SoCal BRZ Group Buy

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by statuskuo

Dumb/noob question 4 ya Giccin - I've been talking to alot of people on how to best purchase a vehicle (This will be my first car that I bought!) and I was wondering for the group buy...is everyone just paying it all up in front w/ cash? Or can I get in on the whole thing with my own banks financing with my own determined # of down payment?

Apologize again if this is a retarded question I just figured I'd get a quicker answer here

Not a dumb question.

Everyone is paying their own way because if they have someone copaying (for better interest rates) most likely they'll be paying by Credit or the slow Check. Or other means.

You can always pay in cash but you should NEVER reveal how much you want to pay or ever give a definite number when offering.

Your down payment should (for me) should always be a decent amount on the car. Not a crazy dent on it but just enough, and by how much you put on as your DP it will inevitably be the deciding factor on how much you pay per month ontop of your interest rate (of course you can always pay more each month); however, the first year of purchasing your car will most likely be interest payments.

If you want a really indepth answer other members who've bought several cars might give you a better insight on this. :P


DEALER UPDATE 1/5/2012 **updated first post**
Went to speak with Frank today to see the person who'll be helping us do our group buy and I asked him some questions to clarify everything. :>

Then I sat in a 2012 WRX and pretended to be cool.

Anyways here are the questions I asked:
- Does Pre-ordering Cost Money?
: $500 for a deposit for the car (refundable and the check will have large words written VOID on it until time comes). The reason behind this is because if there was no down-payment (which I believe also goes towards the car too) there would be many cars sitting out in the lot without any buyers.
: When the car becomes avaliable on the GM's screen is when we're able to pre-order.

- Do you take Trade-ins?
: Yes.

- Do you uphold/honor the Subaru VIP program specifically for the BRZ?
: Yes, but only on pre-orders. (Essentially the same thing with Subaru Irvine)

- Will Subaru Pay off my 6-month Lease?
: Yes, but it solely depends on where the lease is at. If its in its Negative than no. However, if you're in a positive equity then the portion that is left over can be used on the car. (From my understanding)

- Any bonus add-ons possible due to our group deal?
: Its very possible. It will basically come down to how everything turns out when the time gets closer. (From what I'm getting at is... More people = bigger chance(?)) (I asked about Extended Warranties, services etc.) (I'm taking this question as a Yes, but be sure to call Frank if you want this clarified).

- If I buy the car at Subaru Puente Hills can I service my car at any dealership?
: Yes

- Since we're there's a lot of people buying as the car comes out how would you like to make this an easier process?
: It takes about 2 hours per person who buys the car. People can come in during any time of the week (within business hours of course) to test drive their car and purchase. To make the process even quicker there is a form you can fill out to check your credit (of course online and I'll provide a link sometime soon since the one Frank sent me had my home address.. and I don't want any of you guys knowing where I live. O_O. Creeps.)

- You said the car would be at $300 above invoice. Now, does that include all of our accessories and add-ons as well? (From what I'm guessing is you guys wanting to know whether or not the parts would be cheaper as well.)
: Part's prices are located on the website. So whatever you add on to the car + the car's invoice + $300 = Total cost

[Buggy51]

Hey Giccin,

What was your impression with your meeting with Frank? Straightforward? Easy to talk with, etc.?

Also...

Originally Posted by Giccin

The reason behind this is because if there was no down-payment (which I believe also goes towards the car too)

>_> That better be true or its invoice + 300 + 500 lol.

Originally Posted by Giccin

- Do you uphold/honor the Subaru VIP program specifically for the BRZ?
: Yes, but only on pre-orders. (Essentially the same thing with Subaru Irvine)

Any reason why we should try Irvine instead of Puente Hills?

And finally, though a bit random, what's the sales tax at Puente Hills? lol

[statuskuo]

Piggybacking off of what BUggy said: So in a group pre-order - we would qualify for the additional 2% discount with the Subaru VIP Program? And also is there any cut off for when we would need the 500 deposit?

Sorry for the rain of questions!

One more thing I forgot to mention is I just learned about the VIP program and have donated...but I'm feeling it's going to be released before my 6 months are up. Is it possible to get someone else who is a VIP member and get their discount? or would the membership have to be under my name?

[Buggy51]

Originally Posted by statuskuo

Piggybacking off of what BUggy said: So in a group pre-order - we would qualify for the additional 2% discount with the Subaru VIP Program? And also is there any cut off for when we would need the 500 deposit?

Sorry for the rain of questions!

One more thing I forgot to mention is I just learned about the VIP program and have donated...but I'm feeling it's going to be released before my 6 months are up. Is it possible to get someone else who is a VIP member and get their discount? or would the membership have to be under my name?

From what I understand: "The VIP Program offer is non-transferable and does not extend to family members such as parents, siblings, children, etc. All sales must be conducted by an authorized and participating Subaru dealer. The VIP program is available in the U.S. only, except for Hawaii."

So... it'll be under your name. I believe you can get someone to co-sign with you to pay, but uhm... that's going to be very unlikely that someone will be willing to do that.

[statuskuo]

Originally Posted by Buggy51

From what I understand: "The VIP Program offer is non-transferable and does not extend to family members such as parents, siblings, children, etc. All sales must be conducted by an authorized and participating Subaru dealer. The VIP program is available in the U.S. only, except for Hawaii."

So... it'll be under your name. I believe you can get someone to co-sign with you to pay, but uhm... that's going to be very unlikely that someone will be willing to do that.

makes sense but makes me sad

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by Buggy51

Hey Giccin,

What was your impression with your meeting with Frank? Straightforward? Easy to talk with, etc.?

Also...



>_> That better be true or its invoice + 300 + 500 lol.



