2013 and earlier-Subaru Outback Prices Paid and Buying Experience

xwesx · October 2009

The Subaru Added Security gold plus warranty is essentially an extended bumper-to-bumper warranty. The Subaru Added Security classic warranty (which is cheaper) does not cover as much as the Gold. The Subaru website has more information on both of them.

Again, you do not have to make a decision right away. You can purchase this warranty at any time within the factory bumper-to-bumper warranty period. I know, the dealership(s) will tell you otherwise, but they are simply trying to pressure you into buying immediately.

sweetsoul · October 2009

Hi guyb1 - congrats on your purchase! Did you get your new Outback yet? I am getting ready to order one either this week or next. Can't wait. I have never ordered a car before...did they give you the trade-in estimate for your old car upon ordering or upon picking up your new Subaru? Any info or tips you have is appreciated! Thanks

fendertweed · October 2009

leasing rarely works out as cheaper in the long run unless you can deduct the lease expenses for business ... even with buying and maintaining, holding onto most cars for 6-9 yrs. will cost you less in the long run than leasing ... there are plenty of on line calculators that will do the math for you based on your own personal situation... it's never come close to a lease ending up costing me less than a purchase.

YMMV.

However, folks like you are great for those who want to buy CPO cars with factory warranties for a fraction of the new price... that can be a great deal if you shop right, there are a lot of cars coming off 24- or 36-month leases in great shape.

xwesx · October 2009

That's for sure. You would have to sink a small fortune into a car over that period (6-9 yrs) for leasing to work out better financially! But, if someone plans to replace their cars on a short-term basis anyway (3-5 years) and remain perpetually in a car payment, it can work out better than buying.

It is sad, but I know many people who do not know life after car payments.... :sick:

stoopy · October 2009

Actually it depends on what you mean by "COST." My current lease is $360 a month including tax with nothing down on a 2009 Tribeca that had a sale price of $27,600. The total of all 36 payments is $12,960. Even if I leased another $27,600 Tribeca for another 36 months I am at $25,920 total. If I would've bought that same Tribeca on a 72 month loan with zero down I would've ended up paying just shy of $35,000 total including sales tax and interest. DO YOU ACTUALLY THINK A 6 YEAR OLD TRIBECA IS GOING TO BE WORTH $10,000??? Not to mention you will have bought at least one new set of tires, brakes, and will have had to pay out of pocket for ALL repairs for the last 3 years. HOW DOES BUYING SAVE ANY MONEY???

xwesx · October 2009

It depends on your habits, how much you drive, and your market, for sure, as to when that break-even point is reached. Resale is market-specific, but sure, you could get about $10,000 for a six-year-old Tribeca around here (Alaska), assuming there were such a beast. But then you have to consider insurance during that whole time, and the amount of funds expended on the car during the entire length of ownership versus continual lease payments during the same time. Over a ten-year ownership period, you reap the benefits of no car payments for at least 50% of that time.

But, if you do not plan to keep the car for as long as you spent paying for it, leasing may be the way to go. I am not criticizing your choice; it is just likely to be more expensive over the long term. It does have its advantages, though, in that the risks and commitments associated with ownership are removed.

djhalptert · October 2009

I won't buy a car anymore because every dealer around low balls you on your trade. I had a 2003 Ford Explorer that MSRP'd for $29,900 and I bought new for $18,600. Two and a half years later I couldn't give it away. Every dealer I went to offered me wholesale price. I traded it and barely broke even. Got a 2006 Outback for $1900 under invoice. Same thing happened when I traded it. They were both low mileage and in excellent condition. Dealers just don't want to give you anything for your trade.

tee_el_cee · October 2009

HOW DOES BUYING SAVE ANY MONEY???

Pay cash, not interest. Drive for at least 10 years.

fendertweed · October 2009

that kind of financing (zero down, 72 mo.) will always cost you big time, a guaranteed way to end up "upside down" on almost any car... in any case, one cannot generalize such as asking a question like yours because the answer is that it CAN save money to buy depending on the facts of a given case ... in my case I don't do car loans, I'm lucky enough & plan well enough that I buy what I can afford through my own cash on hand or other financing methods that cost me less than a car loan and never, never, never finance in any form for longer than the length of hte factory warranty.

A set of tires costs about 1-2 car payments. If I own my 4 or 6 yr. old car and have no car loan, then that's a lot cheaper than a new car or new lease. Same as to many many other costs you seek to avoid by moving to a new car: the approach works for you but may not make sense to others.

