Subaru Crew - Dealers & Pricing

hypov

Randy, Matt-
Any Mfr./Cust. and/or Mfr./Dealer, and/or Dealer/Cust., incentives/Cash Backs/Rebates are to be applied into the purchase via VIP. Hence invoice less the incentives, and if you have Subaru bucks less Subaru bucks.

-Dave

bluesubie

With folks getting '03's under invoice (not sure about NE), I wouldn't even use the VIP on an '03.

I would use it for an '04 only because I would love the All Weather Package. :-)

edit: Oh yeah Dave, didn't think about that.

-Dennis

hypov

A note about the VIP program for use with '04 models.
It applies to Dealer selected models. So, if the '04 WRX sells hot from the get go, the Dealer has the option to remove it from their select list... the Sti is definitely off the list.

-Dave

bluesubie

Actually, there were dealers in the NY/NJ area that were not allowing WRX VIP purchases as recently as last May.

-Dennis

ateixeira

I used VIP and got the dealer incentive discounted from my price. In fact, my final price was $850 below invoice on a Legacy that had a $750 incentive. Go figure.

-juice

rwitte

Thanks for that news. Glad I spoke up. I figured any mfr/cust or dealer/cust incentives would apply, but I didn't think mfr/dealer would.

While we're talking about incentives, anyone have any insight on what Subaru may offer 3/1 after the current ones expire on 2/28? I'm thinking they may not change at all, just extend the date, since they changed the % incentives a week or so ago.

Randy

spoolup

What's in the offering for 2004s as far as the WRX goes? Yeah, the STi is out of my price range, but what about the base WRX models? Websites would be appreciated.
-Matt

rwitte

New face-lift in front bumper/headlights, interior changes (different seats, tach in center,) all-weather package and moonroof available in sedan and maybe wagon. Try www.impreza.subaru.com - I think this is Subaru's microsite for the 2004.

Randy

dules

I'm in N NJ/NYC area. Am looking at both Outback wagon and Forester XS (5 speed). Using the Internet, I've only gotten quotes for the Outback, around $21,600. No dealer has even replied to my request for a price on a 5 speed Forester XS (!).
 
My questions: how are some of you finding these "under invoice" deals? Anyone done this using the Internet? Can I walk into a dealership and ask to speak to the Internet manager, since I've contacted most of my locals (even though they have not answered me back)?

Also, is the Forester necessarily going to cost more than the Outback due to demand, even though its invoice is lower?

Thanks very much for any/all advice!

xccoachlou

From Subaru's press release of Feb 3rd.

"SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. ANNOUNCES SALES RESULTS FOR JANUARY
-- Forester Sales Up 11 Percent --

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Feb. 3, 2003 -- Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA), the only automobile manufacturer to feature a complete line of all-wheel drive vehicles, today announced January sales of 12,872 units. The total represents a slight decline from January 2002 sales.

The Legacy model line achieved a sales total of 5,707 units, while Subaru Outback recorded sales of 3,820 units for the month. Subaru Forester recorded sales of 3,883 units, an 11 percent increase from January 2002. The Impreza line recorded sales of 2,640 units for the month. Sales of the Baja model recorded a total of 642 units for the month"

usa26

I just called a local Subie dealer (NYC area) to inquire about the 04 Forresters. They said they'd be coming out "next month." I haven't decided whether I should go for the 04 or accept the lower price of the 03. Of course, I'll need to drive the XT before any decisions are made. I'm wondering how long dealers will have an ample selection of 2003 Forresters to choose from? Do I need to make this decision quickly or do I have a month or so?

bluesubie

Smaller dealers are less likely to have leftovers when the 04's arrive.

The large volume dealers usually have more of a choice on the outgoing model year. Your dealer choice starts getting slimmer though.
I would defintely test drive an XT before buying one now.

-Dennis

ateixeira

I'm hearing June, though one source said April. I doubt it'll be here in March.

Keep watching these message boards, we'll probably know a month or two before the 2004s start arriving. But if you want to drive a turbo, by then the 2003 selection will begin to dwindle and you might have to compromise on things like color and equipment.

-juice

usa26

I found March hard to believe too.

