Subaru Crew - Dealers & Pricing

mtnshopper

Not in my case. I have never had any allergies to pollens. Although I've heard adults can develop them at any time. But this doesn't appear to be pollen related.
Becky

kens

Patti -- Dealer surveys can be tough to get accurate data. You may cause the dealer to try and manipulate the results if you make the incentives too great. Case and point: Volkswagen. They must have some significant reward for dealers that score high on customer satisfaction ratings. My wife drives a VW and whenever we get service on the vehicle, the service folks try and "coach" us to give them the highest ratings. If there is anything below the highest score, they want to know about it and correct it before the survey goes from us back to corporate headquarters.

Becky -- Allergies are tough to nail down. You can be fine for all your life and then suddenly develop a response to a specific substance. Allergies to cleaning substances are not uncommon. I know someone who is allergic to the detergents used to wash certain vegtables. I hope you can isolate what the cause is.

Ken

ateixeira

Just drive around with the windows open as often as you can to let it air out. The smell doesn't last that long - they say new car smell is the most expensive smell in the world!

-juice

pattim3

Yup, you've pegged it. We have had some dealers try to get positive responses by offering to "review" the survey's. The counter point that they make is that they are trying to find out about problems and make them "right" for their customers and I can't fault them for trying to do that. That is one reason we don't want to tie in $$$$'s to scores. It would really skew the results. I would say that MOST of our dealers are concerned for continued satisfaction and real results that they can use to improve their processes. It's weeding out the less honorable one's that is the challenge.

Patti

potenzaus

If my order for a WRX was placed on April 9,2001, what approximate date I will be looking to pick up the car? I'm in Bay area CA.

Is SOA already aware of the Check Engine Light coming on to some of the new WRX? Are there any solutions in sight?

Thanks.

p0926

Becky- My wife will be the first to tell you that you can develop allergies well into adulthood. She didn't have any allergies until her mid 20s. When she first started having problems was while driving thru Wyoming of all places! Now a number of years latter (never mind how many), she pretty much is confined indoors during the spring pollen season (even with Zyrtec).

-Frank P.

pattim3

Good Morning. Allocations can be tricky. If you call us, we can check on your order and see if we have some idea on when you can expect delivery. Make sure you have your dealer name, etc. to give to the Rep.

The check engine light can happen for any number of reasons, but usually it's just a code signaling the computer that there might be an emissions concern (loose gas cap, loose hose connection, or an ECU that is getting an incorrect signal). We track reasons for them via the codes the dealer gets. All dealers have to report what they find with new models and we then gather the data and let the dealers know what to check.

If the car is performing okay, it is usually something very minor.

Hope this helps.

Patti

brekke

I think I will be buying sooner than I thought. I wanted to test drive an OBS near me this week and I may as well listen to their number. SI is my backup. Can you give me an idea of what is a good number, ie. $400 over invoice? If they are way off my next stop is SI.

If this is inappropriate here please email me squirtonline@usa.com

Thanks.

-Caroline

paisan

Do me a favor and e-mail me the exact specific options you want. I'll have my guy run the #s for you and get you a price.

-mike

bluesubie

Shoot for ~$250 over invoice. IIRC, that's Flemington NJ's internet price (unadvertised). Let me know if you need names.

Dennis

brekke

thanks Dennis, Paisan. $250 over invoice would make me happy.

Paisan, email sent.

brekke

I just received an email from subaruparts.com that confirmed they accept the coupons from the subaru mastercard.

Having never bought a new car before, will a dealer allow me to put a sizable amount on a credit card, or do they require a check?

Caroline

ateixeira

Some dealers I've talked to take any kind of money - cash, credit, check, you name it.

If you have the cash in the bank, charge as much as you can, just be sure to pay it off.

-juice

kate5000

Unfortunately, here in CA most dealers don't take credit cards. Well, if you keep on nagging they can take $1-2K from the credit card, but the rest should be check/cash or loan papers.

If anyone knows about a dealer in CA who can charge the whole car to the credit card, let me know ASAP! I may be able to hypnotize my husband into thinking that buying WRX will actually save us money, in terms of Subaru coupons!

dannyka

ateixeira

That's hilarious, Kate.

-juice

thors_hammer

There is an ~ 3% charge to the dealer on credit card purchases, so it's not suprising that dealers won't accept them for car buying.