Factoring in the complete lack of equity in a lease situation, in many cases leasing is not the most cost effective way (not to mention the absurd mileage limitations and overage charges, which alone disqualify leasing as a sound alternative for many) ... in some cases it is, and for those folks I am very happy.

For the rest, a lease may be a good way to stay in a newer car, but you pay for the privilege. There are no hard & fast rules.

xwesx · October 2009

Ouch. OUCH! I have never traded a car; I always sell private party. But, I had a friend that traded in an '05 Frontier about a year back. The dealership offered him, I think, about $12K for it and then turned around and sold it for over $18K about two weeks later. They replaced the windshield, detailed it, and changed the fluids. Not a bad profit margin.

Not that private buyers are not lowballers either.... :sick:

ateixeira · October 2009

Get a Chase Subaru credit card and earn 3% towards a Gold warranty.

We have $500 saved up already.

Ours will end up being free. You can buy it within the first 3 years, so by then we'll have enough that it won't cost us a penny.

nes2 · October 2009

I would think twice about it if you need a real roof rack.
This is the worst rack I have ever seen. It looks cute at first but if you are a real outdoor enthusiast you will be disappointed with the lousy cross bar spread which cant be adjusted. All after market racks(e.g THULE) would have to be attached to the crappy factory cross bars.
A major let down.

guyb1 · October 2009

I have not received it yet but its only been two weeks, hopefully in November. Sorry I missed your post earlier. I paid a deposit on my credit card and have the out the door price, including the value of my trade (it does not get many miles in a month). Hopefully it will be here before the snow really comes to Colorado. Price for the car was determined before the trade, see earlier posts for websites.

morin2 · October 2009

Well that picture is much better than the one in the Subaru brochure - which shows a whitewater boat of maybe 7' length, but those plastic kayaks are still on the short side - the red one is what, 9' and the yellow one is about 12'?

The average touring kayak is about 16-17' (mine is 16'7"), and I routinely see 18'-19' models, so the bar spread of the older model is more suitable to transporting the longer length "touring" or "sea" kayaks.

Does anyone know the max bar spread distance? Its got to be better than that of the Baja!

sweetsoul · October 2009

Just got back from the dealer and I ordered my new Subaru! We got the VIP pricing, so everything was at invoice. We locked in the 6yr 100,000mile Subaru gold plus plan bumper-to-bumper, no deductible for $1500. I got what I wanted for my trade and they even locked that in for the 8 week wait. I cannot wait for it to come in!

Only weird thing was that the dealer of course looked at my trade, and when I left my supplemental airbags/seatbelt malfunction light came on in my current car (which I have never seen before). I turned around and asked them what they did and they swear it was not them. So hopefully there is not foul play at all, but I will get it checked out ASAP. I am hoping it's a just a protest from my Xterra, which has been a great car, but it's time for something new.

So now I just have to wait

morin2 · October 2009

Congrats!

However, it appears that you did not handle the Xterra with the sensitivity it required and she is now going to pout for eight weeks. I suggest an apology, a sincere thank you for her faithful service, a kiss on the hood, and perhaps burning a subaru brochure in front of her headlights (use a spare). Hell hath no fury like a trade-in scorned...

nes2 · October 2009

This is my last comment about roof racks in this thread - I agree with Teixeira about making your point. The boats in the picture are short and I was refferring to sea kayaks or canoes.
Check out this link if you want a review from a real rack specialist
http://rackattackportland.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/new-series-cars-of-the-future- -a-rack-installers-opinion-part-1-2010-subaru-outback.

Cheers!

xwesx · October 2009

I know that, for sure! My minivan is still sitting dead in my driveway after I put it up for sale. I have had my new car for three weeks now, but the van refuses to go.

Maybe I should threaten it with the crusher? :sick:

ateixeira · October 2009

Let's discuss here:

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1eb494/18#MSG18

ofionnachta · October 2009

xwesx, we are going to donate my minivan to the local high school's auto shop. At back to school night, I asked the shop teacher if he would like it. He was absolutely delighted.

Dead in the water does not matter. They are going to practice on it. We get a receipt from the school's money lady, etc. for tax purposes.

xwesx · October 2009

Thanks for the tip! That's a great idea. I absolutely do not want to scrap the van, and am disgusted that it will not start given the excellent state of the drivetrain, body, and interior, but I also do not want to dump a bunch of money into it or leave it in my driveway indefinitely.

