Ordered vs. Buying Off The Lot

[RobN]

I ordered mine (see signature). I had a car (now my kid's) that was running well and paid off, so there was no urgency and I could afford to wait. I got exactly the features I wanted, and not a single thing I didn't. Yes, I had to wait - but I would have had to wait to find one on the lot back then, too.

If I buy another new car, I'd consider doing it again. Not having to settle for missing a feature I wanted or paying for one I didn't is worth at least a little wait. I'm not sure I'd wait 13 months again, but I have no regrets.

So much depends on your circumstances. If your current vehicle is unreliable or wrecked, you can't easily wait for what you want to be built and delivered. WHY do you want a new vehicle? What do your finances look like? How much do you care about a specific feature? Those are different for everybody, and can make enormous differences in what you value and why.

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[Cherokee]

Effectively your
Maverick waited the same time as special orders, even longer, to find an owner.

True,
But I don’t think she noticed :XD

 

[B. Adams]

I ordered my 25 Lariat hybrid from my local dealer on the last Friday in August, and I got it in the middle of January. The local guys have always treated me right, so I didn't even think about going out of town.

The delay between order and delivery gave me just enough time to prepare, so by the time it came in I was able to pay cash for it. I don't normally have that much extra money in the bank, but not taking on more debt was and is a priority right now, so I'm glad I could make it work.

If they'd had a Lariat on the lot with the 4k tow package, or could tell me one was coming that I could put my name on, I would have been fine buying one that was already there. But that was a weird time for Mavericks, and I wanted to get the ball rolling and hoped it wouldn't be a year or more wait like some others had dealt with.

A few weeks after mine came in they got an identical space while Lariat for stock. So maybe I could have just waited, but I'm happy with the way it all worked out.

 

[Prickly Pear]

I found mine online. When the orders opened up for the 25's, there were several "window stickers" you could browse that were in transit to specific dealers. I started a conversation with one for a Cactus Grey XL with CoPilot and a towing package. I ended up buying a an XLT Lux with a moon roof for $2435 under MSRP. Truck was a special order that someone had backed out of. The had about 7 trucks in transit and I think they were starting to think everyone was going to wait for a 25 and were willing to make a deal. I would have been happy with the XL but I would make the same deal in a heartbeat! Love the moon roof on the sunny days ane the heated steering wheel on the cold ones.
Early on ordering was the way to go to pay MSRP and avoid dealer markups, when I bought from inventory it saved me from MSRP.

 

[MidnightMavFX4]

I've had quite the roller coaster ride with my Mavericks. I ordered a 2022 WAY back before they were even in production from my local dealer at the time. That dealership really f'ed up and never put the order in, then put it (according to them), but I never got any updated from them or Ford, no matter how many time I went in. I reached out to another dealer close by and they ordered the same exact truck and I had it within 2 weeks. I got a great deal on that truck but mostly because they wanted my trade in so bad (this was during COVID).

And more recently I order a new 2025 when I saw the refresh and possibility of the raise in prices due to the tariffs. It had a build date of June 2025, but then I found almost the exact truck I wanted at another dealer close by. Walked in one day, and 2 hours later had a brand new 2025 XLT for less than I purchased my first XLT Maverick for and got a great deal on my trade in.

Both times I really had to stress I didn't need the truck right now and could def wait. I literally got up to walk out the second time before they agreed on a price with me. I can't attest as to what worked best. But I definitely pitted my local dealerships against each other and did all my homework before walking in.

Not sure if any of that helps or is even what you are looking for. But I found it kind of fun to be honest.

 

[A Sturdy Beast]

I've seen all the threads about regretting buying an XL or an XLT or a Lariat. I've seen the threads about problems with ordering (delays, bait & switch, etc.) But what I couldn't find was any posts about ordering your Maverick or just buying one off the lot. I can't get a sense of how many members special ordered their trucks vs. those that just went and picked one out. It seems a lot of people had to compromise on their orders to avoid delays. I just found the one I wanted with the options that I wanted and bought it straight out - no waiting, no dealers adding on stuff before I could bring it home. I'm very satisfied with how it worked out for me, but I would have probably ordered one if I was buying new ('25). I just got lucky that I found one exactly how I would have ordered it and managed to get a '24 right after the camera recall was settled. So if you bought one off the lot, do you wish you would have ordered one instead? Or if you ordered one, was it a good experience compared to the old "drive to the local dealer and buy one today"? I just wondered if it was about 50-50 ordering vs. buying off the lot, or if it was higher or lower in either direction?

