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Subaru Forester Prices Paid and Buying Experience

2757 messages,  Last post on Dec 02, 2009 at 12:39 PM

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




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#366 of 2757
Yes... by mfletouva
Jul 06, 2004 (12:02 pm)
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I agree with you, that's an accurate picture. A good place to get a picture, perhaps the best price for people who don't want to haggle. But in many instances, not the absolute lowest price.
#367 of 2757
Re: Yes... [mfletouva #366] by alyosha73
Jul 06, 2004 (3:46 pm)
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Replying to: mfletouva (Jul 06, 2004 12:02 pm)

Ok, lets leave it at that, for me Fitz was the absolute lowest price I could find on Subie FTX PP, and I tried four other dealers in three states. I spent hours in each dealership, went through al of the tricks - and still had to walk out since they could not even get close within $500 of Fitzmall price. Maybe I just look stupid and they thought that I'll finally pay up. It took a phone call to Fitz to verify the price and leave deposit, I was in DC on business when I finalized the purchase.
When I mentioned dealer tricks, they were- (stopped to ask for price, they offered a test drive, I drove and said that I am going to wait untill price drops with release of 2005, they said they can give me a better price, just come on in, so I walk in, they write in big letters MSRP, I dont say a word, they substract 1500 of MSRP, I dont say a word, they ask if I like the price, I say - no, I can do better than that somewhere else, at the time 100 under invoice at Fitzmall, they leave to talk to manager, mentioning that they are working hard for me to put me in the car tonight, they come back with 500 over invoice, I say no, they invite the manager, who starts talking that its not the price of the car but its value which I should look for, I say no, he talks about my family and my wife, mentions that I must not love my wife if I dont want buy such a safe vehicle for my family, thats where I say, enough, whats your final price he drops to 400 over invoice, and keeps talking about paying commissions, keeping lights in the dealership, feeding kids and putting them through college, at which moment I say no, and get up. He says - take the car for a weekend and see if you like it, I have to pry their hands off of me and leave, they stick a bunch of business cards in my pockets, and then call for 3 days, but dont drop the price. This repeats in 3 dealerships with small variations.)
So theoretically it is possible that you can get a better deal somewhere else, practically for me it wasnt.
As for Fitzmall discounting every month, I dont know what incentives are there, but I only saw the price drop when incentives increased, FWIW other dealers dont immediately share those incentives, so in my experience they are worse. I wont be surprised that my next subie comes from Fitz and I'll save my time huggling with dodgy dealers.
#368 of 2757
by ateixeira
Jul 07, 2004 (8:59 am)
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CR rated the Baja well overall, actually. It ranked higher than the Honda CR-V, for instance. It did poorly in reliability (specifically).
 
Some people like to haggle, lots do actually. But I saw an investigative report where men were given lower bottom-line prices than women, for instance. It would also depend on the negotiating skills of the individual.
 
From my (relatively little) experience, I just kept finding surprises every time I'd buy a car. Sure, price was great, then they'd tack on some other fee or try to add freight a 2nd time. Plus there was pressure to buy on the spot.
 
YMMV.
 
-juice
#369 of 2757
Well... by mfletouva
Jul 07, 2004 (1:47 pm)
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I understand they 'reevaluate' their prices every 2 weeks or so.
 
That sounds like some BAD experiences. I'm curious, though, did you shop on the internet elsewhere? That's how I was able to obtain my low prices. I certainly wouldn't sit there and get berated like that, I just email a dealer, ask them what their price is, and if they don't give me a straight answer, either email them back or just say forget it. When I'm ready to buy, I look at whoever sent me the best quote by email, and that's that.
 
