SemiCrazy
New Member
- First Name
- Lee
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2026
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 9
- Location
- Texas/North Carolina
- Vehicle(s)
- 2009 Escape V6 - soon 2026 Ranger XLT 4x4 2.7L
- Occupation
- whatmework? Retired Trucker.
- Thread starter
- #1
Hi everyone,
I'm so excited I found this site, only regrets I didn't find it sooner.
A little background: currently driving a 2009 Escape Limited, V6, tow PKG. moon room, leather trim, call it my Obama car as it was an unintentional purchase back in August 2010. I was on track to retirement so purchasing a new vehicle wasn't in the cards, but when I heard I could get $4500. for my old Chevy van I was all ears.
After a brief period of asking ppl what they liked and didn't like about their vehicles and a little soul searching what it was I would like I decided to visit my local Ford dealer to look at SUV's and all they had left was one in Iconic Silver and one that was just plain ugly. After a short but thorough test drive (man was that new car smell intoxicating) I knew I had to have it. At age 56 this would become the very first brand new car I ever purchased. And on top of the cash-for-clunkers $4500. discount, I received an additional $2500. rebate from Ford for end of year discount! To date this has been the best car deal I have ever made and I still love this car as the first day I brought her home. But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and even though she still runs strong, still averages 25+ MPG's highway, 22+ pulling a tear drop trailer through the mountains, uses negligible oil, she has 202,000 miles. Oh, and she still looks good!
Now on to the present. For the last 10 months I have been trying to decide on a replacement, and given that I enjoy outdoor activities like camping and road tripping, and kind of getting tired of the cramped space of a teardrop, I've also been wanting to upgrade my trailer to something a little larger, something I can stand up in and get out of the elements when nasty weather kicks up. The Escape has been more than plenty for my current setup, but at 3500# tow capacity, it leaves little room for the upgrade I'm looking for. I'd also like to gift it to my grandson as a starter ride while she still has some reasonably good miles on her.
After months of looking, making offers, both used and new, haggling with sales ppl, most being very unethical, I eventually arrived back with the dealer I bought the Escape from and special ordered a 2026 Ranger XLT, 4x4, 2.7L, Advanced Tow Pkg, Electronic Lockout, (as I opted against the FX4) and, I got them to sell me the Katzkin leather at dealer cost. I placed the order around June 15 and took advantage of Ford's Employee Pricing Discount. About the only thing I'm not satisfied with is Ford's color schemes. I really like the Iconic Silver but alas that is no longer available. I went with CG, but like some others here, I've been torn between leaving the CG alone, and maybe changing it to Desert Sand. They both would look great, especially with the black Katzkin Leather. Main thing is to get a new vehicle that should be worry free once out on the highway pulling a trailer.
And in conclusion, I kid you not, just after I joined this group this morning, and a few moments ago, I received an email from the sales lady informing me that, unfortunately the dealership has decided to sell the business after 56 years. She assured me nothing should alter my purchase order, even though she has decided not to stay with the new owners. I made sure the purchase order was accurate, but noticed at the bottom is a disclaimer that says, "This is Not a Binding Contract".
So I'm nervous. After all this time and effort, with my production week coming up the last week of August, the stress of wondering if it was all for naught?
I'm so excited I found this site, only regrets I didn't find it sooner.
A little background: currently driving a 2009 Escape Limited, V6, tow PKG. moon room, leather trim, call it my Obama car as it was an unintentional purchase back in August 2010. I was on track to retirement so purchasing a new vehicle wasn't in the cards, but when I heard I could get $4500. for my old Chevy van I was all ears.
After a brief period of asking ppl what they liked and didn't like about their vehicles and a little soul searching what it was I would like I decided to visit my local Ford dealer to look at SUV's and all they had left was one in Iconic Silver and one that was just plain ugly. After a short but thorough test drive (man was that new car smell intoxicating) I knew I had to have it. At age 56 this would become the very first brand new car I ever purchased. And on top of the cash-for-clunkers $4500. discount, I received an additional $2500. rebate from Ford for end of year discount! To date this has been the best car deal I have ever made and I still love this car as the first day I brought her home. But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and even though she still runs strong, still averages 25+ MPG's highway, 22+ pulling a tear drop trailer through the mountains, uses negligible oil, she has 202,000 miles. Oh, and she still looks good!
Now on to the present. For the last 10 months I have been trying to decide on a replacement, and given that I enjoy outdoor activities like camping and road tripping, and kind of getting tired of the cramped space of a teardrop, I've also been wanting to upgrade my trailer to something a little larger, something I can stand up in and get out of the elements when nasty weather kicks up. The Escape has been more than plenty for my current setup, but at 3500# tow capacity, it leaves little room for the upgrade I'm looking for. I'd also like to gift it to my grandson as a starter ride while she still has some reasonably good miles on her.
After months of looking, making offers, both used and new, haggling with sales ppl, most being very unethical, I eventually arrived back with the dealer I bought the Escape from and special ordered a 2026 Ranger XLT, 4x4, 2.7L, Advanced Tow Pkg, Electronic Lockout, (as I opted against the FX4) and, I got them to sell me the Katzkin leather at dealer cost. I placed the order around June 15 and took advantage of Ford's Employee Pricing Discount. About the only thing I'm not satisfied with is Ford's color schemes. I really like the Iconic Silver but alas that is no longer available. I went with CG, but like some others here, I've been torn between leaving the CG alone, and maybe changing it to Desert Sand. They both would look great, especially with the black Katzkin Leather. Main thing is to get a new vehicle that should be worry free once out on the highway pulling a trailer.
And in conclusion, I kid you not, just after I joined this group this morning, and a few moments ago, I received an email from the sales lady informing me that, unfortunately the dealership has decided to sell the business after 56 years. She assured me nothing should alter my purchase order, even though she has decided not to stay with the new owners. I made sure the purchase order was accurate, but noticed at the bottom is a disclaimer that says, "This is Not a Binding Contract".
So I'm nervous. After all this time and effort, with my production week coming up the last week of August, the stress of wondering if it was all for naught?
Sponsored
