I'll do car shopping more this spring. If I do place the order on May 1st, do they require the full downpayment then or is that on delivery? I would be kinda pissed to have any cash tied up for 6 months waiting for delivery.
...and, if you change your mind, you might be able to sell your spot in line. Remeber the intro of the last M3? I heard there were guys selling their $3k deposits for $5k and up. Maybe that's just urban legend.
Most Ford dealers around here want a $500 deposit. But the only way you can answer the question is to go vist the Ford dealer that you would be buying from and ask how much a a deposit they want.
AS Shatner says, putting a deposit down would be VERY low risk as if you don't want your 05 Stang there will be people standing in line ready to buy it.