2013 and earlier-Subaru Outback Prices Paid and Buying Experience

gold1

Any tips gratefully received. What to do when dealer says Edmunds invoice price is incorrect?

dcm61

What to do when dealer says Edmunds invoice price is incorrect?

Ask them to show you the factory invoice.

DaveM

lumbar

Last time I checked there was a relatively new Subie advertising fee for 05 ($275?)that Edmunds did not include in its invoice price. Otherwise it seemed fine.

gold1

Thanks. Yes, Subaru dealer wanted to charge $275 for advertising. He said Edmunds and a better offer from another dealership were bogus?! His offer was about $800 over invoice. Didn't think the OBS were such a hot seller at the moment. I think we can do better.

Kirstie_H

Remember, just because he says the Edmunds price & other offer are bogus doesn't make them bogus! He is obviously keen to sell you a car, but calling all other sources of pricing information false won't help his cause. Shop around for sure.

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

marsha7

wanting a pickup truck, to considering a wagon like Pacifica or Outback...can anyone summarize the real differences between an Outback wagon in LL Bean trim vs VDC trim???...thanks...also, considering the H6 option, 250 HP without needing a turbo, would anyone consider the 4 cyl turbo as an option, as the turbo is just one more thing to break???...

Bob

ateixeira

VDCs are hard to find right now.

Mostly for the extra cash you get stability and traction control.

-juice

Kirstie_H

Please visit one of the many Outback-related discussions - this one is for pricing questions only rather than discussing the differences in trim levels. Thanks!

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

tulane

I got a quote using carquotes.com. The price was $50.00 over invoice(at least that's what they said) which was $23,200. I also got a $50.00 free gas card. The wagon has auto diming mirror and upgraded security system. Gerald Subaru, Naperville, Illinois.

jhc003

Well I will be picking up my new Subaru later this afternoon and I am very excited! This will be my first Subaru ever. I got the car for $400 under invoice (maybe b/c I knew a manager there?). It's champagne gold opal and loaded up! Hopefully we won't have any surprises at the dealership today and it will be in my driveway tonight. I took both the Subaru and a 2004 Saab 9-5 wagon for extended test drives (overnights and drove them to work for a day). There was no comparison - the Subaru was much better! (Sorry Saab fans). The Subie has a much better ride (smoother and more stable), tons more HP and turbo boost, better build quality and materials plus the AWD factor and it was a year newer. And the Subie just seems like a more substantial car. And I plan to put premium fuel in the car! (thanks Juice). I'll follow up once I put some miles on the car. Thanks for your help everyone!

ateixeira

Lucky duck! I'm envious!

-juice

goghred

I will be purchasing an Outback Limited Wagon in December. Subaru offers incentives on a monthly basis, so it is hard to anticipate what, if any, incentives may be available at that time. Does anyone have a sense of what may be out there at that time? Any insight on Subaru year end programs in past years?

ateixeira

They've been holding them off. Tough call.

End of year usually happens about 2 months before the new model year launch. It's too early to even tell when that will be.

My guess is MY2006 will get a Nav option, at least, so once that it announced we may see incentives.

It's just a guess, though.

-juice

itsed

I actually live in California, but I am recovering from an amputation in DC at Walter Reed Army hospital. Being that I am now going to be using a wheelchair at least part of the time, I have decided the Outback wagon (GT Ltd) will be the car for me. As I am going to be here for a few more months I have decided to buy the car out here and drive it home when I am done. I have gotten good quotes from both Fitzmall and Stohlman's internet departments. Just wondering if anyone local in the area had anything good or bad to say about either dealer. Niether have what I want in stock at the moment, but both claim they can get it quickly. Thanks.

Kirstie_H

Very best wishes for the speediest recovery possible, itsed.

If you want a quick way to find what opinions have already been posted about those two dealerships, just look to the left side of the page under "search by keyword," and you'll see our advanced search feature. This link will allow you to search the message text for "fitzmall" or "stohlman"

this link will show you the first 20 for fitzmall, and this one will show 20 results for stohlman.
(first time I've tried linking to a keyword search, so forgive me if it fails!)

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

lee_w

Congrats! Sounds like you you are happy! Please share your info with others. From what dealership did you buy?

ateixeira

Definintely get a wagon for the extra storage, including that wheel chair (sorry to hear about that BTW).

Also check if the Outback's seat height is ideal for you. It's a little higher than the Legacy and most cars. That's usually an advatage as ingress/egress are facilitated.

Enjoy your Subie once you get it.

-juice

cagrant1

I am negotiating for a 2004 outback 35th edition that is on the lot b/c the dealer's wife drove it for 4k miles. never been titled. invoice is roughly 25,300 the current offer is 23,300. does this seem like a reasonable deal?

ateixeira

Each state has a mileage limit for a "new" car. That might be over, if so it's used, basically.

