Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
The Subie is a bit more upscale, but Kia offers a lot of bang for the buck. My brother was shopping and we drove an Optima and a Sportage. We both liked the Sportage better.
My brother wanted a manual trans, and that forces FWD, and base models only, so he ended up with a Forester Premium/AWP. Subaru lets you get a well equipped model and still keep the manual.
As mentioned above, Subaru resale is proven and very strong:
https://www.alg.com/deprratings.aspx
4-5 stars for Subaru, 2-3 stars for Kia. So don't be suckered in by the low price, you should calculate TCO instead, because depreciation is steep.
Odds are the Subaru will cost less to own in the long run, particularly a Forester, which is closer to a Santa Fe anyway.
I have no interest in any of them, a $250 portable GPS w/ bluetooth is fine. So I'd pass on the switch offered.
1. Dealer willing to sell Outback at $1000 below invoice.
2. Honda is advertising Pilot for $350/month for base model for 36 months, 12K miles per year, nothing down nothing for inception (bigger and more room - which are not big factors, but no AWD and not the best mileage).
3. Honda is advertising Odyssey for same as #2 price and terms.
4. Toyota Highlander also base model for $400/month 36 months, 12K per year.
To me a car is a car, just want something safe with reasonable mileage. Wife already has a minivan so #3 is not the best option, but can live with it if the deal is that good.
Your input is appreciated.
I am new here and planning to buy a new or Forester in Atlanta or nearby areas .
Can anyone here provide any useful information on this (price and dealer name) :confuse: ?
I don't know if Subaru has any referal program. If not, I would like to show my thankfulness in other ways (like providing a dinner?) :confuse: .
Thanks in advance. :P
Sandy
We were trying to keep the cost down so we actually weren't interested in the Moonroof, but it was very difficult (especially after the earthquake) to find one that had the darker interior (only available with 3 colors) and no moonroof.
The dealership I purchased at offers a lifetime warranty on the engine, transmission, and differentials and free oil changes for the first year. Unfortunately, we live about 60 miles north of this dealership and if I get my car serviced elsewhere, it voids my lifetime warranty (obviously, I don't void the regular warranties that come with the vehicle per federal law).
The car came with several options I wasn't really interested in, like the Rear Chrome Trim, or the Moonroof Air Deflector, but with the 2011 Model Year coming to an end and the earthquake putting stress on the existing supply, we felt it would be best to purchase rather than hold out. Especially because of the 1.9% financing.
Sticker Price inlcuding the options is $31,819 according to TrueCar.
Options: Power Moonroof, Rear Dimming Rearview Mirror w/ Backup Camera, Body Side Moulding, Rear Cargo Net, All Weather Mats Front & Rear, Moonroof Air Deflector, Rear Bumper Cover, Rear Chrome Garnish, Splash Guards.
We purchased it for $28,710, plus a $189 "window etch transfer fee" (which I'm sure is a ripoff, but my insurance company takes more than this off over the life of the car via discounts) plus sales tax (7%) of just about $2,025. State Tire Fee of $7.50 and 4-year registration and specialized license plate fee of $454.00, and lastly a Documentation Fee of $229
Total amount financed was $31,617. We chose not to place a down payment at all, nor trade in, because of the low APR. As a result, we have a high (but expected) payment for 36 months. I think we end up spending around $850 in total interest over the life of the loan, but we felt it would be better to keep our hypothetical down payment in our bank account, earn interest, and end up in actuality only paying around $400 in interest when all is said and done.
That being said, the dealership was very friendly and approachable. They appeared to be honest and trustworthy. I would purchase from this dealership again. The hardest decision is deciding whether I want to pay an inflated price for Subaru Dealer Service to maintain the lifetime warranty, or if I want to bring it to my new favorite independent mechanic which is a lot closer to my home.
As for the car itself, it drives great, and I enjoy it a lot more than my 2009 Legacy Limited (which is what my wife has been driving since `08) The CVT took me a few days to get used to because I expected "shift shock" at certain points and I had to get over the fact that I wouldn't over-rev the engine if I mashed it down.
The only things I miss on the 2011 are the "E/T Timer" which is often seen on that same LCD panel as your fuel mileage, distance to empty, and temperature multifunction screen... and there's no temperature gauge. There's a blue LED that illuminates and extinguishes when the engine is cold, and it turns red if it's too hot. The seat warmers aren't 5 different positions like the Legacy's, you only have low or high. I like the idea of the Outback's "Auto" light sensor, where the lights come on automatically, but I got flipped off a few times going under some overpasses because people thought I was flashing my lights at them to drive faster. :P
All in all a great ride, a satisfying purchase for our little one on the way, and we're looking forward to taking care of this car for a majority of the next decade. I think I may be hooked on Subaru for life!
Edit:
I forgot to mention that this was a demo. They had the possibility of bringing in the exact car we'd gone to the dealership to purchase via flatbed from Pennsylvania, but that car was also a demo. The car had 2,200 miles on it, and was given to the Service Manager. I wasn't sure I would be interested in a demo because of the abuse that typical test-drive cars go through, but it seemed like a good deal. Time will tell.
The average paid for this car, with options, was $30,310 excluding Taxes and Fees, according to TrueCar, so essentially we saved $1600. This equates to about 73 cents per mile driven while it was a demo. Documentation I found on the internet (had my Blackberry with me while I was at the dealership) showed that the majority of dealers pay between 25 and 40 cents per mile.
The first offer that they presented to us was somewhere between the typical 25 and 40 cent value, which wasn't surprising, so we countered with $1 per mile, prepared to accept anything above 70 cents a mile.
