Question on ordering (Bob Mazda??)

I've been looking at the Tribute and Escape. I prefer the Tribute. The problem is that I get such different answers from Mazda dealers in my area about ordering. Some say it will take 6-8 weeks, others 2 or 3 months and still others 4-6 months. Then when I go to Ford dealers they all tell me that it will take 6-8 weeks to order (with maybe 2 extra weeks if I order now due to the Xmas shutdown). <br><br>Should I order the Escape because I get the same info from all of them, go with the Tribute and pray that it doesn't take 4-6 months or wait? What do you think?<br><br>Bob Mazda, thanks for being such a wealth of info to us all.<br><br>jcarp

Well, honestly I need more information to make an intelligent opinion. What package EXACTLY do you want? Does the dealer or any other dealer have it in another color? Would you accept several color choices or option packages to vary? Are you opposed to them trading for the vehicle with another dealer? <br><br>Typically these answers are generally correct as say you order a base LX in the color you want....4-6 weeks. Say you order an ES loaded..who knows. It is all demand (number of orders placed before you) vs. availability of those units to be built. Simply the parts must be there to build you one...We don't "order" a vehicle with Mr/Ms. Jones on a ticket anymore from FORD OR MAZDA...only highline and of those really highline cars. We preference a car meaning the next slated car that is unclaimed in the exact package, color, options, trim...to the letter is YOURS given someone has not ordered one before you. When a situation comes up where demand for specific models come up, i.e., 4wd, abs vehicles you have a problem.<br><br>FORD does get more production, almost 2 to 1 of the Mazda however note with me favoring the Mazda that fewer vehicles makes resale better..perfect example Ranger vs. B Series. Book is higher on B Series....check a Ford Explorer Sport in 94 vs. a Mazda Navajo in 94....plus Mazda covers 14,000 miles longer, ALL 2001 models come with a free rental car EVERY single time you request one for a covered warranty repair....24/7/365 towing, call ahead to people who are worried, make hotel arrangements, etc. for a breakdown from flat tire, gas, oil, or major problem...<br>Obviously, I am not the one to ask the Ford vs. Mazda question to....BOTH are very good products.<br><br>One thing to note...I called Ford national customer relations trying to find info. on fuel smell and zero help. I called Mazda national customer relations and she told me that she would check with Technical Support as they are on the floor below them. She came back on the line, gave me her name, extension and read the things they have done so far to correct the problem...by trying themselves, being in contact with each dealer that has this problem, taking ID #'s to establish a pattern of vehicles made and finally offered to call ahead to the dealer and tell them I am on the way....I know them so I declined that....P.S. mine is not that bad...just the principle..<br>Anyway, I went to the dealership, the part is ordered and I should be going....Being a smaller company makes hold times smaller, more personal service....none of this Ford stuff with Blue team, Red team...etc. You 8 out of 10 times have the same technician work on your Mazda...<br><br>Sorry for being so one sided...I can't help it...but I can help you on either just as unbiased...lol just kiddin'...let me know what I can do to help, not hinder the "process".<br><br><br>THERE IS A DISCLAIMER...I AM NOT SAYING ONE IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER....THIS IS ONLY MY PERSONAL OPINION. I don't wanna offend any Ford Escape owners....<br><br>bob

Bob,<br><br>Thanks for your lengthy and thoughtful reply. No problems with you being partial to the Mazda, especially in this group!<br><br>I am looking for an LX 4X4 with the Lux package, ABS package and towing package. I am flexible on the towing package and understand that it can be added later if desired. My color preferences are Galaxy Blue Metallic, Chestnut Mica, Desert Metallic or Jewel Green Metallic (in that order).<br><br>I don't want to get caught up in a 4-6 month wait and I've gotten so many different answers from various Mazda dealers. Every Ford dealer gives me the same answer (6-8 weeks).<br><br>Any thought on how to get what I want in the shortes time span?<br><br>Thank you<br><br>jcarp

Ok...first, does the dealer have ANY LX 4x4's in stock..if so, ask them to trade it for your vehicle with another dealer. That would be my #1 don't wait advice. Mazda's warranty begins at delivery so any miles incurred would be not counted. With a wide color choice I don't think you'll have to wait so long. Ask them to see if they can locate you one, be honest with 'em and say that "time" is more important than color. This is a very good time to buy one as things are winding down for the Xmas holidays and the dealer has less and less to do but ATTEMPT to sell a few units a day till after Xmas. Beware of promises on time for delivery...there are many many posts of people on this site and the Escape site that report WAY WAY off date deliveries....I always try my best to choose from stock OR find one from a dealer nearby that my "local" dealer can get for me. I hope the local Mazda dealer is a good one because it would really make things easier. They are right in so far as SOME Tribute orders are 4 months from delivery but at least it is an honest answer....6-8 weeks seems very short judging from the Escape site and all the complaints. Good luck...<br><br>Again...dealer trade is the shortest way to get what you want.<br><br>Let me know how it turns out...email or post...<br><br>bob

Thanks Bob,<br><br>I have mixed responses from dealers. Some say that if you use the S plan you must order and wait. Others say they are willing to sell stock under the S plan. I will check over the next few days with the ones that said they are willing to sell stock to see if they will try to trade. I've found three dealers in my area that will do this, so I will contact them and see what they say.<br><br>Thanks for the very good and helpful advice. I will post to the group and let you know how it goes.<br><br>Thanks again,<br><br>jcarp

The dealer stock is their inventory so it is up to them whether or not they will honor the S plan...They are getting a lot more $$ than the S plan so in essence (and I disagree) they are saying your business is less important than money. I honored S plan people on even products that Mazda said we had the option to exempt....the reason they'll order you one is it does not come from their normal allotment...this would then be an additional...Just FYI...the Tribute is on the exempt list in most regions of the Mazda coverage. The dealer I worked for is NOT accepting S plan because of regular demand for the vehicle and many more $$ in house...Anyone in my opinion who is able to get any sort of special "factory" plan is given this offer for a reason. That was my sole logic, nothing more...<br><br>best of luck<br><br>bob

Sorry for the grammar...very tired...had a tooth filled, cleaning, and had to deal with the Tribute trouble in Service today!!! What a day!<br><br>bob

Would a possible motive for a dealer to accept s-plan be to increase their future factory allocations of retail units?

You would think so....however, when you have a situation such as the Tribute the "turn and earn" extra unit percentage ALSO depends on selling AND purchasing additional product from Mazda...Protege, 626, MPV, Bseries, Millenia, Miata. The total sales volume "earns" them more vehicles...sooo what you will have is a situation where they may retail 20 tributes at a gross ov 2000 each as an example....that is 40K in gross just on Tributes. Now they have earned via EXTRA production of "the other models" of 5 additional units on Tributes. The 1 to 5 S plan sales would "hurt" their unit average when selling out of stock cars at S plan. What is the answer...turn them away OR order a Tribute. What is the difference....?? Well, by placing an order for a Tribute it does not go against their allocated units, shows as additional unit ordered as a "sold unit" in the system. The order system does not account for "sold unit" orders as they are manually added to the dealer inventory by distribution. To turn them away is simply bad business....makes for not only an S plan customer deserving of it not fully understanding the poor treatment but mainly its UNETHICAL. I should write a book on this stuff...