I've seen all the threads about regretting buying an XL or an XLT or a Lariat. I've seen the threads about problems with ordering (delays, bait & switch, etc.) But what I couldn't find was any posts about ordering your Maverick or just buying one off the lot. I can't get a sense of how many members special ordered their trucks vs. those that just went and picked one out. It seems a lot of people had to compromise on their orders to avoid delays. I just found the one I wanted with the options that I wanted and bought it straight out - no waiting, no dealers adding on stuff before I could bring it home. I'm very satisfied with how it worked out for me, but I would have probably ordered one if I was buying new ('25). I just got lucky that I found one exactly how I would have ordered it and managed to get a '24 right after the camera recall was settled. So if you bought one off the lot, do you wish you would have ordered one instead? Or if you ordered one, was it a good experience compared to the old "drive to the local dealer and buy one today"? I just wondered if it was about 50-50 ordering vs. buying off the lot, or if it was higher or lower in either direction?

These days buying off the lot is viable.

When I ordered my ‘23 in September of ‘22, there was almost no stock on lots. When I ordered there was nothing to test drive at any of my local dealers. Like many here on MTC I ordered sight unseen. What little that was on lots was marked up thousands of dollars over MSRP in “market adjustments”.

Due to increased production and Ford’s price increases, now the market is caught up. Mavericks at MSRP or even less are plentiful. The exception is XL models, especially hybrids.

For example, my closest dealer currently has 24 Mavericks on the lot. 14 Lariats, 5 Lobo, 4 XLT, 1 Tremor, 0 XL on their lot but they have 4 in transit, and all 4 are EcoBoost.

 

[Pjb1983]

I ordered mine mid-February 2024 and picked it up May 1, 2024. I found out after I ordered it my ankle was badly sprained, so I’ve only put about 750 miles on it since I’ve picked it up. I didn’t need the truck, I wanted it and kept my original vehicle so I was OK with waiting when I ordered it and getting exactly what I wanted. The ones that I test drove on the lot didn’t have the right features and color. Then I figured since I’m ordering it I may as well get the blackout package since this is probably the only new vehicle I’m ever going to order and have built to spec. I’m very happy that I ordered what I wanted and didn’t settle on something that had a color I didn’t like or features. I didn’t care for such as the sunroof.

 

[PeteBerner]

Technically, mine was like ordering it, because I searched online through CarGurus for a couple of months. I knew what I wanted and 2 or 3 dealerships near me had what I wanted (Cactus Gray XL hybrid with tow hitch, copilot360, and onyx/black interior). My problem was the camera recall, but as soon as the fix was released I went to the dealership that I had been in contact with ahead of time, and I got it the same day. It took about 4-5 hours for all the paperwork, and for them to do the recall software and dealer prep. With the Farm Bureau rebate and some other dealer incentives, I got it for about $2500 under sticker price. As I was about to leave the dealership, my salesperson got a phone call from someone who had been in over the weekend to look at my truck, and would have bought it, but his financing fell through; that guy got new financing and was going to come down and buy it later that day but I beat him to it!

 

[Kenv24]

Off the lot, site unseen. No test drive at all. Saw it for the first time the day I paid for it and picked it up. VERY happy so far. 2024 XLT Hybrid

 

[Jeffr4JC]

I've seen all the threads about regretting buying an XL or an XLT or a Lariat. I've seen the threads about problems with ordering (delays, bait & switch, etc.) But what I couldn't find was any posts about ordering your Maverick or just buying one off the lot. I can't get a sense of how many members special ordered their trucks vs. those that just went and picked one out. It seems a lot of people had to compromise on their orders to avoid delays. I just found the one I wanted with the options that I wanted and bought it straight out - no waiting, no dealers adding on stuff before I could bring it home. I'm very satisfied with how it worked out for me, but I would have probably ordered one if I was buying new ('25). I just got lucky that I found one exactly how I would have ordered it and managed to get a '24 right after the camera recall was settled. So if you bought one off the lot, do you wish you would have ordered one instead? Or if you ordered one, was it a good experience compared to the old "drive to the local dealer and buy one today"? I just wondered if it was about 50-50 ordering vs. buying off the lot, or if it was higher or lower in either direction?

