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Subaru Forester Prices Paid and Buying Experience

2724 messages,  Last post on Nov 05, 2009 at 2:58 PM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Wagon, SUV




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#2206 of 2724
Re: Buying New Forester [jeffmc] by sub_lisa
Aug 26, 2008 (5:07 pm)
Reply

Replying to: jeffmc (Aug 25, 2008 9:04 pm)

jeffmc and bobfox3,
 
You two are my new super heroes! Thank you thank you thank you, for taking the time out of your day and taking the effort to help me figure this out. You guys are priceless to this forum and I'm am in awe that you would take the time to put so much effort in helping me through this confusing process. You have proven to me that there are still nice people out there!
 
I've contacted a few different dealerships and did exactly what you guys told me to do! I think it's working. It definitely saves a lot of hassle and haggling. I'm awaiting their responses by email and will definitely let everyone know what is being offered and what deals are out there.
 
I've also been told by a few different sales people that they are interested in doing the deal as soon as possible because it helps them with their August sales quoto. How true is that? Are they just pulling my leg?
 
Thanks again everyone for taking the time to write on this forum. It's been so educational to read the tips from the pros(you guys!).
#2207 of 2724
San Francisco Bay Area Pricing by calcar
Aug 27, 2008 (6:11 am)
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After reading this forum for a few months, I'm finally able to contribute.
 
I just bought a 2009 Forester PZEV X Premium, auto, no All Weather Package, with the following accessories:
 
HomeLink mirror
Luggage compartment cover
Tail pipe cover
Rear bumper cover
Cargo tray
 
MSRP $25,042
Invoice $23,386 (according to Edmunds)
Paid $22,449 + $55 doc fee, TTL at Carlsen Subaru in Redwood City, CA
 
Carlsen had the highest initial quote, but got within $90 of the lowest (Stevens Creek).
 
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.
#2208 of 2724
Re: Buying New Forester [sub_lisa] by jeffmc
Aug 27, 2008 (10:24 am)
Reply

Replying to: sub_lisa (Aug 26, 2008 5:07 pm)

The dealerships do have month-end numbers to try to meet, which can affect bonuses or incentives they receive from Subaru, and the salespeople themselves typically have bonuses they can receive from their dealership. Or they may want to make the deal as soon as possible so that there's less time for you to shop around. That said, most dealers should be able to give you pretty much the same price at the beginning of the month or the end of the month. The main thing is, don't rush into a deal if you're not ready. If you're all set to go, then end of the month can be good because a dealer may be more willing to make small sacrifices to meet any quotas they're close to achieving, but it's not the only way to get a good price.
#2209 of 2724
Congrats! by ateixeira
Aug 27, 2008 (12:04 pm)
Reply
Boy, these things are flying off the lots!
 
Congratulations to...
 
kaiserchieffan
bears2
tentoes49
mquillen
crv16
bobfox3
 
and
 
calcar.
 
Whew. I had to write all those down. No wonder supply is still short, it's your fault!
 
crv16: you have to change your name to Forester16.
#2210 of 2724
Almost done! by victor_pv
Aug 27, 2008 (4:49 pm)
Reply
Hi guys!!
 
After a bit more than 3 months, it seems like I'll be the proud owner of a Forester within the next few days
I wrote here a few months ago, when I was shopping for the forester, and kept reading this forum to see what deals other people were getting.
I closed a deal at the end of May, for a 2.5X Limited, and was a factory order, so I have been waiting all this time for the car to arrive, but today the dealer told me the car could still take another 2 weeks or more to arrive, and offered me to take one off their lot with a couple more extras for the same price, so I went to see the car today, and I hope to close the financing with my credit union during this week, and take the car home
 
It has been really helpful reading about all your experiences, so thanks to you all.
I will post my price as soon as I take delivery of the car, but so far I will give some advice to the people who is still looking for prices, etc.
 
First of all, read this forum, read every post since the new model came out, so you can find prices other people got for the same car, and maybe even the same area. The advices from the people in this forum are really helpful.
 
Second, contact as many dealers as you can to get price quotes. I contacted dealers that were near 200 miles away, but that helped me to know what other dealers wanted for the same vehicle, and to negotiate a better deal with my local dealer, who finally offered the best deal of all I got.
 
Third, be honest. Most salesmen are honest guys like you and me, it is their job and they have to make a living, so it is normal they try to sell the car with highest profit, but if you behave honestly with them, you will have more chances they will be honest with you, and finally offer you the best deal possible.
 
Fourth, take your time, do not close the deal until you are sure about it. And if the dealer pull any trick at the last moment, just leave and go for the next best deal. Nobody can force you to take an extended warranty or pay crazy fee. You can get rid of all that crap if you ask them for the out the door price from the beginning. That way you will be able to compare apples to apples, and you won't have to care if this dealer charges this fee and that other charge that other fee. Just compare the final price you will have to pay to one or the other.
 
Fifth, about financing, check with your local credit union before closing the deal. Mine happened to be an excellent union with excellent people, but all them use to offer a good rate, and you can always take the dealers finance if it is better.
 
I am right now helping a friend to buy another car, an Acura TSX 09, and everything I learnt when shopping for my car is being applied again, and we hope to get him a sweet deal so far the price came from MSRP to invoice+500.
 
I hope to write again soon telling you all I got my new car!!!
 