-Bryan

sweeneyjoe

I just got back from the dealer and put down my deposit on a white 2001 Forester S+. Got it with a few options for $560 below invoice from Moe at Major Subaru in Queens, NYC. It seems a number of dealers in NYC are trying to unload them for invoice or below (just in case anyone is looking for one in the tri-state area)before the banks hit them up for next month's financing. If you do look in this area, check out Manfredi Subaru in Brooklyn who advertised 2001 Forester S+ with options for $22,995 in Monday's Daily News. Then shop around and mention the ad. I found other dealers who were willing to deal down close to or below invoice. Now appears to be a good time to buy, especially with the low finance rates.

texbean

Anyone have any experience with Central Subaru in Plano, Texas? They seem kinda small and cramped, but it's the closest Subie dealer to me by 30+ miles, so I would like to buy from them. When I visited, I didn't get a real good feeling from the sales staff (they're also a Kia dealer and tried to steer me over there), but I'm going tomorrow to drive an Outback and Forester and make a deal if I can. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Larry

rsholland

in Silver Spring MD. is now listing "internet discount" pricing on their Subarus. I haven't cross-shopped their prices against Fitzgerald, but at a glance, their prices seem pretty comparable.

Find the vehicle you're interested in, click on the link, and it will give you the vin#, and options. The price shown is already discounted. You don't see the MSRP or invoice price, like you do with the Fitzgerald site.

Bet competition from Fitzgerald forced Tischer to list their inventory and bottom-line prices. The customer benefits again.

Bob

http://www.mileone.com/Subaru/Tischer/inventory_new.htm

rsholland

I did just cross-shop a WRX from Tischer & Fitzgerald, and, while I couldn't find an exact comparison from an equipment standpoint, it appears Fitzgeralds still has the edge from a pricing standpoint.

Of course, if you're talking trade-ins, then it may(?) be different.

Bob

paisan

You'll still get aprox $0 for your Exploder! haaaaaaaaa! J/K

-mike

PS: Couldn't resist.

ateixeira

Joe: congrats. You've been around for a while, so I take it your decision was well thought out.

Good to see more dealers offering no-nonsense pricing.

-juice

texsubaru

Can't really help you since my Forester shopping took me no farther up I-35 than Waco. The fact that they tried to steer you toward a Kia (Sportage, I assume?) is kind of off-putting, though, isn't it?
The place I take my Forester for maintenance is a combo Subaru/Hyundai dealership, which I used to see as unlikely to cause any conflicts, but now that the Hyundai Santa Fe is on the market, I am curious about how the dealership's salespeople handle folks cross-shopping the Santa Fe and Forester ...

natescape

Sadly, I have to part with my beloved 6-month old baby Forester S Premium. Pix and details at http://www.natescape.com/subaru

It saddens me to have to sell her, but we really can't afford her. I'd like to find her a good home, so please spread the word if you know anyone who will tak good care of her...

kate5000

It breaks my heart to see that black beauty going away... Maybe you can work with the lender, to see if they can restructure your car loan?

natescape

My loan is at 6.75%. Can't get much better than that.

I'm in the market for a TDI VW. I have a LONG commute, and the TDI gets 45MPG (and diesel could be as much as $1/gallon cheaper this summer).

Basically, I realized I CAN make the payments on the Forester, but I shouldn't. I have other debts to pay, other fiscal priorities that took a back seat so I could drive my dream car. It was a blast, but I gotta get back to reality...

p0926

Nate- Don't do it!!!! Maybe we can take up a collection to help you out...

natescape

If you guys wanna give me the $$, I'd be glad to keep it. I LOVE driving it.

kate5000

Edmunds lists invoice $975 for leather option in S+ ; but I recall it was published somewhere that leather will only add $700 to Premium package... anyone knows what the real deal is?

kate5000

are you sure that VW TDi will really save you money? You're going to take some loss when selling Forester, and then there's always TTL expense on the top of the purchase price of any new vehicle. And the newer vehicle is, the more expensive insurance. Add to this that VW has shorter warranty, and worse reliability record. Between all these factors, you may actually save $$$ by holding on to the Forester.

bluesubie

How about refinancing for a longer term?
Dennis

p0926

Dennis- I read recently that refinancing isn't really a viable option with cars. This is because the lender will consider the vehicle to be used and will therefore offer higher rates and shorter terms than you could get for a new car.

-Frank P.

natescape

I came to an agreement on a 1996 Passat TDI today. $8,500. I need to sell my Forester now.

It will definitely be cheaper in the long run, especially if gas prices take off. The TDI gets 42-50 MPG, and diesel fuel will probably be much cheaper this summer (no MBTE). Nevermind that I'll save several hundred per month on payments, have them done in 3 years, have lower insurance, and pay lower excise tax...

So, who wants to buy my Forester?

ateixeira

Diesel does cost less now, but usually it costs more than regular gas. At least it fluctuates less than oil prices. Long-term it may save you a little, but I'd expect about 35 real-world mpg.

One good thing about that Passat is it has an 18 gallon gas tank, so range is unbelievable. I don't think the 10 year powertrain warranty is transferable, so make sure you keep it well serviced.

