Subaru Crew - Dealers & Pricing

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Comments

  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Woops, that title should have been Frank (p0926) & James (nypdau). Copy & paste buffoonery.

    ..Mike

  • debrdebr Member Posts: 1
    I'm just beginning my quest for a 2001 Forester. the local dealer, Muscatell Subaru, in Moorhead Mn, doesn't seem to want to deal, at all. Won't be buying from him. I live right on the ND/MN line, in Fargo, ND. Would love any advice that comes my way. Don't mind traveling to pick up my vehicle. Please e-mail, as well as posting here! Am looking forward to spending more time here, to gain more info on a great vehicle!
    Deb (Dhelynn@Aol.com)
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    My daughter is about to buy a 2001 Outback and is looking for someone near Sudbury who's fair.

    She has been told all area dealers are surcharged $500 from "the local distributor". Has anyone heard of this before? She is ready to purchase NOW so any help would be gratefully appreciated!

    The wagon she wants is with automatic, upgraded speakers, auto dimming mirror, winter package and a chrome tailgate bar. A dealer has quoted $23611 before title and tax.

    Thanks,

    Don
  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
    Don,

    if your daughter doesn't mind a little ride, you might send her West on the Pike about 20 miles or so. I just closed on a Forester and got a very aggressive deal (w/o any aggravation) at Tri-State Subaru in Webster (Pike to I-395S). Patrick (Worcester) is supposed to be aggressive on price and were eager to deal but seemed to want to grind, & I wasn't interested in that unless I had to. Natick Subaru (Rte 9) has a good reputation, but I couldn't get anyone to pay attention to me. All three had lots of OBs sitting on their lot, and the end of the month is coming, sooo....

    Good luck. Hope my experience is of some help.

    Take care.
    Joe W>
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    Joe,

    Thanks so much for your comments. I'll pass them along in the morning!

    Don
  • kygrandmakygrandma Member Posts: 3
    I am looking to buy a new Forester. I can't find any dealer that has the gold with S pkg. Anyone seen the gold w/titanium pearl? Is the combination not good or what? Also, has anyone had the limited slip differential - any problems or comments on its value in the snow? Thanks...
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    kygrandma- Have you used Subaru's dealer search function? (www.subaru.com). It's quite handy in locating Subaru dealers near you and can be expanded incrementally until it eventually encompasses the entire country. Most dealers listed have their current inventory posted so you can search for your model and color. Even if the nearest one is 500 miles away, there's a good chance your local dealer can do a dealer trade to get it for you. If there's not a Gold Forester S to be found, you can always factory order one to your exact specifications. Normal delivery time is approx 6-8 weeks. No problems with my Forester's LSD and it should come in especially handy in the snow!

    Good luck with your purchase and keep us posted.

    -Frank P.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I also haven't heard of any problems with the rear LSD and it's just that much better in the snow. It transfers power side to side on the rear axle under slippery conditions.

    -juice
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    Joe,

    As a follow-up, my daughter purchased her Outback from Natick Subaru this afternoon. After comparing prices at three dealers (thanks to you) Natick was best and she and her husband thought the salesperson was very good! Her blue Outback is due to arrive this week.

    I really appreciate your helping a father "look good" to his daughter!

    Don
  • mendelsohnmendelsohn Member Posts: 3
    I think the Boston area dealers that are saying there is a $500 additional charge are full of it. Just find a dealer that doesn't give you that line. If you don't mind driving a bit, check out Manchester or Concord NH Subaru dealer. Or pick up the Boston Sunday Globe. Most dealers are have adds in there and you can get an idea of how they price their cars from the ads.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ross: nice photos, especially the muddy tires!

    Don: so how many Soobs is that in the family now?

    -juice
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    Alas, only three Subarus in the family. Other cars owned by the kids (4) and their spouses are: 2 Hondas, 2 Jettas, 2 Jeep Cherokees, and a 323i BMW!

    I'll keep trying!

    Don
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hmm, it's hard to convert Honda owners, and VW owners are also pretty loyal. The Jeep owners could convert if you keep mentioning gas prices. ;)

    The Bimmer owner will have to wait until the GT gets a more powerful engine. 2002?

    -juice
  • tlbistlbis Member Posts: 25
    All the web sites list Freight as $495. Anyone hear of Subaru of N.E. charging $550 to their dealers? Don, what did your daughter pay for freight?
  • t4dt4d Member Posts: 5
    I havn't seen it mentioned, so I'll ask here...
    Does Subaru ever have a sale, offer rebates or low interest financing? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I haven't bought a car in about ten years. :)
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    Tom,

    My daughter paid $550 for delivery. She purchased from Natick Subaru. Their charge was the same as one quoted from Subaru of New England (Arlington).

