Subaru Impreza WRX

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Comments

  • tonymitztonymitz Member Posts: 7
    I just started checking out this forum today but everyone seems extremely knowledgeable so I thought I would post a message. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and am really close to getting a WRX. I had been considering the Jetta Wolfsburg but after seeing a dealer's personal WRX with a few options and aftermarket changes (17" tires, rear spoiler, front spoiler, side skirting) I knew I had to get the WRX. Right now the best deal I can get is 6% over invoice on an order. The dealer who quoted me this also said that since they were high volume, supposedly #1 in CA, they could get the car quick where at other places I might have to wait a few months. Does anyone know where I might be able to get a better deal? I would be willing to travel some, even out of the Bay Area, and I can wait a couple months if I knew I was getting the car I wanted. (I think my present car can hold out that long.) Thanks for your help.

    Tony
  • klkrauseklkrause Member Posts: 96
    I'm about 6'3" also and I found the legroom to be fine. My brother, who's about 6'6" or 6'7", fit okay too. The headroom is quite good because there isn't a sun/moonroof. The rear seat's pretty small, but that's to be expected!
  • thecatthecat Member Posts: 535
    Tonymitz - I think you're making the right choice. I've had my Rex for 2 1/2 months and I love it. It's really a blast to drive.

    You should check the Subaru Crew "Dealers & Pricing" forum. There are a lot of posts from your area. Overall, I'd say that 6% over is neither a bad nor a great deal. Some areas of the country are "hotter" than others in sales. Texas for instance is not Soob land. Better deals have been reported in areas where winter weather is not an issue.

    - hutch
  • beanboybeanboy Member Posts: 442
    Hey, I'm looking at the same pair. The Max because I've always liked them, and they are dirt cheap now because of the new Altima coming out. Very much on the luxury side of the spectrum and the solid rear axle and FWD doesn't make it the best on real roads. However, sunroof, automatic climate control, decent stereo, leather, power everthing for under 25K is impressive. Motor is fantastic to boot.

    Have yet to test drive the WRX, but methinks I'm of the less luxury, more performance sort. Especially since I'm coming from a modified Neon.

    -Beanboy
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,771
    Please do mention my name. I feel really bad cancelling on him and he was nice enough to give me my deposit back pretty quick. So, I'd like him to know that I'm trying to send business his way and maybe make up for what I put him through. :)

    Its Rob Brosen, by the way.

    It was a 5-spd sedan.
    The price was $23,878 with those options I listed. Damned good price, I think. After taxes and tags and fees, the total came to $25,716.42
    Don't know if you should mention a price (that might be pushy). Maybe he'll give you that same deal if you just tell him I sent ya. I'd think that everyone is getting that price, but you never know.

    I guess you can just hope that it hasn't gone to someone else yet. I would think that he may have already made some calls to people who were on the waiting list, but you never know. The spoiler seems to be really popular and I didn't want it. I think it looks much cleaner without it.

    When I am ready to buy a car (which has to be next year since my lease ends then), I will be going back there.

    Let me know what happens.
    Good luck.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • seamdoggieseamdoggie Member Posts: 5
    I purchased a WRX last week, and I love it. I got a good deal, but not a great deal. Anyway, I am happy. I heard a rumor and I do not know if it is true, but I wish I heard it earlier. I headr that members of the International Mountain Bikers Association get Subarus at invoice. The word is you can join for 6 months for $20. Check it out, if it is true then you owe me one :). Go to IMBA.com
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    What I have hear on the i-club about the IMBA is that the dealerships aren't required to offer this deal on all models. So many won't offer it on WRX's... just less desireable/in-demadnd cars.
  • robblazerobblaze Member Posts: 11
    anyone purchased a wrx in Northern CA (sacramento to Bay Area) for better than $500 less than MSRP, $500 refundable deposit and "arrival" within one month? Most dealers are playing this "at MSRP" game and a few are laughable "this is a $30,000 dollar car!" (Well maybe, but not if you can buy it elsewhere for 23-24K). Also, Anyone getting extra options thrown into the deal. By the way, anyone who is thinking about buying one and doesn't have the funds - DON'T test drive one, because once you do . . it's over.
  • tonymitztonymitz Member Posts: 7
    Rob,

    I haven't purchased one yet but I'm definitely looking at buying one soon. The best deal I've been quoted so far is 6% over invoice on an order. This was at Carlsen Subaru in Redwood City. I was also quoted 6% over invoice on an order at the Subaru dealer in Santa Cruz. Sorry I don't have their business card with me right now but there's only one in SC so they shouldn't be hard to find. Carlsen might be better because the salesman said they're high volume and would be able to get the car before other dealers in the area. Good luck and let me know if you find anything better.