Flemington seems like a good recommendation. I took a peek on their website and am very impressed. I live on LI and work in Manhattan, but would be willing to travel out there if they're as good as they seem. They talk a good game. None of the LI Subie websites indicate the invoice price of their vehicles.

Thanks!

p0926

March? Ha! Sounds like some sales guy is just trying to string you along until June.

-Frank P.

bluesubie

[Needed to edit and re-post]
I think most of the under invoice deals are on the Impreza since the '04's come out soon.

You can email the dealers from their websites to get the internet manager.

I highly recommend Flemington Subaru. It's
definitely worth the trip from NNJ.

-Dennis

bimmerpilot

Edmunds says the invoice price is something like $27,140; the Kelley Blue Book site says $27,349 and all of the local dealers here in Utah are saying $27,696. If that's not the true invoice I think it's odd that they all have give me that number and they are all under different ownership. However, why does Edmunds and KBB not reflect this?

I'm buying tomorrow and want to know what the real invoice is before I drive the 50 miles down to the dealerships. I don't have a fax machine to get a copy from the dealer so I'm hoping someone on this list is in the know!!!!!!!

For what it's worth, I've had bids on cars as much as $800 below invoice but without knowing what the true invoice price is...

Thanks a bunch.

dsattler

Edmunds does not include the advertising fee that the manufacturer charges the dealer, which is part of the invoice. Edmunds says they don't include it because it varies by region, so "true invoice" would be different in, say, New England vs. the Midwest. Not sure about Kelley. A $300-500 advertising fee is legit. If you want to see the invoice before you make the drive, can't you have the dealer fax the invoice to a nearby Office Depot, Staples or 7-11? I believe all of them will receive faxes for you for a small fee.

raybear

For the base car should be the same nationwide, there are some differences in options pricing.

Some regions have better finance rates also, worth looking into if you're on the border between distributors.

p0926

There's only one true invoice price and I've found that the one Edmunds lists is extremely reliable (normally to the penny). However, as dsattler pointed out, some regions do pass along their advertising fees to the dealers and those are normally non-negotiable.

-Frank P.

bluesubie

Some of the options that I priced on Edmunds turned out to be a little more expensive at my dealer. A particular package wasn't carried by Subaru Distributors Corp, so I had to purchase the options separately.

-Dennis

paisan

Is gonna be Staten Island Subaru/Isuzu/Kia. Talk to Mark Jerrick and tell him you are from edmunds, he's dealt with several of us on her (Bat1161, myself and a few others) and he's a great salesman, standup guy. The part I liked best was when he quoted my price it included everything except gas, tax and tags. No funky prep charges, or advertising stuff.

-mike

raybear

Gas?

paisan

As in you need to put gas in the car

I think they fill it up, but once you burn through the first tank during your first night driving, you'll want to put more in

-mike

raybear

That you meant they didn't gas the car for you before you bought it. Sorry.

ateixeira

I read it that way too. I'm way too literal.

-juice

lilbluewgn02

I thought he meant it came with a can of beans and NO Beano!

rsholland

Several New England dealers are reporting to have have '04 Imprezas. Also several New Englanders have reported seeing '04 Imprezas on dealer lots, and on the road.

Check out the Impreza inventory at Exeter Subaru, in Exeter, NH:

http://www.exetersubaru.com

BTW, nothing listed yet at FitzMall.

Bob

ateixeira

Wow, but I checked and they have a Baja for $20,206. That's $2750 below invoice! Imagine what the Sport models will cost.

-juice

rsholland

is where my sister-in-law/brother-in-law recently purchased their '01 Outback.

Bob

dt63944

Hi,
I recently took my Forester in for several warranty repairs and an oil change and they only repaired 1 item and the oil change and did not fix the other two problems because they didn't occur while the car was in the shop - even though I told them the problem was intermittent. I gave them enough information to try to duplicate the problem and to isolate the problem areas if it still didn't happen for them. Any suggestions as to what my next approach should be to get these problems resolved? I was thinking of emailing the dealership president, but I don't want to alienate the techs who worked on my car.
Thanks,
Dave

paisan

What's the problem? I mean if the dealer can't replicate the problem, or you can't replicate it for the reps, how can they diagnose it? Honestly what the heck do you want them to do with it? What is the problem, maybe we can diagnose it on here.

