Hello from TX - I am digging the '13 Sport

[Al1515]

Big hello to everyone from the Dallas area.

First timer on this forum, and I am enjoying the enthusiasm that I see on a lot of the posts and that I am starting to feel for the '13 Explorer Sport. Early in the year is when I first heard it was coming out, and it's exciting to see that they are now on showroom floors.

I am looking to upgrade from our 2004 silver Honda Pilot, which has served us well, but I am ready for a change, and I would not mind a little more power and "attitude" from my new ride.

I noticed from other threads that a lot of you special ordered your vehicles from the plant. I have never purchased a car this way, and I was wondering if you end up having to pay sticker price, since you are selecting all of the options you want, or are you still able to get a good price?

I just started checking out dealer lots yesterday (vehicle was listed at one but when I showed up they said it is actually on order and won't be there for a couple weeks, and "someone will prob put a deposit down on one before it even hits the lot"). I will check out another dealership today, just so I can lay eyes on one and "kick the tires."

Looking forward to the journey of hopefully, at some point, owning a 2013 Explorer Sport.

 

[Carnivore]

I have been trying to buy one as well but gave up and just decided to order it. Now the waiting game begins.

 

[Al1515]

So how does the pricing work? Do you end up paying full sticker on it? Like most others, I generally like to shop for the best deal.

 

[langla4]

I'm in SoCal and ordered my Sport from a local dealer. I was referred to them by Costco and AAA auto programs. The dealer gave me the actual invoice and discounted that by $250.

The surprise when the Sport arrived, was that Ford discounted the car an additional $1500.

The buying experience was favorable. Good luck. I really like the Sport.

 

[Carnivore]

You don't have to pay sticker. You can get any discount you want but it's the discount at the time it arrives not at the time you order it. I go through the USAA buying program

 

[TexasExplorer3]

We set the price then ordered our 2013 Limited. The wait was less than original estimate. Experience was good. Try North Central Ford in Dallas.

 

[FordService]

I have been trying to buy one as well but gave up and just decided to order it. Now the waiting game begins.

Hey Carnivore,

Congrats on ordering! I'm happy to track your new Explorer's journey from the plant to your dealership. Just send me a PM with your order number/dealer name or VIN and I'll fill you in on the details!

Crystal

 

[Al1515]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Just test drove a Ruby Red last night.

Really nice pickup on the highway on ramp.
Feels pretty tight going around curves considering how high up you feel in the ****pit.
Motor purrs like a kitten but delivers like a lion.
Exhaust sound from the rear is pretty loud though (while sitting in the car with doors closed) - anyone else think so?
Leg room for 3rd row passengers doesn't seem too bad.
A little worried about gas mileage, but I would be satisfied if in-town we could get at least the listed 16 MPG.
Filling tank w/o having to remove a gas cap is kind of cool.

Unfortunately, I drove a model that had virtually no options, o/w I would have liked to assess the 2nd row bucket seats (essential to have easy access to 3rd row for visitors [i.e., grandparents]) and power liftgate (doubt wife would accept another family hauler w/o it) and electronics/nav, etc.

So far, found nothing to dissuade me from pursuing this vehicle further!

 

[Bybotie]

If you are looking for a good deal on a Sport I would call Grapevine Ford and ask for the GM Skip Harmon. He is a big time Ford enthusist and stocks all the latest performance models from Ford. I have bought several cars from him and his team, they are good people. I purchased my '13 Explorer from him for $1600 under invoice with zero negotions needed. Hope this helps.

 

[Al1515]

If you are looking for a good deal on a Sport I would call Grapevine Ford and ask for the GM Skip Harmon. He is a big time Ford enthusist and stocks all the latest performance models from Ford. I have bought several cars from him and his team, they are good people. I purchased my '13 Explorer from him for $1600 under invoice with zero negotions needed. Hope this helps.

Appreciate that tip. They do seem to have good discounts in general. In fact, they are the 1st people that I contacted a few weeks ago. We'll see how it goes.

I also checked out Sam Pack in Carrollton - good people who are not pushy.

 

[Stevegud1]

I saw the Sport in the Ford magazine I get from when I bought my 2010 F150, and instantly wanted one. However, when it came time to buy, I couldn't justify that price tag. They're nice, but I'll enjoy my XLT and the $15K price difference that I kept.

 

[Edgieguy]

I thought there were no 2nd row buckets on the Sport, only on Limited?