[samleeiii]

So for 5 months now, I've been shopping an 08 WR Blue STi while waiting on my Acura TL-S to sell. Finally got rid of the damn thing and started hunting the STi seriously.

Well, after a day of shopping I scored a pretty good deal on one at a dealership local (I live in Irvine), but couldn't seem to get a firm date on when my car would show up.

Frustrated I was going to go shop a new BMW 328 Coupe instead, but as a last ditch effort, found Puente's website online and e-mailed Anthony. I wasn't expecting anything really, as I'd been told there were no base WR Blue STis in the state.

Well turns out there were, because Anthony had forwarded my e-mail to Mike Tetreault, the Internet / VIP Manager who not only matched my deal from the other dealership over the e-mail, but guaranteed the car to me as long as I simply said "We have a deal."

I show up with my girlfriend and my old man, and he talks to us not as customers or a sale, but as people he considers good friends. We talk about all sorts of stuff, and Mike just really loves Subarus as a product and as a brand. He's not one of those guys just trying to do another transaction.

The guy believes in the cars and he's one of the most knowledgable guys I've ever met. Wow ok I said a mouth full, but if it weren't for Puente, I would be rolling in a BMW right now instead, and that'd probably suck because we all know how slow 328s are.

At the dealership I've met Anthony, Mike, and also Mitch, all stand up guys who love Subarus and will go the extra marathon to take care of you. If you're looking to buy a Subaru, call them pronto. They will always try to beat any price.

Just beware, dealerships will sometimes quote you a killer price, and then later try to say "Oh by the way that doesn't include the destination charge" and try to slip it in when you're doing the paperwork. So as a tip to all you potential buyers out there, make sure you ask about the destination charge.

I took my old man with me because he LOVES to haggle so if that destination charge came up he'd be all over it. I was really sweating all night wondering if I'd get slammed with that stupid destination charge on top of what I was quoted. Fortunately, Puente doesn't do any of that stuff, and it was no worries the whole time.

It's really a different experience buying a car from people who love what they're selling and drive what they're selling. This is only my second car, and I work my butt off to afford this thing. None of it would've been possible if not for these great guys.

Here's a pic of me at my buddy's pad after making the drive back from Puente to Irvine. Look at my big fat dumb grin and tell me I'm not a satisfied customer. If you want a great deal, hit up Mike:

miket@puentesubaru.com
626-626-4811

By the way, I asked Mike about incoming cars. He'll be able to tell you what he has coming and when it's coming. Don't fall for that "Oh it MIGHT be coming on this day or that day" like I did. Find out when you can get your car right now and get the color and options you want.



Thanks Mike, Subaru customer for life!

[twigg107]

Congrats!!

[SirMattieP]

You lucky Mother ******! lol Congradulations. Thats so West Park hahahaha

[samleeiii]

Thanks man! Btw just to let everyone know, the car had 11 miles on the odometer. Mike let me know that NOBODY drives these cars except the guy who does the PDI to fill up the gas so that when you buy an STi from them, you know it's not been out getting beat on with test drives. And if they do a dealer trade, those cars are coming in on trucks and not getting driven there.

[samleeiii]

Yeah it is West Park hahaha. Man did you go to high school in Irvine? I went to UNI class '02. How about you? BTW, give Mike a call man if your dealer is still giving you the run around. Mike says he can tell you when his cars are coming and what color/options, AND he can tell you what other people are getting too.

[Savarak]

nice!! my 08 sti had 9 miles on it... sweeet!

[chmura]

Did you have the new gen TL-S or the older gen?

[samleeiii]

9 miles that's awesome! Doesn't get any better than that!

I had an older gen 02 TL-S. It was my first car and I had it for almost 7 years. I will probably keep the STi for just as long.

[tyler_sti]

Originally Posted by samleeiii

9 miles that's awesome! Doesn't get any better than that!

I had an older gen 02 TL-S. It was my first car and I had it for almost 7 years. I will probably keep the STi for just as long.

It does get better than that, try 6 miles. But seriously, Congrats with you're new beast man! I love the front profile with the flared fenders. Now you have to tame her

[samleeiii]

Hahaha 6 miles, I'll have to ask for one with 6 miles next time. And yeah, I do have to work on the taming part. My driving sucks nuts. I'm going to look into some driving schools that I can hopefully get a course or two from in the next 6 mo.