Thank you, again, for taking the time to mention this; it had not even crossed my mind.

ndeborahk · October 2009

Not sure I am posting this in the right area, but I really could use some advice. I was all set to buy a 2010 Outback 3.0 Limited and test drove it. There was no right arm rest!! I am short. My arm could not rest on the center console and even if they made an armrest extension, which I am told they do not for the 2010, it would cover the cup holders so that they would not be functional. I know it seems like a small thing, but I can not buy a car that I am not comfortable driving and I need a place, other than my lap to rest my right arm. Does anyone have any thoughts? Now I am going to have to look at other cars, perhaps a used Lexus RX350, but I really wanted an Outback.

Thanks for any feedback!

ofionnachta · October 2009

Does the 09 Outback have an armrest? There are a pretty good number of them coming into the market, which had been fleet cars.

morin2 · October 2009

My 09 Outback came with the armrest extension. I haven't found it to be very useful. For me, its located just too far back - I would have to put the seat in its rearmost position for it to be useful. Maybe its better for people with longer arms & legs ! The console under the armrest is also too far back (for me).

cslasor · October 2009

I'm interested in the 2010 Outback, but the nearest Subaru dealer is almost an hour away from my house and close to an hour and a half from work. How often would I need to take this car to the dealer to have work done, or could everything be done locally and still be covered by the warranty? Right now that is my main concern about getting one.

Thanks!

morin2 · October 2009

I think warranty work would need to be done at a Subaru dealer. Its a new model for 2010, so all the more reason to return to the dealer. My subaru dealers are also about an hour away. I do my own oil changes and minor maintenance (air filter, cabin filter, coolant change, etc) so a lot depends on how much you are willing to tackle. I like to have some items done at the dealer while it is still under warranty and use my subaru bucks to pay for those. Once the warranty expires, I use an independent for anything that I don't want to tackle myself, such as the timing belt.

bob_b1 · October 2009

Hello,
I have realized that in the entire IL there is not a single dealer that carries Outback Premiums without All Weather Package (looking with CVT trans). Originally I looked at the Outback basic model and the best price I got was $22680 (24600). But when I wanted to go step up realized all cars come with a lot of extras that I did not want and were costing me extra. the best quote I got on Outback 2.5i Premium w/All-Weather Pkg was 25300 msrp ($26900). What are your experience and what were the best quotes you got or price that you paid?

seabrook7039 · October 2009

If I lived in Chicago I would not buy an Outback that did not include the All Weather Package. Maybe there are other options that are being included that are not necessary but the AWP will be well appreciated winter after winter. It also will help in its resale value for that locale.

djhalptert · October 2009

It's a $500 option. What's the difference? You will definitely be glad you got the All Weather Package the first time you get freezing rain that freezes your wipers and side mirrors. AWP will melt it off while you sit in the warm heated seat. It's probably a difference of $9 a month on a 5 year loan. Hardly a deal breaker.

If you were complaining that you couldn't find a base 3.6R I would be sympathetic. A base 3.6R is about as rare as finding an albino unicorn. Or a red headed big foot.

ateixeira · October 2009

Did you power the seat up to the maximum height?

The only other thing would be to sit on a seat pad that raised you up a bit more.

I think seat comfort is critically important so make sure you sort that out before you buy it.

cslasor: the Magnussen-Moss Warranty Act protects you - the car can be serviced at any shop that meets the OE standards. It doesn't have to be done by a dealership. Save your receipts and document all your maintenance, and you should be fine.

bob_b1 · October 2009

Hello Just looking what other have paid for Outback Premium?
Please list the MSRP and the price you have negotiated.
I have been looking and getting some quotes but wanted to see what other have experienced.
My best price for Outback Premium (AWP) was MSRP:$26990 price offered was $25300 plus all the fees and taxes.
Thanks

stoopy · October 2009

My best quote thus far was on a Premium with All Weather Package plus a couple of other options, MSRP $27,039. Sale price $24,556.

schoolhouseink · October 2009

I am in the midst of dealing for a 2009 2.5 i with Nav. Outback with 11,500 miles-dealer internet price is just under $20,000-I want to negotiate for a lower price-I would be happy with OTD for 20,000. I like the car and like the color-but can wait...seems that the inventory in my area for NEW 2009 Outbacks is scarce-NE PA. I have to drive 2 hours for this car with my wife and daughter in the car-already gave $500 to hold the car til I come this weekend. Called my local Subaru dealer and will talk with them tomorrow about if they can deal, but they have no 2009 in inventory. Will I be better off waiting until December-January? Any advice out there?

morin2 · October 2009

I don't think you'll be any better off waiting until December-Jan. Fall-winter is when demand for AWD peaks. That would be an excellent time to buy a Miata, however.

