...YKW

^ actually cars101.com's invoice pages do break out the destination charge in a separate column for a true "dealer's invoice" quote, and some sites do in fact list the invoice prices of the available options, eg: Motor Trend's summary page here.

 

(apparently invoice price is 60-65% of list for options )

 

But thanks for the advice on pricing. I tend to be somewhat passive and a take-it-or-leave-it type, so my negotiating plan, if I were looking at taking delivery from the dealer's inventory, is just offer the price I was willing to pay, somewhat determined by how long the car has been in inventory (which I assume can be accurately guessed at by looking at the VIN code's serial number).

 

Assuming I can get 2% under invoice for new factory order, I'm going to want most of the holdback for a lot queen that's been in inventory for months and months.

-The Motor Trend link is still about $300 off (with options added in) on the MSRP and Invoices sitting on my desk right now.

-Looking at the VIN and comparing it to the other VINs on the lot is not a very safe way of determining the age of units. Dealers do what's called "Dealer Trades" a few times a day. If the car is a dealer trade their age is automatically reset to zero. A "Dealer Trade" is essentially trading a car in our stock for a car in another dealerships stock so that the customer can get the color/trim that they want.

-You should be able to get invoice minus all of holdback pricing on EVERY new Subaru that you purchase regardless of DIS (Days In Stock).

-If you are looking to get great pricing on a Pre-Owned Subaru DIS is a HUGE factor. Dealerships get charged for Pre-Owned cars that have been sitting on their lots for a long time.

Very good discussion on this thread, hopefully it helps to save everyone a ton of money.

-Chad

Just to establish a bit more clarity:

 

Is Dealer Invoice the same as the Invoice we see on cars101.com and other sites reporting Invoice? Just want to make sure they're the same and if not what the differences would be. Thanks Jon!

No, no, no. The actual invoice is not the same as you see on the websites. I'm the internet sales manager for a Subaru Dealership in Colorado and constantly have people asking my why the invoice on Edmunds.com is different than the actual invoice on the car. Edmunds and the other sites don't account for the "destination charge" that is directly from the manufacturer and is printed on the invoice. This is the charge for freighting the car either across the country (if your vehicle was made at our Indiana plant) or from Japan. This is NOT a dealership handling fee, it is directly from Fuji Heavy Industries. Those websites also don't account for the "factory add-ons" like armrest extensions, security shock sensors, remote start, auto dimming mirror with compass, etc.

In my honest opinion if you truly want the best deal on a car (which should be invoice minus all hold back) submit a few leads to dealers in your area. Let them know that you are looking for the absolute best price on a specific vehicle. If you think you are going to walk onto a dealership and get a great price you are out of your mind. Let your fingers do the work for you and compare and contrast the price quotes that you are given. Once you have gotten your lowest quote email back the dealerships and ask them to beat that price. Eventually you will get to the point where there is maybe $50 difference in prices. At the end I would give the opportunity to the salesman that worked best with you. Also, if any of you have questions about pricing or incentives feel free to shoot me a PM.

-Chad

HI ...YKW!!

 

I plan to. How about you?

 

How about anyone else?

Yeah I will be there. Look for the guy with the Husky. As for other people... pretty much all the pirates that I know personally.

It is just a general meet. It is supposed to be a huge gathering to meet other peoples.

Hi Han! Are you going to Red Rocks?

I'm not sure if this is a "Install" meet thread or a meet thread in general but I wanted to let you know of a local all-wheel drive meet at Red Rocks on the 30th. Here's the link:

http://www.awdpirates.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=30573

Sorry if this is the wrong place to put this, but I figured it would be cool if there was a little more Legacy representation there.