Georgia Subaru Car Dealers

Your comments probably point out the fact that two different people can have different reactions to the same car. It doesn't mean either one is wrong. I haven't driven the Kia, but I certainly found the Hyundai comparable in handling to my '08 Legacy Limited and the '11 Legacy Premium that was my last dealer loaner. At the NY auto show last week, I had a chance to do a close examination of the Sonata hybrid and that will probably be my next car. I'm willing to give up AWD for the better looks, extra luxury, additional room (interior and trunk) and superior gas mileage and warranties. If you put that hybrid next to a current Legacy, the latter simply looks old and out of date. I also had a chance to look at the new Impreza and, while it's better-looking than the last model, it's still a really boring design. Subaru may be selling well now and it's attempting to boost sales in warmer climates, but the competition is invading its territory. There are now more AWD choices and a number of other brands in the price range are matching its five-star crash ratings and exceeding its technology. Subaru was supposed to do a hybrid using Toyota technology, but we've heard nothing about that recently. It'll be offering Toyota's new small sports car, but it will be RWD and not AWD. It's getting a lot tougher to remain a Subaru loyalist when the brand isn't keeping up with the competition or maintaining its unique position in the market.

I bought a 2011 2.5 Limited in December. I paid $200 under invoice, which I thought was a very good price. It was right around the price fitzmall.com sells at. If you can get at or under invoice, I think that's a good deal. I test drove both the 3.6 and 2.5 twice before I bought. While I liked the power of the 3.6, I didn't like the high revs at highway speeds compared to the 2.5. The CVT really holds RPMs quite low on the highway. Given gas prices, I'm glad I went with the 2.5. Good luck!

When I was looking for a new one, I used fitzmall.com as the benchmark for low prices. I couldn't duplicate their low price in my area (where living and other costs are higher), but it did help me to negotiate what I thought was a fair price. You should also check out truecar.com for fairly accurate sale prices on the new models (vs. too-high prices at edmunds, carsdirect, etc.). I have a sports car for weekends, so I didn't feel the need for speed in the Limited (especially with gas prices -- once again -- approaching $4 a gallon). I will stand corrected, but I believe there is no difference in the suspensions in the various Legacy models. It's one way that Subaru saves money. I know this was true back in '08. The only difference then was that the GT had bigger brakes. If you go with the 2.5i, you will be fine in most circumstances and will save a few bucks on gas. The only limitations: 1) you won't be able to hit the gas and squirt into openings in traffic, and 2) you won't be able to fill the car with three other people and luggage without noticing it. Other than that, the 2.5i is a great performer and I understand it's even better in the 2011 with the CVT transmission. Good luck in the search.

Here's what we just put a deposit down on: 2011 2.5i premium sedan with power moonroof value package. Auto. Armrest, side moldings, splash guards, spoiler. White. $19,600 out the door. Subaru of Manchester (NH). I have a purchase and sale that spells out that documentation, destination, dealer prep., full tank of gas, absolutely everything is in that price. All I have to pay is the state for plates, excise and sales tax, insurance to my insurer and my wife takes her princess home Consumer reports said cost including holdback on this car was $19837. MSRP was 21549. Dealers don't lose money, so there's something CR doesn't know. Cash, no trade. That is the only way to get the actual price. People who claim to get these cars for $16800 but had the dealer do the financing? So much can be hidden there. Why not use home equity and get the mortgage interest tax deduction? Salesperson said holdback was $800, CR said it ws $535. That would put his cost at $19572, still not sufficient profit. He said that those pricing services like Consumer Reports are inexact. $1949 off list. Quirk in MA says it does $1885, but I bet when you get there they tack on doc fees, etc.. We had quotes from 5 dealers. This one was the best and no games. Yet. The car is in transit. The accessories are installed at the port, so we could get just what we wanted in the color we wanted, no more, no less. They had inventory not just in rows but filling the driving space between the rows. Some cars they'd have to move 10 other cars just to get out. I think they're motivated. They're close to having to rent out an extra lot, and that can't be free. Still, I wonder if with the model changeover later this year they'll be better deals with leftovers. Something to consider if you aren't in dire need.

Seems like a good price. Not sure how it is in your area, but in the DC area you could do better. The dealer cost is $32,3XX (though there may some regional differences). I've seen people routinely getting below dealer cost in my area. With the extra $600 discount to bring it to $31k, that brings you right around or slightly below dealer cost. I would submit there's another $1000 in play here... In addition, make sure they're not taking you on your trade-in. Obviously check blue-book etc, but if you can get it appraised by someone like Carmax, that can help give you a better fix of what the market value is. They can give you a great deal on the car and hose you on the trade-in.