- #2177 of 2724
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Re: Advise on buying a forester [chicago2008]
by packrfan
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Aug 22, 2008 (7:29 am)
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Replying to: chicago2008 (Aug 21, 2008 6:39 am)
Chicago2008,
At the end of July, I got a X w/ Premium and AWP with cargo cover, tray, mudguards, bumper cover for $500 below invoice with aero bars thrown in. I thought the Limited was very attractive as its value-for-money propostion was by far the best in its class, but ended up with the X Prem. as we wanted a MT and it wasn't available on the Limited. FWIW, it's our second Forester - we had low mileage 02 but needed to turn over the rolling stock.
We got the 09 at Autobarn in Countryside and can recommend them as easy-to-business with. Met my price point and only had a minor issue on trade-in price (smart moves on their part - they wouldn't meet the CarMAX price as the benefit to me for lower tax base on new Forester gave them leverage).
I'd set a target a several hundred below invoice for your vehicle (Edmunds and other sites can provide this), check inventories at dealerships starting nearby and expanding outward as necessary, contact initially via email and let them know you're serious about buying and be upfront about your target price. Tell them you want best price quote with all fees & taxes specifically called out - you can always ask for a second round of quotes if someone meets your target, or if no one does. Close the deal with whomever steps up price-wise by scheduling an appointment & advising you want to close the deal - that's your last "meet this price" conversation.
I've seen lots of recommendations for dealerships at some distance (Colorado, eg) and I know service can be done anywhere but my preference was to buy more locally if possible - there is something to having a sales dealership contact. If it's delivered from a long distance dealership with stone chips or any problem, that presents a headache.
Go for it - you'll love your Forester!
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- #2178 of 2724
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Re: Advise on buying a forester
by chicago2008
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Aug 22, 2008 (8:23 am)
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Replying to: packrfan (Aug 22, 2008 7:29 am)
I want to thank everyone for their wonderful advise. To be honest, all this list price, sticker price, msrp, etc. makes me so confused! I want to get a limited forester, no real add ons, out the door for under 28K. I checked with my bank today and their financing rate is between 5.9 and 10%, which I think is absolutely crazy. I'd like to contact dealers toward the end of the month but i will be out of town. I've done a lot of research and have read that buying toward the end of the month is the best time to get better rates. I'm thinking I will wait it out until the end of September or end of October to take the plunge I just hope that the financing rates don't go up or that dealers won't want to negotiate since they are flying out the car lots.
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- #2179 of 2724
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Re: Advise on buying a forester [chicago2008]
by mquillen
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Aug 22, 2008 (11:00 am)
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Replying to: chicago2008 (Aug 22, 2008 8:23 am)
Chicago, I don't anticipate the auto market improving over the next couple months, and it will probably get worse (kids starting school etc.). Also, Limiteds should become more plentiful as time goes on. Right now they are hard to get but deals can be made. Invoice on the Limited, inclusive of destination is $25K, with no options. You probably won't find a Limited without any options, so try to either get them to take them off, or only charge you invoice price for them (configure your car on the Edmunds site to see what the typical options invoice at). Purchasing the car for between $25K and 25,300, inclusive of typical options would be considered a good price on a Limited. Add to that your doc fee and taxes, and you're well below $28K. Whatever you do, DON'T TELL the dealer you want to stay below $28k. So if you can buy it with a few options for 25,200+150 doc+2,344 tax + 150 registration = $27,844 (assuming 9.25% tax). To start, I'd tell the dealer you don't want to go over $27,500 out the door. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.
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- #2180 of 2724
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How does a person become a VIP member?
by kotterman
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Aug 22, 2008 (11:48 am)
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How does a person become a VIP member in order to automatically get a Forester below invoice? If you don't work for a company that gives you VIP status, are there organizations that you can join to get this status?
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- #2181 of 2724
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Re: 09 purchase! [tentoes49]
by jeffmc
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Aug 23, 2008 (10:31 am)
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Replying to: tentoes49 (Aug 17, 2008 4:05 pm)
tentoes49 - You can buy an extended warranty after purchase, but it must be before the standard 3-yr/36k-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty runs out.