-mike

ateixeira

They probably cannot get reimbursed by Subaru unless they can replicate the problem.

It's like the TV repair guy finally shows up, and the TV starts working fine.

-juice

erics6

Walked down to my local dealer yesterday at lunch. No 04's available yet :-(

Nothing shows up on dealers online inventories either. I guess I could go across the river and check out the Subaru port-of-entry in Vancouver, WA... I want to drive one though.

-Eric

bkaiser1

In my recent quest to possibly replace my 01 Outback with an 03 WRX wagon, I have been amazed at the prices on these! I emailed the 3 dealers closest to me and received back quotes ranging from $21,998 to $22,300. That's less than I paid for my Outback 2 years ago...amazing. If I can get $16K for my trade, I just may come out in a new WRX this weekend.

Brian

raybear

The Outback may not bring $16K right now, too many incentives on new cars.

hypov

I don't see how a well maintained/taken care of '01 Outback couldn't fetch $16k despite incentives on new cars. A NEW Outback couldn't be available for ~17k or less at Dealerships.

Don't know if it has any bearing, my '98 Outback was valued by the insurance ~19k. $16k is not impossible.

-Dave

ateixeira

New OBs start at about $20.8k, so $16k is reasonable if the miles aren't too high.

Hopefully you'll be telling us about your WRX on Monday.

-juice

bkaiser1

The dealer that quoted me $21.8K on a WRX will give me $15.1K for my Outback -- not good, but it's better than wholesale. With 49K miles on it, the value is going to be slightly less than it otherwise could be for this model. Of course, I could always try and sell it myself for a little more, but that's a real pain in the ash...

Given that my car looks and drives like new, I should just get over it and put another 50K on it...at least try to get my money's worth before ditching it! There's no logical reason to trade cars right now, but logic rarely enters into my car buying...

Brian

ateixeira

Brian: I dunno, that's a lot of miles, sounds fair to me to be honest.

My rule of thumb is 10% depreciation when you drive off the lot, another 10% year year after that. A new one is $20.8k, so yours would be 30% less than that, or $14,560. Plus your miles are high.

OK, the OB holds its value very well, but still, I think the dealer is being fair.

-juice

rsholland

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

xccoachlou

Pardon me for being so cynical, but when something is too good to be true, it usually is...

- Lou

xccoachlou

I sent an e-mail to the dealer after checking the web site, and received a very nice, courteous reply today. It is not a VDC, it is the H6 cloth seat non-moonroof Outback.

That price was just waaaaay too low to be true.

- Lou, who has stopped drooling...

ateixeira

Those might also be sedans, not wagons.

-juice

lark6

I wonder if dealers are accepting orders for Forester XTs now, much as they did for WRX STis.

Ed

bkaiser1

I agree that it's a fair price, but that still doesn't make me any happier about dumping the car. Over the weekend, I talked to another dealer who REALLY tried hard to get me into a WRX. The final offer was $22,300 for a blue WRX wagon 5sp, and $15,500 for my Outback. I was THIS close, but just couldn't do it. Yes, that's probably as much as I could get for the car privately, but I just could not make myself take that kind of depreciation hit after 2 years...my Outback's still "new" to me and I just need to forget about a new car for a while. My goal is another 2 years in it and trade it at 100K miles, and I need to stick to it. There are some GREAT deals on wrx's right now, if anyone's interested!

Brian

ateixeira

Your rational side beat your irrational side. I can picture the little angel and devil on your shoulders, arguing! ;-)

-juice

bkaiser1

Knowing full well that it would be impossible for me to be happy with my Outback after test driving a WRX, I never drove one throughout the course of this shopping...I have such little resistance to new cars (especially cars such as the WRX) that I had to refuse a test drive. I knew it was the only way I would be able to consider keeping my Outback another 2 years or so...

Brian

bat1161

A co-worker of mine has a daughter in the Boston area interested in the Forester, or Legacy wagon. Can anyone suggest a dealer in that area so I could relay?

Thanks,
Mark

rsholland

http://www.fitzmall.com/carfind/resultsa.asp?Search=NEW&Page=- 2&max=4&order=