Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon

cptplt

funny but I have had 3 red cars in my life, 2 of them a "bright " red incl my 98 Legacy rio red. I have had more tickets driving other colored cars. maybe I'm more careful with the bright colored cars!
talking about stealth, I was thinking of getting a personalized plate for the black WRX which said STLF REX. Got vetoed by the kids though. Got T REX 8 instead! The boys like their dinos!

wrxsoon1

As you can tell I don't (yet) have a subie, but I hope that changes in the near future (silver wrx wagon). I've really enjoyed reading all the posts on this board. Just reading all you've posted I've learned more about cars, especially subies than I could have hoped any other way.

I am in the Seattle area (Bellevue actually, but don't hold it against me ) and am wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with or know someone who has had experience with Chaplin's Subaru in Bellevue.

Thanks in advance,
-Ian

ateixeira

But if you label it as stealth, it's not longer stealth!

No tickets in Sandy, she's Acadia Green Metallic (dark green). In fact, one cop let me off when I told him I was just running to the store to get milk, and pointed to the kid.

Doubt he would have let me off if I were driving a yellow WRX, though.

-juice

bluesubie

I'm sure Stephen will chime in shortly and recommend Carter Subaru.
The Northwest Scooby folks have some great meets. Also checkout the forums at i-club.com/forums

-Dennis

barresa62

ya' beat me to it! LOL!

Ian: Chaplains has a good rep among fellow Subie owners. My recommendation (as Dennis pointed out) would be Carters on 175th and Aurora in Shoreline. They have been great to me. The guy to talk to is Joe Spitz, sales mgr. Subiegal (aka Jamie Thomas) also works there in Parts and has a hand in getting the new website up that will feature MRT/Whiteline, STi accessories, in addition to OEM ones. Also check out the NW chapter over on the i-club and PNWSEC (Pacific NW Subaru Enthusiast's Club).

BTW, I live in Greenwood/Phinney but work at Waste Management in Kirkland near the Larry's Market. Keep an eye for my silver WRX wagon (1KWKWGN). Good luck.

Stephen

wrxsoon1

thanks for your posts, I really appreciate how friendly and helpful everyone on this board is.

Stephen - I've been looking for 1KWKWGN since I first saw your posts! Nice ride!

Dennis - Where are some pics of the "blacksubie"?

I think I've only seen 2 WRX's in the area so far, both blue. That is, besides my neighbor's silver sedan. I'm probably going to wait to see what they have in store for the 2004 models. Not that I want to wait but I'll be getting married in December so it's more of a have to.

Scoobyless in Seattle,
-Ian

beanboy

And pretend you are a highway response vehicle! Amazed how quickly people get out of the way of my nitro yellow-green neon with a 6-foot antenna the roof...

-B

paisan

Most of the subies that roll with us in the NY area have CBs makes it easier to caravan to places.

-mike

bluesubie

You're welcome. I don't own a digicam yet. Took some pics and need to get them developed.

-Dennis

paisan

I'll try to snap some of Dennis's car if he comes to the Woodheap Meet!

-mike

rochcom

I saw one that was on display at the Subaru Rondezvous at Green Lakes State Park (New York) last weekend. It is a darker and more orange color than last year's. It is rather distinctive, and I don't think anyone would mistake it for a taxicab or school bus color. I like it, bit I would not buy it because it is just the kind of color (like bright red) that attracts the attention of the police. Add that to a hood scoop and spoiler and you have a very effective trooper magnet.

kevin111

I remember some survey that was reported in the LA times was that Red was the most pulled over vehicle followed by Black. Of course this seems odd because Black would be the toughest to see at night :-).

- A friend of mine who as a black RX7 turbo mentioned that he used to get tons of tickets in his red sports car, but has not received one yet in the RX7 turbo

- BTW, the least common color ticketed (or one of the least) was silver.

- One last note, most cars I see pulled over down in California for speeding seem to be Hondas.

hypov

"- One last note, most cars I see pulled over down in California for speeding seem to be Hondas."

Must the blings they've got on that were bling blinging.

-Dave

stoner420

I have a red wrx wagon. So far no problems (and I drive like half a maniac, but usually keep it under 80.. 85 if there's almost no traffic). I figure the wagon aspect (negative attraction) offsets the red aspect (positive attraction) so that I'm about neutral on the smokey-attraction-scale..

(ps, sedona red = best color for wrx wagon ;-)

kevin111

A good majority are just basic Honda sedans!

jmgregory5

I know this is probably the most asked question, but for those people who just purchased a 2003 wrx wagon could you give me an idea of what price you are paying? I am working on a deal for one myself and just wonder if I am actually getting a fair price.

