[Stedenko]

Originally Posted by HASTIhatch

I wish I could say that were true...but in the DC area where I got mine, they would NOT let me test drive it... mine had 10 miles on it. All of them did.

I'm ok with 10 miles. I don't like 100.

[speedball3]

That seems odd though. I have never ridden or driven in an STI, but it's still my favorite car and I'd love to own one some day. But it sounds absurd to buy a car you've never driven before. They should have a demo car or something!

[Stedenko]

Originally Posted by speedball3

That seems odd though. I have never ridden or driven in an STI, but it's still my favorite car and I'd love to own one some day. But it sounds absurd to buy a car you've never driven before. They should have a demo car or something!

My dealer will let buyers test drive very late in the process. Pretty much at the point when you're going to take the car home. I'm ok with that, because I can still pull out at that point. I'm glad for the process, because people buying the STI know what they're getting in to, and that way the dealer avoids tire kickers. It's a super expensive car up here in Canada and it's actually hard to get, so there's no point in letting everyone drive it unless they're serious.

[unrequited]

If your dealer won't let you test drive, walk away... it's a measure of how far they're willing to go to cater to your experience, and also a measure of how much they respect your buying power.

When I bought my 2006, I went to a couple dealers which turned me away because I looked 18 (even though I was 26 at the time heh). I made them find me the nearest Subaru dealership in the directory and give me the phone number and address (even though I already knew where they were) just to rub it in their faces that I was leaving, and they just missed a $35k deal.

[Stedenko]

Originally Posted by unrequited

When I bought my 2006, I went to a couple dealers which turned me away because I looked 18 (even though I was 26 at the time heh). I made them find me the nearest Subaru dealership in the directory and give me the phone number and address (even though I already knew where they were) just to rub it in their faces that I was leaving, and they just missed a $35k deal.

I can see that, but for every guy who's serious there are probably 9 more who are just there to put miles on the car for their own enjoyment. It's tough, but they can't let every 18 year old who says they're interested drive the car. If you're really interested, a $1000 deposit is totally acceptable.

[STIcer]

I think if you're flexible on color and trim then it's cool.

I got it around invoice, but my color was nowhere to be seen in 200 mile radius. So couldn't use the ole' "you are the only game in town line"

[STI 08]

best i could get was 900 below invoice, email every dealership around you, or as far as your willing to drive to get it, and see who will go the lowest

[tdgofast]

Wow! Do I feel like and idiot. I have been contemplating how much under MSRP I could get my dealer to go on and '08. You guys are all in here talking about dealer invoice. Man, I am going to be glued to this topic.

[tdgofast]

If your cards are played right and your money is the greenest of green (paying cash, huge down payment, or good credit.). Than you should have good shot at ordering your virgin '08 at or near the price you want. You can tell the dealer "a sale is a sale". I think the dealer plays the "we cant touch the price on an order", way to often. People are way to excepting of that tactic.

[unrequited]

Originally Posted by Stedenko

I can see that, but for every guy who's serious there are probably 9 more who are just there to put miles on the car for their own enjoyment. It's tough, but they can't let every 18 year old who says they're interested drive the car. If you're really interested, a $1000 deposit is totally acceptable.

Ridiculous, and hell no. Don't drop a dollar at any place which would require a deposit for a test drive. About the whole 18-year-old thing? Honestly? That is the cost of doing business. It is not my concern. Whoever drops $35k on a car without even driving it is an idiot... or at the least, not as informed as he should be before making such a purchase. I was absolutely set on an IS350 before my STi test drive, and the whole story is bit longer:

I don't play the whole buying a car game. After the initial two places which said no to a test drive, I found one which did. I loved it (knew I would) and immediately asked that all the paperwork including a final price be written up. I gave them the express notice that I would be taking no less than 48 hours to decide starting when they gave me the final price (options, financing, etc. all rolled in). I asked about their service department, and was introduced to their STi tech who answered any outstanding questions I had which the salesman had no clue about (not his job to know regardless).

I took that 48 hours to call every single Subaru dealership within a 60 mile radius and said, I'm buying this car for this price in 2 days. If you can beat it, let me know in writing (email or fax). Of the 10-15 dealers I did this with, about half responded saying they couldn't give out #'s without having me come into the store (more B.S.) and the other half gave me last ditch no-hassle offers (because I was holding all the cards at the time). Most were higher, but a couple were within a couple hundred bucks. One was about $1200 cheaper, and this price I took back with me to the first place at the 48 hour mark.