Thanks and regards!
#2211 of 2724
Re: Buying New Forester [jeffmc](09 Limited) by sub_lisa
Aug 27, 2008 (10:24 pm)
Reply

Replying to: jeffmc (Aug 27, 2008 10:24 am)

A little background, so you aren't having to go through all the original posts. I am very new to the car buying experience. I live in Washington state. I did what everyone said to do, sent out about 18 requests. Got various quotes which all were around the same deal. If you really think about it...$300 is only .012% of $25,000. I wasn't sure what types of quotes I would receive. I got quotes from around 15 dealerships. I basically broke up my post in 3 sections:
1) First, my worst experience and higher priced.
2) The low prices, with the name of a really nice dealership.
3) The dealership that I was wowed by their professionalism and was also in the low price category. My opinion is that if you are within a few hundred dollars of the invoice price, you are considered in the low price category.
 
The highest/most expensive quote I got was some Internet Sales price from Bruce Titus Tacoma which also had the absolute rudest sales people/managers. They do adjust their prices after wasting weeks, hours on emails, and phone calls with them, but it still wasn't even in the low 1/2 of my quotes. I felt the sales team in Tacoma(who I met) came across uneducated about their own inventory/cars, extremely agressive, and made sure you knew they were the "expert" and you know nothing about cars, car sales, the market for these cars, how much inventory there is, why you are a dummy for not buying from them. It was such a headache to be there and then I made the mistake of giving them my contact information! If you want to be solicited by their internet sales team(I told them to stop calling, but they still do) numerous times, then give them your number.
 
The low quote I got from most of the other dealers was around $200/$300 above dealer invoice and Mike Scarff Subaru in Auburn were super nice. They were upfront with the prices and really do not haggle. They were by far the most organized dealership and even sent me a fancy spreadsheet with a great breakdown of all the collective and individual pricing on each feature with MSRP and dealer invoice price side by side for comparision. I just told them what I wanted in my car and they included around 8-10 different cars that had features I wanted(some had more than what I wanted) and a breakdown of all the extras and the prices. It's impressive nonetheless.
 
I also sent out quote requests to Idaho and Oregon. The prices I got were really within $80-$100 difference of the low quotes. In the end, I thought I would stay closer to my own state.
 
I live in the south part of Washington state, but chose to go with Renton Walker Subaru because of how professional they were, how easy they were to deal with, and on top of that the price will be very slightly(and i mean slightly!) below invoice. In the end, even though they weren't the lowest price, I was so impressed by their professionalism and quick responses. They are very respectful of your time and the negotiation process.
 
So, after a month of research and decision making. I got a car!
 
09 Forester Limited
Dimming mirror/compass/puddle lights
Luggage cover/Rear bumper cover/cargo tray
All weather mats
for a little under $25,800 before taxes and dmv fees.
 
If you are in the NW, I would go with Walker Subaru. I couldn't believe how nice and professional the salesman was.....there were some rude and flakey sales people out there! There was no hassle or pressure at all. The two nicest and most professional I talked to were Walker Subaru and Mike Scarff Subaru.
 
Good luck everyone and thanks again for all of your help!
#2212 of 2724
Re: Buying New Forester [jeffmc](09 Limited) [sub_lisa] by jeffmc
Aug 28, 2008 (12:47 am)
Reply

Replying to: sub_lisa (Aug 27, 2008 10:24 pm)

Way to go! Sounds like you did a super job and everything worked out great. Isn't it wonderful when you get a good experience and a good deal at the same time. Did you take from inventory, or have to order? What color?
 
And a shout out to ALL NEW FORESTER OWNERS to check out Edmunds' Subaru Crew Meet the Members II forum, where you can introduce yourself and "hang" with fellow Subie nuts. It's a friendly group.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.ee99548?displayRecent
#2213 of 2724
Re: Buying New Forester [jeffmc](09 Limited) [sub_lisa] by mquillen
Aug 28, 2008 (5:30 am)
Reply

Replying to: sub_lisa (Aug 27, 2008 10:24 pm)

Sub_lisa, nice job. $300 is actually about 1.2% of $25k, but the real point is it's our money, so let's not give it away if we don't have to--the higher payment for that is worth a couple Starbucks a month, and my Starbucks budget isn't what it used to be.
 
You are right, though. How much time do we want to expend to save that marginal $300 or so? And that does frustrate car salespeople. I think it's great that you rewarded the dealer that was easiest to work with, and not just go after the lowest price. A good dealer can make the car buying experience enjoyable, and isn't that what it's supposed to be? If we all reward the good dealers, will the bad dealers become extinct, or are they like cockroaches? Before everyone answers, that's just a rhetorical question.
#2214 of 2724
Re: Almost done! [victor_pv] by ateixeira
Aug 28, 2008 (5:36 am)
Reply

Replying to: victor_pv (Aug 27, 2008 4:49 pm)

Good luck with that process. I hope the dealer doesn't present any "surprises" when you're ready to settle the deal.
#2215 of 2724
Re: Congrats! [ateixeira] by mquillen
Aug 28, 2008 (5:41 am)
Reply

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 27, 2008 12:04 pm)

Ateixeira, thanks for the acknowledgment. I think the Subaru is a very worthy vehicle and anyone who's in the market for a CR-V or any other small crossover is doing themselves a real disservice if they don't cross shop. I'd be driving one now if I could have waited longer.

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