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Subaru Legacy Prices Paid and Buying Experience

1006 messages,  Last post on Jun 13, 2013 at 9:50 PM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 15 of 101

#141 of 1006 Subaru of Jacksonville by erickson00

May 17, 2005 (12:40 pm)

Subaru of Jacksonville
 
Subarus are not really popular down here in the south; at least not the Legacy or Outback. We have our share of the boy racers with aspirations of streetracing their fast and furious imports, and they go for the Imprezas. With this in mind, I wasn't sure what to expect when I started shopping for a Subaru.
 
I tried to use the internet to my advantage, but they wouldn't give me a quote until I came in. Typical. Most dealerships won't, which is unfortunate. They want to give you their pitch and get you in the door because they know the majority of people will have a harder time saying no once they drive a shiny brand new car around the block.
 
I got to the dealership around 5pm on a Friday afternoon. I met the sales guy who I'd talked to on the phone, and told him what I wanted.
 
We went outside to look at all the Legacy GT Limited models, of which he had only a few. SOJ is actually the largest Subaru delaership in the region, but he didn't have a silver, charcoal interior GT Limited with a manual transmission. They called around and located one in Tampa, saying they could go pick it up for me if I left a deposit. I knew I wanted the car, so I agreed. I was lucky enough to test drive it in heavy rain. The dealer tricked me and turned my seat heater on, so I started roasting; asked him to switch on the AC while I was driving. He thought that was funny, but I wasn't so sure about it.
 
I already had financing secured for 66 months through my company, with an employee discount. I work as a sales rep for Chase, and thought I had a decent rate in 6.48%, because I had a 60 day late on my credit report a couple years ago. I asked the guy at Subaru to run my credit and tell me what they could offer. They beat my employee discounted rate by 2%. Guess who the financer is? Chase. That's strange, but I took it for 63 months.
 
Then it was time to talk about price.
 
I had brought in my Edmunds.com TMV report and other various documents. The sales rep wouldn't use my TMV values as the invoice cost, saying that they were wrong. I argued for a while, but he wouldn't budge. His invoice was about $600 more than Edmunds.com lists. I ignored the trade-in talk, and steered away from the monthly payment method of negotiating. I wanted to know the full, out the door price. After financing in a spoiler (the car in Tampa did not have one, which originally I didn't want, but after seeing it on in the dealership, I decided to get one), which they overcharged me on, I ended up paying around $29,500, out the door, including tax, tags, title, etc.
 
I expected to pay a bit less, but I was happy to be getting exactly the car I wanted, and for 2% less in interest than I walked in with. It ended up costing me $12 more per month than I thought it would (thanks to the spoiler!). I know owe $512 per month for 63 months.
 
Before I could leave, they made me talk to another rep about how to read the owner's manual, and gave me a ton of business cards and flyers and booklets, which they stuffed into the folder with the manual. Everyone was very nice and agreeable, and didn't treat me like I didn't know anything. They employed the usual tactics; making me wait for 10 minutes or so alone at the desk while they discussed my counter-offers, tried to work the monthly payment angle, tried to charge me MSRP for everything instead of invoice. But they are just like me, living off of commission and doing what they can to squeeze a few extra bucks out of the deal without being dishonest. It took three hours, which kind of sucked, but oh well.
 
I was much more impressed with this buying experience than I was when I bought my last car, a used 1997 Honda Prelude SH, from a BMW/VW dealership. Those guys were snakes!

#142 of 1006 Re: Steven's Creek Subaru, SJ, CA [bayareabuyer] by cohenfive

May 17, 2005 (1:32 pm)

Replying to: bayareabuyer (May 17, 2005 12:37 pm)
was this $27.5 minus $1500 rebate for a price of $26,000? that's good if so. are they dealing on the other lgt ltd wagons they have in stock as much?

#143 of 1006 Re: Subaru of Jacksonville [erickson00] by sweet_subie

May 17, 2005 (8:19 pm)

Replying to: erickson00 (May 17, 2005 12:40 pm)
I know them. they are connecticut folks who own them in jacksonville & are selling subarus aggressively in FL.

#144 of 1006 Re: Steven's Creek Subaru, SJ, CA [cohenfive] by sh_maestro

May 23, 2005 (6:01 pm)

Replying to: cohenfive (May 17, 2005 1:32 pm)
I test drove the 05 Legacy GT Ltd AT at this dealership.. the sales team, though quick to respond initially, did not appear to be very motivated.. I didn't ask them for a quote as I was still deciding between this and an Accord EX V6 AT w/ navigation (both cars have loads to offer), but now its down to a cost comparison.
 
Do you guys have a quote for the 05 legacy GT Limited for the Bay Area, California?
 
Thanks.