I said, "Hey, I took the last 48 hours to compare your price, and this dealership beat you by $1200. I appreciate all the work you've done, including a test drive and working all the numbers / options with me, so I'm giving you another chance to lower your price." Obviously $1200 is a lot of money so they couldn't match it. They went another $600 lower, and this show of respect throughout the process, and just pure business negotiation and accomodation at the end with the last $600 gave me a strong sense of trustworthiness, and I ended up biting that last $600 in lieu of a trusted relationship.

If I hadn't moved two states away, I'd still be bringing my car to that dealership for every oilchange, every broken light, every whatever. I do my homework and make sure I have the dealership which is going to do the best for me, and the price while important, isn't always the final say.

That starts with a smile and an acknowledgement upon me walking through the door, even if I'm in jeans and a t-shirt, looking like I don't fit the "tax bracket" for the car. The Subaru dealership's demeanor was also the breaker between this and an IS350 because at the time the price was comparable, and the Lexus dealership was just as superb in presentation and interaction. I made a good decision, and I'm just as happy now.

I've also helped two of my friends buy cars in similar fashion. It's a lot more work on your end, requiring you to lock down specifics of options, car, etc., but it pays off in the end, because you know you got exactly what you want for the best price you could have with the best people selling it. ...weeds out all the asshats too.

Act like a knowlegeable customer, and they will have no option but to treat you like one.

[jermdeez]

Even if you are 18 (I say save your money but you will learn in the long run) if you've got the money to pay don't let them treat you like crap......After having SEASIDE subaru..............a bunch of jackass dishonest as could be people keep me and my broski until after 12 on a sunday once, both of us picking up new 05's..........we walked out and said **** you basically......I got my 05 a week or so later from Carlsen (rip), the only place that doesn't shiest you on cost they give it to you straight up

[Stedenko]

Originally Posted by unrequited

Act like a knowlegeable customer, and they will have no option but to treat you like one.

That's good that worked out for you. Up here in Canada I phoned 8 dealers (almost all of the ones within a 12 hour drive of here). There were 2 STIs in this region of the country. I had to have mine shipped in from a different city. My city had zero. Most of the dealers kind of laughed at me when I asked if they had any cars.

This was after my first pass at the dealer when there was a black car I liked. The salesguy told me it's going to sell within days, and I didn't believe him. It ended up selling the next day and that's when I had to scour the country to find another one.

It does seem like down there in the US the car is much less rare than up here, and I was basing my comments on that. Unfortunately if you want a car up here, they hold the cards because there just are none to be had right now.

So anyway, I think they know their business and the ones that play games obviously think that it's the best thing for them. YOU know that you're not just out for a joyride, but THEY don't know that. They can do what they want, and you can walk - which you did. Good for you. Again, I'm glad for the rule because I know I'm serious, and if I can afford a $46,000 car I can afford to show I'm serious with a $1000 refundable deposit. If there are 2 cars within a day's drive and you're a dealer, you aren't going to let just anyone drive them.

[dgs]

Wow, reading through this thread I think I'm going to have to do a better job. My STI is a DGM with nav and BBS on order (another four week wait) and I was quoted invoice. I was happy with the invoice price and saving a couple of thousand dollars, but reading through this thread I think I need to renegotiate. People are getting $500 to $1,000 UNDER invoice which is insane to me, so I'm going to ask for the same. Maybe I'll even print this thread out for ammo in case they give me a line like "no one will sell an STI under invoice."

Cool thread. If I can put another $1,000 in my pocket, or even $500 I'm a happy man. Although I do want the dealership to make some profit on the deal. I can't believe a dealership makes any money selling a car for a $1,000 under invoice, as that probably eats up any holdback they had. I'll check it out.

[STI 08]

People are getting $500 to $1,000 UNDER invoice which is insane to me, so I'm going to ask for the same.

email every dealer within a few hour drive from you and say "i have a quote for invoice, can you beat it?" when they reply and say ill give you X amount less than invoice, email that back to your dealer, saying someone will give it to you for less, theyll lower that price real fast. if not, go to the other place

[JuggernautTCW]

is there a website where we can get dealerships to bid down?... like priceline but for buying cars?...