Fiscal realities can be brutal. Maybe down the road you'll pick up another Subie. Good luck selling (I already have one!).

-juice

subearu

Diesel blends don't have to vary as much as the normal unleaded blends do for a region (per the EPA). Diesel here in SE WI is about 1.639, while 87 unleaded starts at 1.939. 93 unleaded is about $2.119.

I think we all hope you'll pick up another Subie some day.

-Brian

francophile

I don't know if it will change the price, but there are some sweeping changes coming through the US diesel industry in the next few years, among which will be a dramatic decrease in the sulfur content of the fuel. This has to happen so that the mandated engine emissions controls can work. (Yay! No more choking on diesel fumes!)

If I were considering a diesel vehicle I'd probably spend some time researching what's coming. Maybe the EPA has something on their web site.

Cheers,
-wdb

ateixeira

Well, for $8500 it can't be much of a mistake even if the fuel prices to shoot up.

How did it drive, though? Those things have something like 90hp, right?

-juice

natescape

It has 90 HP, but also 149 lbs of torque at 1900 RPMs. In other words, it isn't a burner, but it has lots of POWER (no downshifting to accellerate, etc). After I do a simple modification (adding an Upsolute chip), it will jump to 110 hp and 195 lbs of torque at 1900 RPMs. And it'll still give me 42-50 MPG! It doesn't have a great 0-60 time, but it's EXCELLENT at the more useful at picking up passing speed without making your revs shoot up.

Check out this page for a quick intro - http://members.aol.com/StealthTDI/BestofBothWorlds.html

I'll definitely be in the market for another Subaru in the future. My plan is this: buy the TDI (for $8,500), pay off my wife's Elantra wagon, and drive both until we can buy a car with cash someday in the future. We both LOVE the Forester, and my wife really, really likes the Outback. So, in a few years, we'll definitely be looking at the Outback or (*crossing my fingers*) Grand Forester.

Diesel fuel at the moment is cheaper, and tends to be in the same range as gasoline. Where I'll realize the big savings is in the MPG and in the car payments ($250 as opposed to $421). If diesel stays cheap this summer and gas takes off, my savings will be magnified. The EPA thing would be GREAT! Diesels are already way cleaner than gassers (overall), and if you clean up the fuel, my environmental impact will drop even more! Diesel fuel would have to nearly be double gas prices to make up for the nearly 2x fuel economy I'll get with it.

Figure 650 miles per week commuting. That's 27 gallons in the Forester and 14.4 gallons in the TDI. 27 gallons x $1.80 = $48.60. 14.4 gallons x $1.50 = $21.60 (those are the rough prices I've been seeing). Multiply that by 50 weeks of commuting, and that's $1,350 savings over a year.

If I could have found a TDI Passat wagon (insanely rare), I could have an even bigger range. It has an additional 6 gallon tank, so it has a theoretical 1102 mile range (24.5 x 45 MPG). The sedan I'll be getting should have an 830 mile range (18.5 * 45). That's one fill up per week, instead of a fill up every other day in the Forester! Wahoooooo.

ateixeira

45mpg may be a little optimistic, but I'm sure you'll see 40mpg at least once in a while.

Man, you drive a lot of miles!

-juice

ateixeira

Cool. See you at the gas station, then.

I mean, maybe not!

-juice

natescape

I'll beep, wave, and giggle as I drive past... ;-)

Of course, I still have to sell my Forester before I buy the TDI.

bobo39

Can anyone recommend a trustworthy Subaru dealer in the Twin Cities area? and perhaps with a great shop to boot?

The last car I bought new ('92 Nissan Sentra), was such a terrible experience that I vowed to drive it til the wheels fell off. Well, the recent hail damage totalled it, so here I am driving my back up vehicle ('72 Chevy 1/2 ton, that should be retired soon) and looking seriously at the Forester S+ as something carlike, yet having the ability to carry or tow (I Like the cargo space and towing ability of the Forester, but the heated seats, should be sold as a standard feature in this climate).

I also have friends that are also looking at the Forester, anybody know if Subaru offers volume discounts?

All help greatly appreciated,
Bobo39

cwaligora

I just ordered my Impreza WRX sedan last week, and would like to share the deal I got since I couldn’t have gotten it without the help of others on the web. I live in the Detroit, MI area, where the dealers have told me they have colluded to not sell below MSRP. These dealers include all of southeastern Michigan and Toledo, OH. This is not an attack on these dealers. They were mostly very friendly and helpful. And if they can sell all their allotment of cars at MSRP, then that’s just economics. I will however remember the attitude of some of these dealers concerning their position on the price fixing situation when it comes time for me to purchase another vehicle.

