'05 WRX: how much to pay? ($US)

[Jay Swartzfeger]

Hi all,

I had two major obstacles stopping me from buying a WRX:

1) My wife

2) I can't drive a stick (yet)


Just sold the wife on the WRX because the road we now live on -- 4
miles of dirt road -- has completely destroyed my 95 Taurus. Engine
mounts are shot and there's about $1000 worth of work to fix the oil
leaks, tranny leaks, etc. She's now talking about visiting the Subaru
dealership.

I stopped in at Pitre Subaru (Phoenix, AZ) yesterday to check out
there WRX lineup. With a few exceptions, all the sticker prices seem
to be at $25,876 (including destination).

What should I expect to pay if I wheel and deal? Is invoice somewhere
around $23,500?

Also, is it true I have more negotiating power around Xmas time
because it's the end of the year and the dealer is scrambling to hit
quota? Any other negotiation tips? Do Subaru dealers work with
holdback, etc?

Thanks!

 

[Greg]

Go to www.kbb.com and check for the invoice price. That will get you in the
ball park.

 

[Bryan Lee]

I use msn.com to get quotes. I end up getting an '04 WRX wagon for $22,500
with short throw shifter, sub woofer, and upgraded alarm. Without any
drama. Set the whole thing up thourgh e-mail.

 

[Roadie Roger]

What should I expect to pay if I wheel and deal? Is invoice somewhere
around $23,500?

I just bought a Forester X in Southern California using the
Carsdirect.com price. The dealer "suggested" MSRP and I laughed and
started negotiating from the Cardirect.com price. I even said I would
buy through Carsdirect.com and he'd be out their $200 fee. He even,
more or less, forgot about the window tinting, low cost option package
with mud guards and security system (supposedly $600 additional). He
did swap back the upgraded alloy tires for the stock ones, though.

Cardirect.com is tricky in that the price on the page with "Target
Price" includes delivery in MSRP and Invoice. The earlier page with
"select a style" does not include delivery in MSRP. The difference in
the two MSRP's is delivery. If you click on "Target Price" a window
pops up explaining additional fees, $275 advertising in this case.

For a 2005 WRX Sedan:
Invoice (without delivery): $23,373
Delivery:$575
Advertising: $275
Rebate -$1,250
Invoice + Delivery + Advertising – Rebate = $22,973
Target Price: $22,984
Remember, this doesn't count holdback or unknown factory to dealer
incentives. The target price apparently includes $11 of profit for
Carsdirect.com. Who knows the truth?

I didn't buy extended warranty, pre-paid maintenance, paint sealant,
fabric protection and other crap I can't remember now. Watch out for
the finance and insurance guy like he was a mafia loan shark.

Every other dealer has bumped me twice on price, no matter what I
offered. I started at the Cardirect.com price and the dealer
accepted. A first for me.

Enjoy you turbo (decedent bastard!)
Roadie Roger