Why are there orders before test driving?

I'm test driving my hybrid before buying.

CMD said:

In theory, the Ford Maverick sounds great, but aren't all of you that made orders worried that you haven't test driven it? I find it a little strange that the base Hybrid powertrain cannot even be test driven when the Mavericks rolls out in September. The Hybrid engine is supposed to be the highlight, but dealerships are not getting them for people to test drive? Makes no sense (and pease do not give me the "chip shortage" excuse). If you can get the non-hybrids to the dealers, you can get the hybrids. Please also do not say it is the same engine as the Escape. Although similar, it is different. It makes me think that Ford is hiding something. If the hybrid engine was that good, it makes more sense that they would want people to test drive them so they could sell more, especially with the Bronco problems.

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No. I'm not. I didn't test drive my last two vehicles before buying. I already have a pretty good idea of its size, power, accessories, cool things, not cool things. By the time it shows up at the dealership, I will have seen a lot of videos of other people test driving a Maverick. It's not like I'm buying a house here. The main thing I'll have to figure out once I get it home is the ways it's different from my current Toyota - where the cruise adjustment is, the headlights, the wipers, how to find what I want on the display. I'm not going to learn that driving 10 miles down the road.

We'll test drive it when it shows up at the dealer. If there's something we don't like, we can just walk away, no obligation. That was what our sales person suggested.

One can test drive a Ford Escape hybrid or a Ford Bronco Sport and get a good feel for how Maverick will drive. It's just not that big a deal. It's a vehicle purchase, not a marriage.

There is no obligation to buy just because you order one (at least not at my dealership). There is also a trust in Ford and the products they produce. It is not in their best interest (monetary and reputation) to put out a sub par product.
I will drive mine before I sign on the dotted line but if everyone waited till the product was market proven then nothing would sell.
It is a risk I (and many others presumably) are willing to take.

For a brand new model Truck, with a reported amazing fuel economy, reputable manufacturer and under $35K? I'll take my chances on trying to get one before the wait list becomes unbearable. Besides, this isn't the first thing I've bought sight unseen, and those other things turned out to be useless. With the Maverick, even if it lives up to half of it's hype, it will still be worth it for the price.

Doug said:

There is no obligation to buy just because you order one (at least not at my dealership). There is also a trust in Ford and the products they produce. It is not in their best interest (monetary and reputation) to put out a sub par product.
I will drive mine before I sign on the dotted line but if everyone waited till the product was market proven then nothing would sell.
It is a risk I (and many others presumably) are willing to take.

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Exactly. We ordered two of them, and now I won't be getting mine. My GF is on the fence about hers. I hope she gets it, but I can't push her even a little bit, or later on, "it will all be my fault" lol The dealer even told us > we hope you buy them, but if not, at least we will have them on the lot for people to see, and at least for a while, that was the only way they were going to be getting any of them.

CMD said:

In theory, the Ford Maverick sounds great, but aren't all of you that made orders worried that you haven't test driven it? I find it a little strange that the base Hybrid powertrain cannot even be test driven when the Mavericks rolls out in September. The Hybrid engine is supposed to be the highlight, but dealerships are not getting them for people to test drive? Makes no sense (and pease do not give me the "chip shortage" excuse). If you can get the non-hybrids to the dealers, you can get the hybrids. Please also do not say it is the same engine as the Escape. Although similar, it is different. It makes me think that Ford is hiding something. If the hybrid engine was that good, it makes more sense that they would want people to test drive them so they could sell more, especially with the Bronco problems.

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There is no risk. You test drive it when it comes in. There is no obligation to buy it. If you don't like it you just walk away. The deposit is refundable, if you had to give one. My dealer would love to have my hybrid. He'll probably sell it by the next day.

CMD said:

In theory, the Ford Maverick sounds great, but aren't all of you that made orders worried that you haven't test driven it? I find it a little strange that the base Hybrid powertrain cannot even be test driven when the Mavericks rolls out in September. The Hybrid engine is supposed to be the highlight, but dealerships are not getting them for people to test drive? Makes no sense (and pease do not give me the "chip shortage" excuse). If you can get the non-hybrids to the dealers, you can get the hybrids. Please also do not say it is the same engine as the Escape. Although similar, it is different. It makes me think that Ford is hiding something. If the hybrid engine was that good, it makes more sense that they would want people to test drive them so they could sell more, especially with the Bronco problems.

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many folks who pre- ordered (such as myself) feel the non test drive is just a small speed bump in the soon to be Maverick ownership club. Ford truck ‘built tough’ reputation means something, you can trust their reliability/durability. This is why Ford is clearly advertising the Maverick is definitely a truck and not a truck-ute or crossover vehicle. It’s a bit of a gamble but with so much data, specs,vids, and positive hands on experiences of auto experts it’s not much of a gamble to loose sleep over…especially if you want to enjoy it sooner rather than much later.

As others have said, the only way to test drive it is to order it first. Once it comes in, you can test drive it then.

We are really excited to have a small truck again on the market. Why wouldn't we want to order it if we believe it will be a good truck? No truck or vehicle is perfect, and this being a budget truck, we know what we are getting into.

