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Subaru Crew Canadian Owners

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Comments

  • briancalgarybriancalgary Member Posts: 10
    Hi, guys. Is there anyone who can refer me at carcostcanada.com? They have a referral program which let me save some $ for their membership and I need your email account at the site.

    Thanks.

    Brian
  • joybelljoybell Member Posts: 275
    If you want to contact Subaru Canada, the toll free number is 1-800-876-4AWD. I found that on the outside back cover of the summer 2004 issue of "Six Star Review", the magazine for Canadian Subaru owners. The mailing address is there too. I agree that there should be a contact link on the Subaru Canada website, but that website is not often updated so likely no one would be around to answer your email anyway! It took them over a year to stop the website dealer locator from pointing me to a dealership that closed in March 2003.
  • luck11luck11 Member Posts: 425
    Thanks for the info joybell.
  • luck11luck11 Member Posts: 425
    Interesting tidbit out of a local paper:

    “Auto sales hit by gas price shock: Higher insurance costs also hurting consumer demand”
    Canada's auto industry continues to suffer through a dismal marked by declining sales and job losses in parts manufacturing and auto assembly. Total Canadian car sales fell by 6.7% in August, according to statistics released by carmakers, and dropped by 4.9% overall in 2004."

    Wonder how Subaru sales are doing? Perhaps waiting another month or so will net better results when negotiating?
  • luck11luck11 Member Posts: 425
    Newspaper ad says 2.9% up to 24 months on OB 2.5i and Legacy GT. Will confirm with dealer if there are any specials for longer term financing, and/or model restrictions.
  • luck11luck11 Member Posts: 425
    Confirmed:

    All Outback and Legacy models:

    2.9% up to 24 months
    3.8% 36 or 48 months
    4.8% 60 months

    Jay
  • pon1pon1 Member Posts: 196
    Hmmmm....I'm not seeing that may 05 OB/Leg models on the street.

    Anything new on finance rates on the CDN 05 Forester.

    JP
  • luck11luck11 Member Posts: 425
    Either am I. But I dropped by two local dealerships over the last few days and stock has gone down somewhat. I notice that the higher end models are missing. One dealer had no Legacy GTs left. The other has 2, one red, one silver, both manual tranny. Plenty of base outbacks and legacies. That said, unless stock has been replenished since the last time I visited, i would have to say sales are not as brisk as I would have thought. Latest sales figures suggest that Subaru sales are only 1% up this Aug compared to Aug 2003. Not bad considering sales figures overall for vehicles is down some 4+%

    Did not ask about financing rates for 05 Forester, and did not see any mention of the Forester in the newspaper ad.
  • luck11luck11 Member Posts: 425
    JP, just saw an ad in the paper for the 05 Foresters and Imprezas. Rates are better than Legacy and Outback:

    2.8% for up to 3yrs
    3.8% for 4 or 5 yrs.

    Cheers.
  • luck11luck11 Member Posts: 425
    Just bought an Outback XT Ltd in Garnet red, 5-speed. Supposedly the only red in eastern Canada. Had 250 kms on it, but it was a great deal. No other dealer could come close.

    Cheers.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Congrats!
  • pon1pon1 Member Posts: 196
    Envious.

    I WILL have my FXT by Christmas, just too many reno bills this month.

    JP
  • luck11luck11 Member Posts: 425
    Thanks again Juice.

    JP, strategically, I think you'll benefit by waiting. Dec, Jan and Feb are historically slowest sales months of the year. Although Soob sales are up slightly from last year (1%), they are considerably lower than one would expect with the intro of new models this year. All said, I think you'll be able to negotiate a great deal by waiting. On the otherhand, I believe current financing rates are scheduled to end in November, but one never knows what they will do.

    BTW, hearing conflicting reports, but local sales manager suggested that a dealer in TO has highest volume in Canada....but he could not remember which.

    Also, unless you enjoy the "in-dealership negotiating experience", you may want to negotiate over the phone, directly with sales mngr. I did it this way and had dealers out bidding each other initially. When I agreed to a price, the winning dealer faxed the agreement of sale, I signed and sent back. Done.

    Cheers and good luck. Let us know when you take the plunge.
  • pon1pon1 Member Posts: 196
    The deal's done, color picked, price agreed, old car traded, etc. I just need internal (i.e. wife) clearance to pay the balance and drive one away. I just keep getting hammered by landscaping and garage construction bills, but we'll catch up soon.

    JP
  • sdufordsduford Member Posts: 577
    My wife and I just joined the Subaru family.

    We just bought a 2005 Impreza RS Wagon for her and I got a Champagne (monotone) Outback XT 5MT.

    Can't wait to drive it home next week!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Congrats, eh? ;-)

    -juice
  • luck11luck11 Member Posts: 425
    Congrats! I picked up my Garnet Red Outback XT 5MT on Friday, and its an amazing vehicle! Getting tint and autostart installed today.
  • pon1pon1 Member Posts: 196
    Picked up an 04 Forester XT MT PP1 on the weekend, Subaru Canada included a $3000 rebate to dealer.

    Great deals on leftover 04s.....

