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Comments
MSRP is 29,290
I was told I paid 375 over invoice. I bought this car via a credit union service. Once I found the auto I wanted they searched for it finding the lowest price. I spent a total of maybe 15 minutes total on the phone talking to my credit union's auto buying specialist. I gave her my auto details on Friday and my new FXT was delivered to my home at 9am on Saturday. Paper work took about 30 minutes and then the keys were turned over to me by the delivery person.
The only downside about this method of auto purchasing is that the auto had more miles on it than I originally expected, since it was driven from the dealer that is not very close to my location. Other than that, the whole process was painless. I know I could have gotten a better deal on a 05 FXT, but my wife fell in love with the little changes the 06 received. Since we plan to keep this car for the long term, we decided we better get the one we really liked. Plus, an another member said, we are the first on the block with an 06 FXT.
After my first 100 miles, I have no regrets buying the FXT, albeit I have not filled up the gas tank with "Premium Fuel". I had thought about using mid-grade fuel, but the manual says to us regular fuel only if premium is not available. I know others have used regular gas in there FXT but I don't want to take a chance.
Handling seems great. Power is amazing (seems like i have a V6 under the hood).:shades: Ride height seems just right. I love the turbo and my wife loves the size of the car. She is just glad we did not go with my original intent of buying a highlander. I'll give a more detailed review after a couple of tank refills. I hope I did not pay too much, but that is a moot point because the contract is signed and the car is my garage.
-mactel
That's the attitude. Nothing worse than second guessing yourself. I decided on an 05 FXT Prem due to the rebates. A little over $25 excluding TTL with every option except the turbo boost guage cluster.
Of course more horsepower, better gas mileage, and improvements in the total package are always the order of the day, but I decided it wasn't worth the price differential.
You must be pretty tall to hit you head on the sunroof? I'm 6'2 and don't even come close. That'll be pretty cool to have two 05 Foresters in the driveway... just don't let you wife behind the wheel of the XT or you may just end up driving the XS :P
-Frank
I'm serious, but it today, don't wait or you'll regret it. Stop reading this now and run.
Why are you still reading?
You are STILL reading? LOL. Go to your dealer now.
You're not still reading are you? ;-)
mactel: congrats on the new Forester!
Don't say V6 around here, say H6. Besides, it performs more like a V8!
Trivia question: which car in this list is the quickest from 0-60 per C&D tests:
1) Lamborghini Countache 5000S
2) DeTomaso Pantera
3) Subaru Forester XT
Hint: if you tire of the practicality, you can always step down in quickness to one of the other exotics.
-juice
But there is now a new Black 2005 Forester XT in my garage sitting next to the Silver 2005 Forester XS (that was purchased on April 11 for my wife).
I got it pretty loaded (by my standards) with the cargo mat/splash guards/rear bumper guard, cargo nets/spotlight, automatic dimming rear view mirror/compass/security system upgrade, armrest extension, and rubber floor mat options.
The negotiations went pretty fast considering I was trading in three vehicles to get the XT. I got the great turbo-charged XT and they got a 1994 Plymouth Voyager (170,000 miles), 1997 Mazda Protege (113,000 miles), and a 2000 Saturn SL2 (42,000 miles). The kids graduated from college and the cars came back home to roost. Of the three I traded in the Saturn was really a piece of junk. Never again ...
Since we had just gone through the process a couple months ago once the negotiations were completed the paper work went really fast. I told the finance officer that if I had to listen to the extended warranty speech again I was going to mark them down on buyer survey.
Thanks for the push to the dealer! Those two Foresters look pretty nice sitting next to each other.
-juice
Well that's one way to eliminate any possibility of haggling :P
-Frank
after weeks of test drives i finally settled on the Subaru Forester. the two runners up were the Hyundai Tucson (bad gas mileage on the V6 and not enough power on the 4 cylinder) and the Honda CR-V (i really thought i was gonna go with this one, but on my second test drive it was painfully obvious that when pushing on the gas pedal it took a few seconds to actually go-i'm no speed demon by any means but this didn't feel right to me). anyhow, that brings me to my question. i'm still debating on buying either a new 2005 model or a slightly used (no older than 2003 with no more than 20,000 miles on it) model. in my online searching it seems that used foresters with the above specifications are really retaining their value (good if you are buying new, not so good if you are buying used). so that led me to check out the 2005's (i'm aware that the 2006 models are already out and that there is currently a $1500 rebate being offered). so far the best offer i've gotten is $19,996 on a 2005 Forester 2.5 X Auto with an Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror with Digital Compass and a Security System Upgrade. i could do without these features, especially the auto dimming and compass, but this is what is available. am i going to do any better than this? if so how and with whom? also suggestions on places to look for reasonably priced used subaru foresters would be great. any input is appreciated. thanks.
upsun
msrp 22,820
internet sale price 21,220 (I suppose this is because I went through cars.com)
rebate 1,500
total price 19,720
Should I try to bargain this down or am I already getting a deal close to invoice via that internet discount? I'm tempted to see if he'll drop it $1000 dollars just to see if he'll meet me somewhere in the middle. Any advice?
-Frank
Good luck!
upsun
I really want this car but am not sure if that price is good. Also, it doesn't seem like they're desperate to get rid of them....
Help! I need advice.
-Frank
-Frank
...'05 X, M/T
..that's a tad shy of $20500 here in the great Central Valley of CA.....looking at our 4th or 5th day of 100+F weax........ez
Negotiated $24,160 but I was paying the whole thing with a credit card to get the miles so they added a 2.5% surcharge.
Thought the deal was pretty decent since I was driving it out of state hence no taxes.