Again, was a little weird getting a demo, but I'll be sure to update as time goes on. Until then, car rides like a dream.
If I had a trailer or was driving up steep hills or things of the sort, I could potentially see a use in the 6-cylinder.
Be cautious shopping for any Limited trim because the moonroof and other options are considered extras.
By the way, I have exceeded the window sticker in mileage: I am pushing 34+ mpg on highway using Cruise Control. City is around 25 mpg.
FYI - this is in Buffalo, NY.
Thanks for the help!
seems logical/possible even if Subaru Japan manufacturing facilities themselves are not damaged/affected by the quake/tsunami/meltdown ...
Looking forward to Monday!
I am new to the world of Subarus and have decided to purchase a 2011 Subaru Outback Premium with all weather package, PZEV, CVT - I am also looking to have a hitch installed in addition to the following extras: body side molding, rear seat back cargo net, rear bumper cover, splash guards, all-weather mats, and wheel locks. The best internet pricing I have gotten is at Southern States in Raleigh at $27,281 out the door price incl taxes and fees ($25,993 before taxes). He also threw in 2yr/24k free maintenance at any Subaru dealership in the nation (I am moving to MA in the next few months).
Has anyone recently bought a similar car? If so, where did you get your deal?
Does anyone think this is a good/bad deal?
I also am trying to decide whether I should trade in my 07 Honda Accord EX-L or private party sell it. If anyone got a great trade-in on their vehicle, I would also like to know.
Looking forward to hearing back! Thank you, in advance, for your help!
I recently drove to Albany, NY and got close to 33 mpg @ 70 mph. I am very pleased with the car. I replaced a 09 Forester and there is no comparison between the 2 cars. The Outback is much quieter and rides better. The mpg doesn't compare. The CVT does take a little getting used to, but I do not notice any difference now.
Village Sabaru, Acton, MA
Patrick Subaru, Shrewsbury MA
Metro West Subaru, Natick MA
but I also do not mind buying from anyone within about an hour of these places if it is worth it.
Where I buy the car and where I have it serviced, really does not have to be the same place as far as I am concerned.
One thing I am looking to find out is what is the Administration/Document fee at any of these (or other) Massachusetts dealers. These fees are mostly profit to the dealer and I would prefer to know the numbers since it is just another piece of the negotiation. We have the abilty to use the VIP program (2% under invoice), but I am sure any other these other fees will be added after that and if there is variation amongst dealers, then it may help me chose where to go.
Anyway any info regarding buying expereiences and prices in Massachusetts/New England would be appreciated. Also I have read about NE Surabru and the Ernie Bach factor, did others find the NE subaru invoiuce to be higher? (~$360) Seesm like just about the 1% distributor "tax" that seems to be mentioned with NE Subaru.
So any help on Admin/doc fees, invoice prices above "standard" would much appreciated. I am familiar with all the other necessary costs of title fees, registration fees, destination fees, but the Admin/Doc fees seem to vary.
Thanks and hope to be an Outback owner soon. (might wait for 2012 if they come in Setember)
Given that I already own a 2008 Hyundai Elantra, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the Hyundai product (in general), and the $500 (or so) credit I would get via the Hyundai Loyalty Program, I'm leaning toward the Santa Fe.
However, I haven't made a final decision, and before I test drive the Outback, I'd like to hear other members' impressions of the Outback's ride quality compared to its competitors.
In advance, THANKS!
I told the dealer I'd pay 92% of MSRP, which matched what I was seeing as a good deal according to truecar.com - basically this was just under dealer invoice. So I got the deal but I broke down and ended up buying the 7-year extended warranty and 3 year service plan.
Happy happy joy joy!
kris
Nice thing is you get roadside assistance the whole time, i.e. 7 years' worth.
we got the 2.5i Premium, with AWP, Bluetooth, auto-dimming mirror with compass and homelink, all-weather floor mats, and rear bumper cover, for $25,420 ($28170 out the door). This is below what TMV and TrueCar are giving me for our area, but I wonder if I could have gotten an even better deal! thanks
I'd say I'm a darn nice customer and they should deliver the car for free, though. LOL
I think if you compare noise at cruising speeds, though, the Honda will seem to have more road noise. I rented an Accord sedan and boy was it loud (I'm used to a Toyota Sienna minivan).
So Honda is the opposite - quieter engine, but not as well insulated.
Pluses: Power/room/seats/comfort/stereo/sight lines (wow a car that you don't feel claustrophobic in!)/ground clearance/continuous AWD as almost everyone else with the exception of Audi offer only on demand or partial AWD. Engine is torquey! It comes on early for snappy around town slugging. Reminds me of an old school V8. Love that boxer engine growl when you open it up! It's relatively quick due to the low curb weight. Most vehicles in this class are 500-1000lbs heavier. overall MPG is 25-26 in 70/30 hwy/city mix, which I find pretty good all things considered. Not commonly advertised is the fact that the 3.6R has the most sophisticated AWD system Subaru offers. Subaru actually offer three systems. viscous coupling 50/50 front/rear torque split for manual, electronic torque management for CVT that is 90/10 front/rear torque split (arguably the "least AWD" of the three systems), and finally the 3.6R system (and Tribecca's) that is 55/45 torque split rear/front for a performance bias. All systems will adjust torque to wheels where/when needed.
Minuses: Handing is average. Not as engaging to drive as my 2009 Impreza was. Load capacity is only a car-like 900lbs! This is not an SUV in load capacity. Towing with the 3.6 is a respectable 3000lbs (if you have trailer brakes) though.