I'd be curious to know how they'll do the warranty, if they'll consider the day you buy it the first day in service.

Besides that it looks like a bargain. They did have about 1200 in incentives a while back but even that would put it at 800 below invoice.

-juice

cagrant1

the warranty is starting fom the date we drive it off the lot, but they are not adding the 4k onto the top of the mileage limit.

they are basing the offer price on 1,000 incentive and then roughly 1,000 for the mileage and use. they are also throwing in 2 years free service. i think i might try to bring them down a little bit more, but my sense is that they want it off the lot and they made a pretty good offer to begin with.

ateixeira

How is wear and tear?

Some people keep cars spotless, others are total slobs. If she was a slob on the inside, I might shy away. If it's been kept clean...

-juice

cagrant1

pretty much pristine. hard to tell that there anyone has driven it even after close inspection.

i don't really have any experience though with demo cars and mileage on a "new" car, so I'm not sure that the $1,000 they're giving me for the miles and slightly used warranty are fair. Seems more likely to me that it is, but again, I'm not sure.

mfh

I havent posted for a while, since July. I didnt want to burden people with my ruminations about which outback or perhaps a forester I wanted.

Ive since decided to go for the 05 OB XT AT LTD (for now). Any body have recent price quotes for this model or for the LL Bean (indecisiveness creeping in!)? Im in the SF bay area.

Im not crazy about the wood and aluminum-like trim that comes with the taupe. Will the black be too hot in the summer and which color wears better?

Thanks in advance. I will try to keep my preoccupations to a minimum.

Michael

itsed

I just signed the buyers order for a Silver XT Ltd AT charcoal int, with subwoofer and auto mirror for 30,237 +TTL here in the DC area.

I will be driving it back to where I live in Vacaville Ca though and have no probs getting the black interior even though our summers reach into the 100's. I don't like the fake wood look either. Black also won't show dirt as easily as the taupe. My experience with a tan interior on my last mustang was enough. No more light colors for me.

khallock

I bought the LL Bean in late August for $30233 in northern Vermont. I'm very happy with the taupe interior. I thought I would have liked black too, but now I am glad I had to get the taupe. I think the black might be too hot in the winter. I like the wood accents, but thats just me...

mfh

Thanks itsed and khallock. Sounds like the prices are pretty comparable. That is nice to hear- it means that different dealers are basically offering the same deals. I did notice on Fitzmall that these cars are going for around 29400.

For the LL Bean, willow green is my favorite color, but then Id have the taupe interior. For the OB XT, Id get the silver/granite with the black interior.

Ive test driven the 04 LL Bean OB, 05 LL Bean OB, 04 FXT, VW Passat V6 AWD, Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4 runner, Ford Escape (V6 AWD), Infiniti FX35.

In my book, the subarus give you by far the most bang for your buck and also meet a nice equilibrium of having a nice car without going overboard. And the gas mileage is better.

63corvette

I'm sorry, but the conclusion that I reach after reading your posts is that, If I paid $17,340 for the base 04 Outback wagon, BRAND NEW, and you paid $30 to $32,000 for a different brandnew Subaru Outback.....YOU paid almost $20,000 EXTRA for either A) the optional engine (etc) or The 05 Model year changes. Glad I didn't...but good luck;-)

ateixeira

If you really did pay $17k, yowsah, wow, unbelieveable deal.

2005 came with price increases, plus the incentives went away. Those were $1200-2000 or so IIRC.

But let's be fair and compare apples to apples, a base 2005 OB runs $22,000 at fitzmall.com today, and surely it'll get lower towards the end of the model year.

So the different is a little less than 1/4 that amount, more like just under $5000. And that's now, before end-of-year discounts and incentives start to arrive.

I think the difference will settle down to about $3000 extra this year, and you do get some extra content and a more refined car overall. Plus you'll get some of that back at resale time.

Price shoppers will always do better with outgoing models, the questions is are the improvements worth the extra cost to you?

-juice

63corvette

Yea juice, $17,340 from McCurly Autoplex at Pasco, Washington. They sell Chevy. Mercedes, Cadillac,Pontiac, Mazda, and Subaru that I know of, in three large showroom dealerships on the same ground. Invoice was $21,something, and retail was $23, something. We think we got a good deal (only one criteria, "cheap") and we really like the car.