    Tony
  • topspin627topspin627 Member Posts: 67
    Other than the speed factor are there any differences in these two cars? Does anyone know the 0-60 time of the RS? Is the WRX worth the extra $ in your opinions?
    What's the recent pricing scene on the WRX? Do you think it's going to go up or down as we head into the summer? Thanks for any and all info.
  • beanboybeanboy Member Posts: 442
    From a pure performance standpoint, the WRX has a limited slip rer diffy and bigger front brakes. Suspension is supposed to be the same. Steering is also load sensitive on the WRX. While the RS will feel faster down low, there is a signifigant difference when you really hammer it, new RS will probably be a little slower than the old one, so 0-60 of 8.0-8.3 or so. 1/4 mile in about 16.0-16.5. Roughly two seconds behind the WRX.

    Can always modify down the road, but turbocharging seems to be the only real way to get a good power increase out of the 2.5L, and much of the aftermarket is expensive.

    I'm going for the WRX since I want a wagon and there is no RS in wagon form. Also my first new car and I can easily afford it now, a good feeling. Also looks like getting decent power upgrades will be fairly easy and cheap to do, up to a certain point.
  • mdimartimdimarti Member Posts: 12
    I asked myself sort of the same question when I was shopping, but for me the choice was WRX wagon or Outback sport. I went with the WRX for quite a few reasons: power was naturally the number one consideration, followed by better seats, 6 disc in dash CD changer, more stylish interior (my opinion of course) better handling, tires, the rave reviews that the car was getting (Car and Driver Magazine called it the perfect all season sports car), and some styling cues that I am particular about. I was able to purchase at 1,000 under MSRP without haggling (in suburban chicago), and I think if I had any skill at bargaining I might have been able to lower it another 500 to 1000. Also I took it from dealer stock, did not have to order.

    My biggest knock would probably be the need for premium feul. With gas prices now that really makes a dent in my budget.
  • robblazerobblaze Member Posts: 11
    Thanks Tony!

    Did they quote you 22,000 for the invoice or the 22,500 figure. Are they jacking up the price on the options or include all options as invoice and then adding the 6%.
    Thanks for the good info. Rob
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I believe the IMBA selects the dealer for you. Check out this link on the i-club by a Wisconsin IMBA rep:

    http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/Forum1/HTML/022844.html

    Dennis
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    If you had still been at BTM, you would had the like program avail to you too(no membership fee needed). ;-)
  • tonymitztonymitz Member Posts: 7
    Rob,

    They're using the 22,500 figure. They're also using the invoice numbers on the options. Some of the numbers they gave me on the options aren't exactly what is listed as invoice on Edmunds but it's not much higher.

    Tony
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Yeah, I know.
    When I started there, I already had a Sube. $20 per year for membership isn't a bad deal though. In that case, it's actually
    $20 over dealer invoice. :-)

    Dennis
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Ya, gotta admit, $20.00 over dealer invoice is pretty good. I came pretty close to picking up the phone to arrange for one of those perks on the WRX but my significant other STARED >:\ (death stare) me out of it.
  • robblazerobblaze Member Posts: 11
    did anyone out there who purchased a new wrx buy the gold plus (or something)100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. The dealer said he could "give" it to me for 1700.
    1) is this a decent deal
    2) if I own the car for 5 years what are the chances i will need a $1700 dollar repair?
    3) did most people pick this up?
    thanks, RB
  • corkfishcorkfish Member Posts: 537
    I believe the drivetrain on this car has a standard 6 year or 50,000 mile warranty. I don't think it makes any sense to buy an extended warranty.
  • sajohnsonsajohnson Member Posts: 48
    I second corkfish's opinion. Extended warranties are almost always over-priced if not a complete waste of money. Dealers push them because the profit margin is so high. When a salesman makes the inevitable offer my response is usually, "If this is such a reliable car, why would I need it?" If you buy almost any Japanese vehicle odds are you will never need any major COVERED repairs (assuming you take reasonable care of the vehicle). If you are still tempted, read what's NOT covered. Also read Consumer Reports advice on the subject (in two words, RIP OFF).
  • cditto1cditto1 Member Posts: 6
    My new Motortrend says that my WRX will do 0-60 in 5.6 and qtr mile in 14.2.