I first went to Livonia Subaru because they were the closest (I live in the downriver community of Trenton). I had heard about problems other people I know have had there. But the next closest dealers were a lot farther away. The salesperson and a person claiming to be the sales manager both told me that they don’t have any prices for vehicles or options. They learn the prices when the vehicles come in, and there is no ordering. They would give me a call when one comes in in the color I wanted, and would let me know what price and options the car carried. I haven’t heard from them since.

I called Suburban Subaru in Troy next. I talked to a salesman named Reggie who told me that the agreement between the dealers was for $2500 over MSRP, but he would be willing to come down to $1500 over MSRP. I called this dealership back a few weeks later and got an at MSRP price from Joe Mickle. Dwyer & Sons Subaru in Commerce is also sticking to MSRP.

Chuck Modrack at Hodges Imported Cars in Ferndale will work with you to get the price down a little. I will be going there for service when the need arises. He also has WRX wagons to test drive.

The only dealership in the area with a WRX 5-speed sedan to test drive is Ann Arbor Subaru. The salesperson there was Eric Anderson. He is also sticking to MSRP. Don’t go there soon after it rains because their gravel lot will have enormous puddles making it difficult to walk around the car. Thank you “klkrause” for informing me about this dealership.

Also, thank you “scuby” for informing me about Williams Auto World in Lansing and Bob Landowski at Thelen Subaru in Bay City. They were both very friendly and knowledgeable, but would not go below MSRP. The same goes for Stosh at Yark Subaru in Toledo, OH.

The closest place to the Detroit area for a good deal is about 300 miles away at Van Bortel Subaru near Rochester, NY (800)724-8872. Thank you “ottos” for referring me to this dealership. My contact there was Diana Lee. They will sell at $400 over invoice, and even pick you up at the bus station when you come to pick up your car. They will charge you 30% over invoice for each option though, and $900 for the gauge pack installed which will negate the reason for going there when you include your time and travel expenses (10 hour bus ride at $62). So a car with few or no options is your best bet at this place.

Thank you “wrxanswers” for the Evansville, IN lead, although they couldn’t give me my best deal. I was actually able to get my best deal at two dealerships.

Bill Blumenfeld at the Fitzgerald Auto Mall (800)876-3748 in Rockville, MD (suburban Washington, DC) gave me my best deal. He offered me the car and the options at a flat $500 over their total invoice price. He also offered the gauge pack at the usual $638 plus only $106 labor. These are his everyday no haggle prices.

Upon being notified of the deal I got at Fitzgerald, Bob Roles at Parkway Subaru (877)728-3293 in Peoria, IL matched the price. Thank you Dan Ponze from i-club for the reference. With Peoria being half the airfare and over 100 miles closer, I went with this deal. I figure this deal will cost me over $1800 less than ordering it locally with the options I want. I will just take US 24 home at a break-in pace.

Please feel free to mention you got your information from Chris Waligora in Detroit, MI when calling any of these dealers. My out the door price for the black 5-speed WRX sedan including options (armrest extension, air filtration, security system, premium sound package 1 and rear spoiler) was $23,849 plus $744 for the gauge pack (parts and labor) and $10 for a temporary tag for a grand total of $24,603. I will also have to pay Michigan sales tax (6%) when I register it, which brings my total outlay to $26,068 plus $10 for the temporary tag, plus whatever title and plate are going to cost.

cwaligora

Sorry about the codes where the apostrophes and quotes should be. I don't know what happened.

paisan

Anyone on the eastern seaboard know of a dealer with the following car:

2001 2.5RS Coupe in Silver with a 5-speed?

My buddy who is a subaru salesman wants to buy one for himself, but all his dealer searches show up as none being available on several cars, but when he spoke with some dealers, they actually have cars that the search says they don't have. So I need your help to see if your dealer has an '01 silver coupe 5-speed.

-mike

bigfrank3

When I tried to use Word to spell check I got the same thing.

Very thorough shopping by-the-way. Congratulations and enjoy!

Regards,
Frank

bluesubie

Maybe SoA could do a search.

Dennis

bruticus

cwaligora, when you made the same exact post in the Subaru WRX forum everything came out correctly. Did you do that one first and then copy/paste here?

DjB

p0926

is one of the "bugs" that we are forced to endure with the Town Hall's new software, which only recognizes ASCII text. The "&#8221" occurs when you compose a post in Microsoft Word (or similar type program) and then paste it here. The only way to avoid it is to compose your post here or use your computer's notepad. You can then cut & paste to your word processing program to run spell check (which you will want to do anyway since Edmund's spellchecker sucks). Just remember that quotes and apostrophes can only be added here. Hope this helps.

-Frank P.