Topic: New Subarus now $7500 off ... should I buy?

[SkiBunny]

Thanks to folks here who started the thread about $4000 off the Impreza, I checked out the new Legacy and Outback pricing.  I test-drove a 2009 Legacy tonight and it was nice.  Better than the new Matrix XR and Camry SE that I drove recently, at least for me.

The website is showing $5500 off both 2008 Legacy and Outbacks (you must build/price a car to see the $5500 reduction... cash price only... 2009 models are just $2500 off). 

But the dealer tonight offered me more like $7500 off for their 2008 subies.

The on-the-road price for the 2008 Outback 2.5i is $29472 (which includes everything).  Sales tax is 13% in ontario so it's  $26081 before tax.

The 2008 Legacy 2.5i will be $26850 out the door (equivalent to $23761 before sales tax). 

These are new cars, not demos or anything.  It's leftover 2008 inventory in-stock, so colour choice is quite limited. 

When I look at autotrader, the used 2007-08 ones cost this much or more, but maybe because there's lots of bargaining room in autotrader ads?

Are these typical or unusually good deals for year-end leftovers at Subaru?

Should I buy one of these?  Is one a much better deal than the other, or a more preferred model?  Thanks!

[inco]

Someone needs to take you 'Outback' and explain the deal of the century for you!

If it's price your after then the Legacy would be a fine choice. Spend a little more and get the Outback which IMHO looks better and is worth the coin. I love our Legacy from looks perspective, but I wish the other half chose the OB.

[SkiBunny]

Yep I prefer the wagons too, for their utility, but they cost a lot more and they're bigger (too big?) to drive and park here in the city.   

I did price the outback with a US dealer over the phone, and there were no cost savings at these price levels.  Problem with importing from US is that Subaru Canada will not perform any warranty work on 2008 or later models. 

I still have some difficulty wrapping my head around a "Subaru" as I've never owned/considered one before.  But it meets my needs, so does a RAV4 (need V6 to tow my toys) but the V6 RAV4 is sooo expensive. 

What's the real image of a subaru wagon?  When I was young, stationwagons were only for downtrodden parents with no life, LOL like minivans have become (note to inco: i think your image is better in your legacy sedan)

[Zombie]

When I look at autotrader, the used 2007-08 ones cost this much or more, but maybe because there's lots of bargaining room in autotrader ads?

In the trader you will find a lot of wishful thinking when it comes to pricing. Some people think they can get back most of there money if they decided they can't afford or don't want the car anymore. Also some people try and sell for higher then the NEW MSRP because they feel they should try and get some of the tax money back also.

[SkiBunny]

In the trader you will find a lot of wishful thinking when it comes to pricing. Some people think they can get back most of there money if they decided they can't afford or don't want the car anymore.

Hmm i c.  I've noticed that in craigslist for computers etc. too

If autotrader prices are not reflective of market (too high), I cannot use it to estimate value/depreciation. 

How are subarus when it comes to depreciation?  I believe that the toy RAV4 (like most toyotas) depreciate slowly whereas the Hyundais depreciate quickly.  What about Subaru Legacy/Outback?     

[quadzilla]

Yep I prefer the wagons too, for their utility, but they cost a lot more and they're bigger (too big?) to drive and park here in the city.   

I thought the wagon was < $1,000 more than the sedan. Small price to pay for the extra utility. Also, the wagon is only 3 inches longer than the sedan (188 vs 183 inches) which is still 10 inches shorter than a 4 door Accord (194 inches). If you want smaller, look at the new Impreza or Forester.

[mrthompson]

How many lbs. are you looking to tow?

[SkiBunny]

How many lbs. are you looking to tow?

Well allowing for extra stuff, should be near 2000 to be safe.  The subies are rated for 2700 but the tongue weight is just 2000, so really anything more than 2000 is "iffy" on a subie.  Still, I think that's better than any other car out there (and better than the forester), unless you go to a truck or 6-cyl SUV.

[SkiBunny]

I thought the wagon was < $1,000 more than the sedan. Small price to pay for the extra utility. If you want smaller, look at the new Impreza or Forester.

Actually the MSRP of the Outback 2.5i is $4000 more than the Legacy 2.5i
Forester has no discounting currently, so i think it costs more even tho its MSRP is less.
The Impreza is rated to pull zero pounds, lol.

If they knocked $5500 or $7500 off the new Forester, I'd pick it.  But this is a price-sensitive decision.  And anyway, the legacy and outback are nicer inside (same interior but the legacy is noticeably more spacious).

hmmm....  while i pontificate, maybe they'll all sell haha

[Sir Osis of Liver]

What's the real image of a subaru wagon?  When I was young, stationwagons were only for downtrodden parents with no life, LOL like minivans have become (note to inco: i think your image is better in your legacy sedan)

Are you suggesting that driving a mocha on sand Outback wagon isn't cool?