    How? My WRX is fast, granted, but it doesn't seem that fast. I have about 3000 miles on it (got in April). I heard that cars change their "personality" and get faster around 10k miles. Is this true? Can I expect my WRX to increase in performance on its own?

    Also, I was thinking about buying an APEXi AVC boost controller (around $700 installed). The store says that I can increase boost to around 17psi and expect around 265hp. Has anyone tried something like this? Should I wait until the car has more mileage?
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    Yes..potentially, depends on driver and how the WRX is launched. To achieve 5.6 sec time, I can pretty much guarantee you that the car was launched by revving at least to 4k and dropping the clutch. Do this too many times and you're replacing a clutch in short order, not to mention potentially inflicting some driveline strain. I think a normal launch is closer to 6 secs.

    Remember: The WRX is not about drag strip times but more a total package that includes fantastic handling and great tractability.

    Stephen
  • cditto1cditto1 Member Posts: 6
    Yeah the car does have great handling. It rained the other day and I tried to pull out onto the street and see what would happen at full throttle. No tire spin, no understeer. Just point and go!!

    The reason I ask about the 0-60 times is because people like to challenge the car at the stoplight. I won't really be racing people around corners but I would like to win a few stoplight races.
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    I speak from experience...never fear about losing too many impromptu stoplight drags :-) I'll even admit to revving to about 3500 and dropping the clutch just to see what would happen. A brief second of 4-wheel chirping tires and "BAM", up to speed and the next intersection in no time. Wow...just got myself all pumped re-living the experience. :-)

    Stephen
  • tonymitztonymitz Member Posts: 7
    Rob,

    I called around to some of the other dealers in the Bay Area last night to get some price quotes. I did find one that was offering the WRX for less than 6% over invoice but with a catch. Downtown Subaru in Oakland is offering $750 over invoice on orders but they can only guarantee the color, type of car (sedan/wagon), and transmission. They salesman said they might be able to guarantee a spoiler but wasn't sure. All other options would have to be what was on the car when they got the order in but they would put on other options once the parts came in. Sounds sort of sketchy but just thought you might like to know.

    Tony
  • robblazerobblaze Member Posts: 11
    does anyone know how long you have to be a member of IMBA before you qualify for the roof rack and copperheads. As stated on the web site, it specifies "a member when purchase or lease a subaru"- so if one joins today, and buys today this equals roof rack in 3 weeks?

    thanks bluesubie
  • robblazerobblaze Member Posts: 11
    thanks for the great info tony. If all goes well today, I should have my hands on that beefy momo wheel today or tomorrow for 6.5% above invoice close to where I live (sacramento). I will let you know and thanks for your help.

    ps- are people out there really keeping their wrx under restraint for the majority of its first 800 miles? (note- I said the majority)
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    If I remember correctly, IMBA requires that you become a member three months before taking delivery of your Subaru. You can talk with Heather in IMBA membership for more details. IMBA does have an 800 number which, unfortunately, I don't have handy.

    Don
  • topspin627topspin627 Member Posts: 67
    Anyone out there use their car for serious miles. I put 18-20K per year as a "road warrior" and most of it is on the usual urban jungle- highways and in congested suburbia. I love the way the car handles and the counter culture styling but I'm worried that the things I love about it I may hate after a few 2-3 hour commutes. If anyone out there has similar driving patterns I,I'd love to hear back. Also, please let me know if you have the stick or auto. Thanks.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hmmm, 2-3 hours commuting? I'd stick with a Legacy GT auto, or a get VDC. Better yet, wait for the rumored turbo Legacy.