I ordered my 22 lariat fx4 with 4k tow in January of 22. Received it in Nov 22. Never looked back. Met a couple a few weeks after I got mine, and they had bought a 22 xlt hybrid off the lot and paid $8,000 more than I did for a maxed out lariat ecoboost. (which was more in the 22's.) I was happy and so were they. Depends on the person I guess.

 

[Raymundo76]

I've seen all the threads about regretting buying an XL or an XLT or a Lariat. I've seen the threads about problems with ordering (delays, bait & switch, etc.) But what I couldn't find was any posts about ordering your Maverick or just buying one off the lot. I can't get a sense of how many members special ordered their trucks vs. those that just went and picked one out. It seems a lot of people had to compromise on their orders to avoid delays. I just found the one I wanted with the options that I wanted and bought it straight out - no waiting, no dealers adding on stuff before I could bring it home. I'm very satisfied with how it worked out for me, but I would have probably ordered one if I was buying new ('25). I just got lucky that I found one exactly how I would have ordered it and managed to get a '24 right after the camera recall was settled. So if you bought one off the lot, do you wish you would have ordered one instead? Or if you ordered one, was it a good experience compared to the old "drive to the local dealer and buy one today"? I just wondered if it was about 50-50 ordering vs. buying off the lot, or if it was higher or lower in either direction?

I have ordered 3 vehicles during my car buying lifetime; the first was an original Maverick. I have also bought off the lot. I think one needs to be open to either option. Also buying from a relative or friend makes sense for used vehicles.

 

[mepot101]

I spent WAY too much time online looking for the exact truck I wanted. The 24's were running out, and I decided I did not want a 25. Found my truck about 45 miles away, and got what I wanted, except I could have done without the moonroof. I have used the roof a few times, I figure I got it , might as well use it.
Black,BAP, XLT , Lux package and Hybrid, since I am mostly in town driving around.
Loving 42mpg, vs the 14 I was getting in my 2003 Explorer Sport Trac.

 

[Leuf]

I had been on the fence about ordering a '24 but ended up not doing so. End of 2023 I saw an azure gray Mav parked on the street and the owner probably had to find a car wash to get all my drool off it. I was sure if I did get a Mav it would be an XL with 4k tow and no other options but that chance encounter had me rethinking that and I had pretty well talked myself into an XLT just to be able to get the color. But then a couple months later my previous ride failed inspection hard and I needed to get into a new vehicle right away. I was lucky enough to find my hot pepper red XL on a lot at MSRP the next day. Every other dealer I had been talking to was still charging ADM. The only azure grey on a lot was an XLT for $7k more with a $3k ADM, and it didn't even have 4k tow, the one option I actually wanted. As much as I liked the color, that wasn't going to happen. So even though it had a couple options and the color that added about $8-900 over the XL I originally would have gotten, it saved me a bundle over the XLT I probably would have gotten otherwise. I would never have picked red on my own, but it does look sharp. And I don't drool on it, so that's good.

 

[zen_]

I see discounts as much as $3,000 off MSRP for the 25MY XLT hybrids in a 500 radius of my zip. Don't know what Ford is offering for ordered vehicles, but the price was the only thing that mattered to me when buying, and getting $1,500 off MSRP in for a 24MY XLT hybrid just 6 months ago was no easy feat. Sure I would have liked a sunroof, but that isn't worth thousands of dollars to me.

 

[zorki1c]

Got our 2024 Lariat Ecoboost AWD off local lot with 9,500 miles on it three month ago. At the time I didn’t know much about Mavericks but in retrospect I don’t think I could have done better. Love the truck Don’t have the patience at age 80 to wait 6 months or a year for a special order

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