Somthing to think about--you need to be looking for a good new car Ford dealer as well as a good Ford Service Dept. They are not necessarily the same. Your main concern should be a good Service Dept. in the Austin area for after-the-purchase issues if they come up (hopefully not). Therefore, for the "good new car dealer" don't restrict yourself to buying from Austin dealerships since you live so close to other big cities like San Antonio and Houston. It's a big-ticket purchase, so hopefully you are willing to drive a few miles for a good deal/experience.
In Houston, it is my understanding that Tommie Vaughn Ford is the only Houston-area dealership that is truly a privately-owned dealership since they've been in business for forever it seems. Don't kid yourself--99.5% of all Ford dealerships may have someone's name on them as "owner," but they are ultimately owned by Ford Motor Co. and must therefore act in the best interest of Ford. They are only "managed" by the name on the sign. If you can find a Ford dealership that is truly a privately-owned, it is my belief you will find much better customer relations there.
I haven't bought a vehicle from T.V. Ford myself, but have heard nothing but good things from those who have. I believe Cochise here on the website is a Truck Fleet Manager for them (correct me if I'm wrong). It will be the first place I go to for my next purchase of a new vehicle for sure.
I can say this--their Service Dept. knows diesels! So I can vouch for that side of their business (I know, Service in Houston is not feasible for you...but the comment is for anyone in the Houston area who reads my post).
Being from Houston and my Dad having been in the business for all of my growing up years, Tommy Vaughn was and sounds like still, is a first rate local owned store.
Many of the others, including the ones that still sport a local family name, have been bought up by large companies like Autonation (I use that example because it's a know name)
Also, Cochise is at Lone Star Ford. He could arrange to drop ship also. Check out the Ordering forum for his contact information.
__________________ 2004 EB Excursion, 4x4, 6.0, everything but step tubes and 2nd row chairs, Magnaflow Exhaust, Isspro Gauges in an under cubby pod, Fumoto sitting on V Codes and Revo 285's.
"Treat me good, I'll treat you better; treat me bad, I'll treat you worse." - Sonny Barger
Anyone can sell you a truck and be competitive doing so but I would be mainly concerned with what type of service dept. you would end up with. I would keep it all local as much as I can. Leif Johnson Truck City in Buda has an excellent diesel shop, probably has the most qualified diesel techs in the Austin area. They wrenched on my 95 for almost all of the warranty period, turbo, water pump(s) and trannys. I guess my second choice would be Covert up here closer to Austin.
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