[MaStA]

Originally Posted by USNSTI

OK fair enough. Does your dealer know that in five minutes time, you can shop their offer to hundreds of other dealers nationwide? I believe that is the reason why most dealers may not do it. I know I wouldn't do it if I owned a dealership, you are cutting your own throat. Soft ass dealers in Oregon...

Well this Automax place doesn't seem to have a website, but I see that I can get quotes through edmunds for them. Do you just submit standard base model and BBS/NAV with no extra options added? Most dealers add a few options that they figure most people would want on to their ordered cars for sale it seems to me. I just want a ballpark figure of what we are starting at.

[USNSTI]

Check USAA for your loan as well, they hooked me up with a lower rate on my car, as well as the cheap insurance.

If you have never done a DIY move, I humbly suggest asking around your shop for opinions of guys who have done it that way in the past. I have never met ANYONE who had done a DIY move and would do it again. I have never done one, just heard lots of bad stories and had lots of people tell me never to do it.

[USNSTI]

Originally Posted by MaStA

Well this Automax place doesn't seem to have a website, but I see that I can get quotes through edmunds for them. Do you just submit standard base model and BBS/NAV with no extra options added? Most dealers add a few options that they figure most people would want on to their ordered cars for sale it seems to me. I just want a ballpark figure of what we are starting at.

BBS and NAV are the only real options. All the other options are "dealer installed" which means if the car doesn't have it, the dealer will just bolt it on for you.

[MaStA]

Originally Posted by USNSTI

Check USAA for your loan as well, they hooked me up with a lower rate on my car, as well as the cheap insurance.

If you have never done a DIY move, I humbly suggest asking around your shop for opinions of guys who have done it that way in the past. I have never met ANYONE who had done a DIY move and would do it again. I have never done one, just heard lots of bad stories and had lots of people tell me never to do it.

A while back I got a loan quote from USAA and they said my credit was very good and I would not get the best rate, but the one right under it which I believe was like 6.2% or something. I don't know how good that is since this would be my first new car, but I could try again.

About DIY moves I have heard mixed opinions. People typically say since I am single and I don't have a whole family to be moving for it wouldn't be too bad. Also if the movers break stuff you never get what it will cost to replace it. They start putting percentage factors into play and you get screwed basically. This is at least what I have been told...

[MaStA]

Originally Posted by USNSTI

BBS and NAV are the only real options. All the other options are "dealer installed" which means if the car doesn't have it, the dealer will just bolt it on for you.

Oh well that is great to know then. Well I submitted a request through edmunds stating I want a quote for the base and BBS/NAV sti. No need to call me, just simply send me an e-mail.

Hopefully that will offset them from thinking I am a fool and pestering me daily.

[BlueF]

Originally Posted by CGMDan

Don't go to the dealer. Go to KBB.com or edmunds.com and get an internet quote.
Internet depts usually work from invoice. It's the absolutely easiest way to get a low price.

This is the best advice for buying a new car. Don't bother with phone or in-person negotiating.

My detailed advice:

#1 - Obtain financing before contacting any dealers.
Start with your bank, local credit union, USAA, etc, to acquire an acceptable loan. Not only will you learn what rates your credit score is good for, but you will have an idea of your monthly payments, how much you want to put down, etc, before ever speaking with a dealer. Even if you end up going with dealer financing, having financing dealt with before hand, being able to tell dealers you have "cash in hand", will greatly simplify the process of obtaining the best deal on a new car.

#2 - Be willing to travel AND able wait for the best deal.
I realize this may be difficult with your car having been stolen. : ( However, if you have alternate means of transportation -- perhaps having your insurance pay for a rental -- being able to walk away from poor deals, while continuing to solicit dealers willing to sell at invoice, makes your bargaining power much greater.

Don't mention your car was stolen. Most salesmen will take this to mean desperate or in a hurry, and will hold out for a higher price.

#3 - Don't waste your time calling or talking with dealers in person.
Use the power of the internet to your advantage. Being as there may only be one 08 STI listed in the entire state of Oklahoma right now -- according to this US wide 08 STI search: http://www.sutternow.com/sti/ -- looks like shopping around will be a must. As mentioned above, the further you are willing and able to travel, the greater your ability to negotiate invoice price.

Search through the above 08 STI locater tool (or on Subaru.com). Submit sales lead requests for all dealers with 08 STI inventory (and/or with-in the distance you're willing to travel). Respond to each dealer email indicating your looking to purchase at invoice price. Don't bother responding to replies showing a lack of willingness to work with you on price. It make take a few (or a half-dozen emails for each dealer), but eventually you'll determine the dealers worth calling in person. Again, i wouldn't bother calling a dealer before you have a good sense invoice price is a good possibility. Please keep in mind, take it from personal advice, dealers may act as though they have no interest in selling at invoice price, but come the end of the month or quarter, they'll be emailing you offers for invoice. : P

Finally, invoice on a base model 2008 STI is $33,655.
2008 Subaru Impreza WRX and STI (cars101.com) *Scroll down to the middle of the page for 08 STI invoice prices.

There's absolutely no reason you should pay more than invoice. Don't let dealers tell you it's a rare model, market value adjustment, or any of that bull. Stick to your guns and be prepared to spend a little time obtaining the best deal.

