ZX3 with SVT pkg?

[NHSVTF]

I was getting my car reflashed yesterday and while they were doing the work I wandered out onto the lot to check out a ZX3 that appeared to have some graphics on the side. Sure enough, it had some fancy graphics, Projector Lights! , and on the sticker it has something called the SVT Package . The graphics indicated that this was a "sport" of some sort. Anybody know what the hell I saw? The sticker price was almost $16K I think.

matt
2002 Sonic Blue # 3807

[deactivated]

well, I've known of dealers doing this, particularly with Lightnings. It was mainly to give people the Lightning look without the Lightning price because some people couldn't afford the insurance on them. It's pretty sad really because it proliferates fakes. Any person with two brain cells to rub together would see this fraud right off, but some people who just read magazines come into the dealership and see SVT and immediately buy. I think this is shady and I'd call SVT and report that dealer for riding on SVTs coattails.

[NHSVTF]

The best part about it was the auto trans! and the stock ****py interior. The $2500+ SVT Package was a lot of nothing as far as I could tell. Is this a ford zx3 sport package? otherwise SVT should be pissed.

[deactivated]

no there is no such thing. This is aftermarket dealer **** so they can increase margins. They do it ALL the time.

[jstevens1]

I saw where J.C.Lewis Ford offered a 'Sport' ZX3 once, much like what we're seeing here. The package included some black vinyl racing stripes, a little black vinyl 'Sport' on the sides, and window tint. That's all. And it added a good $2500 to the sticker. OK, I might have missed ONE detail somewhere, but this was DEFINITELY not worth the extra money. This car still had the rear drums, not discs. How SPORTY is that, when discs are an option? They have the finest service department of any dealer I've ever been to in my life, but their sales folks need SERIOUS help...

[deactivated]

well dealers are greedy...they see the exorbinant amount of margin they get on SUVs and try to extend that to all vehicles. I'm sure those stickers and **** cost them maybe 500 tops to do.

[Jonny Bolt]

thats pretty re-tahdid. i dont know about that. something tells me that shouldnt be allowed. but oh well. id feel pretty bad of someone who didnt know what they were getting pulled up to me and asked, "Hey nice SVT, you like mine?".

[deactivated]

heh, apparently you've never seen the elusive 1989 Cobra Mustang.


Dealers pull this **** all the time because technically they own the cars so they get to do whatever they want.

[JimsSVTF]

True dealerships do that **** all the time down here too. I do have a question though and that is SVT is a Ford registered brand name so a dealership using that name on the car when it really isn't wouldn't they be defrauding the general public and couldn't Ford stop them from doing that and threaten legal action:confused:

[NHSVTF]

Jim, that's what I was thinking when I saw the thing. I'm now starting to remember seeing a Ford F-150 Thunderbolt at portsmouth ford in the show room (right next to the SVTF and a cobra at the opposite end). That didn't say anything about an "SVT Package" for an extra $2500 though. I may have to contact SVT about this one.

Call in the consumer watch dog group!:rant:

matt


2002 Sonic Blue # 3807

[deactivated]

heh, yeah a "Thunderbolt" sounds almost what they call them down here. The place where I got my car (a great dealership) sells TONS of Lightnings. They had like 30 on their lot when I was there. So invariably when someone comes in that wants one but can't afford it they dress up a truck so they can get the look. They even advertise that fact on the radio so I guess SVT must be looking the other way.

[NHSVTF]

What is the price dif between a moderatly equiped F-150 and a lightning? For that mater what the diff' from a GT to a cobra?

[Jonny Bolt]

That Thunderbolt is a Ranger, and it is a package put together by SLP Engineering. its not meant to be an SVT. they should have atleast lowered it, and put some rims on it though.

The price diff. between gt/cobra and F150/L is about 10K give or take a few K. GT (coupe) is about 25K, Cobra is about 35K. Same with the F150 and Lightning.

[GapBoyPCS]

Originally posted by inteller
I'd call SVT and report that dealer for riding on SVTs coattails.

Is that dealer an SVT dealer?

If so, I would do this too. SVT holds a "standard" to SVT-authorized dealers. These dealers have to attend special courses, product info sessions, and meet sales targets on SVT vehicles.

This dealer is obviously more interested in getting sales than fulfilling the needs and wants of SVT enthusiasts. Misrepresentation of the SVT brand is a huge no-no.

[NHSVTF]

GapBoyPCS, the place where I saw the SVT pkg. ZX3 was NOT and SVT dealership. Their master tech has taken the SVT tech courses so they can service my toy, but other then that guy not a single person there knows what SVT is all about. The service manager even gave me **** when I requested that they vaccum out my car via the SVT Detailing program. All in all this place should have nothing to do w/ SVT, or maybe learn what it's all about b4 they start offering to service the vehicles.

my rant is over:rant:

matt

2002 Sonic Blue #3807

[GapBoyPCS]

Originally posted by NHSVTF
GapBoyPCS, the place where I saw the SVT pkg. ZX3 was NOT and SVT dealership. Their master tech has taken the SVT tech courses so they can service my toy, but other then that guy not a single person there knows what SVT is all about. The service manager even gave me **** when I requested that they vaccum out my car via the SVT Detailing program. All in all this place should have nothing to do w/ SVT, or maybe learn what it's all about b4 they start offering to service the vehicles.

In any case, this wasn't an SVT dealership. I'm assuming some heads can roll at this dealership because they are misrepresenting the brand. You got an SVT...and you should be getting the full "experience".

If you can, I'd take the car somewhere where it's an authorized SVT dealership. I'm wondering if this dealership screws up you would be given the royal shaft because they weren't certified to sell the brand.

[NHSVTF]

Certified to sell, no. Certified to fix, yes. I was very clear in my asking and clarifying about that point when I first talked to them. Their master tech is (aparently) the man. The first time I went they all sucked a$$. I took it upon myself to see that it wouldn't happen to anybody else and mentioned it to SVT....The second time I went in...every body knew my name, and had a smile on their face, AND, i was not questioned when I requested my free vaccume job. Even if they are all cowering in my shadow and the smiles are fake...i'll take it over the pile of $#!t that I got the first time I went in there.

Quality controle is out there...and his name is NHSVTF!