Subaru Crew - Dealers & Pricing

cwaligora

My message came out bad because I copied and pasted from a word processing program. I corrected this in the other forum by deleting and retyping all the quotaton marks and apostrophes before posting.

wmiller4

Could you give me any information you have on William Auto World in Lansing?
Were they willing to deal? Any salesman recommendations?
If you want please email me at billmiller@vistainfo.com. I will be buying an Outback
later this year and I live very near Lansing, Mi. I will be trying Williams first. Any
information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

jay_24

Brian,

I found White Bear Subaru/Accura to be OK. Look up Erik Peterson. He was the sales guy I worked with. Its a Rudy Luther dealship so you can brouse many of their cars over the web. So far I've been treated well. I'm taking my wagon in for an oil change next week and to have the speedometer checked. This will be the first real expeerience with the service dept. They tell me I'll get a free loaner for the day too.

Can't believe I just recomended a car salesman. He must have done something right, or I just like my subaru too much!

cwaligora

To wmiller4: I got my information about Williams Auto World in Lansing from a person called "scuby" on the Subaru Impreza WRX (Sedans)forum (posting #1420-4/20/2001). I can't remember who I talked to. He was very friendly, but would not go below MSRP on a WRX.

To all: I started a thread on the i-club titled "My Best Deal(s)" in the WRX Non-Technical forum. I wish I had done this before I ordered because I got information about better deals than I got. Like Calkins Subaru near Lewiston, PA (central) for $300 over invoice (invoice of car + invoice of options + $300) and $250 over invoice at Farrish in Fairfax, VA and Tischner in Rockville, MD. I couldn't get a price that was nearly this low at Tischner when I called. I learned they may be under new management. I will attempt a link to my thread, but it may not work because I have never tried this before. Good luck. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/Forum28/HTML/003724.html

theob

Does anyone know how long after you clear each $3333 point until you receive the coupons? I'm itching to spend mine ;-)

On a related note: is it true that Darlene is back in business of supplying parts & accys. at wholesale prices?

Thanks,
Theo

hypov

Theo,
Just cleared $3333 last week - will advise lapse when it comes in.

DavidC

p0926

Theo- The dealership that Darlene works for is trying to work thru some financial difficulties. For over two months she wasn't even allowed to order any Subaru parts. Now the problem is that UPS won't accept any packages for shipment from that dealership until their bill is paid.

On a positive note, Darlene is hoping that UPS will be paid off in the next few weeks so that she can get back into the mail order business. I told her that there are a number of us anxiously waiting to place an order.

Either Juice or myself will keep everyone posted. In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed.

-Frank P.

hammersley

Have her add me to the list of folks waiting to order... seems I could use a couple oil filters... front deflector... where is that wish list???

Cheers!
Paul

bobo39

Mark - Thanks for the tip. We did go to this dealer on a Saturday afternoon, and one of the salesmen leaned against another car and stared at us from 3 feet away the whole time in the showroom (4 salesmen wandering around, looking out the window = no customers but us), while were sitting in the Forester, playing with all the switches, knobs and everything. We did go on a test drive, but my fiance and I were so put off by his behavior, we would have a very hard time going back.

Bobo39

kate5000

Mine used to be coming in about a 1-2 weeks after I paid the balance on last statement. The last coupon came in earlier, after statement arrived but before I paid it off. If only I could charge my mortgage to that Master Card...

brekke

Someone in the passat forum recommended www.carsbuytel.com if you live in the tri-state area. They are located in Long Island City, NY. They listed a WRX wagon MT base price of $21523 and an OBS MT base as $17365. It looks like the options are below invoice as well.

I don't think these prices include the destination charge.

I can't vouch for them myself, but I would say it's worth a call. They claim to be a dealer, not a buying service.

theob

That's the info I was looking for.
Theo

natescape

Picked up the TDI Passat on Sunday and got 43.3 MPG on the way home!

My 2001 Forester S Premium is still for sale at http://natescape.com/subaru if anyone is interested.

tonymitz

I posted this on the WRX (Sedans) forum and got a response that I should also post my message here. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and am really close to getting a WRX. I had been considering the Jetta Wolfsburg but after seeing a dealer's personal WRX with a few options and aftermarket changes (17" tires, rear spoiler, front spoiler, side skirting) I knew I had to get the WRX. Right now the best deal I can get is 6% over invoice on an order. The dealer who quoted me this also said that since they were high volume, supposedly #1 in CA, they could get the car quick where at other places I might have to wait a few months. Does anyone know where I might be able to get a better deal? I would be willing to travel some, even out of the Bay Area, and I can wait a couple months if I knew I was getting the car I wanted. (I think my present car can hold out that long.) Thanks for your help.

Tony

jay_24

Brian,

I got the same "ignored" treatment the first time I visited. I then met Erik Peterson via the web when submitting a question through the Rudy Luther web site. The next time there I was ignored until I asked for Erik, then I got great treatment. I took my OB in for oil change this morning and got red carpet treatment from the service department. They even gave me an Acura Integra as a loaner for the day. (nice car but I'd rather drive a Soob anyday. What's with spinning the wheels on wet roads any way?)