Hope this helps! Best of luck!

[MaStA]

Thanks for the great input BlueF!

[BlueF]

Originally Posted by MaStA

Thanks for the great input BlueF!

My pleasure! Happy to help a fellow enthusiast step into a new STI. I love mine!!

PS - There are 570+ 08 STIs on dealer lots right now (again, according to the locater linked above). While this may not be 100% accurate, given dealers don't always update their online inventory fastidiously, it's likely a fair representation of what's out there. 500 isn't a lot, but it's not a little either. There should be more than a few dealers willing to sell at invoice (or below).

[CGMDan]

Originally Posted by USNSTI

Not calling bs, but has this really worked for you? I have never seen or heard of this working, dealerships today will almost never give a quote over the internet.

Yes it does. I did just that when I bought my '05 and had 5 quotes from different dealers. All at invoice.

[waktasz]

Damn right internet quotes work. I did one through edmunds and also through the Subaru pre-order form and had people all over contacting me. I played a slightly not local dealer against my local dealer to get the best price. The first dealer offered up invoice price right away, and the other had to come down about $500 to match it.

I also secured financing through penfed.org, and when I went to the dealer with the check in hand they offered to beat their rate by a tenth of a point, when over the phone they wanted like 2 full points more.

[MaStA]

So what should I be fighting for...invoice + tax, title, tags, etc. or MSRP OTD with all that covered?

Seeing that Oklahoma sales tax is 8.375% that is almost $3,000 in interest alone meaning for a base $33,655 + 2818 tax = 36,473 which would now be over MSRP plus the other fees associated.

Seems to me fighting for MSRP OTD is the best to go after. True or no?

Thanks,
Jared

[waktasz]

I've never heard of working the deal like that. You could try I suppose, but I haven't heard of anyone getting their cars for less than invoice yet that I know of.

[Pre]

Some folks on here got theirs below invoice on the initial orders, several people did.

To the OP, I would shoot for invoice on one and be prepared to have it shipped so that means locally or regionally to you, find a dealer/salesperson that will go $500 over invoice and don't pay a penny over for one. I also wouldn't get the factory Nav system (no offence to anyone). I just put a Pioneer D3 in my DD with Bluetooth, XMTraffic Routing, Full IPOD interface, and steering wheel control integrator for under $1k. You can't get traffic routing with the factory NAV nor can you get a true IPOD interface. + the stereo in this thing is awfully weak. For that price you'd pay for the factory NAV you could fit your car with a full system if you DIY.

Also...I know of a place you can get a brand new EVO for invoice + 500 shipping so keep that in mind when you are emailing these dealers. I've cut and paste the EVO prices below. Remember that you would still have to spend $500 to have it shipped to your door. And no I'm not some EVO fanboi, I would just use the prices as leverage against the dealers you start communicating with. I'd rather have the Suby but $35k fully loaded with SSS and NAV is a damn good deal on one of these.

LANCER EVOLUTION X GSR BASE MSRP $33,655

ON SALE $31,944.82

LANCER EVOLUTION X GSR W/ SSS,WHEEL LOCK MSRP $35,655

ON SALE $33,694.82

LANCER EVOLUTION X GSR W/ SSS, NAVI MSRP $37,710

ON SALE $35,356.11

LANCER EVOLUTION X GSR W/ NAVI AND AERO MSRP $37,653

ON SALE $35,153.11

[jph]

here's what i learned over the course of about one month.

i went in the local subaru dealership, got myself a salesguy assigned to "my account"

and told him i was going to buy an '08 sti within now and a few months. and that i was hoping to pay around invoice for it.

went back there at least once a week just to "say hi" and see if they got ano more model in.

they would call me every now and then telling me they got a new sti in.

last weekend, i went back and talked with the branch manager, and the internet salesguy, running some numbers to see what i was looking at if i were to buy it "now"

i was getting slightly below MSRP, $5000 under KBB value for my trade-in, and 6.9% on my financing.

said, thanks for your time, i'll be back when i'm ready.

three days later i got a call from another manager that i had not talked to before, he asked if i was still interested in an sti. i said that i was. then he offered invoice.

yesterday i went there after work, and repeated my terms to him, and he accpeted, no questions asked. he NEEDED to move inventory. i'll be doing all the paperwork and picking it up this saturday


so, if you're not in a hurry, make them drool over the sale for a while. the dealerships are getting more new models in now, and the people that "HAD" to have it already got their cars, they are not selling out within a week anymore.

i'd say, play it cool, but make it obvious that you are serious and willing to make a deal if the conditions are right.


good luck!
J.

[GilMikalian]

Originally Posted by USNSTI

Not calling bs, but has this really worked for you? I have never seen or heard of this working, dealerships today will almost never give a quote over the internet.

Absolutely works. I put in a quote request. The dealer emailed me. I let them know I can go 500 over invoice and it was a done deal. Faxed the credit app, I faxed that back with my license and insurance card and all I had to do was go in to sign the paperwork...after I drove the car of course. Absolute best way to go. In & out w/in an hour, max.

I've found that the internet departments are starting to get the point of the internet. They don't try the "why don't you come in" line...as much.

To the OP, good luck and stick to your guns. You're paying a lot of money and there's no reason why you shouldn't get exactly what you want for what you feel is a good deal.