[hallux]

Subaru doesn't have to offer incentives to sell their vehicles. One of the reasons the foreign vehicles hold value better is that they DON'T offer incentives to get them off the lot.

That said, if you negotiate properly you can often get a price close to or below invoice. If you look around, membership in one of many groups such as IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) Leave No Trace will get you a good discount on a Subaru. One catch with some is that you need to have a membership for a certain period of time before qualifying.

 

[upflying]

Also look into buying services and price research such as Costco, AAA, Edmunds, Truecar, carsdirect and carprousa.
The idea is purchase and negotiate over the internet and avoid just walking up to the dealership.

 

[rlred]

I used Costco for the initial contact and was then able to add a few accessories to the vehicle (2013 2.5 SAP w/wheel arch and door moldings, and side / rear cargo nets) for $30,500.00. I'm sure some will say they've done better, but I feel it was a fair deal and the process was painless.

Good luck!

 

[rico567]

We are in somewhat the same position, except that our new car purchase will be sometime next year. The Outback is definitely on our short list (have never owned a Subaru, but continuing with SAAB, our make of 40 years, is not an option), but the method I will employ won't differ no matter which car we decide to buy.

1. e-mail the Internet sales person.

2. Contact a number of dealers in a reasonable radius- limits for us would probably be St. Louis and Chicago....not just the local dealer.

3. No trade in.

4. Make it clear that you are operating downward from some point: invoice, Edmuds TMV (which I believe is fair), etc., and not from MSRP.

From what I have read on this and other car forums, I am leery of "middleman" deals: Costco, AAA, etc. Any time you have middlemen, they're getting paid- somehow. Stick with dealers until you get a price you want to pay.