    -juice
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    the 1700 seems like the full price, you should be able to bargain that down by a third easily.I'm assuming this is the zero deductible one, if not run to another dealer quick!
    extended warranties are a tough thing to justify but it gives you peace of mind if nothing else, after spending over 2K on various sensors gone wrong and the stupid pneumatic suspension on my 92 Legacy LS I got the warranty on my 98 GT. Have already got 310 back on it when my radio antenna died and some bulb on my a/c burned out. The bulb I could live without the rest of my time with the car, not having Click and Clack to listen to on the radio I can't! I think for a turbo, an extended warranty may be good insurance! They are very expensive to fix when they go bad. And Murphys Law says it will go bad at 60, 100 miles.
  • soon2bsubeesoon2bsubee Member Posts: 137
    You have to be a member for 6 months. here is the link

    http://www.imba.com/tcc/subaru.html
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    I have the rack on my LL Bean wagon, thanks to IMBA membership. When I enrolled, it was a three month membership requirement BEFORE purchasing the Subaru.

    IMBA and Heather are really good to work with. The rack is sturdy and carries one bicycle with the front wheel removed.

    Your neighbor, Don
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I think they had to change it to 6 months because of the i-club WRX demand. :-)
    Dennis
  • soon2bsubeesoon2bsubee Member Posts: 137
    I joined in April...I am planning to get a WRX and a bike rack in October
  • whippet40whippet40 Member Posts: 2
    Can anyone comment on the cost of insurance for a WRX? Is it significantly higher than say an impreza? Thanks,
  • mdimartimdimarti Member Posts: 12
    It seems to be that the WRX rates have not been too outrageous. Probably because of the low incidence of theft and high safety ratings for Subaru as a whole. My rates increased by $80 every six months when I replaced my Cavalier Z24 with a WRX wagon. I didn't think that was very much, especially if you consider the price differences in the autos.

    Mark
  • whippet40whippet40 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the information! Hope to have a WRX this year some time.
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
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  • aquickyaquicky Member Posts: 4
    Has anyone had an adventure in their WRX? Share?
  • phatride01phatride01 Member Posts: 23
    Hello all...
    I just wanted to check what the situation is with this car. I recently bought a lemon, which the company I bought it from is going to take back, and relieve me of the headaches. Then, I thought of the WRX.

    I went to a dealer, who immediately said, "I do not play games. I do not add to the top of the price. My price is 24,995, plus the features, like the spoiler, the armrest, destination, etc."

    Now, I have seen people posting comments on this about %'s over the invoice. My question is, what have people received as a "Monthly" payment deal? I mean, what is a good range? 400-425? Less? or is that avg?

    My only curiousity otherwise, is the doors that this car has. To me, they seemed a little "flimsy" if you will, but maybe that is becuase I was crammed between the car, and another. Therefore, I managed to some how wiggle my way in, without touching door to door. That was not nice!

    Nonetheless, the doors just felt like they did not have much "substance" to them. I mean, I know they have the steel door beams...but the door did not feel solid!

    Any thoughts would be appreciated. I haven't much time to decide what to do, but yet, I do not want to feel rushed either. I am just weighing my options, and this seemed to be a fairly educated crowd of people. See ya! Happy driving.

    phatride01.
  • bruticusbruticus Member Posts: 229
    So the dealer you talked to said that 25K was the price he had put on a base model? Where do you live, because I was recently quoted 24K for a WRX with stereo/security upgrades and the diff protector. Shop around. As for monthly payments, your bank's website should have a place where you can input loan amounts, repay periods, and interest rates and find out the approximate monthly payment. Play around with different combinations of down payments and interest rates.

    The doors felt flimsy because they're frameless (no frame around the door glass). I wasn't aware before I went for my test drive that the doors are this way. A frameless door's top edge is basically two pieces of metal, outer skin and inner frame, attached only at the front end (where the mirror pod attaches) whereas framed doors are joined at the front end by the mirror pod and at the rear edge by the anchoring of that end of the glass frame.

    EG: Neon doors are frameless, and mine don't THUNK when they're shut; they sorta CLANG-RATTLE. It's made worse because mine is a 2 door, so the doors are very long (meaning lotsa flex) while my sister's Neon is a 4 door, and those doors shut much more solidly.

    DjB
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    phatride- Do not EVER base your negotiations on what you want the monthly payment to be. If you do, you're playing right into the dealer's hands and are pretty much guaranteed to get the worse deal possible.

    The bottom line in any negotiation should always be the final purchase price. If the amount of the monthly payment is important to you, there are plenty of loan calculators available on the web that you can use to determine how much car you can afford.