The time to pick from a large selection of new 09's was this spring before the clunkers bill. Hindsight is 20/20 & you can't change that.

Is this a CPO car? If you like it, make your best deal. It doesn't help you being so far from the dealer because he will know that its more difficult for you to walk away - the very best negotiating strategy. Find out why its for sale after only 11K miles (I have 14K on mine bought new in March) and walk if its been in a wreck.

bob_b1 · October 2009

jpievans can you please provide dealer's name. The price sounds reasonable so just wanted to see what there is anything for me.
Thanks

ateixeira · October 2009

I doubt they'll budget much off the internet price.

jeffm5 · October 2009

Greetings from Pittsburgh, home of the Super Bowl & Stanley Cup champs & the Pitiful Pirates. 3 days ago I pulled the trigger on a 4 cyl. 2010 OB Limited, Sky Blue, loaded (NAV, backup cam). I traded an 04 Forester, 76,000 miles, good condition. My OTD price is $24,500, $30,260 for the OB, $7,500 on the trade, the remainder taxes & fees of $145. I take delivery on 10/27. What do you think? If I got hosed, let me know, won't be the first time & won't hurt my feelings. A comparably equipped 4 cyl. Venza was $2,300 more. BTW, I'll be posting my initial impressions of the car in a couple weeks.

surrfurtom · October 2009

Good luck. Did you order or buy off inventory? What was the bottom line MSRP on the car incl delivery? The 30,200 should be close to invoice. I'm looking at something like that myself fully loaded w nav and would be interested in your perceptions.

Also considered the Venza. I Iike the Subaru better.

I've usually sold my cars outright and do pretty well instead of trading. This time I will probably go the trade route and save the tax differential, the headache of selling and hassle of courtesy trade. I would think 2004 Forester should go for 8-9K private sale pretty quickly. Check Edmunds and KBB if you haven't.

franklyjeff · October 2009

Any thoughts on a good starting offer for a 2010 2.5i Outback Ltd. in the southeast PA area? From what I've read here it's not unreasonable to get the car for close to invoice.

Thanks!

Jeff

morin2 · October 2009

My opinion - the Pirates are no more pitiful than our local teams - the Nationals and Orioles - yikes.

Oh, opinions on the car deal? Sounds like you did fine. Edmunds trade-in value for the Forester was 7770 if in "clean" condition (second highest condition), less in "average" condition, and the base "X" model. Trading in saved you sales tax on the 7500, so you would have had to sell privately for 7500 + the sales tax just to be the same as this deal. And good luck finding anyone who can actually pay for something today. I used to sell privately, but lately, have been trading in as well.

Do post your reviews. Good luck!

bob_b1 · October 2009

I was looking at the same car.
This was the offer I got
MSRP: $24,690. Offered at $22,890 (destination included)
So not sure it this helps but this should be the maximum you should pay for Outback 2.5i plus Title tax and other documentation feed.

superm · October 2009

I think you'll find this is for the base model stripper w/nothing but the CVT.

bob_b1 · October 2009

Your are right, this is for the Subaru Outbac 2.5 CVT transmission.Standard equipment no extras.

ateixeira · October 2009

You did $2300 better than the Venza and CR agrees the OB is better, even 4 banger vs. V6. Check the current issue - the Subie outscores the Toyota and is more reliable to boot.

Congrats.

andy108 · October 2009

Hi, Bob,

I am about to buy the same one as yours, 2010 Outback 2.5i, no extra.
You mind tell me which dealer you got the price from? I am in bay area, and the best price I can get is 23480 + TTL. Thank you.

bob_b1 · October 2009

I almost bought a new car ; Outback Premium CVT transmission (with no addition options) Silver on black today, but due to my financial situation have to wait until next month (some of my found were not available) . But just wanted to share this quote with you and see if this is a good price.
Dealer in NW suburb of Chicago.
MSRP $25990
Dealer's price today:------------------------------- $23750 plus
Documentation --------- --------------------- $ 151.00
Electronic registration--- -------------------------$25.00
Taxes-----7.75% Cook County-------- -----$1,854.26
Transfer plates-------------------------- -----------$150.00
TOTAL OTD PRICE ****** $ 25930 ****

andy108 · October 2009

Thank you so much for your detailed information.
Man, Outback is becoming more and more popular in Bay area. Probably cannot get such decent deal like in Chicago. sigh.....