I was quoted $23,700 with short throw, sound upgrade, security system and cargo net. According to the edmunds tmv I am about $300 ahead of the curve. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

John

bluesubie

paisan - Thanks, I'll be at the Woodheap meet. :-D

JMG - I paid invoice through the Subaru VIP Program with the IMBA (mountain bike assoc.).

-Dennis

stupendousman

I'd say you should be able to get $500 over invoice at the absolute worst. Invoice on what you are looking at (according to cars direct) is 22,933. WRX has changed insignificantly since the 2002 model so they shouldn't be marking up much at all. Demand (at least in Northern Cali) isn't as high as it was so the dealer should be willing to cut a deal. In addition more options, means more profit for the dealer, so they should really be willing to work with you on price.

I got $500 over invoice back in feb. and demand was higer than.

Just my two cents. Hope this helps.

-Ken

ateixeira

Hi-Ho Silver. Sounds good, I already liked the color.

John: if you live near DC, check out Fitzmall.com. Let me know if you're going to buy there, I'll put you in touch with my salesman, who is their rep for Subaru's VIP program.

-juice

outbacker2k2

Hey what is this VIP program people keep mentioning? I'm in the market to trade my 96 OB for a 02+ WRX wagon and any way to save money would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I live in the baltimore area if anyone has some local info.

rsholland

Try Fitzgerald's, in either White Flint (Rockville) or Gaithersburg. I'm in Ellicott City, and we bought both our Subies there. Check out their web prices.

Bob

http://www.fitzgeraldautomall.com/

ateixeira

Join the IMBA and I believe you can get VIP pricing, at least they used to have such a program. You basically get Subaru employee pricing.

But Subies sell with very slim margins, so it's not like it's a big difference.

I was recommending the sales person because he did an excellent job, which IMO is more important than any small price difference.

-juice

bpi

1. You have to wait 6 months after joining IMBA ($20 annual membership fee I believe) to purchase a vehicle under the VIP program.
2. www.fitzgeraldautomall.com and fitzmall.com are the same. It looks like they're selling 03's for as low as $275 over (edmunds') invoice. It was $325 over when I checked last week.

lilbluewgn02

Here is the link to IMBA...I used it for my WRX wagon...good deal if you can wait for the 6 months membership required.

http://www.imba.com/tcc/subaru.html

Serge

hypov

kevin111 Sep 18, 2002 1:50am

Hmmm... in that case, probably more of a anti-theft check versus pulled over for speeding.

-Dave

aa717driver

Do you have to actually demonstrate that you can ride a bike before you can join?TC

P.S.--Busted my WRX cherry tonight--first test drive in a rex. It has the punch of my GS400 with the 'tossability' of the old RX7's. I'm sold.

jmgregory5

Thanks for the thoughts on what price I should be going for. I am in the unlucky position of being in a population density area - Wisconsin, not counting cows that is. This doesn't give the few dealers much of a reason to negotiate. I am dealing with the biggest subbie dealer in the state - they have had anywhere from 4 to 10 wrx's on the lot at any given time.

The IMBA idea is great except I really can't wait that long. I have a 10 year old Accord that is starting to go south in several areas and I don't want to put any money into it at this point.

John

robmarch

if you can't wait 6 months, expect to pay 300-500 over invoice on a 2003, or possibly less on a 2002, I would think. If you're buying through a salesman, and you're $100 apart, you're close enough, in my book. It's not worth fighting over $100 and adding the stress. That's actually what I like the best about the VIP plan...no negotiation, good price.

Another alternative is to drive it home from a dealer in a major market several hours from you, if they're not getting close to $300 over invoice. Factor in transportation to get there and pick it up, or buy in a city that you enjoy visiting and make it a vacation trip where you get to take home a new car

ateixeira

Train down to DC, drive the WRX back.

Nice thing about fitzmall is that the price you see is the bottom line. It includes freight and there are no advertising or processing fees. They do out of state tags, too, I believe.

-juice

aa717driver

We actually went to Milwaukee to get a couple of our cars because they were close enough to Chicago to compete and had low overhead. I agree that you should do what you need to do to buy in a major metropolitan area.

Maybe when WRX's were new, you could go to Pig's Knuckle, AR and "take one off their hands" but the news is out. Big city is the way to go.TC

jmgregory5

Stephen,

I believe you have mentioned that you put the Sylvania Silverstar bulbs in your wagon. Do you really see a difference? I am considering ordering a pair and want to know if they give you better lighting or if it is simply an image thing for others to notice.

John

nixomose

dealer did the first change for free at 3K, I did my first change this weekend at 6K.
surprising simple considering what I have to go through for my GTI(for which I always compare my wrx to...)