Garrett Waddell

lee_w

Congrats and thanks for sharing your experience here!

xwesx

Indeed. I will have to remember to go back to Pasco the next time I'm looking to buy. It would be well worth the trip! I pretty sure I am allowed to dream about sub-20K prices on a new outgoing base model Subie in Fairbanks..... I'd probably get a good laugh if I suggested such a price to the salesman, though!

itsed

Got my XT ltd today from Fitzmall in Rockville Md. Overall a great buying experience. They didn't have the color combo I wanted in stock,(silver w blk int) but found one in Norfolk at another subi dealer and got it for me overnight. No hard sell on any extras and straightforward pricing. I also took advantage of the 1.9% financing. Now I just have to wait for my subwoofer and Momo shift knob :-)

jeff6

Took delivery of an 05 OB LL bean for $29,535. Picked it up at Milford NH Subaru. Sales staff was great and very motivated to move the car. Seemed to me to be a pretty fair price. They easily beat another dealership which had offered the same model at $30,190.

This is my first Subaru and I'm wondering what I waited so long for. Hope this helps.

Jeff

ateixeira

Good to see the H6 under $30k, congrats!

-juice

aptosca

I've been looking in the bay area for the best price on a VDC. There are few in stock so almost all quotes have been for orders. I had one quote at invoice + 1500 or so if I didn't want to order. Otherwise the range I've seen was invoice-50 to invoice+1000. I started in the south bay and contacted (via Subaru's quote request) a lot of people, figuring farther away places might try harder. But seems that tact doesn't seem to work with a car that has to be ordered and therefore isn't sitting on the lot tying up money.

Nobody was interested in meeting Fitz price at invoice-300. In fact, my closest dealer wouldn't lower his invoice+200 to meet the invoice-50.

ttenrag

I have to disagree with your car comparison. how can you compare the Outback to the 4Runner....Apples and Oranges. I own an '04 4runner, and have shopped for outbacks. The 4runner has much more room and comfort, much more power in the base model, much more of an off road package, and better reliability and re-sale value. On top of that there is 3rd row seating available.

ateixeira

I agree that they are very different, 4Runner has a low range and a full frame.

But it's also a lot heavier, so even with more power it's not any faster. The Outback XT is quicker than the V8 model even.

I also disagree on reliability - Consumer Reports can't even recommend the V6 model due to poor realiability scores. The Outback scores much higher and is recommended.

Outback resale is also better than average. So is the 4Runner, but I would not consider that an advantage because both do equally well.

I agree about apples and oranges, though. One is a truck, the other a refined crossover, and they cater to different audiences.

-juice

hlevinson

I own both a 2003 4Runner V8 (Paid $31,000)and a 2000 Outback Wagon H4 (Paid $20,400). They are different animals. I love both but my old Outback is a better value. Now I'm looking at a 2005 XT LTD and it's right up there at close to $30,000.

The dealers I have talked to are offering it up at invoice price ~$29-29.5. Is anyone finding these below invoice prices.

I hope to get $10K in trade which menas it will still cost me $20K out of pocket with taxes/fees etc. Not cheap for a Subie. This will be Subie #5 for me.

93 impreza
94 svx
96 outback
00 outback
05 outback

I'm also having a tough time finding the combination I want:
Silver or Black exterior with a Charcoal interior and a 5-speed. I have seen a number with the Taupe interior (Not good with a 4 year old in tow). I have seen some charcoal interiors but the outside was red or white (not first choice in colors)

ateixeira

Try fitzmall.com or Van Borten in NY as a starting point. I think they're below invoice.

-juice

hlevinson

I own both a 2003 4Runner V8 (Paid $31,000)and a 2000 Outback Wagon H4 (Paid $20,400). They are different animals. I love both but my old Outback is a better value. Now I'm looking at a 2005 XT LTD and it's right up there at close to $30,000.

The dealers I have talked to are offering it up at invoice price ~$29-29.5. Is anyone finding these below invoice prices.

I hope to get $10K in trade which menas it will still cost me $20K out of pocket with taxes/fees etc. Not cheap for a Subie. This will be Subie #5 for me.

93 impreza
94 svx
96 outback
00 outback
05 outback

I'm also having a tough time finding the combination I want:
Silver or Black exterior with a Charcoal interior and a 5-speed. I have seen a number with the Taupe interior (Not good with a 4 year old in tow). I have seen some charcoal interiors but the outside was red or white (not first choice in colors)

bac4uw

Hello Everyone,
I am a long-time lurker, but first-time poster. My wife and I live in the area of Seattle, WA and are looking to purchase a 2005 OB 2.5i Wagon. We test drove the OB against the Element, CRV EX & SE, Legacy Wagon, and Matrix XR AWD... and the OB is the winner for us. CRV SE was nice too - though what's up with BOTH the driver and passenger heated seat controls being placed on the driver's side? (As much as I love "control", I don't think I need to control someone else's uhhh... posterior warmth!)

Now for the (less) fun part: I am looking for some guidance as to a reasonable target price that I should take into the dealer. I have no problem haggling... but I'd like to be able to put a gauge on my expectations. (Dealer of choice is Eastside Subaru in Kirkland if it matters to anyone.) My two (sets of) questions for people in this forum:

(1) MSRP ~ 26,010, Invoice ~ 23,985, Edmunds TMV ~ 24,500 - Anyone out there getting closer to the invoice price than the TMV... or (gulp!) less than invoice? Would I have more or less wiggle-room if I go with Subaru's financing?

