From the WTF files: Local Subie dealer

[MX793]

So I've been planning on getting a new car this summer.  I've been popping in at the local Subie dealer on weekends when the weather's nice hoping they'd have an '09 WRX in (as well as checking in on their website's inventory listing fairly frequently).  To date, they have not yet gotten a new '09 in stock (if they did, it was in and bought in a hurry since I've been checking almost weekly).  Last weekend I noticed a late model Impreza parked out front where their used cars are.  Then I noticed that it had dark wheels, like an '09 WRX's.  I look closer and sure enough, it has an '09 label on the windshield.  I check their online inventory and there are no new WRXs listed, but their used inventory does indeed list an '09 WRX base sedan w/ 4K miles.  The price on this vehicle?  $25,995.  What does an '09 base WRX sedan list for (including destination)?  $25,690.  Since there really aren't any factory options for the base WRX, I'm kind of scratching my head as to why a USED one would cost $300 more than a brand spanking new one.  Maybe it has some dealer installed accessories, though their listing doesn't list any optional/extra features.

[68_427]

Options?  All of the '09 WRXs I've seen have been $28K+.

[giant_mtb]

Maybe its not actually used and just happens to be on the used lot...?

[MX793]

Options?  All of the '09 WRXs I've seen have been $28K+.

Thing is, there aren't any factory options.  The WRX sedan comes in 2 trims:  Basic and Premium.  Basic models cost 25,960, Premium models are a little over $28K.  You can get some dealer installed accessories (floor mats, wheel locks, shift knobs), but not majorly expensive items.

[MX793]

Maybe its not actually used and just happens to be on the used lot...?

It's not just in their used lot, it's listed in their used inventory online.  And it has several thousand miles on it.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Do they just happen to have a shitload of unsold 08 WRX's?

IF they do they may not want to stock the knowingly better car before they dump the old stuff.

As for the price of a used WRX being higher than it was new, my guess is some dipshit is looking to catch himself a impulsive retard.

Maybe they also think that their self inflicted lack of 09 supply actually represents some sort of "rarity" for the 09's.

If you are serious about getting one then hit the net and start shopping. I wouldn't buy ANY car from ANY manufacturer for msrp given the current economic times and more importantly the current auto sales situation. A 25K 09 WRX to me is AUTOMATICALLY a 23-24K car, with good(and prolonged) negotiation i'd expect it to get right down around 21-22K.

[68_427]

So I'm guessing this isn't a Premium?

Isn't there an aero package?

[MX793]

Do they just happen to have a shitload of unsold 08 WRX's?

IF they do they may not want to stock the knowingly better car before they dump the old stuff.

As for the price of a used WRX being higher than it was new, my guess is some dipshit is looking to catch himself a impulsive retard.

Maybe they also think that their self inflicted lack of 09 supply actually represents some sort of "rarity" for the 09's.

If you are serious about getting one then hit the net and start shopping. I wouldn't buy ANY car from ANY manufacturer for msrp given the current economic times and more importantly the current auto sales situation. A 25K 09 WRX to me is AUTOMATICALLY a 23-24K car, with good(and prolonged) negotiation i'd expect it to get right down around 21-22K.

They show one '08 in their online inventory.  Not sure where they're keeping it since I didn't see any WRXs in their new car section when I rolled through.  Maybe it's in the showroom (it had been parked with the rest of their new cars in the lot for over a year).

And I have no intention of paying MSRP for a new WRX, and I sure as hell won't pay as much (or more) for a used one as I could get a new one for.  I also have little interest in either the sedan (if I wanted to drive a car that looks like a Corolla, I'd buy a Corolla) or the base model (I want some of the nicer features of the premium).  But when I saw it in the used lot, the little voice in my head said "hmm, a low mileage used '09... I bet I could get that for a fair bit less than a brand new one given the used car depreciation hit and all.  If the price is right and it's a premium model, maybe I'll seriously consider it, even if it is the ugly sedan model."

But, it's the base model and the price is definately not right.

[MX793]

So I'm guessing this isn't a Premium?

Isn't there an aero package?

No, it's the BASE model.

And the aero package became standard equipment for '09.

[MrH]

Just thought I'd chime in:

There had been STi's going for waaaaaay under MSRP awhile back.  Have you tried discussing how much they'd be willing to give you one for?

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I'm sure MX(and i'd agree) would rather save money, get the features and most if not all the performance in the form of a premium 09 WRX. The tweeks subie made to the 09 wrx put it damn near on par with the STI for much less money. The only complaints seem to suggest the WRX is not as hard edged as the STI which would actually be a good trait for a daily driver. Any deals on STi's should be similar to a deal on a standard WRX.

[MX793]

Just thought I'd chime in:

There had been STi's going for waaaaaay under MSRP awhile back.  Have you tried discussing how much they'd be willing to give you one for?

Leftover '08 STis were going for cheap.  They are since hard to come by.  Local dealer hasn't had an STi in stock for quite some time and I doubt they'd be willing to offer sweet deals on a car that they don't currently have in inventory.  I don't think there's a dealer in the state with an '08 STi still in stock.  The STi is also a bit more hardcore than I'd want for a DD.

And if it weren't for the fact that I'd have to drive an hour to get to the next closest Subie dealer, I wouldn't even be setting foot on the property of the local place.  I was checking out '08 WRXs last year and hovered around one for a good 15-20 minutes in plain view of the sales staff on a slow business day and was simply ignored.  I also don't think they're real inclined to deal much either.  My cousin recently bought a Subie and ended up getting it from some dealer that was like 4 hours away.

[Galaxy]

I was checking out '08 WRXs last year and hovered around one for a good 15-20 minutes in plain view of the sales staff on a slow business day and was simply ignored. 

That's a plus!

[TBR]

Yeah, if I want to talk to a salesman I am perfectly fine having to walk inside, but if I am just looking I don't want to be attacked by one.

[SVT666]

Around here a 2 or 3 year old Honda Civic goes for just $2000 less then MSRP on a new one.  That's fucking retarded.

[nickdrinkwater]

Around here a 2 or 3 year old Honda Civic goes for just $2000 less then MSRP on a new one.  That's fucking retarded.

Sounds like the opposite to here, where 3 year old cars are worth 35-50% of their original 'value'.

[omicron]

Sounds like the opposite to here, where 3 year old cars are worth 35-50% of their original 'value'.

Good lord. 35%!

[SVT666]

Sounds like the opposite to here, where 3 year old cars are worth 35-50% of their original 'value'.

Same here, but that does not apply to Honda and Toyota.

[TBR]

Thing is, there aren't any factory options.  The WRX sedan comes in 2 trims:  Basic and Premium.  Basic models cost 25,960, Premium models are a little over $28K.  You can get some dealer installed accessories (floor mats, wheel locks, shift knobs), but not majorly expensive items.

Yeah, Subaru does options and trim levels pretty much the same way Honda does. It can be a little annoying since to get the options you want you typically end up with options you don't want, but I bet it saves a lot of money.

[MX793]

Yeah, Subaru does options and trim levels pretty much the same way Honda does. It can be a little annoying since to get the options you want you typically end up with options you don't want, but I bet it saves a lot of money.

I remembered that the premium trim does offer one major factory installed option:  Navigation.  Base models only have an array of dealer installed stuff.