Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Subaru Forester Prices Paid and Buying Experience
2763 messages, Last post on Dec 03, 2009 at 5:59 PM
You are in the Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum. Your Hosts are car_man & kyfdx
|
Hey guys and gals, I just want to ask you some questions.We just got back from the local subaru dealer and now are even more confused than we were before.I want to know why these subarus are 1) so expensive 2)are still selling at close to MSRP for a 04 before rebates.We have been looking for a wagon now for about a month,and have test driven a forester XS w/premium pack automatic,a 04 legacy 35th ann edition auto(didn't like it),and both the Mazda6 sport wagon,and Mazda3 HB.We have been getting prices to buy these cars that vary from $20180 plus the dealer paying off our trade(00 protege ES),and an interest rate of 3.9% so payments would be around $370 a month for a mazda 6 wagon w/auto and bose stereo pack.Also we got these quotes from the local subie dealer $22431 on a 04 forester XS after the $1500 rebate,and $22966 on a XS premium w/cloth that was a dealer demo w/4200 miles on it.They gave us a ballpark figure on buying these cars and said around $20 per thousand financed so around $440 for the XS and a bit more for the premium.I then asked them what the difference was between the X and the XS.They told us not much aside from the alloys,drums in the rear,no 6 cd changer,no heated mirrors,seats, heated wipers on the front,no limited slip,and no white option on the 05's.We asked then about leasing the 04 XS's and I will tell you I was not impressed with the figures.The residual was really low for the XS premuim at $11450 for a 3 year 15k a year lease with a money factor of .00220(5.28%) and payments of $443 a month tax included.The salesperson then told me that subaru was offering better lease numbers on the 05 X models and that they were offering $1500 incentive until monday on these.They had a cap cost figure of $22046 on a black 05 X w/auto,armrest ext,rubber mat in the rear with a MF of .00120(2.8%) residual of $10940 and a payment of $347 inc tax with zero down.Subaru makes the first payment,and $350 due at signing for doc fees tags and tax on the $1500 rebate which is shown as a downpayment. My wife is worried about leasing because she is afraid of going over the miles(unlikely),and that our son will tear the car apart(he is 2 as of writing-highly likely).I was wondering what you guys thought of our predicament?I am leaning toward the 05 X lease or maybe at looking at buying a 04 X with the $1500 rebate,or maybe even at the Mazda6 wagon due to us having all mazdas for the past few years,and a $500 customer loyalty bonus voucher. Would the X model be a good choice or is it a bad investment?We are comparing the X we took home as a demo to her current ride,and the only major differences are the alloy wheels on the mazda,the moonroof on the mazda,and the fact that the subie has AWD.The dealer told me if we did the deal before monday that we could wait for the color that we want to come in if we didn't like the black w/textured grey lower one they had.Sorry to be long winded.Any input would be appreciated.I know most on this forum will tell us go with the subie.Thanks in advance. Chris and Becky
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: mazdax605 (Sep 11, 2004 5:02 pm) I just checked fitzmall.com, well known in these parts for no-haggle, aggressive internet pricing, and found only a handful of 2004s left. There was one 2004 XS at substantially below the numbers you quote, but the 2004 pickings are slim. If you are in driving distance of the mid-Atlantic, check out fitzmall. That's what I did 6 weeks ago for a 2004 XT, and my Texas dealer essentially made a competitive offer. You might also shop the lease terms independently online at www.leasecompare.com . |
|
|
Hey guys we just got home from the local subaru dealer and signed up for a 36 month 15k a year lease on an 05 forester x automatic in cayenne red w/grey texured lower(actually 35 because subaru pays the 1st payment).They were offering $1500 off until tomorrow on the 05 X's so that is what we did.We got a money factor of .00120(2.8%) and a residual of 48%.I think we got a good deal,but I am not sure.They didn't have the car we wanted so we did the deal,and will have to wait until they get the color we want.We got the car at 5% over invoice minus the $1500.We really would have rather gotten the XS,but they weren't offering any good leases on them as either an 04 or 05,and we wanted payments around what we were paying for my wifes current car(00 Mazda Protege ES)of $340 a month.The payments are $347 including all taxes a month. The only thing I think she will miss is the moonroof of her mazda,and I think I will miss the alloy wheels a bit,but then again we can get aftermarket ones.What are your thoughts on the X model?I wanted the XS package but really when it comes down to it my wife has had rear drums on her car all these years so that is no big deal,and heated seats are no big deal to us.I did like the heated wipers,mirrors,and limited slip on the XS but they are no big deal either.I think the AWD will make up for the small things missing from her mazda to this new car.Any input is appreciated. Chris