jeffm5 · October 2009

surrfurton, I'll be taking delivery tonight. They found exactly what we wanted in Ohio. Tomorrow I'll post what I paid.

jeffm5 · October 2009

Just took delivery of a Limited, 4 cyl. Sky Blue Metallic with moonroof, NAV, backup cam, auto dim mirror with homelink, rear cargo net, all weather floor mats, rear bumper cover. MSRP - $32,157. I got it for $30,263. I traded an 04 Forester X, auto, no upgrades. I got $7,500 for it. I paid about $1,600 in sales tax & about $140 in dealer fees. My OTD price was $24,500. Hope this helps. I'll be posting my opinion of the car in about 2 weeks, but I'm not sure what thread to post it on. Any thoughts?

204meca · October 2009

Three years ago I got a used 03 Forester based on the general reputation of the ability to go anywhere reasonable, reliablity, relatively low fuel consumption for AWD, cargo capacity, towing capacity (have a 16.5 Fish N Ski boat) & sporty handling. My experience over the last 3 years made me a real Subbie Fan. Subies are a relatively small car that does all things reasonably well & there is nothing out there that can match the versatiily, economy, & fun to drive factor

Not much has challenged Subuar reputation in all the above areas. So other than another Forester I did not consider anything else seriously.

I briefly considered an A4 Avant coming from a satisfying A4 experience Interior a little too small, too expensive & couldn't see taking it down dirt roads or towing my boat with it.

My son recently got a VW Tigean. I drove from San Diego to Seattle in it with him. Nice car, comfortable, good power & handlng, but cargo area pitifully small, can't get over 25 mpg, & too pricey for Dad.

A year ago, I thought a 2010 Forester was a slam dunk for our next car. Then came the 2010 Outback & I had to reconsider. I did also considered waiting for a Diesel version, but decided that since we ony drive about 15,000 mile per year & will probably sell after 7 years that the gas version would be fine for us -- plus I was not willing to wait 6-12 months on the chance that we might get the diesel in the US.

I have been spending way too much time on this forum & subaruoutback.org since June reading about the Outback & have driven it twice. We recently spent a week new Forester rental car around Yosemite & Mammoth. It was comfortable and performed well on the highways (a bit too much shifting on the high passes) and on some snow covered trails. We could live happily with a new Forester (or the old one for that matter). But I have the chronic car buyer bug & can hardly stand to keep a car for more than 2 -4 years. I sold the O3 Forester XS MT for $11,700 (52,000 miles) last week.

As much as we like the Forester, the OB with the CVT (had CVTs in A4 & Honda & love em) and greatly enhanced comfort & mpg won out. I may miss the nimbleness of a smaller car, but at 60 more space comfort won out -- besides it is really replacing my wife's rather plush A4 & will become our trip car. I will be driving a driving my ghetto cruiser - a 93 Honda Del Sol.

So today weI ordered a new Graphite Grey OB Limited 2.5i PZEV CVT with moon roof, Nav (really only wanted the backup camera & was too lazy & intimidated to do it myself), puddle lights,wheel arch trim, tow package (my boat & bike rack have 1.25" hitches), rear bumper cover, Auto dim mirror w compass & Homelink, rear side cargo nets. Sticker was $32,767. VIP price (2% below invoice) was $30,209. Plus we had $1,500 Subaru Bucks. so our final cash price was $28,730. A great price for a great no haggle deal - the internet gal was easy to work with & a bit flabbergasted when she realized that the cash price without a trade was $ $4037 below MSRP. I feel really blessed to be able to get such a nice car for that.

Proposed delivery date is Dec 15. As long as it arrives by Dec 31 so we can save another $800 on the sales tax deduction I will be more than pleased!

If you can plan ahead, it surely pays to use the Chase Subaru Card for 3% Subbie Bucks & get on a VIP program. Details about these can be found in this forum under Subaru Bucks & VIP program.

My next challenge is to crack the 35 mpg barrier after our new OB is broken in

Without all the information gathered on Edmunds I may have not known about Subbie Bucks, VIP, & gotten so much great feed back on questions about Subaru products. It is just what a car / information junkie needs :P Many thanks to all you regular posters & the editors. I am going to have to take a sabbatical for a while but will still be hanging around from time to time.

2013 and earlier-Subaru Outback Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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