2013 and earlier-Subaru Outback Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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Comments

  • kbuffkbuff Member Posts: 3
    I just purchased a 2005 Outback Sedan with spoiler, auto-dimming mirror/compass and all-weather floor mats for $29322. $287 under invoice!
  • jman3jman3 Member Posts: 4
    Great Price! That's exactly the vehicle I am looking for. What dealership to your purchase the vehicle from. Did you have to haggle to get an under invoice price. Thanks in advance for the info!
      Regards, jesse
  • barriostkdbarriostkd Member Posts: 71
    Trojan34, I just purchased a used 2004 Outback w/ 6,940 miles on it. Paid $19,500 for it. The Subaru dealership had a bunch of lease-return vehicles from Hertz. The car was originally purchased back in October '03 and returned to Subaru in June '04. So it's still almost new, but I thought the price was reasonable. Anyway, maybe you can use that to guage what you should pay for a used 2000 or 2001.

    JB
  • jman3jman3 Member Posts: 4
    Hi subi owners,
      Has anyone notice you can purchase either the outback or legacy at invoice on carsdirect.com. It seems like such a great price for a recently introduced car that is getting strong reviews. In my experience, carsdirect gives you a good price, but not the next price suggesting dealers may be willing to go below invoice... How can this be happening?
       thanks, jesse
  • kbuffkbuff Member Posts: 3
    Sorry for not responding back sooner. I was doing some more haggling these past two days and ended up $400 under invoice with a loan rate under 4% (for 60 mouths) for the Outback Sedan. There was some major haggling going on and twice I threatened to take my business elsewhere before striking this deal. I bought it at West Herr Subaru near Buffalo, NY. I did have the luxury of having another dealer vie for my business (a.k.a. money). My only advice is to try and get as many quotes from nearby dealerships as possible and never buy on the first day. Always leave without a deal the first time out. I find it easier to haggle over the phone because the dealer does not have the luxury of having you physically there at the dealership. Hope this helps. Good luck!
  • redsoxrobredsoxrob Member Posts: 11
    I just signed a P&S on an 02 outback wagon with 3900 miles on it. No options except automatic transmission; it does have a full year left on the 3 yr/36K warranty. I'm paying $18,300 which is only $600 less than their asking price. But I did manage to get a fair price for my trade in.

    Anyway, is $18,300 fair price? I haven't been able to get dealers to move much on their asking prices for low mileage outback wagons. Do they sell for that much around here (Boston area) or am I just a lousy negotiator?

    Thanks for your honest feedback. I plan to pick up the vehicle tomorrow, regardless of what I read here, because I'm happy with the deal and I'm tired of shopping.
  • gxb159gxb159 Member Posts: 46
    I am loking to grab an 04 Outback if I can get the dela where I want it. I am getting different rebates quotes from different sites. That makes things confusing. Anyway, Edmunds lists a $2000 customer rebate and a $1500 dealer rebate (marketing support). Do you think it is feasible to get the invoice minus both rebates? that would put me at $18,557 on a base 04 auto Outback. Feedback is appreciated.
  • Firebird_EOUFirebird_EOU Member Posts: 250
    Which zip code can I get close to invoice on 2005 model for Outback in the NE? Carsdirect has $2500 off on 2004 model expiring 8/2/2004.
  • rsorganizersorganize Member Posts: 131
    Stacy Subaru, Brattleboro VT. Around 300 over invoice. Good luck.
  • moutbackmoutback Member Posts: 39
    I purchased a 2005 Outback XT Ltd. in Obsidian Black Pearl with the popular equipment option (auto-dimming mirror w/compass, security system perimeter alarm), all-weather floor maps, and side cargo nets for $30,571 (invoice $30,371) at Herb Gordon Subaru in Silver Spring, MD. It's probably not the best deal since some dealers in MD (e.g., Fitzgerald) may be offering 2005s at or just under invoice, but Herb Gordon had the only black Outback XT Ltd. in my area. I traded in my 2000 Outback (w/43,000 miles) for $9,475, which was a little less than what I had hoped to receive, but was fair considering the price of my new Outback. I also was fortunate enough to get free scheduled maintenance via coupons from Subaru of America, although I had to call SoA to get them (the dealer did not know about this).

    Good luck to everyone shopping for a Subaru.
  • briancalgarybriancalgary Member Posts: 10
    Is there anybody out there to help me save some $ at carcostcanada.com? They have a referral program. Please email me your email account if you want to help me. Thanks.

    Brian
  • kamala95kamala95 Member Posts: 14
    kbuff,

    Wondering what you found to be the primary difference from this vehicle and the LegacyGT (if U drove it)??? I test drove the GT and must admit I loved it!