I think this dealer is just trying too hard not to be the typical in your face car sales that so many people dislike.

So if you can give the Whitebear Soob dealer one more shot and ask for Erik by name.

kens

Tony,

Sounds like you contacted Carlsen. Try Santa Cruz Subaru, Marin Subaru, Ron Price (South SF) or Diablo (Walnut Creek). Avoid Stevens Creek -- very sleazy.

Since Carlsen is the largest volume dealer, most of these places are willing to match, if not beat, their prices.

Ken

bobo39

Jay_24 - Thanks for the name. The guy we talked to was Douglas. We were not ignored by him, quite the opposite - we were his only focal point was the problem. He would not stop staring at us.

-Bobo39

ericssubarus

Bobo39.... Eric Peterson here, from White Bear Subaru. You should have asked for me. I don't work on the floor at all (just the Internet). If you're thinking about the Subaru, give me a call and set an appointment. I'll give you the lowest preasure dealership experience of your life. Or check out my website that I've set up to help out my clients at: http://www.ImportWebNews.com .

Sorry about your experience at our dealership.

Eric Peterson

kate5000

also you can try 49ers Subaru dealership up in Angels Camp...

hammersley

Anybody else seen the July issue yet? 5 letters re the WRX regarding availability & marketing...not all favorable! A sample:

"So I headed over to my local dealer, AMD Subaru in North Hampton, NH, to go take one for a ride.

"But AMD quickly quelled my excitement when they told me I had to 'make a commitment to buy' to take it out on the road. Otherwise, they 'would be happy to answer my questions.'

"...I was completely dumbfounded."

Now, I'm not in the market, and I'm 3000 miles from there, but that really frosted me, to think a dealer would do that! If it was me, I would have walked then & there. WRX or not, scarcity notwithstanding, it's no way to treat a customer.

Maybe Patti will see this one too! You go girl!

Cheers!
Paul

lark6

Yes I saw them but didn't pick up the issue just for those. I don't know if I'll ever buy a WRX; I'd love to test drive one but I will not commit to trading in my Forester just for that. This is beginning to remind me of what went on at Mazda dealers when the Miata was first introduced; dealer markups, refusals to deal, refusals to allow test drives. Not what a company with as apparently loyal an ownership base - or one with aspirations to expand that base on GM's shoulders - as Subaru would seem to want.

Ed

hammersley

...pick up the C&D just for the letters... I'm a long-time subscriber. Agree it's not the right way to treat someone you're trying to sell a car to! Yikes!

Cheers!
Paul

pattim3

I'm sure it's being looked into. I'll get a copy and see what I hear. Thanks for the heads up!

Patti

nygreg

Unfortunately, these stories make Subaru look bad. But my experience is that these attitudes are with specific dealerships and even within one dealership dealing with different sales people will bring varying experiences. Dealerships do carry clout, so I am not sure how much pressure SOA can bring to bear. I just walk and go to a better dealer and when the offending one calls me I let him know why he lost the sale. $$ = impact.

Greg

gordonsuby

I've been reading all these posts with amazement. I work in a Subaru/Jaguar showroom so I am encountering availability issues with both the WRX and the X-type Jag. Ultimately, every consumer needs to remember: when doing business with any type of establishment, the consumer is the boss and can fire the sales rep at any time. If you're mistreated -smile -say,"You no longer work for me." -and leave.

-Our dealership does not "charge for test drives", if a car is in stock, it is available to drive(and we have plenty of WRX's in stock) Obviously we go on all test drives to answer questions.
-We do not ignore customers or stare, we engage in conversation, and answer questions.
-We do not pressure, in fact most of our customers do not buy on there first visit.
-We do not price gouge. Unless $200 over invoice(lower on some models) is considered gouging.

And I don't think we are anything special. From what I understand, most dealerships are migrating in such a direction. So if you've been mistreated, continue looking. I'm sure there are pleasant purchase experiences available in every state.

If you wish to call me, I can be reached at (800) 887-7277 x-276

Randy Gordon

p0926

Randy- Too bad every dealership doesn't have those policies (good advertising by the way). Also, I'm not sure I agree with you about other dealerships migrating to the low-pressure sales approach. Fortunately, my local Subaru dealership pretty much practices the same philosophy (even let me test drive multiple vehicles sans salesman). In my case, it made for a pleasant buying experience and now I not only recommend them to others but will probably buy my next vehicle there also.

-Frank P.

pattim3

I visited your dealership a few years ago with your Field Rep. I was very impressed by the folks at Bill Rapp and I continue to have the occasion to speak to Jeff St.Germain in Service.

I think all of your staff is very professional and courteous.

Patti

ateixeira

It was the same way with the Miata, then the New Beetle ($25 grand on E-bay - what was that guy thinking?), then the PT Cruiser, now the WRX.

Let the hype die down. I bought a used Miata with 27k miles for $7800. I'm sure the original owner paid $25k.