    JP
  • luck11luck11 Member Posts: 425
    Congrats JP. Yeah, probably could have had an 04 OB for much cheaper, but the 05 Outbacks are so much more refined....and the power!!!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'd be tempted if they put that much cash on the hood for US dealers. I think the max was US$1200.

    -juice
  • searcher1searcher1 Member Posts: 6
    I took a walk around the lot of a Vancouver Subaru dealer (Docksteader) yesterday. Saw a used manual '04 WRX wagon for $29,995. Mileage 24,700 km, factory sunroof.

    Any ideas about what to offer for this vehicle? It appears to be in good shape - though I won't know for sure until I have it checked out by BCAA.

    I've heard depreciation on Subes is lower than other brands. Any feedback is welcome.

    BTW - I was surprised to see several used STIs for sale. These are supposed to be in high demand - I wonder if a lot of STI purchasers are hot to buy, then find the race-car performance and ride profile is too much to live with on a daily basis.

    - S1
  • deadeye5deadeye5 Member Posts: 93
    Congrats on your Outback...I drive a FXT to the SOO ea. summer(and xmas time) Hope you enjoy yours as I do mine.

                                  Deadeye
  • pon1pon1 Member Posts: 196
    See what factory incentives are on new leftover 04s. I got an extra 3000 off an 04 Forester XT recently. I'd imagine there was something similar on the WRX, provided there are any left. You could be looking at brand new for the 30K on that used WRX, which I assume is at least a year old, based on the mileage.

    Suggest also you test drive a Forester XT, as it is also an Impreza-based wagon, but with 90% of an STi under the hood and an even bigger moonroof than the WRX.

    JP
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    For comparison, local dealer is looking for $28k for an '02 sedan with 60k.
    I picked up my 04 wagon with sunroof and alarm for about 35k.
    I think that is a decent asking price if it's clean. Overall, I think that wagon buyers are a slightly different demographic, and as such, tend to be a little less abused on average. As to the FXT, that is a great vehicle, and I'd love the engine, but after driving both on my favourite winding gravel road, the WRX is what I wanted. There are plenty of members on this board that disagree, so it might be worth a comparative test drive.

    Nicholas
  • ozman62ozman62 Member Posts: 229
    What's with your flag? Jumping ship? Brain drain? Ha, ha.
    Owen
  • sdufordsduford Member Posts: 577
    This system changes the flag occasionally, it did that to me three times in the last two months. Switched me to the 'Nited States of 'Merica all three times!

    Must be a Republican conspiracy :)
  • searcher1searcher1 Member Posts: 6
    Thanks for the feedback, Volkov and Pon1.

    Yeah, I looked the FXT over too. I do like the big sunroof. Also saw a new GT Legacy wagon, also with giant s/roof. Very nice.

    Next door to Docksteader Subaru is the same company's Volvo dealership. The new V50 wagon is a very nice looking vehicle. More upscale than the WRX, and more expensive, but basically the same idea - 4wd wagon with a turbo engine. Larger displacement 5-cyl motor, but detuned in comparison the the WRX. Beautiful enterior. I'm still leaning toward the WRX, based on performance and price.
  • sdufordsduford Member Posts: 577
    Watch out for Volvo reliability which has been pretty bad in recent years, especially with new models. Look thru the forums and you'll find a guy with a new S40 and he's already up to his third engine.

    I was also looking at the V50 T5, but decided to go with OBXT instead, more performance, more room, and most likely much more reliable. The V50 offers more comfort and refinement.

    Sly
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yep, CR's new Buying Guide just arrived at home and every single Subaru is on there.

    -juice
  • mikelittlemikelittle Member Posts: 5
    mornin' from Cape breton NS;; just found Edmunds
    site this month- on the yahoo site for a while-
    lurking-trying to read ALL I can on a silver Forester 2000 Automatic L -Dynastar; Bought 2nd hand in Halifax-[70,000kms]previous owner from Montreal-having a
    persistent CE lite- both O2 sensors replaced; and
    both cat convertors. What is next?? Would dearly love to find out what was done to this car since
    new? Any help would be appreciated
  • luck11luck11 Member Posts: 425
    Welcome Mike. Edmunds is a great site packed with great info.

    Not sure about Foresters, but I know the Outbacks were very finicky about having the fuel filler cap closed very tightly, else the CE light would come on. Happened to me early on my 2000 Outback until I found the soln in these forums. After cranking my gas cap a good 6 or 7 clicks after contact, the problem never resurfaced.

    You may want to check out the Subaru - Care and Maintenance thread in the Owners Forum. Someone there may be able to provide you with other suggestions on the CE light if the gas cap doesn't do the trick.

    Cheers.
    Jay.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Any loose vaccuum tube in the fuel vapor recovery system could also cause that.

    If you scan the ODB2 codes that provide hints as to where the source of the problem is, but you need a scanner.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    About any sensor will trigger a CEL. in my case it was a bad knock sensor, or as pointed out it could be as simple as the gas cap not turned tight enough.

    In any case if it is a bad sensor a trouble code should be set in the ECU. Incidently it seems to me that your mechanic is just replacing stuff hoping to cure the problem, the cat converter should still be fine after only 70.000 kilometers, unless the car was run on a steady diet of leaded and I don't think that possible.