    Dealer didn't have this one at the time, but now I am thinking that this may be the way to go.

    Looking forward to contributing to the board (hopefully by year end!).

    George
  • butch1butch1 Member Posts: 1
    Starting to research price for a 2005 VDC Outback. Visited a dealer this weekend and price was about $1,500 over list price. They did not have model in showroom so I plan to visit them again. I'm located in NYC area and looking for advice on honest dealer (good service) offering a good price.
  • rsorganizersorganize Member Posts: 131
    Not NYC area...but, paid $300 over invoice for my VDC wagon in Brattleboro Vt - on Mass./Vt.border. Good luck!

    Peace.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You come here and you really notice how well Subarus retain their value.

    Check this out - I calculated the KBB value on my '98 Forester L, plugged in 60k for miles and Good condition, and it came back with $8600 or so.

    Then I did the same for a '98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD automatic, and guess what? It's worth only $8000.

    So my resale is $600 better for a vehicle that cost me about $6000 less back in 1998. Actually it was more like $7000.

    Lesson? Stretch, if you can, and just buy a new Subie. Used ones don't depreciate all that much. Buy a leftover 2004 model right now for a bargain and I doubt you'll regret it.

    -juice
  • kelbokelbo Member Posts: 7
    Hi Everyone,
    Last month I became a proud owner of a 2004 OB Wagon. Finally traded in the 92 Legacy Sedan. About time, huh? After 12 years and a trans job as the only major repair, the decision of what car to buy was easy for me. Thanks to all here for your helpful posts.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Congrats. Did you get a bargain on a left over 2004 model?

    Legacy just had a record July, mostly 2005s.

    -juice
  • kelbokelbo Member Posts: 7
    Thanks Juice,
    My apologies, I neglected to include the details. Mine is the standard (2.5L)2004 Wagon with the all weather package and Automatic transmission for $19,700 with 5.2% financing. (In the Philadelphia, PA area). This seemed pretty good to me after some comparison shopping for the both the vehicle and rates.
    Joe
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Auto and under $20k? That would have been unheard of even 6 months ago.

    -juice
  • rprutahrprutah Member Posts: 1
    I am getting real close to purchasing a 2005 Outback 2.5 XT Wagon (Turbo 5A) with an invoice price of $26,827. The dealer says I must pay the 2005 mandatory $275 "WER AD Group" advertising fee. Assuming this is a real fee from the factory, I do not think I should pay it. I thought the dealer holdback percentage paid to the dealer from the factory was to compensate the dealer for any advertising costs allocated to each vehicle? Please help me out.
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    The only 'real' fee from the factory is destination. This is not negotiable. All other tacked on fees (advertising, processing, etc) can be translated to dealer profit, and are negotiable. You have one of two options. One is to walk out. If the dealer wants to move the car, they will negotiate. Or if you really want the car, pay the fee. If you are at true invoice, the fee translates to 1% over invoice. I typically see cars going at either a fixed sum - $500 over invoice, or a percent - 3% over invoice, which translates to $840. Lots of factors to consider - supply, demand, dealer motivation. How much time do you want to spend to save an additional $275 on a 27k car? Good luck! Rob M.
  • kbuffkbuff Member Posts: 3
    George,

    The main reason why I went with the Outback was because it sits up high. The ground clearance (an important factor in my decision making process) is 8.4 inches. I saw both the Legacy and OB Sedan side-by-side at the dealership, and could see quite a noticeable difference in stature between the two. I also like the solid feel of the H-6. I’m probably in the minority on this topic since most people probably prefer the sportier feel of the turbo H-4, which has the same hp. Some another things I liked about the OB (and it just comes down to personal taste) was the wood grain trim and the leather seats (the Legacy GT Ltd. has metallic trim and perforated leather seats.) The Legacy has more of a sporty feel to it, while the OB feels a tad bit more refined. Anyhow, I don’t think you can go wrong with either one.

    kbuff
  • markjennmarkjenn Member Posts: 1,142
    The ad fee is legit in that the dealer actually pays it on a per-car basis.

    I don't understand the concept of certain fees being negotiable and others not. All that matters is the final price and you can negotiate anything you please. You're certainly down in the area where most dealers are working with pretty narrow margins, so if they won't let the ad fee go, you're at a price level that they can't go lower. They don't have to sell the car and you don't have to buy it.

    - Mark
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    All that matters is the final price

    I agree with that, and the price including the fee sounds very reasonable for a brand new model, so buy it and don't lose sleep over it.

    Even if they didn't charge you that fee, they'd just build the $275 into the cost of the car to begin with. So it's $275 over invoice, i.e. a good price IMO.

    -juice
  • kamala95kamala95 Member Posts: 14
    Thanks. As the time draws closer, I will make a point of testing out the OB 6...