In your case though it sounds like you got a very good deal at Fitz anyway. I think that's great, I bet that happens with some frequency. I'm done with this topic now but the ONLY point I was trying to make is that to listen to some, you'd think you would always get the best price at that dealership, and in MY experience that has not been the case. I was trying to warn people to not just shop there and assume they did the best they could.
#370 of 2757
Re: Well... [mfletouva] by alyosha73
Jul 07, 2004 (6:59 pm)
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Replying to: mfletouva (Jul 07, 2004 1:47 pm)

Yeah, I shopped on the internet before - it depends a lot on the car make, some dealers are very conservative about accepting internet, using it for sales. I had zero constructive responses/quotes shopping for Audi and Acura for a friend - the responses were - come over and we'll discuss, needless to say it was a waste of time. I did have a positive internet experience shopping for Ford, couple of years ago. I was able to explain to all dealers who responded with useless information, that I am looking for their best price on the specific trim and color, and will not reply to any email, which doesnt contain information I asked. I only got one dealership to respond with actual quote for the actual vehicle. It was the best of what I've seen so I bought it.
So in a way you are not talking about haggling for price but shopping for the best price, using email. Well, thats why fitzmall is so good - the prices are listed, actual prices of actual vehicles. By the way, I think Fitz has some kind lowest price garantee, if you can buy the car cheaper somewhere else, they will pay you reward, I didnt check into it, you might want to.
#371 of 2757
Re: Well... [alyosha73] by edunnett
Jul 07, 2004 (7:57 pm)
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Replying to: alyosha73 (Jul 07, 2004 6:59 pm)

For our recent CR-V purchase I soliced 6 dealerships for internet quotes. 4 came back with at or close to invoice. One came back with below invoice on the car we wanted. I kept a dialog going with three of them including the lowest price one. When we were ready to buy I printed the lowest quote out and went to see that guy first - made him honor that offer or I would show it to four more dealerships on my drive home and see if they would like to match his price He chose to honor it.
 
My subaru dealership is a bit closer to my heart and I had some relationships built there so I accepted a slightly less favorable deal in order (not UNDER invoice) to let the guy make some money, but again, he knew I had an invoice offer in hand from another dealer and a carsdirect price, so very little wiggle room.
#372 of 2757
by ateixeira
Jul 08, 2004 (5:50 am)
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We agree, though, that Fitz is not always going to have the lowest price.
 
Even with an internet quote - there's no guarantee they won't tack on processing fees after you agree on a price for the vehicle. Do you mention that specifically in your e-mail quote request?
 
Thing is, to me the no-surprises, good buying experience is worth something. I'd rather spend $100 more and not feel like I needed a shower after an ugly deal.
 
-juice
#373 of 2757
Re: [ateixeira] by rsholland
Jul 08, 2004 (6:07 am)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Jul 08, 2004 5:50 am)

We agree, though, that Fitz is not always going to have the lowest price.
 
That's true. I know for a fact that other local Subie dealers use Fitz prices as a barometer for their own pricing. I've heard many a dealer say that they will meet or beat Fitz prices.
 
That being the case, I'd rather reward Fitz for setting the standard, even if it costs me a few $$.
 
I feel the same about Subaru. They've set the standard for AWD vehicles that average people can afford. Now everyone is jumping on the AWD bandwagon. I'd rather support Subaru for being first, and for continuing to be the leader in that field.
 
Bob
#374 of 2757
by ateixeira
Jul 08, 2004 (6:09 am)
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reward Fitz for setting the standard
 
Exactly what I was trying to say, only more succinct.
 
Thanks for making me look bad. LOL
 
-juice
#375 of 2757
Re: [ateixeira] by edunnett
Jul 08, 2004 (6:55 am)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Jul 08, 2004 5:50 am)

Well, the internet quote that I got included all fees - license, tax, prep, doc, etc. While the price was good, the buying experience at Honda was terrible. Sales guy tried to charge us more for the car, tried to drop the trade in price by $1000 once verbally then when we agreed, we found the lesser amount on the papers they wanted us to sign. *sigh* So I am much happier with my 30 minute no-fuss Subaru purchase that I paid about $100 over invoice then I am with the Honda at $200 below. Honda really made me work for it and as with any other Honda dealership I have ever visited... I will never go back to that one again. Customer service is abysmal!

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