So, as I always do the first time around, I overfilled it a bit. It's higher than the 'F' but below the notch in the dipstick just above the 'F'. How bad is it?
Last time I tried to let a little oil out of my car, I dropped the plug and ended up doing two oil changes in 2 days.

ateixeira

I think that's within a reasonable tolerance.

-juice

rochcom

The problem with all of the Subaru of America promotions, including the Master Card and affiliate programs is that Subaru reserves the right to cancel them at any time. The credit card program was changed, reducing the percentage earned, and then it was transferred to another bank, requiring the customer to reapply. It was thus impossible to accumulate the maximum discount that Subaru promised at the beginning of the program.

Likewise, there is no guarantee that if you join IMBA, the program will still be available after the six month waiting perioed. It likely will not. because the purpose of the waiting period seems to be to limit the promotion to existing members. People cannot join just to get the discount.

If this is like some other companys' affiliate programs, the purpose of the discount is likely to be a form of payment to IMBA for the co-promotion with Subaru, passed on to the association's current members.

barresa62

Yes, I did notice an improvement in nighttime lighting from the driver's seat. For the price, I think they are worth it. :-)

Stephen

wrxsoon1

How were you treated by the dealership when you went in with your letter from Subaru telling them they would sell you a car for invoice?

I guess I'm just worried about being treated like #!@* because they're not making any money on my sale.

Thanks,
-Ian

bluesubie

IMBA has been offering the Subaru VIP program for several years. The six month waiting period was added only after they were bombarded when the WRX first came out. You can do a search on the i-club with the dates of March-June 2001 to read about that.
I believe your statement saying that it will likely not be available after six months is incorrect. Also, you *can* join just to get the discount.

-Dennis

paisan

Basically the dealer actually makes out on the car from SOA if they sell via the VIP programs. Not sure of the details, but pretty sure it's a win-win situation.

-mike

mikenk

At 7700 miles, I have a non repairable sidewall puncture in one of the stock RE92's. I drive the wagon spiritedly, but no where near the limits. The dealer was comfortable that I could get by with replacing only one. Discount tire could get one for $178, OUCH.

What would y'all do; I have not paid a lot of attention to the periodic tire discussions since I was not ready to change. Can I just replace 2 on the same axle if I wanted to change brands?

Any thoughts would be welcome. It is a fairly rapid leak. My wife does not share her OB graciously. I am in Dallas area.

thanks,
Mike

ateixeira

I did the VIP program for our 2002 Legacy.

The dealer had a special rep for the VIP program who coincidentally had sold a car to my dad. He was excellent, no pressure, price was lower than their no-haggle price (by about $300), even, and the car was delivered without a flaw. He walked me through the PDI, which was very thorough, and it was delivered without a single flaw, even the air pressure was right in the tires.

My dad had the same experience, so it was no better, no worse.

But it's not a big price difference, to be honest, so if you can't wait 6 months go for it anyway. I'd still recommend the dealer.

-juice

ateixeira

Mike: 7700 miles is so new that I suspect you can replace just that single tire.

I be concerned if you had, say 15-20k miles or more.

-juice

paisan

Great all-weather tires.

-mike

lilbluewgn02

No problems with the VIP purchase. I got my wagon at Mastro Subaru in Tampa, which not only is a good place to deal with (dealt with Pete Mastro) but they are extremely mod-friendly..take a look at this...http://www.mastrowrx.com/
The dealers still make money..from SoA and most from holdbacks. If you can wait the 6 months, it's worth it and the membership is only $20.
If you are unsure the dealer will accept, call them first.

robmarch

try a re-92 take off from tirerack.com delivered to an installer in your area. or a new one delivered the saem way. should be significantly cheaper. or just see if they'll match the price

if you're going to get 2, get 4 of something really nice, though

ateixeira

Yeah, for that price I'd consider a set of those AVS tires on special, and then maybe snow tires later on.

-juice

allythom

I got a nail in one of my RE92s at 9000 miles. Replaced it with a take-off from Tire-rack (78 bucks I think). No problems, Tire-rack delivered the thing pretty quick and I was back in action inside 3days.

Definitely the least expensive option. I figure my 4 RE92s should last the winter before I replace them with something a little more exciting.

Al

ateixeira

Costco didn't have the RE92 in stock - we bought another one when we got our full size spare. I want to say it's the RE910? Something like that.

But do get a matching set, our different one is on the spare (it replaced a donut).

-juice

wrxsoon1

Thanks to all who commmented on their experiences.

I'm not too concerned about the 6 month wait as I've been an IMBA member since 1996.

ateixeira

LOL, and we're all worried about that!

-juice

rochcom

I stand corrected on the IMBA VIP program. I was skeptical because of the credit card program changes and the difficulty expressed by some in taking advantage of the free service promotion offered a year or two ago. For $20, I might take the gamble and join myself, since I hope to buy next year.