Subaru Dealer Blacklist (Surprise markups and other shady dealings)

[TuxedoCartman]

Originally Posted by viper_driver

Went to Las Vegas Subaru today just to try and score a brochure. They referred me to the BRZ specialist. He knew a little about the car at least, but told me the pricing wasn't finalized from Subaru...??? It's been final for at least a month now. He told me the big selling point was that the car had 151 lb-ft of torque at 6k. Maybe it's just me, but I don't believe that to be the big selling point.

He said that everyone got mad about the $2500 markup so they've stopped it. May have also had something to do with the fact that of their 21 cars, they've only pre sold 5 when nearly the entire country is sold out! Instead of the $2500 flat markup, there's now a mandatory $2100 options package that includes 1) super blinking rear taillights for safety 2) tinted windows 3) 24K, 2 year warranty ??? and 4) free oil changes for life at their stealership.

Ya know, IF I were to do business with them (I never would), I would have to ask them if I could just pay them the $2500 markup, and they keep the "mandatory value-added package." It goes beyond merely being stuff I don't care about or are indifferent to; with the exception of the warranty, I do not want ANY of that stuff on my car. I will not be tinting my windows, I do not trust their mechanics to change my oil, and I do not want my taillights throwing light-switch raves.

Although this brings up a good question: if a stealership abandons their anti-consumer plans to milk the enthusiasts for all they're worth, because they recognize it's a lost cause... would you then consider doing business with them? Or is the fact that they've shown their true colors regarding service enough to turn you off of them altogether? Personally, after the way they've acted in the past AND recently regarding the release of the BRZ, you couldn't get me in there with a cattle prod. And I'm a long-time Subaru fanatic. Sad, really...

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by TuxedoCartman

Ya know, IF I were to do business with them (I never would), I would have to ask them if I could just pay them the $2500 markup, and they keep the "mandatory value-added package." It goes beyond merely being stuff I don't care about or are indifferent to; with the exception of the warranty, I do not want ANY of that stuff on my car. I will not be tinting my windows, I do not trust their mechanics to change my oil, and I do not want my taillights throwing light-switch raves.

Although this brings up a good question: if a stealership abandons their anti-consumer plans to milk the enthusiasts for all they're worth, because they recognize it's a lost cause... would you then consider doing business with them? Or is the fact that they've shown their true colors regarding service enough to turn you off of them altogether? Personally, after the way they've acted in the past AND recently regarding the release of the BRZ, you couldn't get me in there with a cattle prod. And I'm a long-time Subaru fanatic. Sad, really...

If there was only one dealer in town for me, and they were charging a $2500 markup I'd invest that money in a plane ticket instead and pick the car up from somewhere else and drive it back. It will be cheaper and the "stealership" will be losing my business.

[KevinDuMa]

I have found a small dealer getting only 1 brz for the year. She told me over the phone I will have to place a $500 dollar no refundable deposit. I'll be going in tomorrow to discuss business is there anything I need to be aware of and signs I'm getting shafted? Is there a doc fee and what is the most it should be? If they say it comes with "some accessory" and they have to charge me is that a sign? It should be MSRP+TTL and nothing more? Would appreciate the help.

[LostTHEbeat]

The no-refundable deposit would be a deal breaker for me. Another deal breaker would be not knowing when that car is coming. Aside from that, I'd ask why no one else has taken them up on their 1 BRZ yet?

Doc Fee is pretty normal, but I know most states law is that it must be the same for every car on the lot. Can range from $99 to $499 or higher. I'm paying $299 on my FRS.

Just be sure you get everything in writing, with the deposit. That the $500 goes towards the price of the car, it's @ MSRP (with the exact amount), the DOC fee amount, and no add-ons.

[KevinDuMa]

Originally Posted by LostTHEbeat

The no-refundable deposit would be a deal breaker for me. Another deal breaker would be not knowing when that car is coming. Aside from that, I'd ask why no one else has taken them up on their 1 BRZ yet?