Its now on to accessories...
toymatoy
MSRP: $ 25,929.00
COST: $ 23,787.00
this is with a rebate of $500 - for a 2006 subaru forester, with auto, and premium. buying it in NJ. another place had it for $200 less, but so was their MSRP. one site showed it to be that much more as well, they stated it was an AD fee of some kind, and not everyone shows that kind of info.
so does anyone know if it can be lower than this? or do i have a good deal now? i'll try for the lower one anyway, but i'd just like to know. thanks.
---Mike Savad
In fact I'm surprised they already have $500 on the hood.
-juice
---Mike Savad
thanks
---Mike Savad
Right now it's up to the dealers to determine who gets my business - whoever gets the desired car on the lot and will give it to me at the pre-determined price. And now I worry that something will happen to my current car while I'm waiting for the new one!
As for the buying experience, I would recommend both dealers highly. My husband and I were treated very well by staff and salespeople. I'll be more specific after we complete the purchase, but I am very happy with them. I particularly like dealing with dealers who love their own Subarus!
Desk
I live in Rhode Island.
I found multiple dealers who were willing to go 21200 + tax/reg for 2005 XS w/moonroof manu al trans but all anyone had was silver. A dealer was willing to grab the last crystal grey one in New England from Maine for me for 21600.
I almost bought a silver one down here just to save the money (I was in a rental, couldn't wait) but turned out it had been in a parking lot fender bender. Didn't like the color anyway so went for Crystal Grey XS no moonroof manual trans.
Price paid 20780 + tax/reg. Included cargo tray, tweeter kit, splashguards, and tailpipe tip. Seemed to be one nice deal.. about 500 below invoice when you figure that price included destination and all dealer fees.
I know another dealer that would go 20500 for same thing with no accessories/options.
I was going to buy used but dealers want some ridiculous prices on used foresters....
Some other deals I found if anyone is interested (all are + only taxx/reg as far as I know).. USED 2004 XT manual 17K miles <19000. DEMO 2004 XT auto 6K tons of options 22500. NEW 2004 XT Turbo manual trans no options 21695. NEW 2005 X manual trans no options 18695.
Thoughts?
---Mike Savad
Premium Package (Moonroof, Alloy Wheels, 6CD Changer & 4 Upgraded Speakers, Power Drivers Seat, Ltd. Slip Diff., All Weather Package and Auto Climate Control) Custom Tail pipe cover, Popular Equipment Group 1G (Cargo Tray, Rear Bumper Cover and 4 Splash Guards) Premium Sound Package 2 (tweeter & Sub Woofer) and the Auto-Dimming mirror/compass with Home Link.
I paid: $25,083.00
Edmunds Customer Cash Adjusted True Market Value is $25,771, after the $500 cash incentive is subtracted, and the regional adjustment of $145 and Destination Charge of $595 are added in.
Overall, I feel I got a very good deal. On a 2006, not a 2005. Not already depreciated one year in value. My total, including California Sales Tax of 6.75% and Title, Plate and Registration fees was $27,331.
Those of you in California or Arizona, I can't praise the dealer enough. This was the most painless & easy car buy I have ever completed. No dodges, no up selling, no switches. I walked in, had the price quoted after looking at several 2005's and 2006's, went to my bank, got a Cashiers Check, and completed the purchase. Within two hours total time, from walk in, to departure, the car was readied, given a full tank of gas, and I was on my way.
I too am a AAA member. They refered me to the same dealer you were. Their price was higher by a couple of hundred on a couple, the same on some others, so not worth the 100 mile drive. I did get called back almost imediately by their Sales Manager, who was very nice. But if you want a no-hassle deal, you should call or visit Palm Springs Subaru and check them out. Like I said, twenty years of car buying, this was the easiest!
Thanks.
Congrats.
-juice
I bought my L.L.Bean at Courtsey Chevrolet (they also sell Subarus) in Kingsport Tennesse. If any one here in East Tennesse is in the market for a Subaru, take a look at them. I think the reason that they are giving such a good deal is because all of their General Motors vehicles or on rebate.
One thing that my Bean did not have was rear bumper covers. I have look on a few aftermarket sites but can't find one. Any suggestions?
Walt,
Order a stock bumper cover. Better yet, get a Chase Subaru card and earn Subaru Bucks, then get it for free. I haven't paid for any accessory and I have almost all.
-juice
Thanks.....
I would see if she would consider perforated leather, perhaps a flashy two-tone color scheme. Since it's blue, maybe black leather with bright blue inserts, that might look pretty wild. Or Blue/Gray.
Katskins sells kits, so an upholstery shop would install for $900-1000 or so.
I doubt you'll find a cloth kit. Definitely not from Subaru.
Not a great link, but just to give her the idea, take a look at these:
http://rdmelton.autoeducation.com/cars/stealth/seats.html#frontinstall
-juice
-Frank
-juice
Still enjoying my 05 Forester, actually my wife is. I was speaking to my local mechanic, a guy I've been using for the past couple of years about the Subaru and he mentioned that the parts for Subarus can be expensive (compared to Hondas). Any truth to this? or is his bias towards Honda causing jaundiced eyes towards other cars?
Regards,
Sony.
Examples - I was rear-ended and the entire bumper was $150. I didn't even have to paint it (Forester L). The complete tail light assembly was about the same price. I get oil filters for $5 or so, and that comes with a crush washer. Touch-up paint I paid $4 for.
In my opinion those parts prices are cheap. Do not pay retail for them.
-juice
With that in mind the prices are high. You could find a brand new 05 for that price when they were still around.
That dealer is being extremely optimistic. I think they are worth more like $18-19k.
-juice