when I was looking, I drove up to several hours to check out several different cars, but the one I ended up buying was only about 30 miles away

 

I drove a total of 584 miles to get mine. My older brother purchased an 05 and he let me take it for a spin in early 06. It felt like sitting in a cockpit and I loved the feel of the power. I had several 2nd generation camaros when I was a kid but an S197 muscle car was a different beast. Anyway, a week later I decided I wanted one. I'd never purchased a new car. As a matter of fact, I'd never owned a car that was less than 4 years old. I spoke with my wife and told her I had worked hard for years and felt like I was in a position to purchase my first new car, a Mustang! She agreed it was a very logical purchase and would suit our family of 4 quite well (wink). I called two of the local dealerships and told them what I was looking for and that I was ready to buy NOW. After 2 days neither had called back. My brother gave me his salesman's name from a state away. I called the guy and he told me they had several to choose from. I drove 146 miles each way to take some cars for a test drive. The salesman was great, encouraging me to "enjoy" the car. I considered Red Fire, Black, and the yellow. I live on a short gravel street so I eliminated the black quickly. I then saw the red leather interior and chose the Red Fire so I could get the red leather interior. They didn't have a a GT Premium with auto trans (my wife can't drive a stick) in Red Fire but they found me one across the state. A week later I went to pick my baby up. It was the longest damn week of my life I think! Again, this was the first new car we ever purchased. With a little luck, it will someday be handed down to my son when he's mature enough for it. As you can tell by the lengthy story, this car means a lot to me.

 

Drove to a few dealerships. First prospect was an '09 "demo" silver GT premium, located on the Eastern shore of MD. Had to drive across the bay, took about an hour and a half each way. Deal didn't work out after weeks of negotiating, yeah heh. I wasn't going to pay for a new car when it already had over 4k miles on it.

Visited misc. dealers around in MD (wasted lots of time and weeks), then I found the pre-owned '06 satin silver GT which I have now in Manassas, VA. Takes about 45 min each way. Bought it the same day I went to see it . PIF and drove it home

Had a few headaches when I took it home, first the left rear shock went out and wouldn't pass MD inspection. MD is so **** about their inspections, it's crazy. Had Ford replace the shock and I was gtg. Just all the time I spent having to get it inspected, reinspected, etc. Aside from driving it home the first time, after getting over the headaches and this 2nd batch of headaches (which is not fully over yet), been happy as a clam.

 

90 miles to pick up the car which amounted to 90 minutes each way. Pretty crazy considering there were a ton of Ford dealerships within a 50 mile radius.

 

110 MILES each way Made the deal on the phone car was on auto trader . Dealers didn't want to deal in Ohio went to Michigan. THEY EVEN THRU IN A FREE GPS, I didn't expect.

 

Looked far and wide across North America for the right one. Found it 20 Km (12 miles )away...on Ebay.

 

lol nice, guess they wanted to make sure you could make your way home, or did they send it in advance so you could get there?? haha

My dealership was soooo stingy. They even wanted to charge, I think it was $300 standard for all pre-owned vehicles on their lot for conditioning and shop supplies. Got them to drop it to I think it was half. Totally refused to help in any cosmetic repairs and had to fight hard for them to guarantee MD inspection, since this was in VA. Ford ended up fixing the problem anyways. Won't go back there ever again. Was a Hyundai shop heh.

 

I made 3 trips 40 miles one way to get it done. I had a 64 1/2 rag top in my youth, and knew it was time for another. The stars finally lined up (money) and I started research. Originally looking for and 99-04, and this dealer had a couple. Checked out the '04 GT, it was in good condition, but priced a little high and they wouldn't move. Next to it was parked the '09 v-6 rag top I ended up buying. It was a program car, and as I was buying out right, they shot me a surprisingly good price. Told them I'd get back to them tomorrow. Came home and showed the wife the car on line. (We were dating in the 64 1/2) Surprisingly their on line price was $1000 less than the one I had. Went back the next day and we took the drive with the top down. I told them the on line price was $1000 less, they said no problem and dropped in off of the bottom line. By then we felt the difference between the '04 and '09 was small enough to go for the '09. I said if the car fax was clean we had a deal. It came back fine, I told them to change oil, rotate tires, and clean it up and we'd bring the check in tomorrow. A friend took us over the next day, and we spent the rest of the day cruzin' with the top down. A real blast from the past. Best decision I've made in years. Oh, the GT would have been nice, but I'm 65 this week, and have 2 grand kids driving. Figured street drag racing like the old days better stay a thing of the past.....

 

Craigslist. About 1-1/2 weeks total time. 30 miles. Initial visit. Offer. Drive her away!!!

 

I was shopping for a truck when I bought the Mustang too. 25 miles away and passed three other Ford dealers to get to the one that I always deal with. Can't go wrong when of the streets going into the dealer says, "Mustang Trail."