Nohowtoplz
Active Member
I tend to agree with your thoughts. The reality is the odds of finding the color / spec you really want sitting on a lot (e.g. customer backs out) are close to zero. And your odds of placing a new order for a 37 Performance Package (at MSRP or with ADM) and getting the truck anytime soon seem equally unlikely. I know we keep hearing about guys placing orders and getting build dates a couple weeks later, but I think those are massive exceptions.
I have an order that was placed in the Aug 22 timeframe with a "clean unscheduled build" for $10k over. It has steering wheel heat delete and no auto start / stop, but I think other than that is is my exact desired spec. I can live with that. But it may not get built until next Aug 23 (or later) even though my dealer does have one 37 PP allocation (only this one).
So do you buy one of these "watered down" ones (not sure I agree with that phrase for a Gen 3 Raptor ever...) in the interim and then trade it in if/when your build shows up? Yes, its $5k over MSRP which totally sucks and always will but if you are driving a Gen 3 Raptor for a full year and it doesn't lose much if any value in that time period that probably makes sense. I drive a 2022 Limited right now that I love. But the suspension is nothing compared to a Gen 3 37 Package. I think I can live with all these deletes to be in an awesome truck a lot sooner. And if my order comes through sooner than expected, the other one probably hasn't depreciated at all by that point. Am I crazy?
I use the term watered down when the same model as mine has less options (no pro power, tailgate step, appliqué, ambient lighting, heated steering wheel, on and on). But a Raptor is mostly defined by it’s physical features. Most prominently it’s front hood and tailgate. The CO pictured is a true Raptor. The black could pass for any Ford pickup. When I pass someone on the road they know it’s a Raptor. Ones without an appliqué they’re figuring it’s a Ford Lariat. And folks think it’s such a great deal to get these watered down Raptors at MSRP. And some pay over. Again, I’d have a hard time paying $5k under.
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