[mx270a]

STi's for MSRP in West Virginia - close to Pittsburgh and DC

For those of you that remember Worm, there was a point when he stated the people could go to their local dealer and place a pre-order for an STI. Shortly after that, on 10/26/2002, I did so. I ended up being 4th on the list at my local dealer. So here it is, over 9 months later and my dealer has not yet been given an allocation spot for my car. I'm looking at another month or two till possession. That puts me into the snow season, which is when I somewhat don't want a brand new car. Although the STI would be a blast in snow, I already have a WRX with a set of snow tires.

I keep reading that others have had the fortune to pick up their STI from a dealer that has one or several sitting on the lot. Congrats, you are lucky people. Maybe my patience is wearing thin, mixed with a little jealousy, but does anyone else wish that Subaru was doing allocations on a first-come first-serve basis?

I'm sure Subaru has a marketing strategy for why things are being done this way. Any speculation as to when the STI will become and "orderable" car for the dealers? I suspect they won't sell as well in the Northern states this winter due to snow and summer tires not working well together. What will the availability of the STI be come next spring?

-Lance

 

[Yukonart]

I'm almost inclined to say it's a problem with the dealer and not with the manufacturer. Have you checked other local dealers to see if they have been getting more STi allocations than the one you're on the list for?

 

[evoklr]

I gotta be honest, from what I've seen from the 3 Subaru dealers in this area there is nothing fishy going on. They are giving STi's to those who have pushed more WRX's in the past. Case and point: the local dealer here has gotten at least 7 since the release of the STi. The dealer I purchased from 40 miles away has gotten 2, and the dealer in between has gotten 1. That in fact does represent the number of WRX's I see pushed through these dealers. I had to wait 3 months when I could have had one 2 months ago at least.

The strategy is simple, give more to dealers that sell more.

Now, if I was Subaru I would have approached this a little differently. I would have polled dealers initially to find out what the demand was like and then produced based on that demand. The only flaw with this approach is it takes away from the overall effect Subaru is trying to achieve: a badass sports compact that not everyone can get there hands on so maybe they'll reap those sales on the base model WRX's.

And you have to ask yourself, do you really want STi's all over the place? I'd prefer not to see another one around personally.

 

[CloNeGTS]

I can symathize with your Lance......but that's just what we get for working with a small town dealer. There really isn't much else that can be done when dealing with a limited production car that is brand new. Think of it this way....they've only been out for what, 3 months now?

 

[mx270a]

Back in 2001, the WRX was released in March, I ordered one in May, and it arrived in June from this same dealer. At that time, a sold order had more weight than regular allocations did. That however was a larger production car although it too had a huge demand at initial release. With the STI, apparently either sold orders have no weight or there is still a huge demand for them. If there is such a huge demand, how are dealers ending up with STIs on the lot. In theory, they sell so many WRXs that they should have a long list on people waiting for the STI. If one person passes up a car, there would likely be another person on the list willing to take it.

I seem to recall that the local chevy dealer is allocated X number of Corvettes annually. Once those are sold for the year, thats it. The only exception to this rule is for people trading in a used corvette on a new one, in which case the dealer gets an extra allocation.

I am almost at the realization that I won't be getting an STI this year. So now fast forward to spring 2004. STI is a lot of fun, but a M3 would be a much better chic magnet.

Supply and demand is great.

-Lance

 

[evoklr]

Well, my suspicion dealers have some on the lots because they are marking it up and it may take longer to sell, but it will be more money in their pockets therefore worth the wait. The other possibility is it's a dealer that initially had demand but their orders were filled and they are still allocated STi's so what are they going to do, refuse it?

 

[mx270a]

...they are still allocated STi's so what are they going to do, refuse it?

My point exactly. My dealer has sold orders waiting to be filled, while other dealers don't. Yet due to the allocation policy...... ok thats enough of a rant.

The real kicker for me last night was that right after I started this thread, a dealer from West Virginia posted that he has 2 STIs in stock, for MSRP, no test drives, one of which is exactly the color combo I'm looking for. Too bad I can't get the time to drive to the East coast.

The day is getting better. I checked the online inventory of local dealers to find that there is a silver STI at my dealer. This would be for the person just ahead of me on the list. Ok, so about another month it is...

Hey Clone - I'm just now getting to that anxiety that you were in not long ago. Phone....Ring

-Lance

 

[ChrisAzzaro]

Lance,

I'd be happy to sell you the STi you're looking for at MSRP and have it shipped to you. We could make all the araingements over the phone. However, I would have to charge you extra for the shipping, or you could take care of that yourself if you wish. Just give me a call if you're interested.

BTW, it looks like someone from this forum may be purchasing our blue STi. But the black one is still available, and we have another blue one in transit that should arrive any day now. (This would be our 8th STi) Looks like your local dealer just needs to sell more WRX's. That's what they base the STi allocations on.

Again, call me if you're interested in having one shipped. My work number is 304-292-0171. (Ask for Chris) Otherwise, hang in there. You'll get one eventually.

Chris Azzaro
STi Specialist
John Howard Subaru
Morgantown, WV
304-292-0171

 

[mx270a]

Chris:

Mapquest tells me that it would be a short 12 hour drive to your place to acquire such a car. Tomorrow I think I shall visit my local dealer, ironically also a guy named Chris, to see where things stand.

-Lance