionic, although a great shade which I think is fantastic, to me just seems to be a colour more suited to a smaller car, but could grow on me easily (but my wife doesn't like it).

I don't want to cancel the order, it is a last resort obviously. I went to a lot of trouble to get to the stage of finding the car that met our requirements and budget.

ETH02 · 13-03-2006, 04:41 PM

Have a look at the Fantasy colour they have. It would look great on the 8's bonnet bulge

. Pity about the price though

:

Cheers Steve

Smoke Pursuit · 13-03-2006, 04:48 PM

Seduce wont be an option on the XR either i dont think...

WILDTRAKPX2 · 13-03-2006, 04:49 PM

Ford may discontinue colours and it might be a bit annoying, BUT they bring in approx 10 new colours each time. Their colour selections are second to none when compared with the other mob, as they only have a selection of 3 or 4 and no imagination what so ever.

bwhinnen · 13-03-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockwave XR8

Ford may discontinue colours and it might be a bit annoying, BUT they bring in approx 10 new colours each time. Their colour selections are second to none when compared with the other mob, as they only have a selection of 3 or 4 and no imagination what so ever.

Have to agree with you there 100%. The 'other mob' are just a joke when it comes to colour choice.

Hopefully we'll have a colour choice by the end of the week and continue with the April build (as long as it doesn't start on the 1st).

Redrum · 13-03-2006, 07:39 PM

Despite Ford getting rid of colours, they always have plenty to choose from. Look at getting an SS and you would be limited to red, blue, white, black, silver and I think maybe yellow now.

AUIII XR8 MAN · 13-03-2006, 08:24 PM

It's a real disapponitment when you carn't get what you want. But hang in there i'm sure they will have a new coluor to your liking.

nobbystang · 13-03-2006, 09:23 PM

just found this in car sales, not sure on the luxury pack, but is an 8, manual and in qld

http://carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!cs_content.dealer_new_vehicle?vehicle_id=2930644& current_rec=1&make_id=6&model_id=17&keyword=XR8%20 RAPID&state_id=-1

Smoke Pursuit · 13-03-2006, 09:55 PM

Yes that car is located at Denmac Darra, no luxury pack or Premium sound i believe...

apolloxbgt · 13-03-2006, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockwave XR8

Ford may discontinue colours and it might be a bit annoying, BUT they bring in approx 10 new colours each time. Their colour selections are second to none when compared with the other mob, as they only have a selection of 3 or 4 and no imagination what so ever.

They really have slipped in the red camp,they set the standard for a while for the fad colours,now ford has walked away with them.

Jim Beam · 13-03-2006, 11:23 PM

It sucks that you cant get one in the colour you want, see if you can convince the Mrs to get the Shockwave or Blue Pearl (Deep blue) both colours I would definately consider.

XR Martin · 14-03-2006, 12:10 AM

What does the luxury pack consist of? Surely a dealer could do you a deal on that stuff, like swapping it from another car or getting the parts sent in.
We're talking about a $60k car and the best the dealer can do is 'sorry its not available'

What a joke.

I just checked the Ford website and it still lists Rapid, id be livid if I couldnt get the colour I wanted despite Ford still advertising it.

bwhinnen · 14-03-2006, 07:09 AM

Luxury pack is basically the fairmont setup, dual zone climate control and premium sound, not an easy swap over.

Apparently Rapid has been marked for discontinuation since January, but the Customer Care and Dealers weren't notified until recently as there are still cars available in Rapid, just not custom to the level of Manual and Luxury Pack.

Colour choice at this point for us is silhouette, shockwave or seduce (if it's available in XR when it comes into production in June).

Brett

WILDTRAKPX2 · 14-03-2006, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwhinnen

Colour choice at this point for us is silhouette, shockwave or seduce (if it's available in XR when it comes into production in June).

Brett

Looks like you narrowing down your choice of colours nicely (if you can't get Rapid)

Here's mine as an example of Shockwave:

nobbystang · 14-03-2006, 10:06 AM

for what you get aftermarket you'd probably be better getting an amp and some speakers installed by pros. should be able to get a better sound for the same price. thats what i will be doing when the minister for war & finances clears the funds

graphixboy · 14-03-2006, 10:36 AM

What colour is seduce?

NZ · 14-03-2006, 10:58 AM

Even tho they change the colours so often you have to admit that theres very few colours that dont look good on the xr's

bwhinnen · 14-03-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graphixboy

What colour is seduce?

Seduce is the new red sue out in June, I only have a vague recollection of it from the motorshow, and will be going in to have a look at the paint chip on Thursday to see what it's like.

From memory candy apple red springs to mind.

Yes I have to admit that most colours look good on the XR, some are not to my taste though, but they are definately unique and some very bold in their choice.

Brett