Build,Price and Reserve site

[golf strom]

Originally Posted by PowerShift

Not scared of getting an early build example. First year bugs were a problem for American cars back in the old days, but Ford is up to world class quality now.

There is still the human element in this process and nomatter which mfr there are always going to be some teething issues with early production, the real question is how good is the company at catching those on early production units before they head off to the customer..I would agree that Ford seems to have QC very well in hand at this point though.

[BRGT350]

Originally Posted by Mattdoommaster

Are there any pictures available of actual Fiestas with the body kit?

Check out the Fiesta LA Launch, and NAIAS Ford pictures located under the gallery tab at Racetech Performance

Many more here;
US Fiesta Detail - a set on Flickr

Fiesta LA Launch - a set on Flickr

Also, for anyone wondering about how much human factor goes into the modern manufacturing. There is nothing to worry about with the quality level of cars built on monday's or fridays. I used to work in automotive, and spent time in a couple of different plants and I can tell you that the quality systems and automation won't allow for mistakes on Mondays or Fridays. There is very little human interaction with messing things up. I am sure the vast majority of systems are fully polka-yoked and include redundant quality checks. Production is very automated. I have zero fears about buying early production Fiesta's and no fear based on what they are built. The plant will be running a long run of pilot builds and different speeds. Every car will be checked, and once the plant can produce at max speed with a low ppm, they will get the ok to ship. Once that happens, actual cars will be built and shipped. If there is any defects found in the early builds, the process starts all over again. Each component is checked many times along the way, along with each component in a subassembly. Working for a company designing automotive fixtures, you would be shocked how many times a simple thing like a cup holder liner is checked before it ever leaves for the assembly line.

[eRic]

the black LED housing looks sooo much nicer than the chrome. that will be my second mod. the first mod will be removing the "SES" badge from the hatch. badges? we don't need no stinking badges. I wonder what's involved in putting a euro fuel door on the NA fiesta? I like it better.

[BRGT350]

I think it would be quite involved to swap out the fuel door since the latch mechanism is part of the plastic area round the filler neck that seals to the quarter panel. Also, the euro one can freeze in the cold and it take a few tries to get it to open. I have only had that happen twice, and it was with very cold temps after a car wash.

As for the black LED housings, I agree that they are 100% better than chrome. There is some bad news concerning the swapping out of them. I have heard that the entire bumper cover needs to be removed in order to gain access to them for removal. Also, the LED band comes with the trim piece as a sub-assembly, meaning the black part will be very pricey to buy on your own. There is talk of making the black version of the LED trim panels part of the hatchback package and chrome for the sedan. Also, the black version could be an accessory available from your dealer, or dealer installed option. These things are being discussed right now, so input and feedback is important.

[LMTech]

Originally Posted by BRGT350

There is talk of making the black version of the LED trim panels part of the hatchback package and chrome for the sedan. Also, the black version could be an accessory available from your dealer, or dealer installed option. These things are being discussed right now, so input and feedback is important.

Does this mean that I should wait to sign the buyers order until all this is completely settled ?

[mrbirdman330]

This is why I wait. It never fails for me, I buy a car with either an ok price or ok options but then next thing I know. Better price, with better options. Why don't they just make the trim pieces body color, it would look so much better.

[BRGT350]

Originally Posted by LMTech

Does this mean that I should wait to sign the buyers order until all this is completely settled ?

By the time the car goes into production, or is at the order stage, all of those decisions have been made. By now, I would say that everything is set for the 2011 MY. Unless the build site is showing black LED housings in the SES model, I would assume they will be chrome and the black housings will be an option from your dealer.

As for waiting until the next model year, I normally don't do that. My experience shows that after the first year or so of production, the car is decontented to cut costs. Perhaps they add more options, but take other stuff away. This was the case years ago, and I don't have any recent proof that it still goes on. At some point, the car you buy will be obsolete. It may be the next model year, or next refresh, but the point is that at some point the car will be old. I bought a first year ZX3 and never regretted it, and miss that car every day. I did not get all the options I wanted, but it never detracted from the enjoyment of owning the car. I see no reason to wait on the Fiesta, and I will be ordering mine this week. The car is simply too good to wait.

[LMTech]

I went and signed my buyers order today and was the first one for the dealership that I went too and they put the order in while I was there. They didn't have the D-plan price on it yet so they wrote the buyers order with the retail price but with the provision of change when they recieve the D-plan price. All in all it was painless and only took me about an hour and this was with the dealer being rookies at it also. I even had one of the owners in on the deal so he could learn about the process. I am sure they will work with me on any future change I need to make before scheduling and Job 1 start.

[Reddog99]

Originally Posted by BRGT350

......These things are being discussed right now, so input and feedback is important.

You want feedback? Here's mine: the chrome looks gaudy! It only might look nice when it's clean, and it's position will insure that gets dirty fast and is difficult to clean. It will be a dirt scoop.
There. Got that off my chest...

[bramos09]

Originally Posted by LMTech

I went and signed my buyers order today and was the first one for the dealership that I went too and they put the order in while I was there. They didn't have the D-plan price on it yet so they wrote the buyers order with the retail price but with the provision of change when they recieve the D-plan price. All in all it was painless and only took me about an hour and this was with the dealer being rookies at it also. I even had one of the owners in on the deal so he could learn about the process. I am sure they will work with me on any future change I need to make before scheduling and Job 1 start.

What packages and options did you get?