    George
  • lumbarlumbar Member Posts: 421
    It's new this year and is as legitimate as anything else on the invoice. It's my understanding that this is -not- one of those "fees" that is a dealer profit center (e.g., exhorbitant "doc" fees). IMO, the real issue may be with Subaru, which declines to build this into the invoice price (or MSRP) of the car in order keep that number a bit lower, and adds it as a non-negotiable line item.

    As near as I can tell from checking prices on fitzmall.com--who I think are pretty straight shooters-- the "invoice price" listed by them includes this $275, so, in a sense, it depends on what one considers invoice. Edmunds "invoice" price does not include it.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Bad idea by Subaru, build this into the invoice price. Imagine how many customers are going to complain about this.

    -juice
  • alf2002alf2002 Member Posts: 2
    Just bought an '03 Legacy Outback wagon from a Subaru dealer. The "market price" was $19,490 (i.e., bluebook value), but my dealer and everyone else in Maine was giving lower "discount prices" - all pretty comparable w/ each other. This dealer's discount price was the lowest: $17,479. 20K miles, 1 owner (rental co.), great condition. I got them to come down to $15,693. Am curious as to whether I could have bargained down further or not, or what other folks have paid for an '03 lately. Email me @ alfogg@mactec.com
    Thanks!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You almost stole it. Don't worry, be happy.

    -juice
  • khallockkhallock Member Posts: 63
    What are people paying for the 2005 Outback LL Bean? Went looking at used cars today and the salesguy offered us a brand new LL Bean for $30,900. We are thinking we are going to do it! But I wonder if they can go lower. The MSRP was $32,790.

    I'm in Northern VT if that matters. Thanks!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sounds fair for a new model.

    Subaru has 6% or so market share in VT, definitely a high-demand region. You just might be able to get a better price by traveling south, but you're close to invoice already so it's probably not worth it.

    -juice
  • vince_lmtvince_lmt Member Posts: 25
    Just spoke with the salesperson who sold me my 00 OB and he quoted me a price of $200 under invoice for an 05 model with or w/o a trade.

    Becker Subaru is located in Allentown, Pa about 50 miles north of Philadelphia. They are the 2nd largest Subaru dealer in America and the amazing thing is they are closed Friday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday.

    Purchasing a Subaru from Becker is absolutely the most stress free car buying experience I have ever encountered. No hassles and no game playing.

    Vince

    I have no affiliation with Becker other than being a customer.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Great price. You thinking about trading up, or just looking?

    -juice
  • khallockkhallock Member Posts: 63
    I went back to the dealership and told him I saw the car on fitzmall.com for $30233 and he matched the price. He showed me his invoice for the car was $30,556 or thereabouts. But I'm not sure I believe him because everything I saw online showed the invoice at $29556. But he said there is a distributer for the New England area that makes the prices go up. Who knows, but I think I got a decent price, especially here in VT. I pick my new car up at lunch time. I got the Champagne Gold Opal, all one tone. :)
  • vince_lmtvince_lmt Member Posts: 25
    -juice,

    Not sure about purchasing an 05 Subie. I tend to keep my cars for 8 to 10 years but my 00 OB has been more problematic than expected and am contemplating replacing it. Not sure I want another one but I also am not overly enthused about competitor products in the 25-30k price range.

    Right now I'm a fence sitter.

    Vince
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Welcome to The Fence, which I'm also on.

    I guess you're at the point where you decide to you keep it and run it to the ground, or trade it now while it still has enough value for a big down payment on the new one.

    My '98 Forester has been perfect, zero out of pocket for repairs, so I decided to keep it. In your situation I think I'd trade up, try my luck on the 05.

    Kristen: nice monotone color and probably the easiest color to keep looking clean. Congrats and join us in the Subaru Crew threads under Owners Clubs, come introduce yourself!

    -juice
  • khallockkhallock Member Posts: 63
    Thanks juice. I really liked the black, but I did not want to deal with having to wash it all the time to keep it looking nice. Especially with the road salt in the winter and the dirt roads around where I live. So champagne it is! I also liked the silver, but they didnt have one on the lot. And I liked the champagne monotone color better than champagne 2-toned.

    I will check out the 2005 thread! thanks!
  • tlippytlippy Member Posts: 8
    KHAL - U did good! I too bought the Cham. Gold. The color is the thing everyone oohs and ahhs about. It truly is georgious. This is my first Suby and, in my opinion, there is no other vehicle in it's class. A wuperb piece of workmanship!!!!!! Congrats. BTW - with my 2.5i A/T, I got 33mpg driving from Bend to Reno and 34mpg on the return trip. Spectacular.....
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    34mpg might be a record, wow.