    Don
  • barresa11barresa11 Member Posts: 277
    I've seen in the Puget Sound region (Seattle area) 4.9% financing on Legacy's & OB's advertised on TV for a couple of weeks now. I'm not sure if this is nationwide or not but it shows that SOA does offer low financing. Hope this helps.

    Stephen
  • yellowbikedonyellowbikedon Member Posts: 228
    Subaru is offering the 4.9% rate for 24 months on 2000 Outbacks and Legacy. The "Limited" model is excluded. Of course, creditworthiness of customers is determined by Subaru American Credit. Customers must take delivery from dealer stock by 10/31/00.

    This information was in an ad today in the Chicago Tribune.

    Don
  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
    tlbis, you'll notice that the msrp as well as the delivery is a little different (more) in NE. That's because the cars don't come from soa but from Subaru of New England, owned by the Boch brothers ("Come on down!!!")

    The $550 figure is consistent.

    If you'd like more info, and another web site, try www.sne1.com They have a neat vehicle finder that you can use to locate the color and features you're looking for by model. Kind of fun.

    Don, glad your daughter had things work out well! It's odd. So many people claim to have a good experience at Natick -- in my case the salesman told me he "didin't have anything in that would be what I wanted." I was asking about Foresters. So of course I went elsewhere. Weird.

    TAke care.
    Joe W>
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ted: that's actually a smart question. Automotive News lists rebates for 2000 Legacys and for 2000 Imprezas at $0-500. They're regional and the amount depends on quotas, but don't be surprised to find some 2000 models below invoice.

    And yes, they list a 4.9-6.9% financing, but that's in lieu of the rebates. They also say it expires 10/31.

    If you really get the runaround, consider taking a train down the the DC area and then driving back. This dealer has no-haggle on-line prices:

    http://www.fitzgeraldautomall.com/

    And the 2001s are offered for $100 under invoice. No 2000s left, it appears.

    -juice
  • natescapenatescape Member Posts: 176
    I haven't bought my Forester yet (will be early 2001 when I get it), but I have taken several test drives and really enjoyed the service at Metro Subaru in Somerset, MA.

    I asked and they don't like to haggle. When I was talking to the salesperson, I mentioned that I'd like to pay 1-2% over invoice and she said that would be OK.

    I also took heart in the fact that when I was there last time (and they gave me the keys to a sweet S Premium and said "Have fun, see ya in a couple of hours"), there was a guy from Vermont there buying an Outback. He came down to Somerset (way down between Providence, RI and Fall River) to get it because of the price and comfort with the dealer.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I hate it when the salespeople want to come with you. You really can't evaluate the car - they talk too much!

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    When my buddy and I test drove a rodeo in DE, we went for a 1 hr test drive with him. My buddy was driving and the guy fell asleep in the back seat. Then we switched drivers, you should have seen his face when he woke up to me driving @ 95+ mph. In the beginning he said "Go as fast as you want, just be careful of the cops" he was regretting that he said that afterward...

    -mike
  • siennysienny Member Posts: 5
    Edmunds dealer holdback explanation page says that the holdback for Subaru dealers is 3% but when I check the specs on the Forrester SUV it says the holdback is 2% under the pricing section. Does anyone know which is correct for the Forrester?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I believe it used to be 2%, and changed to 3% for the 2000 model year.

    Still, it's smart to mention, but no dealer is going to give away much of that - it's their only profit at invoice pricing.

    Let us know what region you're in and folks here can provide references, if you'd like.

    -juice
  • jaymoosejaymoose Member Posts: 14
    I've been 'lurking' around the Edmunds Subaru forums for a few weeks while doing research on our next car--a 2001 OB Ltd. I finally took the plunge (thanks to all the great advice and chat here!) on Tuesday and ordered one ($500 over invoice...seemed to be the going rate around here). Today the dealer called to tell me that they would be unable to provide me with a port-installed trailer hitch--they're supposedly "out of stock" with no estimate of when the hitches would be in...but she definitely left me with the impression that it would be more than a week or two. I find this odd because I don't think of a hitch as being high-tech or having a long lead time to manufacture. Incidentally she also told me that the rear gate bar I had also requested, another "port installed option", was also not available. OK, I can live without the rear gate bar, but not without a trailer hitch.