|
|
|
Replying to: mazdax605 (Sep 12, 2004 3:28 pm) a. "They were offering $1500 off until tomorrow" That's a classic high-pressure sales tactic and is usually total bunk. Especially since it's not the end of the month (when most promotions expire). The vast majority of the time, whatever deal you negotiate today is going to be just as valid tomorrow. Injecting a sense of urgency into the price negotiations is often used to coerce a buyer into making a rushed decision and one that they might avoid if afforded the opportunity to sleep on it. b. Even the 05s are selling for significantly less than 5% over invoice so I would think you'd be able to get an 04 at close to straight invoice (and then subtract $1500). This sounds like another shifty sales tactic where the salesman tries to convince you that they would be losing money if they sold for less but neglects to mention that SOA is ponying up the $1500 rebate, not the dealer. c. Finally, I am not a fan of leasing since it almost never makes sense financially. In fact, you even make a fairly convincing argument against it yourself by pointing out that kids can be rough on cars (and if it's leased that means more money out of your pocket down the road). Plus it doesn't make much sense to personalize your new ride by getting alloy wheels or installing a moonroof when you know that it doesn't really belong to you. Okay after getting the negatives out of the way I'll end on a more positive note... the X is the value leader of the two and definitely gives you the most bang for the buck. The XS is nice but rear LSD and disk brakes don't make that much of a difference and if you don't need heated seats or mirrors, then there's no reason to pay extra for them. -Frank |
|
|
Congrats, Chris. The X has styled steel wheels that IMHO look just fine, I wouldn't bother changing them unless you really wanted a 2nd set of rims, maybe for winter tires, or you wanted to go Plus One. You got a full size spare, the Mazda would've had a donut. You also have space for toes under the front seats, not so in the Mazda6. You will love the break-away mirrors, which the Mazda6 lacks. First hit and they'd break, all right. Even with the V6, Mazda's peak torque only comes at a sky high 5000 rpm. Some drivers never even get there. Subies peak a lot sooner, 4000rpm. And despite the X being the "base" model, you're still getting AWD, ABS, side air bags that protect your head, 20 stars in NCAP testing, IIHS Best Pick and Good ratings front and side, best bumpers in the class (IIHS again), two trip odometers, outside temp gauge, 2 sun glasses holders, etc. I think you'll find more and more little surprises and have a growing fondness for your Subie. Congrats again. -juice |
|
|
Mazda6 got a poor in the IIHS offset test (vs. Good for Forester), and 17/20 NCAP stars (vs. 20 for Subaru). The bumpers are average (vs. best in class). Don't worry, be happy. :o) -juice |
|
|
MSRP $28,782, Invoice $26,105, TMV $25,591. I took the $26,105, and knocked off the $1,500 for Cash Back to Dealer thru Sept 30. $24,605. I've been on the lot of our local dealer when they were not open, and the above numbers are for the ones on their lot plus or minus $100 for different options. I thought maybe an "offer" of $24,800 might be reasonable. I get an email this morning. They want $24,795. I almost get the feeling I'm missing something in the equation. Thanks for any thoughts. |
|
|
The dealer gets a small holdback (2% or so) so he can pay the electrical bill. They gotta eat, man!  Run, don't walk, and buy one. -juice |
|
|
Thanks to all who replied to my questions.We did indeed go for the 36 month lease i spoke of before on a brand new 05 forester X in Cayenne Red pearl.It is the automatic(not my choice),and has the armrest extender,and rear rubber mat thingy.We got what I and the Car_Man on the lease forum thinks is a good deal at $340 a month with all MA taxes included and gap insurance.My wife loves the car so far(we got the car last night),but I think that subaru cheaped out on the fabric on the seats(they are rough),and for some reason the roof racks whistle(at least thats where I think the noise is coming from).Any suggestions?Plus the glove box lock is really a pain in the rump.You need to talk dirty to it to get the thing to lock.I even showed this to the sales person,and the service guy,and they figured out how to do it but we cannot.I hope this car is as reliable as our Mazda Protege that we traded in.What do you guys think?Will it be reliable? Oh yeah the dealer has a program where if you get the car serviced with them at their set intervals(3750 miles between oil changes-severe duty schedule)then you will qualify for their tires for life program,loaner car,and something else.Is it worth paying for these services to get these so called "freebies" when the manual says 3000 for the 1st then 7500 there after?Thanks again Chris&Becky
|
|
|
Replying to: mazdax605 (Sep 16, 2004 3:41 pm) -Frank |
|
You are here:
Forums
Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Subaru Forester Prices Paid and Buying Experience
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Subaru Forester
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