    Share that in the Mileage thread here on Edmunds, encourage folks to dump their less efficient SUVs.

    -juice
  • tlippytlippy Member Posts: 8
    Click here: IMBA: Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews: IMBA Member Benefits From Subaru

    Check out this Subaru supported way to buy a car -and help a good cause.
  • lumbarlumbar Member Posts: 421
    Congrats on the wheels and such great mpg--even though it's a setback in my domestic campaign to convince my spouse that the mileage difference between the turbo and 2.5i arent'-that- significant. :)

    All you turbo owners, *please* take the lead out of the shoe and report higher mpg. :)
  • khallockkhallock Member Posts: 63
    Thanks. I am so psyched about picking the car up. This is my first Subaru too. I was going to trade in my 98 Corolla but am going to sell it to my mother in law instead. I am a little sad to see the Corolla go because it was so good on gas and so reliable. I bought it used in 2000 and it has never seen the inside of a mechanic garage ever. It was a good car! But the Subaru is alot nicer and I hope it treats me good as well. Plus I am looking forward to the power in the H6 engine. The Corolla was lacking on speed, thats for sure!

    I just hope I can get used to spending more on gas!
  • jfljfl Member Posts: 1,398
    It's been stated in the past that the New England distributor does indeed get a cut unlike all the other regions. Historically, this distributor supported Subaru when Subie was really struggling and is possibly one of their first distributors.

    In any case, you got a great deal. Enjoy!

    Jim
  • jscannelljscannell Member Posts: 1
    I am buying a 2005 Outback, but the dealer doesn't know anything about maintenance coupons.
    Do you know if they still offer them...? Who did you call to ask...?
    Thanks
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I read the Malcolm Bricklin owned a distribution network for Subaru and that SoA later bought it. I guess they never bought the one in the NE.

    -juice
  • kmfitzkmfitz Member Posts: 2
    picked up my new 2005 L.L.Bean Outback on Friday...and i love her.
    i had a 2000 Outback that i was very happy with. but i wanted more power..and more toys :-) and the 2005 has it all. a very rich looking car.

    the colors available leave something to be desired i think. the green was IMHO, nasty looking. white dull. silver dull. champagne two tone..the lower panel color does not seem to go. the black is very nice...but it looked dirty by the end of the test drive. so i went with the blue..a very nice blue i think.

    i paid invoice and got what seemed a fair price on the trade-in according to my internet research.
    and got the dealer to volunteer the maintenance coupon.

    i live in South Jersey and made the purchase at Martin Subaru in Turnersville NJ.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Congrats.

    Was your 2000 OB a base model? Ltd?

    Must've been an H4 because I don't think the H6 came out until 2001.

    I'd be intereseted to here more of your impressions (differences, really) as you get used to the new one.

    -juice
  • kmfitzkmfitz Member Posts: 2
    My 2000 was a Limited..but it was also an H4. because you are correct..the 6 did not come out until 2001.
    and while it was a fine car and i was very happy with it, and i had excellent experiences with it in bad weather and snow...i think this 2005 is a much finer car. power, acceleration is much better. that was always my major complaint with the 2000. handling is very smooth and responsive. the ride is very quiet. the interior is very, very nice looking.

    a few small complaints...no cassette player or weather radio that the Limited had. that nice little compartment on the left that i kept my coins in is gone..now an access door to the fuses.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, hard to give up little stuff like that, I use my coin tray all the time!

    We get spoiled easily, eh? :-)

    -juice
  • soonbaeksoonbaek Member Posts: 17
    Hi,

    (posted same thing on 05 outback forums as well.)

    Need your expertise/opinion! (or just pick one as if you have to!)

    I finally decide to get the Sube Outback after living in NYS snow beltway and to serve glowing family needs. (only a single child so far but she has so much baggage already!)

    Here is my dilemma...

    Our family budget is ~26K (before tax and title) for our next vehicle. We have narrowed down to 2 models, 04 LL Bean and 05 2.5i. The price difference is ~$3000

    Please provide your feedback and opinions! Many thanks.

    04 LL Bean
    =======
    Negotiated price: $28400 + tax + title - $2500 rebate

    Pro:
    * H6
    * Leather and all other luxurious items.
    * Proven design

    Con:
    * Out dated design
    * Inferior interior compare to 05. (IMHO, out right ugly. Worst offender!)
    * No local dealer has it. Need to drive ~70 miles (not too bad)

    05 2.5i (auto)
    =====
    Price: Invoice ~$23,400 (didn't negotiate too much yet)

    Pro:
    * Newly designed!
    * Love the interior
    * lot of standards for the price

    Con:
    * Newly designed. (bugs are to be worked out)
    * H4
    * Non-luxurious items
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