-juice

paisan

Is still selling for 2-3K over MSRP and a 9-12 month wait.

-mike

ateixeira

For a Neon-based minivan built in Mexico with 150 horses.

It's cute, but c'mon. Jake (my Chrysler mechanic buddy) says it's hard to work on 'cause there is no room under the hood. So much for it being easy to customize.

-juice

kens

PT Crapper! LOL, Mike.

Ken

boarhog2

I just bought a new 2001 Outback here in the SF bay area. I can honestly say that was the best buying experiences I have ever had at this dealer. I had to buy another car since my Maxima was totaled getting " T boned". I was looking at many different cars VW Passts, Volvos, Hondas, bla, bla, bla. Any ways I just thought i would look at the Subi. I just bought Ford X with a power stroke last year beacuse i do a lot of towing. That was not the best buying experiences I've had, but i have had worst.I wish Subaru made big trucks, i would be standing in line. Any ways I was really concerned about saftey and cost of ownership. I liked everything about the Subaru. I want a WRX but decided my wife did not need 227 hp for dropping the kids off to school. I enjoyed reading the comments made by the Subaru fans on this site which was one of the determing factors of purchase next to the test drive. thanks for help

originalbitman

Another case of bad common sense. I think your wife would have loved the WRX... blowing the doors all of the SUVs on the way to school.

Congrats on the new OB. Carlsen in Redwood City?

bit

p0926

"decided my wife did not need 227 hp for dropping the kids off to school"

Yikes! Talk about sexist. :(O)

FWIW: My wife doesn't need 227 hp either but I'd get her the WRX and then borrow it every chance I got!

-Frank P.

pattim3

Boarhog! I don't know - I'm thinking a WRX is perfect for my husband to drop the kids off at school. He'd suddenly be the "cool" Dad!

If only we had any so I could lease him one. Hopefully I'll be able to in a few months. Time to say goodbye to the '90 Wagon.

Patti

bluesubie

Congrats another mike.

Once when picking up my step-daughter from school, my wife heard some kids say "Cool Outback!". :-)
Dennis

ateixeira

Congrats, mike. We joke that all Subie owners are named Dave, with a few Mikes thrown in.

I think the WRX would be very practical for taking the kids to school - they'd never be late!

-juice

hypov

they could be late for school.
The thrill of the WRX might make Mom or Dad forget 'bout getting the kids to school.

-one of the other Daves

lark6

In my household we refer to the PT Cruiser as the "PT Barnum," as there's a sucker born every minute who'll buy one.

Ed

armac13

I love it. :-)

Ross

lark6

Ross/all: You know how people will dress up their Dodge Ram pickups by putting - I'm not sure how to describe them - blackout covers over their taillights which only allow light to pass through cutouts in the shape of a ram's head? I was behind a PT last night with the same type cutouts over those laughably small taillights, which let out light in the shape of the letters "PT." Tacky. If you're gonna buy one of those why not go the whole nostalgia route and put in blue dots?

Ed (yes, English is my first language)

ateixeira

The PT needs some serious power to match its looks and RWD (or at least AWD).

-juice

paisan

I'd love to see a nice 4-banger or v6 in the PT cruiser with a light car chassis and rwd. That would make it great for towing, and truely bring about it's nature.

-mike

bruticus

...let's delete the ABS and fuel injection to really round out the retro look/feel.

PT was designed to be what it is: a vehicle that is cheap to build and sells like hotcakes, keeping DC dogpaddling the financial waters (not to mention being a great corporate image car and tunermobile)

DC is at least smart enough to know when it has a good thing (unlike, say, GM who killed the GOOD Impala and replaced it with a modern Berreta and is going to kill the Camaro) and isn't going to jeopardize the PT's sales figures. Maybe if sales start to plateau (might happen in, oh, Sept 2002) DC will shake the Etch-a-Sketch of design a little.

DjB

paisan

Just found out today in the middle east they sell the Holden Comodore as a Chevy Impala SS. Very nice car, they should do that here.

-mike

ateixeira

Big block and a 6-speed, right?

The PT is a marketing success, but I'd stop short of calling it a real tuner car because of poor engine bay access and the general lack of room under the hood.

It'll be customized like no other car ever has, but mostly cosmetic.

-juice

rsholland

I've never understood that combo. Why does an 8.0L Viper, or a Corvette, or a Holden V8 need 6-speeds?

Maybe for racing usage, but for street use? Sounds like marketing mavericks out of control to me.

Bob

paisan

Well you see. On the highway, with the 6-speed Vette, you get something like 28mpg, which is very nice IMHO. It's considered a super-overdrive.

-mike

rsholland

I just don't see the need for 6 gears. With these huge block engines, you could delete ever other gear and never miss them. Besides, do you really think somebody buying one of these vehicles cares about 28 mpg?

Bob

ateixeira

Why not is the question. At that price point, nothing is too costly.

They didn't aim for 28mpg for the buyers - it's CAFE they're aiming to please. Plus they can avoid gas guzzler fines.

What I hate is the 1-4 shift lockout (also there to avoid gas guzzler fines).

-juice