    For a number of reasons, I'd prefer the port installed hitch to an aftermarket hitch, so I'm a bit frustrated about this news.

    Have any of you experienced this sort of shortage or do you have any idea about how long it's likely to last? ...or perhaps you have a hint about someone to talk to to get the "real story" (SOA had gone home today (Friday) by the time I got the word.) I'm inclined to think the dealer gave me accurate information, though they may not have pressed their sources too hard for additional information (i.e. "the last time you ran out, how long did it take to get 'em back in stock?")

    Thanks to all of you for all the information you provide. My wife and I are looking forward to joining the ranks of the Subaru Owner.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Jay: drop an e-mail to Darlene to get a 2nd opinion on the hitch availability. She may even have one spare in stock.

    Installation on the Outback is actually easier than on my Forester, since you don't have to drop the exhaust. A good torque wrench, some leverage, and you can do this job yourself.

    They're huge and heavy, so I can see how they'd take a while to ship them.

    As for timing, if it's in stock the parts I order from QSubaru arrive 2-3 days later. Out of stock usually takes 2-3 weeks, rarely more, but that's Subaru in Japan's hold up, not hers.

    If the dealer is giving you the runaround, just order from Darlene. Even if she takes longer, she will keep you informed. Make sure you get reimbursed for it, though.

    Finally, I've found that almost every bolt comes over-torqued, so I feel better when I do things myself.

    -juice
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    jaymoose- Congratulations on the new ride!

    I believe that some others here have also experienced out of stock conditions for port-installed items. I personally think that this is a consequence of the wildly popular "just-in-time" inventory management philosophy, which works fine until someone makes a wrong estimate about the demand for a given item.

    In any case, if you take delivery without the item, make sure the dealer agrees in writing to install at a latter date and to eat the installation charges.

    -Frank P.
  • dalelynndalelynn Member Posts: 28
    Jay: My Forester S Premium has also been sent without the trailer hitch which I ordered port installed. If you don't mind sharing, I'm curious: what are your reasons for preferring a port installed hitch over your dealer putting it on?

    Juice: Thanks for the info re the trailer hitch in "modifications".
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Dealer, port, or DIY (do-it-yourself), it should make no difference so long as you use a torque wrench.

    I've actually experience badly over-torqued bolts, so don't assume you wouldn't do a job just as good or better.

    -juice
  • jaymoosejaymoose Member Posts: 14
    Thanks for the very helpful pointers. I've done a bit more research over the weekend and I see that port-installed vs. Dealer or do-it-yourself aftermarket may be a wash, except having it installed upon delivery will mean one less thing for me to worry about in the future :-). The dealer suggested that, were he to install one, I would be charged more ($325 vs about $200) than if Subaru put it on. I've now been in touch with a very nice rep at Subaru of America (Tom Salvnio) who is looking into the problem from his end. He tells me that in the worst case, SoA would ship the hitch to the dealer when available and SoA/the dealer would work it out so I'm charged the same. Haven't talked to the dealer about that yet.

    I'm fairly convinced that if I go the aftermarket route, I can install the hitch without difficulty, and not having a turbocharged air wrench will only be a plus. The instructions at (for instance) www.hiddenhitch.com appear to be comprehensive. No hitches listed for 2001's yet though.

    --Jay
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I put one on my Trooper for less than 1/2 of what the PIO one would have cost me. Also took 1/2hr to install. I too wanted one from the dealer/PIO, but was glad I did it myself.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Jay: sounds good, just get it in writing. Don't want the dealer asking for an extra $125 when you pick it up.

    paisan: I imagine with the Trooper the frame is easier to access. Heck, you probably didn't need ramps! :o)

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    We don't need no stinking ramps!

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You'd find the ramps BugBomb is making hilarious. He's got a lowered RS, so he's custom building an enormous set so he can get under there.

    I have regular ramps, which are handy. They work for both our vehicles.

    Heck, you can probably change your oil by just leaning over a tad! :)

    -juice
  • wjpresswjpress Member Posts: 9
    Hello all.

    I have a '93 Legacy L wagon, which unfortunately, is among the cars for which Edmunds lists "insufficient data" in terms of used car pricing. I am considering selling my car to a family member and am trying to find a fair price. In checking the Kelly Blue Book site, there is a range from around $2200 trade-in to $4600 retail.