Newbernwolf said:

No. I'm not. I didn't test drive my last two vehicles before buying. I already have a pretty good idea of its size, power, accessories, cool things, not cool things. By the time it shows up at the dealership, I will have seen a lot of videos of other people test driving a Maverick. It's not like I'm buying a house here. The main thing I'll have to figure out once I get it home is the ways it's different from my current Toyota - where the cruise adjustment is, the headlights, the wipers, how to find what I want on the display. I'm not going to learn that driving 10 miles down the road.

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Wow , do you own a time share. I bet you do. Ha ha ha

Test drives have been done. There were signs up at the Chicago car show for the Maverick with a barcode to scan for a test drive opportunity. I’m sure there is an embargo on the release of the videos and reviews until just before dealers get them in stock.

Milkaholics said:

As others have said, the only way to test drive it is to order it first. Once it comes in, you can test drive it then.

We are really excited to have a small truck again on the market. Why wouldn't we want to order it if we believe it will be a good truck? No truck or vehicle is perfect, and this being a budget truck, we know what we are getting into.

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Thanks! I was not aware that ordering did not lock you in to the purchase. However, I have noticed that of the five dealerships in my immediate area, three are requiring non-refundable deposits to order. Two are $500, and the other one is $150. The other two dealerships that are a little farther away stated they do not require such a deposit. Why the inconsistency? Thanks again!

CMD said:

Thanks! I was not aware that ordering did not lock you in to the purchase. However, I have noticed that of the five dealerships in my immediate area, three are requiring non-refundable deposits to order. Two are $500, and the other one is $150. The other two dealerships that are a little farther away stated they do not require such a deposit. Why the inconsistency? Thanks again!

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I think that tells you a lot about the dealers, If they are asking for non-refundable deposit find another dealer. As Tim from Long McArthur Ford said in one his videos they aren't asking for deposits because they will easily sell whatever someone doesn't purchase. I'll bet the salesman at those dealerships still wear pinkie rings.

CMD said:

Thanks! I was not aware that ordering did not lock you in to the purchase. However, I have noticed that of the five dealerships in my immediate area, three are requiring non-refundable deposits to order. Two are $500, and the other one is $150. The other two dealerships that are a little farther away stated they do not require such a deposit. Why the inconsistency? Thanks again!

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To Add to what "The Shark" said, you can get free shipping (as long as you finance with them) from Long McArthur Ford and they will not hold you to buying it. Down side I guess is no test drive unless you get it dropped shipped to the local freight dealer. Call them though, really good dealer. 785-823-2237, based in Salina Kansas. I visited the town once for a 3 week Army training and really enjoyed it!

Rob XLT-CG said:

To Add to what "The Shark" said, you can get free shipping (as long as you finance with them) from Long McArthur Ford and they will not hold you to buying it. Down side I guess is no test drive unless you get it dropped shipped to the local freight dealer. Call them though, really good dealer. 785-823-2237, based in Salina Kansas. I visited the town once for a 3 week Army training and really enjoyed it!

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I ordered my Maverick from Chapman Ford and will do a CD. I don't have to accept the Maverick when it's delivered but I would also have to pay for the shipping to Chapman. Considering the savings I'm willing to take the risk. Since I ordered the First Edition Hybrid and fully expect it to be the Last Edition I'll probably have some time to test drive at least a 2.0 EB before the LE is delivered to get a feel of the truck. I've had a couple of Hybrids before and drove a Fusion Hybrid a friend of mine has so I'm not expecting any surprises. Having owned 3 S-10's in my life I'm really looking forward to this new small truck.

If you don't want to order from Long McArthur, Granger, or Chapman Ford find a local dealer that will at least do a refundable deposit or no deposit and is willing to sell for at least MSRP.

bulldog53207 said:

Wow , do you own a time share. I bet you do. Ha ha ha

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No. This isn't a timeshare. It's a truck. Trucks have been in existence for a long time. They'll go through a lot of testing and certifying from multiple entities before my truck shows up at my dealership. When I get in it at the dealership, it'll start up like every other modern hybrid vehicle, and it'll go forward, back up, and stop just like other modern vehicles. What is it that I'm supposed to be scared of just because I 'ordered' it before driving it?

CMD said:

In theory, the Ford Maverick sounds great, but aren't all of you that made orders worried that you haven't test driven it? I find it a little strange that the base Hybrid powertrain cannot even be test driven when the Mavericks rolls out in September. The Hybrid engine is supposed to be the highlight, but dealerships are not getting them for people to test drive? Makes no sense (and pease do not give me the "chip shortage" excuse). If you can get the non-hybrids to the dealers, you can get the hybrids. Please also do not say it is the same engine as the Escape. Although similar, it is different. It makes me think that Ford is hiding something. If the hybrid engine was that good, it makes more sense that they would want people to test drive them so they could sell more, especially with the Bronco problems.

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Newbernwolf said:

No. This isn't a timeshare. It's a truck. Trucks have been in existence for a long time. They'll go through a lot of testing and certifying from multiple entities before my truck shows up at my dealership. When I get in it at the dealership, it'll start up like every other modern hybrid vehicle, and it'll go forward, back up, and stop just like other modern vehicles. What is it that I'm supposed to be scared of just because I 'ordered' it before driving it?

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Man are you dumb

bulldog53207 said:

Man are you dumb

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Thanks for the personal attack. Your opinion is noted. Also your comment.