Subaru Crew - Dealers & Pricing

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Comments

  • summerprojectsummerproject Member Posts: 20
    What does it mean when the carfax vehicle history reports of many of the 97 subaru legacy outbacks that are for sale by dealers show a Manufacturer recall like the one below?
    <<11/25/2000 Subaru of America Manufacturer recall issued
    on Auto Shift Lever
    on Axle Shaft
    on Master Cylinder

    Call your Subaru Dealer or 1-800-782-2783
    for more information >>

    Does this mean the vehicle had to be repaired by the dealer?
    If so how should it affect the price?
    Does this mean all 97 subaru legacy outbacks should be inspected for these flaws or just certain vehicles?
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    If you call us (1-800-SUBARU3) we can check on your order. Just to make sure you are getting correct information. Sometimes the dealer ends up not really knowing where to check. We can help.
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Hi! FYI - we share data with Carfax. Your vehicle may or may not be involved in recalls. The best way to check is through your dealer. They can look it up. Also, you can call and we can look it up. Frequently, an inspection is all that is needed. We get a VIN range then check all possibilities to make sure.
  • sambohsamboh Member Posts: 14
    I plan to purchase a new, 2001 Forester "L" within the next two weeks and finance it through Subaru at 5.9%. Does anyone know if Subaru Financing has the "no penalty for pre-payment" feature whereby one may make higher payments if one wishes? Thanks, Sam
  • summerprojectsummerproject Member Posts: 20
    I called the Subaru help line and they were great.
    They told me the recall status of 3 different 97s I was looking at. I love Subarus customer service.
  • summerprojectsummerproject Member Posts: 20
    I was looking at a Green 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback with 66,719miles- 5speed- cold weather package.

    With miles and extras, Edmunds used Vehicle Appraiser gave me a price,for dealer retail of $11,640 .

    Most Dealers in my area have this vehicle priced at $14,995 (there are lots of them too)

    The Kelly Blue book gave me a dealer retail of $15,630
    The Kelly Blue book trade in price for this is $10,735

    If we stick by the blue book on both sides the dealer is looking at $4895
    I realize this would not be ALL profit, but this is still way too high.

    The Edmunds price is $905 over Kelly's trade in and that seems to be still a good chunk of change.

    Every dealer I have talked with hates Edmunds.
    The dealer I was talking to today said:

    "Oh those Edmunds prices are just made up, they don't mean anything. Edmunds is out of of California so they don't know what's going on in the Eastern US"

    Tell that to Bill gates :)

    PS
    (If any of the dealers I have been talking to are reading this, why not take this chance to explain your pricing policies)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Dealers in the Northeast do in fact get cars at a slightly different price (I think freight is more, for example).

    Also, regional prices will vary simply because of supply and demand. An Outback is worth more in snowy Colorado than it is in San Diego.

    Still, Edmunds' numbers are a national average, far from meaningless. The dealer hates Edmunds because his prices are high!

    -juice
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    The uncertainty of pricing for used cars, plus of course a possibility of previous owner's abuse plus a generally rotten attitude of used car dealers...

    In general, I read in several places that dealers make more profit reselling used cars than selling brand new.

    Granted, there are sometimes great deals and steals to be had (I bought my first car --used Plymouth Horizon -- for $1,000 only and it was in great shape) when dealer is anxious to move the car, but it's also true that good used Subarus may be hard to get.

    Don't know about San Diego, but here in Bay Area Soobs are getting more and more popular, and when you go to skiing areas, you see a lot of them.
  • tlbistlbis Member Posts: 25
    New England dealers are under the control and dictatorship of Subaru of New England not SO. ONE charges their dealers $55 more for destination for example. But that's not all. Dealers pay more for their cars and all the options which of course gets passed on to us.
  • tlbistlbis Member Posts: 25
    whoops....Spell checker changed a couple of things on previous post.....

    New England dealers are under the control and dictatorship of Subaru of New England not SOA. SONE charges their dealers $55 more for destination for example. But that's not all. Dealers pay more for their cars and all the options which of course gets passed on to us.
  • summerprojectsummerproject Member Posts: 20
    You must input your zip when using the edmunds used vehicle appraiser and I think that figures in supply and demand etc.
    There is a demand for Outbacks in my area, but there is also a big supply.
  • jboguszjbogusz Member Posts: 4
    What is the current story with getting leather with the side airbags of the S+? I have talked to one dealer who says it's not available, but have another that will have it done "by the same company that does all of the US Subaru leather installations." Has anyone else had leather put in the S+?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I've tried a lot of different zip codes and no matter which I put in, edmunds says the same price for used cars...