    The car has 126k miles, 5 spd., FWD, interior in excellent condition, exterior in good condition, mechanically sound, etc.

    If any of you have experience in this area or an estimate on a fair price, it would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks.

    Bill
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    KBB is usually pretty on target, with variations occuring by region.

    Since it's a family member, I'd ask for the wholesale price of $2200, especially given the very high mileage.

    On the open market, I'd ask for $3500/obo, and settle for $2500 or better.

    -juice
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    That would be $3500. Highly inappropriate on an older vehicle.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'd say about 4 cents a mile.

    In reality, though, once mileage is that high, the condition of the car will determine everything. If it's clean and in good shape, has new timing belts and a fresh tune-up, then you're good to go.

    If it's a beater full of dents and some rust, I'd give it to charity and take the tax deduction! :o)

    -juice
  • wmiller4wmiller4 Member Posts: 97
    I agree that KBB seems to favor the dealer with under valued trade-in prices and slightly inflated retail prices. I would and do use NADA.
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    The one time that KBB comes in handy is when you donate a car to charity. They use Kelly's as a guideline for what you can write the car off for. This really comes in handy for a tax write off. That is what I did with my old Honda when I bought the Outback.
    Mark
  • jaymoosejaymoose Member Posts: 14
    When I last posted, the nice gentleman at SOA, Tom Salvino, told me that the hitch and gate bar I was seeking were both in stock. Today, I went back to my dealer (Curry Ford/Subaru, Yorktown Heights NY) and talked with the sales manager. She again told me that she had been told that no cars were being shipped with hitches or gate bars. While I was in her office, she called the Vehicle Processing Office at the port (Boston). Their story was that the gate bars were now subject to recall(!), and that the trailer hitches, which were in fact in stock, were suspected of having bad welds, so until they could be inspected, none were being installed for the safety of the consumer.

    My dealer wasn't going to do the "pay the same as if port installed but we'll do it later" trick on the hitch... in fact she said she'd never installed, or brokered the installation of a trailer hitch in the 4 years she had been at the dealership. "People who want them go to U-haul", she said.

    Subsequently, while still in the office, she called someone else and it appears I *may* be able to get a gate bar after all.

    I'm going to take delivery of the car and go find my own aftermarket hitch. It is a bit beyond me how this story should have so much variability in it. The good news is that I expect to be highly satisfied when the car arrives, which I'm told might be soon.

    --Jay
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Recall??? Not!!! The Boston Port may have some bad information. Call Tom again at your convenience. Tell him you are a friend of mine from Edmunds and we'll see what we can do.

    Tom is a great guy and I'm sure we can straighten this out!
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Bob, That's a nice letter to perspective dealers, thanks for sharing it. Glad we were able to help you.

    And by "we" I definitely don't mean "me" as I have limited Forester knowledge -- I mean the cadre of enthusiasts that take the time to help others out. Hats off to everyone who contributes!

    I know how you feel about the wait on an order; no matter how short or long, it is interminable! Once you've got it, please come back and share with us your likes/dislikes.

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The wife and I just got back from Fitzgerld's Subaru in Rockville Maryland, with our new white S Premium in hand.

    I have to say, that while I'm a car nut, I hate the process of buying cars. My wife hates it even more than I do. Linda Addison, our sales rep, made the process as easy and painless as possible. It was actually enjoyable!

    Bob
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Congrats, Bob. You shoulda called me up & we could've had lunch (not in the Forester, though). ;)

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • wjpresswjpress Member Posts: 9
    I checked NADA's web site as well as KBB to get an average asking price for my '93 Legacy. Here in Baltimore, I have seen comparable models in the paper for $3300 to $4000. As for a mileage adjustment, Edmunds suggests .06/mile > 109,800. So, with 126k miles, I am looking at deducting approx. $975. Not too bad really.

    Thanks all for your suggestions.

    Bill
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Thanks.

    Unfortunately the wife and daughter are off to NC tomorrow. I'm already in withdrawal.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Probably some Marketing Mumbo Jumbo... I'm sick of manufacturers making everything into some marketing BS!

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Patti: thanks for clearing up the hitch non-recall, I have one so I was concerned!

    Rob Roy owns a Forester! YEAH Bay-bee! Congrats Bob.

    The other Bob, too. Or at least your wife! If you can bring both to Fall Folliage, let Garry know, we're kind of close on the head count, and he might cancel.

    paisan: the package names are kind of silly, but at least you get them cheaper as a group, if that's what you want.

    -juice
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