#145 of 1006 Subaru of Schaumburg, IL (Chicago NW suburb) by earthworm

May 24, 2005 (6:47 am)

I just purchased a 2005 Legacy GT LTD 5MT, Regal Blue, with the following add-ons:
 
Popular equipment package (auto-dimming rear-view w/compass, security alarm)
Spoiler
STi Short-Throw Shifter
 
I originally emailed the dealership with a request for a quote for just the performance package (Momo shift knob, short-throw shifter, and metal pedals), spoiler, auto-dimming mirror w/compass, and floor mats and was emailed back with a price of $25,995.
 
When I went in to the dealership yesterday, they didn't have what I wanted on the lot - they had a car without the performance package and with the popular equipment group, so I said OK, even trade, just throw in the short-throw shifter without the momo knob and pedals and they charged me $350 w/ installation for that, so I ended up with a final price of $26,345.
 
That price above from Beefheart for $24,884 is awesome - I wonder what add-ons it had...
 
I also got the "added Security" extended warranty of 5 yr/100,000 miles for $1200. They originally tried to get me to agree to a 6 yr./80,000 plan for much more.
 
I took the incentive ($1800?) and the 4.85% financing instead of the $500 off and the 3.99%. With the extended warranty, the shifter and other options, I took the 63 month loan for $499/month.
 
The dealership employees were very nice and easy to deal with - not too much pressure. They put my shifter in while we did the paperwork. Overall a pleasant buying experience.
 
As far as the car goes, I did a lot of research and can't find a better value for your money. The power is good, the handling sweet, and to get AWD and 8 airbags as standard features is something you would have to pay extra for most everywhere else. This car is as good as or better than a lot of other cars you would not be able to get for even close to $30,000.
 
I am very satisfied with the car and my purchase. It is a pleasure to drive - lots of fun, AND luxurious at the same time. I can't wait for winter to try my AWD in the snow and my heated wipers and side mirrors!
 
Hope my experience helps any one else out there!

#146 of 1006 Re: Steven's Creek Subaru, SJ, CA [sh_maestro] by cohenfive

May 24, 2005 (7:11 am)

Replying to: sh_maestro (May 23, 2005 6:01 pm)
i've done some digging this week in the bay area looking for an lgt ltd auto wagon for my wife. pretty disappointing on pricing at the first go around at least. i haven't gone back to anyone yet though. that starts today...the cars i'm looking at sticker around $31.8-$32.2k and the offers i'm seeing are around $28.1-29k...not great relative to some of what i've seen and heard here and at legacygt.com. hopefully when i push on them i can do better. i'm hoping more for around $27.5k with a couple of the little options.
 
oh, and for anyone looking for an lgt ltd wagon who doesn't mind getting one from out of state (dealer in idaho) there is still a new regal/charcoal for sale on ebay for $26.5k. i'm frustrated it hasn't sold yet and that my wife is insisting on a lighter interior...otherwise i'd have snagged that one. even with shipping it would be cheaper than what i might be able to get locally....ticks me off!!

#147 of 1006 Price by ateixeira

May 24, 2005 (8:30 am)

now its down to a cost comparison
 
Nooooo! You're gonna spend $25 grand or so and give it to the lowest bidder?
 
Buy the one you enjoy more. 7 years from now it won't matter that you saved $200 on this or that, but if you're still smiling while driving it makes all the difference.
 
Buy the one you like better regardless of price!
 
-juice

#148 of 1006 Re: Steven's Creek Subaru, SJ, CA [cohenfive] by sh_maestro

May 24, 2005 (8:46 am)

Replying to: cohenfive (May 24, 2005 7:11 am)
How much extra does the wagon cost over the sedan? I got a quote of about $26,600 for the LGT Ltd sedan from Santa Cruz Subaru - this was an initial quote, they may be willing to bring it down by quite a bit. You should definitely check it out..

#149 of 1006 Re: Price [ateixeira] by sh_maestro

May 24, 2005 (8:54 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (May 24, 2005 8:30 am)
Buy the one you like better regardless of price!
 
I really wish I could.. but if you take navigation into account, theres a price difference of about 4,500$ - the Accord coupe being lower. The LGT is without doubt a lot of fun to drive (probably more than the Accord), but then again its AWD is really more of a gas guzzler for someone down in California, and gas prices here are a major pain, especially in the Bay Area. Now, if I were in a place that snowed - say New York or Canada, I would've taken the Legacy without any further consideration.

#150 of 1006 Shop around... by ateixeira

May 24, 2005 (9:04 am)

I've seen GTs in the high $22 range, Limiteds under $25k. Check fitzmall.com for reference.
 
I'm sure the Legacy will cost more but the difference should be a lot smaller than that.
 
-juice

Messages Page 15 of 101

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