      Cheers Pat.
  • sdufordsduford Member Posts: 577
    I think we're getting screwed on price these days.

    In the USA, the OBXT retails for $30,795, at the current exchange rate of 1.2, it should cost about $37,000 here in Canada, but our price is $42,995!

    So I got robbed by a good $5K!!!

    Sly
  • ozman62ozman62 Member Posts: 229
    Subaru has been pursuing a premium strategy in Canada for a while, at least pricewise. I've mentioned this a number of times. The price we pay for their cars here doesn't work out when you do the math, particularly with the recent strength of the $C vs. $US. I think that they feel the perceived value of AWD is greater in Canada, I guess because of our more severe climate. Or maybe they just think Canadians are suckers, tee, hee. It bugs me, but not enough to NOT drive a Subie.
    My 2 cents,
    Owen
  • sdufordsduford Member Posts: 577
    Well, if that is the case, then I think they should have the decency of producing an ACC system that is better adapted to our climate! ;)

    Sly
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They probably saw what happened to Dodge and got overly cautious.

    -juice
  • ozman62ozman62 Member Posts: 229
    Huh? What happened to Dodge, juice?
    Owen
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I believe the pickups were a lot cheaper in Canada, so US dealers were buying them over there, fitting them with US speedometers, and still selling them at a handsome profit.

    Basically they gambled the wrong way on the exchange rates. Subaru played it too safe, overcompensated.

    -juice
  • cbmortoncbmorton Member Posts: 252
    All kinds of new cars were being picked up here for thousands less than the same vehicle would have cost in the US and then being sold south of the border for a profit. Caused a big headache for manufacturers when it came to warranty claims on Canadian-market vehicles that had been permanently relocated to the US.

     

    But it's not particularly surprising that since they didn't jack up prices when the CDN dollar was low, the manufacturers aren't cutting them now that the dollar is high. Two years ago that US$30,795 Outback would have cost CDN$49,000 in simple exchange rate terms and we'd have been happy to get it for $42,995.
  • sdufordsduford Member Posts: 577
    I have to give credit to my dealer, Subaru Outaouais in Gatineau, just across the river from Ottawa.

     

    I have an 05 OBXT with only 3500 Kms on it and my windshield cracked overnight last week, cracked from end to end. The service manager went over it with a fine-tooth comb and did find a tiny impact mark, just barely big enough to fit the tip of his pen into.

     

    I told him that I thought it was amazing that such a small nick could cause the whole windshield to crack overnight, and that there was no way I could have seen such a small nick in time to get it fixed. I also commented that I live on a dirt road and that at that rate, I would end up needing a new windshield at every oil change.

     

    He agreed with me, talk to the owner of the dealership, and told me he would replace the windshield at no cost.

     

    Now that is what I call good service.

     

    Sly
  • mikelittlemikelittle Member Posts: 5
    What price range for OBD 2 readers

    best I can see here in Nova Scotia is

    $175 Canadian!!! bit too strong for my

    blood. Mike

    thanks for the gas cap and vacuum lines;

    will use a propane bottle and hose to

    check the vacuums for dried/cracked lines.

    Maybe I will buy a roll of vacuum line and

    replace all of them.! 4 years can dry out the

    best of rubber lines.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    AutoZone had a special a while back for US$100-110, something like that.

     

    But dealers charge $85 to diagnose ONE check-engine light in this region, so it pays for itself the 2nd time you use it.

     

    -juice
  • pon1pon1 Member Posts: 196
    Just worried they will close our thread due to inactivity.

     

    (I'm not even a real Canadian)

     

    JP
  • sdufordsduford Member Posts: 577
    I was thinking the same thing.

     

    I guess Canadian Subie owners are all out playing in the snow!

     

    Sly
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Canadian vs. US car preferences.

     

    http://globemegawheels.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/200502- - 03/WHDIFF03/cars/

     

    Bob
  • sdufordsduford Member Posts: 577
    Subaru has put an 8-page supplement in the major national newspaper "The Globe and Mail". That is 8 full colour pages in a full format newspaper!

     

    It includes the following articles: 1 page on the Tribeca, 1.5 page on the new design direction, 1/2 page on the WRX Sti, 1/2 page on the Outback, 1/2 page on Legacy, 1/2 page on Forester XT, 1/2 page on Symmetrical AWD.

     

    Also includes the following full-page ads: 1 for the Outback and 1 for the Legacy GT.

     

    This must have cost a bundle, but it is great to see! Very well done Subaru Canada!

     

    Sly
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    I wonder if a similar supplement will make it into south of the border newspapers?

    DaveM
  • cdnp5cdnp5 Member Posts: 163
    I guess that explains the $39,000 list price of the Outback Limited. They had to pay for those ads somehow, lol.
  • joybelljoybell Member Posts: 275
    I haven't been here in a long time. Glad to see the "Canadian Club" is still active. Here is a photo of some real horsepower "Silverbell"
    <IMG SRC="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid159/pa41c3c57876fa3- bb0794a013d501c4b2/f507dc39.jpg"
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