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Subaru Outback Prices Paid and Buying Experience

3414 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2013 at 5:00 PM

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

Messages Page 233 of 342

#2321 of 3414 Re: 2005 Outback XT [morin2] by bruuklin

Dec 27, 2009 (6:12 pm)

Replying to: morin2 (Dec 27, 2009 10:22 am)
No warranty on this car, and not certified. Carfax is "clean" but it's also empty--there's nothing on it--no notes about service being performed, etc. It's being sold by what I understand to be a pretty reputable dealer, but the dealer isn't a Subaru dealer. This is only my second time buying a used car and I'm nervous about it. The first time did not go well. Wasn't a Subaru, and had a lot more miles, but it was a complete dud.
 
Maybe I should play it safe and restrict my buying only to cars that still have some of the factory warranty.

#2322 of 3414 Re: 2005 Outback XT [bruuklin] by morin2

Dec 27, 2009 (7:17 pm)

Replying to: bruuklin (Dec 27, 2009 6:12 pm)
No warranty and not certified would just mean to me that there's more wiggle room in the negotiation - not that the car is not worth buying. A non-subaru dealer selling a subaru will probably have less in the car than a subaru dealer and so, you might get a better deal. Some people look for used cars at dealers selling other makes new. I remember reading once that some statistical analysis supported the lower prices. Subarus are hard to buy used because they hold their value so well. Buying at a non-Subaru dealer might be one way to lower that price.
 
In this case, no warranty means you have to get it inspected by a mechanic. Ask the dealer if its ok - if not, then walk, but say that because of the turbo, you want to have it checked. If they ok the inspection, it will be the best $75-100 investment you can make. Then you'll be ready to negotiate. Take your time, start low, walk out at least once, or bring along an experienced negotiator.
 
You can buy a great used car. In March 05, I bought a like-new 02 Chevy Prizm with 25K miles on it for 5250 cash (several walk-outs and call backs) from a Chrysler-Jeep dealer who took it in trade locally & wanted 10,299. I drove it for 4 years without a single problem, Now my daughter is driving it at 99K miles and it still has been problem-free. I've done that many times - this is just the most recent, because my more recent purchases have both been new subarus.
 
Good luck!

#2323 of 3414 Re: 2005 Outback XT [bruuklin] by ateixeira

Dec 28, 2009 (9:16 am)

Replying to: bruuklin (Dec 27, 2009 8:24 am)
Ask in this thread:
 
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ee9c851/38992#MSG38992
 
There are pros there who work in dealerships and can give you the wholesale value, as well as a reasonable markup for a sale.

#2324 of 3414 Outback 3.6 Limited by highroad1

Dec 28, 2009 (6:18 pm)

I am close to purchasing one. Is $30,400 a good price? The only option included is a moonroof. I am an Illinois buyer

#2325 of 3414 Re: 2005 Outback XT [ateixeira] by bruuklin

Dec 31, 2009 (8:03 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 28, 2009 9:16 am)
Never owned a Subaru so have no experience with them in rough driving conditions. Would any of you guys skip buying an older Subaru that is in otherwise good shape because it doesn't have stability/traction control? Or is it less important on a car with AWD? One of the reasons we're buying this car is because we need s safer car than our current very old and barely stable Nissan Sentra.

#2326 of 3414 Stability control by easypar

Dec 31, 2009 (8:35 am)

It wouldn't bother me, I never owned a car with it until my wife's Lexus about 6 years ago. Both of us were raised in snow country and other than our time in TX have always lived in slippery areas. Although TX had some really bad ice storms during our time there, during which we were smart enough to STAY AT HOME.
 
OTOH I'd use the lack of stabiltiy control as a negotiation tactic to try to get the seller to knock some more off the price. Make sure that there are good service records, COMPLETE and if it's within a year or 10,000 miles of needing any of the "major" services that they do those or knock 120% of the cost of same off the price. Insist on new tires and no chips in the windscreen too.
 
easypar

#2327 of 3414 Re: Philly Subaru dealers [abz] by husky55

Dec 31, 2009 (9:14 am)

Replying to: abz (Dec 15, 2009 4:42 pm)
Hi Adrian,
 
I am in Madison, CT. Any tip on CT dealer? I am new to Subaru.

#2328 of 3414 Re: 2005 Outback XT [bruuklin] by fendertweed

Jan 01, 2010 (2:41 pm)

Replying to: bruuklin (Dec 31, 2009 8:03 am)
IMO AWD & traction control etc., are almost mutually exclusive ... having one doesn't obviate the need for the other, etc.
 
I wouldn't make lack of it a deal killer, I had no TC/VDC on any car until I bought my '09 Outback Ltd. last July. It's nice to have, to be sure, but in any case you must realize that AWD will never overcome the laws of physics and it is in no way a free pass to drive less than prudently for conditions.
 
Good luck on the hunt....

#2329 of 3414 Re: 2005 Outback XT [bruuklin] by ateixeira

Jan 02, 2010 (7:46 am)

Replying to: bruuklin (Dec 31, 2009 8:03 am)
in rough driving conditions
 
Stability control is a plus, absolutely.
 
But...so is a long-travel suspension that keeps the tires on the ground. Plus AWD. Plus the limited-slip rear diff on many models, prior to the arrival of VDC.
 
Subarus were traction specialists before stability control even existed.

#2330 of 3414 SF Bay area prices by msj09

Jan 02, 2010 (9:27 pm)

Since the inventory of the Outback 2.5i Limited is well......extremely limited here in the bay area I have to order an Outback to get what I want. It seems that most dealers will order one for invoice. Anyone having experience ordering one for less than invoice?

Messages Page 233 of 342

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