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Jeff: it's probably aftermarket leather, not from Subaru. They have yet to combine the side air bags on the Forester with leather.

    Maybe for MY2002.

    -juice
  • tshadletshadle Member Posts: 38
    Well I called the 800 Subaru number to check on my order from Sept. as the Subaru_team suggested. The guy that answered the phone said, "I don't have the info in front of me but if you give me your number I'll call you back before the end of this business day!"
    Guess what - no response! I think Subaru is doing everything they can to NOT sell me a car. I'll just have to make the time to do the whole comparison shop thing between dealers all over again.
    Tom
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    It could be your dealer didn't order it. I know my dealer has ordered and delivered about 6 vehicles that he ordered in Oct.

    -mike
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Good Morning. I'll follow-up on this today and see what the story is.

    You'll hear from someone today. Sorry for the delay, but hopefully we'll have some meaningful information.

    Thanks

    Patti
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Please give us a call again. The Rep. has been trying to call you back for a few days, but she is having trouble getting a connection (case notes indicate it sounds like she is interrupting an internet connection?? (hmmm - hopefully not your Edmunds connection).

    Anyway, Gina does have information about your vehicle. I think you'll be pleased with the news.

    Thanks!

    Patti
  • tshadletshadle Member Posts: 38
    Thanks for the follow-up. Gina wasn't available but another cust. svc. person said the vehicle is due in early Feb. Her notes didn't show that it was ordered in Sept. Thanks for your help and for not letting me hanging.

    Tom
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Way to go Patti! Nice save...

    -juice
  • dannykadannyka Member Posts: 115
    Hi Patti,

    I was told by my dealer that if I ordered a Forester by the end of January, it would be delivered around the first or second week of March. Is this correct? (Important because my lease on '97 OB ends near the end of March.)

    Thanks!

    -Dan
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    It shouldn't be a problem for a Forester. If a time crunch happens, let us know and we can work with your dealer to see if we can "shuffle" an allocation.

    Thanks for sticking with Subaru!

    Patti
  • sambohsamboh Member Posts: 14
    I hear the Outback wagons aren't selling very well. Has anyone heard a rumor about rebates? Thanks, Sam
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Sorry, but sales are very good right now. I wouldn't count on rebates any time in the near future. Sometimes, we offer incentives (customer or dealer - dependent on the area of the country), but with most manufacturers, you won't see rebate situations unless they have a significant amount of inventory.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The 2000s had a $500 incentive towards the end of their production cycle, so I'd expect the same for the 2001s. It may be summer by the time they show up, though.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Just checking Fitzgerald's site and noticed that their bottom-line prices for a entry-level, 5-speed Legacy L wagon was $18,754; and their bottom-line price for an Outback VDC was $29,763.

    That's a $11,009 difference. Does anybody honestly believe that the VDC is $11K better than a base Legacy wagon? Remember, those are discounted prices too!

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The thing is, the Legacy L is an absolute STEAL.

    Think about it - AWD, 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, power everything, A/C, cassette, etc.

    But go figure - noone wants one. The Outback outsells all other Legacys 3 to 1.

    Anyone on a strict budget would be wise to look at the Legacy L. Maybe the reason they don't is because the economy has prospered so well?

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    It's an awsome deal, but it doesn't get respect. People shopping in that category are shopping for civics, and other slightly smaller cars that don't have AWD, and don't have nearly as much power. My buddy's wife is hell bent on getting a civic or altima, even though they are smaller, less power, no rear discs, no awd, etc. I think it is too small to go up against the accord and camary so people aren't cross shopping it with them.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Good points. I've also never seen them advertise it anywhere. At least not the L model specifically.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    like the SVX, before it... is the best kept automotive secret in the world.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Over in the Isuzu area we've been discussing how the Trooper is one of the most under appreciated SUVs for the $ on the market. We keep getting into arguements with the Sequioa and LC guys and Tahoe people cause the LC and Sequioa is 2x the price of the Trooper and I don't believe it is 2x the truck!