[GhoSStRyda]

congrats on the new ride! you're going to love it. once you start modding it out, youre smile will get bigger!


now on PH subaru (my new local subie dealer)... this is just a caveat, they're just like any other dealership out there. they are new so they are hustling to make a sale. when i went to see the place in my 08, they didn't really give a hoot cuz i already had a new subaru. my friend just went to PH subaru and they tried to rip him off on some things. these are sale people and they will get a feel for the people they are dealing with. they saw that your dad was there and since he knows how to wheel a deal, you got lucky and got a good deal. im pretty sure that they charged my buddy with the destination charge, as im sure some of us here also paid that. i hope they didn't try to charge you $2k for the extended warrenty like they tried to on my friend. luckily, my friend called me to ask how much i paid. when i found out they tried to charge him 2k, i told him to get outta there cuz they're trying to rip him off royally.

btw, my dealership didn't let me test drive either. when i took delivery of my sti, it had 4 miles on it.

[samleeiii]

Originally Posted by GhoSStRyda

congrats on the new ride! you're going to love it. once you start modding it out, youre smile will get bigger!


now on PH subaru (my new local subie dealer)... this is just a caveat, they're just like any other dealership out there. they are new so they are hustling to make a sale. when i went to see the place in my 08, they didn't really give a hoot cuz i already had a new subaru. my friend just went to PH subaru and they tried to rip him off on some things. these are sale people and they will get a feel for the people they are dealing with. they saw that your dad was there and since he knows how to wheel a deal, you got lucky and got a good deal. im pretty sure that they charged my buddy with the destination charge, as im sure some of us here also paid that. i hope they didn't try to charge you $2k for the extended warrenty like they tried to on my friend. luckily, my friend called me to ask how much i paid. when i found out they tried to charge him 2k, i told him to get outta there cuz they're trying to rip him off royally.

btw, my dealership didn't let me test drive either. when i took delivery of my sti, it had 4 miles on it.

Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm loving it so far and I've only taken it up to 4k rpm! I'm sorry to hear your friend had a bad experience. My dad actually didn't do the deal for me, I negotiated it with Mike via e-mail and made an appointment the next day to pick up the car.

I only brought him to make sure that all the numbers looked ok, and to be honest he didn't need to be there because if you were to meet Mike, you'd see how great of a guy he is. I can't speak for every guy at the dealer simply because I only really dealed with Mike (if you want to even call "Hey can I get it for this price?" "Sure what time you want to get it?" - via email) even dealing.

Everybody pays a destination charge, but what I'm saying is how the person quotes it is the key difference. When I talked to Mike, the price he quoted me already included the destination charge. He didn't try to slip it in at the very end.

I was also offered the extended warranty, but I think that's simply their standard procedure to do so. And yeah it's expensive, but who says you have to buy it? I said no thanks and that was the end of that. Who needs extended warranty on a Subaru?

Anyway, if your friend is still interested in getting a Subaru, have him call or e-mail Mike. He'll get all this squared away for sure.

[GhoSStRyda]

Originally Posted by samleeiii

Who needs extended warranty on a Subaru?

hmmm... i learned from my past experience of getting the extended warrenty on my other cars. but hey, you may never need the extended warrenty. hopefully your turbo doesn't burn out or have other problems once you pass the basic 36k/3year coverage.

anyway, the point of my reply was just a simple caveat. have fun with the sti and post lots of pics when you get the chance!

[samleeiii]

Originally Posted by GhoSStRyda

hmmm... i learned from my past experience of getting the extended warrenty on my other cars. but hey, you may never need the extended warrenty. hopefully your turbo doesn't burn out or have other problems once you pass the basic 36k/3year coverage.

anyway, the point of my reply was just a simple caveat. have fun with the sti and post lots of pics when you get the chance!

Hopefully I don't, but we'll see. I think you can still purchase an extended warranty until the time your regular warranty expires. So when I get closer to around that time, I'll give it a thought.

I let my buddy borrow my 10-22mm lens, but he's bringing it back on Monday and I will take a ton of photos then.

[Mayhem13]

hey man sick ride and congrats, i remember when i bought my 05 i had the exact same perma-smile stuck on my face hahaha.

have fun n g/l with the STi!