    The other reason you don't see anyone posting monthly payment info is because that figure is almost useless for comparison purposes. This is because there are so many variables involved. I.e. interest rate on loan, length of loan, trade-in or down payment amount and sales price.

    -Frank P.
  • cditto1cditto1 Member Posts: 6
    Phatride01...I have a solution for the flimsy doors. Move somewhere where it doesn't rain much, roll down the windows and leave them down. Then just get into and out of the car through the window opening.

    Note: Dukes of Hazzard Theme song can be installed as well. Check with your local redneck truck owner.
  • phatride01phatride01 Member Posts: 23
    for all the comments. I realize this game that dealers play, and that's why I never put down the deposit for the WRX that has not even reached the dealer yet.

    The quote that this particular dealer provided, was for a WRX, with the armrest, upgraded sound, and a spoiler. The total price he provided was 25.5K for all this. However, I know the place in Rochester that is selling WRX models for 22.5K (goodness knows how).

    However, I am still in the arena. I will not make any promises, or leave deposits, etc. til I know that I am sure that this would be wise for me.

    Regarding the frameless doors, well, the current vechicle that I have has frameless doors. What I meant to imply that they do not feel "heavy" for some apparent reason. I wonder what the side crash rating would be, if and when it is done? I mean, I have a family to support, but I also love to be the "free-sprited me" when I am driving to and from places where my family isn't. Can anyone say "work?" Yet, I would like to know that the car is fairly safe, and I am sure that the side air-bags would help tremendously.

    Nonetheless, I would still like to drive the car, as a test. I figure the manual transmission is something that I will be looking into, since it just seems like second nature, at this point. The spoiler, well, if it's there it is...but I have hardly ever been a fan of "stock" spoilers.

    Nonetheless, what would people say a good deal is for this vehicle? To me, around 24K seems reasonable. What would you all say?

    later
    phatride01
  • roninjoutenroninjouten Member Posts: 201
    Man, that car is fun. The looks and interior are appearing less and less offensive. Too bad the money factor on the lease is so high .00285 (best quote from two dealers) and the dealers won't budge off the MSRP - one offered $250 below MSRP. That to me is robbery. Anyone know a SoCal dealer willing to part with a WRX for 500 over invoice?
  • sajohnsonsajohnson Member Posts: 48
    Entirely too much emphasis is placed on these terms. What's important is what other comparable vehicles are selling for. What if "Invoice" on a WRX were $14,000?--would you refuse to pay $18,000? Nobody likes to see a dealer make a pile of cash off of one transaction but the bottom line is, is it a good deal relative to the market as a whole? I bought my 5MT sedan for $23,000 incl. frieght and am very happy, even though I know the dealer made well over $1,000 for simply placing the order and PDI-ing the car.

    Final note: If you find a Rolex at a yard sale for $50 bucks, how much would you sell it for--$55, or as much as you could get a willing buyer to pay?
  • roninjoutenroninjouten Member Posts: 201
    If I know a dealer only paid 22,500 for a car, I'm not going to allow him more than a 400-500 profit - that in and of itself is disturbingly high. He serves no purpose. He's just someone who passes on a car. Do I think a WRX is worth 24k? No because I know the car only costs the dealer 22.5k.

    BTW, Rolex is a different product, with a different value. Can't compare a rare watch to some car.

    I'd like a WRX, but I'm not willing to pay over 23k for it.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    No offense, but that's just plain ignorant. (Ignorant meaning uninformed-- not saying anything critical about your intelligence.)

    Every single business survives on profit margin. There is a cost associated with running a car dealership, and customers must pay that cost or the dealership doesn't stay open. No dealership, then you've got nowhere to look at cars. Nowhere to get factory service performed.

    $400 profit on a $23,000 car isn't going to cut it, maybe not even if you sold a whole bunch of 'em. And guess what, the dealers that can sell a whole bunch of WRXs don't have them (in desirable configurations at least, i.e. manual tranny) and those that do have them are asking MSRP and possibly some ADM on top of that.

    This has all been debated in the internet car purchasing topics before so I'll shut up... but just look at how well those internet car sellers are doing. You know, the ones that are still around. ;-)

    That's the way I see it at least.

    -Colin
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