Doc Fee is pretty normal, but I know most states law is that it must be the same for every car on the lot. Can range from $99 to $499 or higher. I'm paying $299 on my FRS.

Just be sure you get everything in writing, with the deposit. That the $500 goes towards the price of the car, it's @ MSRP (with the exact amount), the DOC fee amount, and no add-ons.

Thanks for the info. They're a really small dealership and she didn't even know if they were going to get one until a rep told her today they're getting 1 car. I'm going up there tomorrow and I'll keep what you said in mind. Thanks again.

[Jayde]

Originally Posted by dwx

No. I've ordered a couple of Subarus and I've never received anything on them except what I ordered. Sounds like they want I add something themselves...

Same thing I was thinking. I just called Subaru of America and the guy I spoke to said that it doesn't sound right at all. He's going to call my local dealership tomorrow to see what's up and finally get my VON that they wouldn't give me. He said he'll call me on friday with the results.

[Jayde]

Drove out to Stamford Subaru in Connecticut after being told I would pay MSRP on a limited BRZ. I drove an hour and 30mins to get there and when I do, there's all of a sudden a $2500 markup on the car. My sales person told me he didn't want to do this, but his manager made him. He spoke to his manager and then it gets dropped to 29000 with destination. I again told him no and walked out. Drove an hour and half for nothing.

[Tbxgz]

Originally Posted by Jayde

Drove out to Stamford Subaru in Connecticut after being told I would pay MSRP on a limited BRZ. I drove an hour and 30mins to get there and when I do, there's all of a sudden a $2500 markup on the car. My sales person told me he didn't want to do this, but his manager made him. He spoke to his manager and then it gets dropped to 29000 with destination. I again told him no and walked out. Drove an hour and half for nothing.

Damn man! Sorry to hear this... definitely blacklist worthy.

[Guff]

Originally Posted by Jayde

Drove out to Stamford Subaru in Connecticut after being told I would pay MSRP on a limited BRZ. I drove an hour and 30mins to get there and when I do, there's all of a sudden a $2500 markup on the car. My sales person told me he didn't want to do this, but his manager made him. He spoke to his manager and then it gets dropped to 29000 with destination. I again told him no and walked out. Drove an hour and half for nothing.

If anything warrants a blacklist, it's this. Sucks that those scumbags did that to you. Maybe they'll see straight once somebody notifies them of their place on the blacklist...


Hope you get a BRZ at another place for the right price! Either that or get what you were promised on this car!

[Jayde]

Actually I found this dealer from a different thread in the BRZ forum that had a list of cars on Cars.com. I chatted with a guy and decided to go and put my deposit down, since the car would be part of the first allocation they're getting. Looks like the search continues.

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by Jayde

Drove out to Stamford Subaru in Connecticut after being told I would pay MSRP on a limited BRZ. I drove an hour and 30mins to get there and when I do, there's all of a sudden a $2500 markup on the car. My sales person told me he didn't want to do this, but his manager made him. He spoke to his manager and then it gets dropped to 29000 with destination. I again told him no and walked out. Drove an hour and half for nothing.

That sucks man, I'll get this added to the first page tomorrow when I'm on my desktop.

[Phoenix]

Kendall Subaru(Eugene,OR) They was promise me charge by MSRP. But turns out they want to charge you another $3000 for final purchasing the car... It just so freaking ridicules!!!

[IllmaticBRZ]

I just called Subaru of New Port Richey and they were asking for a $2000 non refundable deposit hahah, I just hung up.

[ngabdala]

Damn man! I just noticed on cars.com. It's an hour and a half drive for me too.

I submitted an email for them to call me. I will grill them for you

Did they have the car on the lot ?

Originally Posted by Jayde

Drove out to Stamford Subaru in Connecticut after being told I would pay MSRP on a limited BRZ. I drove an hour and 30mins to get there and when I do, there's all of a sudden a $2500 markup on the car. My sales person told me he didn't want to do this, but his manager made him. He spoke to his manager and then it gets dropped to 29000 with destination. I again told him no and walked out. Drove an hour and half for nothing.