    Smart shoppers know where it's at though!

    -mike
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Trooper = 2x the fuel consumption too!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, but not compared to the LC and Tahoe he's talking about.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    My trooper gets better milage than a LC or Sequioa, and about the same or slightly better than a Tahoe.

    -mike
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Info which would be far more germain in a Trooper vs LC vs Tahoe etc forum.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    vehicles like the subaru that are under appreciated at least in the US market! If you can't read english, maybe you should be in the "English as a second language" forum! :)

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    OK guys, take it outside.

    Oh, that's right, we're not "inside".

    I think we can put up with a little off-topic-ness so long as it isn't with bad intentions.

    -juice
  • bigsouthforkbigsouthfork Member Posts: 1
    Hello all,

    First time poster. I am looking for a used Forester (~1999). The local dealer
    has one. Not much variety huh.

    Has anyone bought online and had the vehicle delievered? I read all 700+
    posts last night and this morning. (My job starts in 1.5 weeks can you tell?)
    In the posts, I gathered a lot of great info. I also saw some speaking of
    buying online but not necessarily getting it delievered. My last resort is Carmax.

    Any suggestions would be appreciated
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    must have come down in price the past couple of years. When my wife's Rodeo lease was coming to an end in '98, the sticker on a Trooper with the options she liked was around $32,000. She didn't like the boxiness though and hated the Rodeo's part-time 4WD.
    Her salesman at Open Road in Edison asked her if she was buying her Rodeo or leasing another. She told him she was getting an Outback. His response was, "That's a good car". :-)

    Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Dennis: that's the retail price. They sell near invoice, which is about 10% lower, and sometimes carry generous rebates ($2000 or so).


    Daniel: people tend to buy and hang onto their Soobs, so you'll find few recent used models. They come with a 5/60 powertrain warranty, and I usually suggest this - don't get a loan that's longer than your warranty.


    In other words, if you buy new, get a 5 year loan (or shorter). If you get a 2 year old model, make sure the loan is only 3 years or less, so you'll be covered at least until it's paid off.


    When you analyze that, and look at Subarus' good resale value, I think buying new is a better deal.


    Forester L's start at around $19k, and loaded S Premium autos (with that huge moonroof) go for $23k or so. Use this dealer as a price reference:


    http://www.fitzmall.com/


    Good luck.


    -juice

  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Yeah there is a $4000 rebate right now, and most are selling @ invoice, so you get about $6-$7K off of MSRP. I used to like open-road but my differential whine is back :(

    -mike
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    of deals that are too good. My last good deal was on a 95 Neon. Good thing Isuzu has that mega powertrain warranty.
    mike, I know it's a long haul for you but maybe try Flemington. They have excellent Subaru service so I would assume their Isuzu service is good as well. In the past I was making the 15 minute drive to Bell, but the quality service at Flemington has made the 35 min. drive well worth it.

    Good luck,
    Dennis
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I just ordered my rear upper suspension mountings from them on Tuesday ($220) :( but at least they knew what I was talking about for the XT6, instead of a blank line on the phone. If Open Road doesn't do a good job, I'll likely bring future warranty work to flemington. They do seem like they know their Shite!

    -mike
  • vanbojpvanbojp Member Posts: 11
    My dealer is offering me a 3-year/45K mile lease for $380/month (incl. tax) on an Outback Wagon with CD player and All-weather package. Does this sound about right, or can I do better?
  • dsackmandsackman Member Posts: 145
    Jim,

    What size of capital reduction (deposit) are you putting down?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
  • vanbojpvanbojp Member Posts: 11
    $0 down... not sure what the buyout is.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    or is that $0 out of pocket? ($0 down usually means about $2000 out of pocket due to tax, security, bank fees etc) or $0 out of pocket where they roll those fees into your monthly payments.

    -mike
  • vanbojpvanbojp Member Posts: 11
    $0 down... it will be about $900 with the deposit, first month down, and other fees. The way tax works in WI is you pay the percentage every month, based on your payment. So, my actual lease payment is around $360, and I pay the 5.5% on that, bringing it up to $380/month.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Ok, so if you can find the residual or buyout price we can see how much you are acutally gonna be paying for your vehicle...

    -mike
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