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Subaru Forester Prices Paid and Buying Experience

3509 messages,  Last post on May 17, 2013 at 2:32 PM

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

Messages Page 327 of 352

#3254 of 3509 Re: Subaru Forester 2011 [budhina] by jogousa

Jun 19, 2011 (4:06 am)

Replying to: budhina (Jun 18, 2011 8:16 pm)
Before I bought mine (2010 Forester XT) I also had Honda CRV and Toyota Rav-4 on my short list. But I could not compare apples with apples because local dealers did not have 4-wheel drive CRVs or Rav-4s - that is what I wanted for my frequent trips to the Rockies and Sierras in winter.
This is my second Forester and I went with proven technology and past experience and retention of residual value.
All of the above seem to grow in size - late CRVs and late Rav4s as well as Forester are bigger, roomier than previous production models. Not sure why, I kind of like the old sizes better.
I am kind of happy with 2010 XT although the mileage isn't that great. Also, the need of using high octane fuel only ( XT requirement) is kind of a bummer with the gas prices now.
I miss my 2005 Forester though... I "donated" it to my teenage son in San Francisco and he likes it for the versatility and snowboarding escapades in Tahoe area.

#3255 of 3509 Re: Subaru Forester 2011 [budhina] by fnamowicz

Jun 19, 2011 (9:52 am)

Replying to: budhina (Jun 18, 2011 8:16 pm)
Get the CRV the Subaru sounds like a bunch of bolts in a blender.
The CRV is quieter has a larger interior with more usable room with similar exterior dimensions and synthetic oil is not required.

#3256 of 3509 Front license plate mounting? by mkunze

Jun 19, 2011 (4:16 pm)

Bought a Forester in a State where they only require 1 license plate. On the front I see two square holes, but nothing that will hold a plate. The spacing between these holes is also bigger than the holes in the license plate. What can I do?
 
Perhaps this a problem the saving money by buying out of State can cause!! No local dealer to help me out.

#3257 of 3509 Re: Front license plate mounting? [mkunze] by xwesx

Jun 20, 2011 (12:25 am)

Replying to: mkunze (Jun 19, 2011 4:16 pm)
I admit that I haven't inspected the front of my Forester to see how the plate is mounted, but on my previous Outbacks, which did not have a dedicated mount point, the dealership simply screwed the plate into the plastic bumper shell.
 
If your car has square holes, usually those would be used to insert plastic screw holds. If they're wider than your plate holes, though, that might not do any good! If they are not wider than the plate itself, you could just drill new holes in the plate to match. It's just aluminum - it will drill out with minimal effort.

#3258 of 3509 2011 Forester 2.5x Premium by mickfickle

Jun 21, 2011 (7:25 am)

Four days ago, I purchased a 2011 Forester 2.5x Premium in the Baltimore-WashingtonDC area for $1150 under invoice. The specific car is a sage green 2011 Forester 2.5x Premium with the All-Weather Package (heated seats, mirrors, windows...), all-weather mats, rear bumper cover, removable cargo tray, luggage compartment cover, splash guards, aero cross bars, ipod/cellphone tray and the auto-dimming mirror with compass. The auto-dimming mirror was the feature that I did not need or want. The MSRP on the vehicle was $26,764. The invoice was $24,804. I got it for $23,654 + $1,419.24 in taxes, $240 in titles and tags and $95 processing fee. The $725 destination fee and $300 PZEV fee were included in the prices quoted. The total was $25408.24, over $1300 below MSRP.
 
   If you're looking to buy a new Subaru, I suggest you check out Edmunds for the reviews to determine what exactly you might want and then to get the invoice and MSRP price. Then check TrueCars which usually directs you to a dealer offering the car below invoice. In my case, I found one dealer offering $500 below invoice. I e-mailed 5-10 other dealers in MD/VA and three others were, eventually, willing to come down to $500-600 below invoice (after some internet haggling). A different dealership offered $1000 below invoice (having been told my starting point of $500 below), had an internet coupon for $150 off and had me in that weekend to finalize the deal. Subaru is offering 1.9% APR for a 36 month loan until the end of the month, but we would have been able to get 2.25% from a local bank for a 60 or 72 month loan.
 
   Thanks everyone for your posts and all of the information. If not for reading about the great deals people were able to make, I might have settled for less. Thanks!
 
-John

#3259 of 3509 Re: Front license plate mounting? [mkunze] by jogousa

Jun 21, 2011 (7:55 am)

Replying to: mkunze (Jun 19, 2011 4:16 pm)
Simple solution (that I have done in FL... where we also only rear lic. plate... will solve it:
Measure the middle of the front bumper; measure center of front license plate and use it as a template. Mark front license plate holes and drill small holes at those spots. Insert white screw-in plaster anchors (available at Lowes or Home Depot) - and you have mounting holes with thread in the front bumper!

#3260 of 3509 Re: 2011 Forester 2.5x Premium [mickfickle] by specdan

Jun 21, 2011 (7:58 am)

Replying to: mickfickle (Jun 21, 2011 7:25 am)
$1150 off Invoice is a good deal. I bought mine 6 weeks ago for $1300 off Invoice. You lay out the pertinent points: Contact as many Subaru dealers as you can. Let them fight over your Business. Know exactly what you want and don't waiver. Finally, get your hands on the Invoice.
Congratulations!!

#3261 of 3509 Re: Subaru Forester 2011 [budhina] by specdan

Jun 21, 2011 (8:19 am)

Replying to: budhina (Jun 18, 2011 8:16 pm)
I own a 2008 CRV and a 2011 Subaru Forester.
I lean slightly to the CRV.
Forester gets better Mileage Per Gallon but there are little things I don't like.
When starting the Forester up, engine runs rough for awhile, passenger seat sits low so visibility isn't good.
Overall though, you can't go wrong with either. Good luck!

#3262 of 3509 FXT 2011 by budhina

Jun 21, 2011 (10:26 am)

I bought my Forester 2.5 X Auto Trans with Alloywheel package for $20,649 + TTL. I guess its a good vehicle .....though there is some noise at 70mph but its not that bad....4 gears are smooth...Not sure what the invoice price was but this is the best deal I was getting and no one was willing to beat this. I contacted as many as 10 dealers in the area....

#3263 of 3509 Re: FXT 2011 [budhina] by budhina

Jun 21, 2011 (10:29 am)

Replying to: budhina (Jun 21, 2011 10:26 am)
Yeah...the MSRP was $23,200

Messages Page 327 of 352

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