Well I've done some number crunching and now I've a decision to make . . . I'm not sure which way to go here.
The repo WRX by the way ended up being sold the day after I test drove it. A bit disappointing at first . . . but I always figure things happen for a reason -- for all I know the previous owner never properly broke it in and it could blow up in a spectacular fireball two weeks from now.
In any case, it looks like I'm going to go new . . . a base model WRX. I've already secured pre-financing at a decent rate (but hopefully the dealer may do better with their own offer.)
So here's my problem . . .
I sent out requests to the various dealers here in Maine asking for their best price on a base model WRX with as few (if any) options along with the OTD price . . . and whether the car is in stock or needs to be ordered.
Not surprisingly, most dealers came back to say the car would need to be ordered. A few said that they have a car coming later this month or may be able to make a "folder swap" (sounds like a dealer swap to me?)
Prices seemed decent . . . based on the numbers from True Car, Edmunds, etc. most were below invoice on the price ($24,799-$25,499) and it became obvious that some used other fees to pad the OTD price but the figures still seem decent enough ($26,636-$27,242) and well within what I want to pay.
Which in your opinion is the better deal here?
Dealer A: Best overall price and OTD price at $26,636 who as an added bonus thinks they can make a "folder swap" and have a car in by the end of the month.
Dealer B (Well B and C really): Second and third lowest prices (about $200 more than the lowest OTD price) and as an added bonus I have worked with these dealers before as they are local dealers. The car would have to be ordered with a 8-12 week wait time . . . but good things come to those who wait, right?
Dealer C: Asking $345 more than the best price (Dealer A) and are unwilling to budge on the price, but they counter by saying that the $26,981 OTD price also includes a life time warranty on the car (offered through a third party, maintenance must be done and documented -- but does not need to be done at this dealership. No deductible if the work is done at this dealership (2 hours from my home) or $100 per component if the work is done at another Subaru dealer.). Car would have to be ordered with a 8-12 week wait.
I do like a good deal . . . and if Dealer A was able to get a car in that much sooner so much the better. I am willing to wait for a vehicle, but at the same time who wouldn't want to be driving a new car that much sooner?
On the other hand, the two local dealers have treated me decently in the past, I will most likely have any warranty work (if necessary) done at one of these places and I suspect might be willing to go a little bit lower on the price . . . but the flip side would be a bit more of a wait.
And then there is that one dealer with a tantalizing lifetime, unlimited mile warranty. Having had my wife's 2003 Legacy Outback develop the infamous head gasket issue I am always a bit leery of laying out a whole lot of money and having the car have a major issue . . . but I also question as to how useful that third party warranty would be if push came to shove.
Your thoughts on any of this?
The repo WRX by the way ended up being sold the day after I test drove it. A bit disappointing at first . . . but I always figure things happen for a reason -- for all I know the previous owner never properly broke it in and it could blow up in a spectacular fireball two weeks from now.
In any case, it looks like I'm going to go new . . . a base model WRX. I've already secured pre-financing at a decent rate (but hopefully the dealer may do better with their own offer.)
So here's my problem . . .
I sent out requests to the various dealers here in Maine asking for their best price on a base model WRX with as few (if any) options along with the OTD price . . . and whether the car is in stock or needs to be ordered.
Not surprisingly, most dealers came back to say the car would need to be ordered. A few said that they have a car coming later this month or may be able to make a "folder swap" (sounds like a dealer swap to me?)
Prices seemed decent . . . based on the numbers from True Car, Edmunds, etc. most were below invoice on the price ($24,799-$25,499) and it became obvious that some used other fees to pad the OTD price but the figures still seem decent enough ($26,636-$27,242) and well within what I want to pay.
Which in your opinion is the better deal here?
Dealer A: Best overall price and OTD price at $26,636 who as an added bonus thinks they can make a "folder swap" and have a car in by the end of the month.
Dealer B (Well B and C really): Second and third lowest prices (about $200 more than the lowest OTD price) and as an added bonus I have worked with these dealers before as they are local dealers. The car would have to be ordered with a 8-12 week wait time . . . but good things come to those who wait, right?
Dealer C: Asking $345 more than the best price (Dealer A) and are unwilling to budge on the price, but they counter by saying that the $26,981 OTD price also includes a life time warranty on the car (offered through a third party, maintenance must be done and documented -- but does not need to be done at this dealership. No deductible if the work is done at this dealership (2 hours from my home) or $100 per component if the work is done at another Subaru dealer.). Car would have to be ordered with a 8-12 week wait.
I do like a good deal . . . and if Dealer A was able to get a car in that much sooner so much the better. I am willing to wait for a vehicle, but at the same time who wouldn't want to be driving a new car that much sooner?
On the other hand, the two local dealers have treated me decently in the past, I will most likely have any warranty work (if necessary) done at one of these places and I suspect might be willing to go a little bit lower on the price . . . but the flip side would be a bit more of a wait.
And then there is that one dealer with a tantalizing lifetime, unlimited mile warranty. Having had my wife's 2003 Legacy Outback develop the infamous head gasket issue I am always a bit leery of laying out a whole lot of money and having the car have a major issue . . . but I also question as to how useful that third party warranty would be if push came to shove.
Your thoughts on any of this?
