Just thought I would bump this thread now to help out some of our newer members who want to get the BRZ.

Ther BRZ is supposed to be released in the states in May 2012 so if you want to sign up for a VIP program partner and get your 6 month wait period done this is a good time to do it.

I found one of their organizations to be pretty cool tbh.

http://lnt.org/support/membership_benefits.php

If you like that outdoorsy stuff here's one. :)

I called my local Subaru dealer last week and I spoke with a gentleman, who has been at the dealership for over eight years, and he could not confirm or deny that the BRZ was going to be excluded from the VIP program, but that in his opinion, first release, high demand cars are typically excluded for a period of time. Obviously, this is by no means an official statement, so I think it might be interesting to hear back from everyone as to what thier local dealers are telling them.

BTW, the link at ACA is now http://www.americancanoe.org/?page=Subaru

Well the VIP program states that "new" vehicles are or can be (don't recall the wording)

Can be, depending on demand.

Depending on the program you either get dealer invoice or 2% below dealer invoice. First job find dealer invoice. Then find 2% below that.

Does the VIP Program discount apply to the price of the car after negotiations or what? How would it work if ur not paying the full price of the dealership? Wouldn't dealers charge more to make up for it or refuse to negotiate if they get a SoA VIP letter?

You simply don't negotiate. Its the invoice price + 2% below. However, its up to the dealership to say yes or no to the VIP letter.

Basically the VIP program works as that Subaru will pay that 2% difference to the dealership (or that's how I understand it). So the dealer really has no loss.

What happens if the dealership is trying to sell above the True Market Value or the invoice is a whole lot higher than the TMV? Seems the buyer will need to negotiate in those situations. I have been to some Subaru dealers who have been sharks.

No loss in one way, thousands of dollars loss in another. Yes, they will get that 2% back but they do lose the thousand+ between invoice and MSRP, in additional to any "regional adjustments" and other mark ups I fear Subaru dealers will be placing on this car. When the STI came out if they had accepted VIP program pricing they would have lost 5-6k per sale easily compared to selling them to the customers who didn't use the VIP program.

I'd guess that, unless you have a really good relationship with your dealer, that the VIP program won't be accepted. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try.. I'll be trying.

The only time invoice is higher than purchase price is if you are negotiating holdbacks and/or are applying rebates. You can also negotiate in that 2%, if tell the dealer to keep 1% and apply 1% to the car, so you get the car for 3% under invoice, etc.

Again, that will happen on cars just sitting on the lot for awhile, a high demand car that isn't likely to happen as a lot of early adopters are simply willing to pay to have it first.

Just as Dave said. Also worth noting that a dealer might be more willing to offer the VIP on a factory order vs one on the lot.

^ this

The other day I talked to a manager over at the subaru dealer just down the street from my house and he said the car is likely not going to be part of the VIP program, and hes going to have a tough time stretching the price down on a new sports model even for family members. Its his ass on the line, but hes pretty excited about the car and wasn't very impressed with the recent WRX STI, the manager said hes getting one of the early release BRZ.