(2) Has anyone had a good experience with Eastside Subaru, or for that matter, other dealerships in the state of Washington? I read an earlier post about a dealership in Pasco... did you get the good price and good experience? I will (just by chance) be in the Pasco area over Thanksgiving.

Thanks in advance for your help. -Bryan

jahnu04

I have been offered a invoice price on 2.5i Auto Outback wagon without any options installed. I live in saint paul, mn. Infact the price is few dollars less than the price listed on edmunds. Do any of you think that I can do better.

ateixeira

Regional demand varies, I believe in Washington State prices tend to be higher than here on the east coast. I'd aim for invoice.

Not sure about MN, sorry.

-juice

xwesx

Hey juice, I'm not sure if you're too far south for this, but do any of the dealers of which you know on the East Coast install freeze plugs in the Subies they sell?

ateixeira

Gotta admit I'm not familiar with them. Do you mean block heater?

-juice

xwesx

Haha... oops. Yes, block heater. I call a freeze plug the one that mounts inside the block as compared to a circulating block heater that would draw the fluid out of the engine, heat it, then send it back into the block.

nmbrnine

Just had a sticky, awkward, ugly argument with a dealer over a 2005 outback XT limited. (Red/Taupe Leather)

The one I was looking at came with:

-Automatic transmission (I required that option)

-Popular Group Option 1 (anti-theft/exterior monitoring, upgraded rearview)

-Subwoofer

-Cargo net

Seems he'll let me have it for $29,600 (though after my experience today, when I return tomorrow, I wouldn't be surprised if there is some hang-up) I was also told the $275 ad fee that others have discussed here only applies to leases, though I've had another dealer try to work it into my buying price.

All told, that would be $754 below invoice...makes me wonder if dealers are trying to move these quickly right now, before a pending end of the year incentive deal.

eric102

Bryan, I had a good buying experience at Roy Robinson Subaru in Marysville. Invoice was no problem at that time (2 years ago) even when they only had a few Outbacks on the lot and had to do a dealer trade to get mine. They also have free loaners for service work and I think sales tax is about 1% less than the King Co. dealers.

Eric

bac4uw

Thanks for your time Juice and Eric... today I ended up buying a Silver 2.5i OB Automatic with the Popular Equipment Group 1 and all-weather floor mats. The sticker price (including destination) is $26,206, and invoice is $24,112. Edmunds TMV for the Seattle, WA area is $24,755 and I bought our car at Carter Subaru in Shoreline for $23,485. I feel like I got a great deal at over $600 under invoice.

Carter provided an excellent buying experience.... my wife and I were in and out within an hour and a half and most of *that* time was spent waiting as the car was washed. I received four quotes through the Edmunds website and Carter blew them all away by about $900. I was very specific with what car I wanted and when I wanted it and the salesman gave (close to) the best price he could. I highly recommend this dealer if you are buying in the Seattle area! (And ask for quotes through Edmunds' site... very helpful.)
-Bryan

sapphireblue

Hi all.

I've recruited price quotes for both the 2005 CR-V and 2005 Outback 2.5i wagon I narrowed my search to. While the Honda is less expensive (and slightly favored by my hubby), the unresolved fire issue is still gnawing at me a bit. They might be proactive down the road, but it's a lot of money to put on the line for a "what-if".

And regardless, I'm getting an increasing "gut" feeling that I should go with the Outback if our finances can swing it. At at this point, my hubby just wants me to make a decision either-way.

Of the 2.5i wagons of interest at Fitzmall and local dealerships (which seem more willing to price-break on existing cars on lots vs. a special order from Subaru) ... some do not have the center armrest extension I want, and I'm also debating adding a cargo tray in the back.

Are there good sources (online or inperson stores) to get Subaru accessories aftermarket at a good price? Or is it better to buy it thru the Subaru dealer (e.g., if the armrest is hard to find aftermarket and/or a pain to install; a cargo tray or all-weather floor mats seem pretty easy to DIY install)? Do adding items aftermarket affect any of the Subaru warranties?

Also...my original color choice (willow green) had a taupe interior. But that exterior seems harder to find. I also like the Atlantic Blue but it comes with an off-black interior. How's that interior as far as heat-retention and/or showing stains?

And is it worth waiting until end of month to see if I can do any better on pricing? Or is Nov. a slower car buying month (with Thanksgiving and pre-end-of-year bonus checks), so a mid-month quote will be competitive?

Thanks for your patience and help as I, a definite budget-conscious detail-nut, near my car buying decision!

-sb