Carl S's 01 Saleen Cobra
S281
The info is
about my 2001 Saleen Cobra S281 Speedster:
#1 of 6 Saleen Convertibles Produced
How do you
get the first car of a production run? Here’s the step by step
procedure I used that resulted in me having the honor of owning the
first of 6 cars produced by Saleen in 2001.
1. Order Early
My first visit
to the Dealership was on May 15, 1999. Not only did I need a Saleen
dealer, I needed a Saleen/SVT dealer. That combination placed me at
a dealership that was 260 miles from home. Not only do you need to
consider dealerships, you have to trust your salesman. After spending
more than several hours with the salesman talking options, accessories
and Saleens, I left. After many phone calls I mailed a deposit and
placed an order for a ‘99 Saleen Cobra Speedster.
2. Have Saleen Cancel Your Order
I was informed that Ford had sold all their ‘99 production and
that the dealership would have to find a Cobra convertible in the
color that I had ordered in to get my Saleen Convertible. When I approved
of that, the search was under way. I received a phone call that the
Cobra had been found in the color that I wanted. I was told that Saleen
would be called to pick the car up at the dealership that had the
car. A week later another phone call from my dealer. I was informed
that Saleen had stooped production of the ‘99’s in order
to re-tool for the 2000’s. It appears that this was a necessary
in order to correct some fitting and quality issues. At the same time
Ford had some horse power issues that needed to be resolved. I decided
to wait until the spring of 2000 to get my new Saleen Cobra convertible.
3. Have Ford Cancel Your Order
My salesman placed an order for my 2000 Cobra convertible. Now it
was only a matter of time. Wrong! Ford needed more time to correct
the horse power issue of having 320 hp in the ‘99 4.6 Cobra engine.
My 2000 Cobra was canceled.
4. Get Ford
to Issue You an "Order Appreciation Certificate" that moves
you to the top of the production schedule.
As a public relations gesture and to keep mustang enthusiasts from
abandoning the Blue Oval, Ford issued an "Order Appreciation
Certificate". This gave me $1300 off of the 2001 Mfg. Suggested
Retail Price of the 2001 Cobra. Not only did this give you price protection,
it gave you priority in the production of the 2001 Cobra. All carry
over orders would be delivered before any new orders.
5. Buy 2 More New Vehicles From Ford
All this time the miles were mounting up on my ‘92 Ford Explorer.
I decided to buy a 2001 Sport Trac in May of 1999. In February of
2000 the Sport Trac meet its doom. It Hit a Guard rail, on ice, going
over an over-pass. I bought another 2001 Sport Trac and paid the difference
after the Insurance Company nearly totaled it. 2 Sport Tracs &
1 Saleen Cobra = $102,000.
6. Have Documentation
With You To Prove That You Have Actually Ordered The Car.
NEVER go anywhere without proper documentation. After 2 years of saying
that you’ve order a new Saleen Cobra & they don’t see
you driving it after 2 months, they think you’re the biggest
lire in the State. People don’t realize what "limited Production"
means. Be prepared to show them that it has actually been ordered.
Even your salesman may doubt your staying power.
7. Visit Your Dealer Often.
I stopped in see
my salesman 3 times between ordering it and taking delivery. The majority
of my contact between the dealership and myself was by phone because
of the mileage and time involved. But local dealers kept me informed
and enthused. Without them I’d given up a long time ago.
Thanks to :
Steve Brackeen, Bob
Site Ford
Scott Hill, Diers
Ford
Brian Scott, Atchley
Ford
Keep the faith.
Saleen VIN # 01-526
