'11 vs '12 model?

[SandraN]

Looking at maybe buying the Fiesta for better gas mileage - but haven't test drove one yet so not sure. I drive 40 miles one way on a hwy (70 mph) with only 2 red lights between me and work. My 09 Kia Optima on this trip is only getting about 25 mpg. Is there any reason to wait to buy a '12? If I'm looking at a hatch does the SFE pkg (?) really make that much difference in mpg and are the tires on it gonna be extremely high to replace when needed?

For those that have bought really recently how much from actual window sticker price did you get off of what you paid? I'm in Central Texas. This car is just for commuting cuz I have my 4 dr dodge truck whenever needed.

Thanks!

[psi chick]

at this point it's going to be more of a question of which is available, the 11 or the 12. there's not a whole lot of difference between the two (some trim options and colors basically). i have no idea how much of a difference the SFE package makes, someone with experience with it will have to chime in.

the tires are extremely cheap to replace if you stick with the stock ones. they're $88 on tirerack. i don't know what tires come on the SFE but i will say if you end up with a SES the tires are terrible imo.

[Karma]

I guess it comes down to how much of a rush you're in and how much you care that you are getting a new car that is already one year old if you buy an 11 now. They start making the 2012s within the next ten days.

Keep in mind that a 12 will be worth more down the road (at least $1000+ if all things are equal) and that some potential buyers might not want to be involved with an 11 because it was the first year of production - somethings to think about for when you want to trade or sell it sometime in the future.

[Audrey]

The 2012 models have different color options, but otherwise are the same car. If you want to resell the car within 3 years you may wait for a 2012 since model year will seem newer. If you need the car pronto then definitely just grab an 11.

As for the SFE and tires: results vary. I think people with the SFE package get 3-5 more MPG than people under similar conditions. To me that's not significant, but if you keep the car a long time it would add up. The tires depends on what you replace them with and where you buy. You can get good tired through one of the FF sponsors tirerack for a good price. I haven't had any complaints about my hankooks, but I don't do anything particularly exciting with them.

Glad you're so interested in the Fiesta! It's a great car.

[wmussatto]

I think driving habits will probably overwhelm SFE. I know I get about 20% better mileage than my wife even in the Prius which does everything for you. That said you might search for "blocker". I think someone retro-fitted the blocker part of the SFE so we are talking about the same driver. They didn't do the underbody panels and tires so its not a complete test. Someone else was looking at adding the SFE stuff in after purchase, but I haven't seen any results.

I hope to keep my car quite a while so I thing the SFE would make sense. As Audrey said, if you are going to sell early wait for the 2012 otherwise just shop by availability and price. BTW: if you can stand the noise, one of the aftermarket intakes is reported to give about the same improvement as the SFE package.

[Karma]

Originally Posted by SandraN

For those that have bought really recently how much from actual window sticker price did you get off of what you paid? I'm in Central Texas. This car is just for commuting cuz I have my 4 dr dodge truck whenever needed.

Thanks!

Ok where's our Shopping and Buying Section again?

The profit margin in these for a dealer is only about $1200 give or take a few bucks. So, don't expect any great discounts. That having been said, Ford has been offering $500 back for months now and it was just extended until October. So that's $500 off MSRP right there. I'd try and improve on that with another $700 or so, so that the dealer makes $500+ and don't accept any additional doc fees and the other mumbo jumbo dealer padding - everything is negotiable. Also, be very conscious in the Finance guys office when you are signing the papers! That's when even the best deals can become bad deals very quickly. In general, don't take ANYTHING they are offering. Everything can be gotten cheaper, later, if you feel you must have any of it.

Finally, keep in mind pricing and getting deals is always a function of supply and demand and with the 2011s supply is dwindling. Happy hunting.

[grafxman]

You should check Consumer Reports for car buying information as well as Edmunds and some other places. Let google.com be your friend and acquire as much info as possible. Your best bet is to pick a price you are willing to pay and make sure they understand that price is the drive away price NOT the price before taxes, etc. Then you stick to that price. The only deviation is if the only car they have is one that already has some added options that you don't particularly want but have to take with the car. Then and only then should you pay more. FWIW I bought my Fiesta after numerous emails with a salesman who searched FL for the exact car and color I wanted. We agreed on the price and everything so when I went to test drive the car there was no haggling or anything. It was all in writing ahead of time. I refused to talk to anyone on the phone and told them so!

I see you want the SFE. That car comes with the trouble plagued automatic transmission. Just read some of the postings in the service bay forum here and, if you can handle a stick shift, I think that's the way to go. There are many other things you can do to greatly increase your mileage. Read the Eco Fiesta Driver forum here for more details. Some folks get as much as 50 mpg with the stick shift just by keeping their speed down, pushing in the clutch when approaching a red light or stop sign, adding a homemade grill blocker which is pretty easy to do, etc.

[SandraN]

just found ya'll today so thanks for all the advise - in no hurry other than just wanting better mpg -- will continue to do research and start my shopping soon.

[js69351]

For what it's worth, which is likely nothing, I've seen some 2012's on cars.com and one dealer link had a window sticker for an SE with the same package as mine. The only thing not on the window sticker for 2012 is the rear dome light. I wonder if it's been deleted from the car or the sticker?

http://fordlabels.webview.biz/webvie...DP4EJ3CM102647

[Karma]

Originally Posted by js69351

For what it's worth, which is likely nothing, I've seen some 2012's on cars.com and one dealer link had a window sticker for an SE with the same package as mine. The only thing not on the window sticker for 2012 is the rear dome light. I wonder if it's been deleted from the car or the sticker?

http://fordlabels.webview.biz/webvie...DP4EJ3CM102647

Interesting that it shows a build date of July 1 when Job 1 for 2012 is not for a few more days - unless that's just a generic date that will be updated after the actual build occurs. It also looks like Race Red might be one of the first colors produced. The other good news is that the price is the same.