Dealer experiences -- San Diego, CA

[The Impudent Guttersnipe]

We test drove an '04 Forester XT today and while we *loved* the car our
salesperson left a lot to be desired. We ended up walking out when he
refused to quote us a price that was below sticker. Does anyone here
have experience with any of the San Diego area dealers? We're ready to
buy but I'm damned if I'm going to do business with the guy we talked to
today.

Also, does the security system upgrade actually have any useful features
like an engine kill or does it just make lots of loud noises and flash
the headlights? Our guy today didn't seem very well informed.

Thanks in advance,
Deej

 

[David]

We test drove an '04 Forester XT today and while we *loved* the car our
salesperson left a lot to be desired. We ended up walking out when he
refused to quote us a price that was below sticker.

Sometimes when a car is in demand, it isn't readily available at a discount.

I've been hoping to test drive an XT soon too. Can any one confirm that these
wagons can be had for dealer cost plus some money, or for substantially below
sticker. If you got a good deal on your XT, here's a good time to brag about it.

 

[Oscar]

Hi,

I recently (Nov) purchased an '04 Forester XT at Subaru Carlsbad and
had a great experience. The sticker was almost 27K and I got it for
24,499. It's a silver XT, 5spd, with several options. The experience
was awesome.

I used their internet purchase program available through their web
site. Got a price before going in to the dealership, went in for a
test drive and everything was extremely smooth.

Before doing business with the Carlsbad dealership, I talked with the
dealership in Kearny Mesa--that was a miserable experience. The sales
person in Kearny Mesa would not quote me a price on their Forester XT.
I also went to the dealer in El Cajon and they didn't have what I was
looking for and wanted to sell me anything else on their lot.

I'm not recommending Subaru Carlsbad, but I wanted to share that I did
have a good experience with them.

Good Luck.

 

[H. Whelply]

If you're going to drive all the way up to Carlsbad, go another 50 miles to
Irvine Subaru (actually in Lake Forest). I got about $1,800 off sticker for
my loaded XT Premium back in late September. They were nice people to work
with. Haven't been back for my first oil change yet, so can't speak to
service. However, my as-encountered, informal survey of Subie owners I meet
yields positive impressions of their service as well.

HW

 

[Alan]

Just to mention that one should bargain UP from the dealer invoice, not DOWN
from the sticker. I paid $98 over dealer invoice for my '04 OBW LLBean,
which was about $2200 off the sticker IIRC.

 

[2 Stroke]

I drive about 50 miles out of my way to have my WRX serviced at Irvine
Subaru. I've taken the car there 3 times so far, and I'll take it
there the next time I need dealer service. It's sometimes difficult
to get a service appointment there, I've had to wait over a week to
get in, so plan ahead.

Steve

========================================================

 

[H. Whelply]

2 Stroke, thanks. That's encouraging. Thanks, too, for the tip about
appointments. I'm just about ready for my first oil change.

HW

 

[TransFixed]

If you're going to drive all the way up to Carlsbad, go another 50 miles to
Irvine Subaru (actually in Lake Forest). I got about $1,800 off sticker for
my loaded XT Premium back in late September. They were nice people to work
with. Haven't been back for my first oil change yet, so can't speak to
service. However, my as-encountered, informal survey of Subie owners I meet
yields positive impressions of their service as well.

HW

I agree, Irvine is the best "San Diego" dealer within reach - by a wide
margine.

- D.