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- #2182 of 2724
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Re: Buying New Forester [bobfox3]
by sub_lisa
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Aug 23, 2008 (4:13 pm)
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Replying to: bobfox3 (Aug 16, 2008 12:21 pm)
I'm looking for a good deal in the Pacific Northwest area. I'm in the Seattle area and I've tried a few dealers, but they talk to me like I'm five years old and loudly(as if I'm deaf too). I'd like a no hassle deal. This is my first time buying a car and it makes me nervous.  If you could offer any help or advice, I'd so appreciate it!
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- #2183 of 2724
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Re: Buying New Forester [sub_lisa]
by rengaw
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Aug 23, 2008 (8:50 pm)
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Replying to: sub_lisa (Aug 23, 2008 4:13 pm)
I'm also considering the purchase of a new Forester in the Seattle area and several people have told me Carter Subaru was the dealer of choice. I will have to investigate them all before I pull the trigger.
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- #2184 of 2724
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Re: Buying New Forester [sub_lisa]
by jeffmc
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Aug 23, 2008 (9:49 pm)
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Replying to: sub_lisa (Aug 23, 2008 4:13 pm)
sub_lisa & rengaw -- Carter is good... I'd highly recommend buying from their internet manager rather than walking onto the lot. I've purchased 4 Subarus from Carter, always had good pricing and always been treated well. I've also referred family and friends there, and all have been pleased. If you buy online, it's a no-haggle price, take it or leave it, absolutely no pressure, and there's no harassing follow-up. Some folks are a little bothered by how hands-off they are, ironically. They're one of the country's largest volume Subaru sellers. From my experience their service dept does good work, has free loaners, has amazingly early and late hours (open 7 days/wk, too), and they've got a convenient no-appointment oil change & tire facility next door, but the trade-off is somewhat expensive service dept. I hate to sound like a commercial. 
Anyway, feel free to e-mail me for more details if you'd like, or if you have any questions. You can get my address my clicking on my name in the post title. Good luck to you both... new Forester seems great!
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- #2185 of 2724
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Re: Buying New Forester [sub_lisa]
by bobfox3
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Aug 23, 2008 (10:15 pm)
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Replying to: sub_lisa (Aug 23, 2008 4:13 pm)
sub lisa - i've got a ton of experience buying new cars and internet pricing has made it ten times easier. i don't know what the seattle dealerships are willing to sell the forester for but you should have a target price before contacting anyone. first, be sure of the car you want and your willingness to commit to the purchase. test drive the car locally to be sure, but don't let them force you to make an offer - especially on a car that has options you don't want - they will try to get you to buy a car off their lot rather than order the perfect car for you. if you want the forester, decide if it's the plain 2.5x, or the 2.5x premium, or the 2.5x limited, or the turbo (i don't recommend). decide on your options. figure out the invoice price of the car with all options and destination charges (about $665). then, you should be able to get that car for invoice minus about $400-800, depending on the dealership. calculate what the price would be before taxes or dmv fees. find each dealership's website and ask them to give you a price on the car - tell them you're looking to buy it for whatever the price you calculated was. e-mail back and forth telling them what the other dealerships are offering and asking if they'll beat it.
if you're stuck for a good price, you can start dealing with Carr in Beaverton or Wentworth in Portland both of whom will (eventually) give you a great price. that's who i'm dealing with. after that, see if the Seattle dealerships will meet/beat it.
by the way, what type of forester and options are u looking for?
good luck
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- #2186 of 2724
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Re: Buying New Forester [bobfox3]
by mtjc521
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Aug 23, 2008 (10:50 pm)
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Replying to: bobfox3 (Aug 16, 2008 12:21 pm)
I am in northern Oregon and have not dealt with Carr dealership, so no help there no whether they will jack you around. In general, the dealers here seem to ALWAYS charge a "Document Prep Fee" (amount varies) with the fee going to dealer, and dealer claims that the govt requires them to charge it. Verify that with fee with DMV, or just ball up all costs, fees, expenses, dealer shaftings, purchase price, into one big check to exchange for possession of car. Did Carr include that doc fee in quote or plainly state no add-on fees? You can check with Oregon DMV's Dealer Unit and see if any auto dealership has been disciplined or fined or their DMV permit suspended in the past. Pls keep us informed on actual price paid and/or offers made, cuz I am working over the dealers one against the other in this tight market to protect my wallet.
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