I love this thing. Very nice to drive. Good torque from the engine, reasonable mileage (9.4l/100km or so city 7.2l/100km or so highway). Very good visibility, which is a nice change from our Vibe. Quiet on the road too. I've got the touring package which has a huge sunroof that is actually usable on the highway. It also includes the limited slip rear differential. The long travel suspension is softer than I prefer, but Mrs_T wanted the higher altitude of the Outback over the Legacy wagon.

The Outback has a trailer rating of 2700lbs with trailer brakes (1000lbs without). The tongue weight (weight baring straight down on the ball of the hitch) is 200lbs, which is typical for Class I towing. For an AWD, 3350lbs (1520kg) vehicle, 2700lbs shouldn't be a problem as long as you follow the manual.

It sounds like a pretty darn good deal to me.

[SkiBunny]

The long travel suspension is softer than I prefer, but Mrs_T wanted the higher altitude of the Outback over the Legacy wagon.

Please explain that soft "long travel suspension"... is the Outback softer than the Legacy?  Dealer told me they drive the same as they're the same vehicle except one is raised slightly. 

I think I also prefer the higher altitude of the outback, mainly for its better ground clearance, as on occasion I find myself on winding rough dirt/gravel roads.

[Snowman]

People who are preoccupied with looking cool don’t buy wagons. Only cool people buy wagons because we are not worried about what others think 

[Ex-airbalancer]

BT you need tint windows on the back, then it would be ultra cool

Outback rocks way more then Mazda 6

[tpl]

People who are preoccupied with looking cool don’t buy wagons. Only cool people buy wagons because we are not worried about what others think 

 

A definition of cool indeed

[Ex-airbalancer]

Thanks to folks here who started the thread about $4000 off the Impreza, I checked out the new Legacy and Outback pricing.  I test-drove a 2009 Legacy tonight and it was nice.  Better than the new Matrix XR and Camry SE that I drove recently, at least for me.

The website is showing $5500 off both 2008 Legacy and Outbacks (you must build/price a car to see the $5500 reduction... cash price only... 2009 models are just $2500 off). 

But the dealer tonight offered me more like $7500 off for their 2008 subies.

The on-the-road price for the 2008 Outback 2.5i is $29472 (which includes everything).  Sales tax is 13% in ontario so it's  $26081 before tax.

The 2008 Legacy 2.5i will be $26850 out the door (equivalent to $23761 before sales tax). 

These are new cars, not demos or anything.  It's leftover 2008 inventory in-stock, so colour choice is quite limited. 

When I look at autotrader, the used 2007-08 ones cost this much or more, but maybe because there's lots of bargaining room in autotrader ads?

Are these typical or unusually good deals for year-end leftovers at Subaru?

Should I buy one of these?  Is one a much better deal than the other, or a more preferred model?  Thanks!

Which dealer?

[quadzilla]

Outback rocks way more then Mazda 6

Of course it does, it is sitting way to high. 

Mz6 Wagon 

[Ex-airbalancer]

Outback rocks way more then Mazda 6

Of course it does, it is sitting way to high. 

Mz6 Wagon 

Typical Mazda 6 , always in the dark, scared to show it self

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The long travel suspension is softer than I prefer, but Mrs_T wanted the higher altitude of the Outback over the Legacy wagon.

Please explain that soft "long travel suspension"... is the Outback softer than the Legacy?  Dealer told me they drive the same as they're the same vehicle except one is raised slightly. 

I think I also prefer the higher altitude of the outback, mainly for its better ground clearance, as on occasion I find myself on winding rough dirt/gravel roads.

Well, to tell the truth, it felt like longer suspension travel, but that might have been more perception than reality. The damping rates (how forcefully the struts react to impact) are definitely softer than the Legacy Touring, which felt more buttoned down (my preference). In any event, I really like the ride/handling compromise, much more entertaining than SUV/CUV fare.

Ground clearance is pretty darned good, at least as much as the rest of the CUV class, but the car doesn't roll in corners nearly as much.

The biggie for me was I wanted a wagon with a manual transmission. The one in the Outback is very smooth and precise, not too long or too short throws too. Mrs_T tried out the auto as there weren't any manuals in stock at first, and considering it's a four speed, it worked perfectly well.

Trying to be cool is something I gave up on a long time ago.  Like Snowman, though on a more meagre budget, I buy what I like. You should see my white belt and matching patent leather shoes. Dead sexy!

[Ex-airbalancer]

so this is the real you http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_Tarlek 

[johngenx]

Dead sexy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipZDG6__Zfc