Any reason why we should try Irvine instead of Puente Hills?

And finally, though a bit random, what's the sales tax at Puente Hills? lol

My impression with meeting with Frank. He's friendlier and easier to talk to than Desiree. He has that tone of voice that makes it easy for you to tell him what you want and not what the dealer wants from you. Really good listener. At this point I'm leaning towards him because it'll be comfortable for everyone in the group buy to speak with. I'd be pissing everyone off if I chose a dealer that was rude and have a difficult tone of voice on someone who isn't used to it. Also the lot at Puente Hills is SUBSTANTIALLY bigger. I'm pretty good with trying to catch any tricky wording and or body gestures when talking.

As for the deposit + the 300 above invoice.. I hope so too! I'll be jumping on the Subaru VIP program so I can get more things to add-on. The longer I wait for this car.. the more I rack in = the better option I can get (Not getting limited for sure though).

Sales tax in all of California should be 8.775%(?) I believe. I'm not sure if local tax would be applied. The reason why Nor Cal has their cars much more expensive than Socal is because--well you're NorCal. Lol Everything is expensive there!

Originally Posted by statuskuo

Piggybacking off of what BUggy said: So in a group pre-order - we would qualify for the additional 2% discount with the Subaru VIP Program? And also is there any cut off for when we would need the 500 deposit?

Sorry for the rain of questions!

One more thing I forgot to mention is I just learned about the VIP program and have donated...but I'm feeling it's going to be released before my 6 months are up. Is it possible to get someone else who is a VIP member and get their discount? or would the membership have to be under my name?

Questions are good.

For your first question you would qualify for the 2% Subaru VIP discount if you follow what their organizations ask for. I posted one up where you only had to pay $20 to become a member for a year. Subaru VIP program requires you to be a member for at LEAST 6 months. So you'll have to pay $20 and wait 6 months before you can use that 2% on a subaru vehicle. BUT! It doesn't stop there. The dealer has to also accept/honor the program for that specific vehicle-in this case-the brz (almost spelt bra there...).

Regarding the cutoff for the deposit... I don't think there is one. At least to my knowledge. I believe R4m3n or someone else went in and made a deposit. He put a check down for $500 and-from what I'm told-Frank wrote a big VOID on it until it was time to actually pre-order the vehicle or give a list to his GM (To whom I spoke with too. He was a DELIGHTFUL man. These people are pretty awesome to talk to. He reminded me of the principle from Glee Lol.)

Subaru VIP requires you the holder to purchase the vehicle. Can't be under anyone elses' name. Also if you can't do the 6 month wait you can always just stick with the +$300 above invoice which isn't a bad deal either and, from talking Frank and his GM (forgot to get his name.. dangit) we might get an even better deal if we get more people meaning a lower number than $300 above invoice. PLUS possible bonuses such as extended warranty maintenance and so forth.

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by Buggy51

From what I understand: "The VIP Program offer is non-transferable and does not extend to family members such as parents, siblings, children, etc. All sales must be conducted by an authorized and participating Subaru dealer. The VIP program is available in the U.S. only, except for Hawaii."

So... it'll be under your name. I believe you can get someone to co-sign with you to pay, but uhm... that's going to be very unlikely that someone will be willing to do that.

Actually someone Co-paying with you shouldn't necessarily effect the Subaru VIP program. How much the car would cost to you is different than how much you and the person liable for making you pay shouldn't be effected.

And besides.. if the person co-signed for you and you didn't pay your bills on time.. the person who co-signed would be VERY pissed off since it will lower his/her credit score.

That is.. if I'm reading your response correctly Buggy. :P

[statuskuo]

Awesome Giccin Your posts are always detailed and have everything I need Can you do anything about these next few months though? The wait time is going to be excruciating!

[Sev]

Question about vip prouder + $300 above group buy. If I donated dec 20, could I preorder with $500 void check down but not buy until after june 20 when I'll be eligible for the vip discount and thus get it at (invoice + options) - 2% + $300?

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by statuskuo

Awesome Giccin Your posts are always detailed and have everything I need Can you do anything about these next few months though? The wait time is going to be excruciating!

Unfortunately I cannot! :P
My only recommendation is to save money.

Originally Posted by Sev

Question about vip prouder + $300 above group buy. If I donated dec 20, could I preorder with $500 void check down but not buy until after june 20 when I'll be eligible for the vip discount and thus get it at (invoice + options) - 2% + $300?

What the DP (down payment) does is reserves your car with what you want on it. Its not necessary at that point anymore. HOWEVER!!!!

You can wait until June and give Frank a call. Order your car put $500 towards your car so no one can take it off the lot. Once it comes in he'll give you a call and you go pick it up.

As far as I know (AFAIK) the subaru VIP program allows you to purchase a vehicle for 2% BELOW dealer invoice. Which in turn makes the 300 above invoice void (and the lesser deal).

[statuskuo]

Answered my question

Any speculation on what type of options / bonuses there would be with a group buy? I'd imagine it would be better than the VIP 2%? (This is just an assumption).

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by statuskuo

Answered my question

Any speculation on what type of options / bonuses there would be with a group buy? I'd imagine it would be better than the VIP 2%? (This is just an assumption).

From my conversation with the GM--the bonuses that came up were Extended Warranty and maintenance/service options. I remember hearing something about parts but it another worker came in and it threw off my focus for a second. lol

[Buggy51]

Originally Posted by Giccin

Actually someone Co-paying with you shouldn't necessarily effect the Subaru VIP program. How much the car would cost to you is different than how much you and the person liable for making you pay shouldn't be effected.

And besides.. if the person co-signed for you and you didn't pay your bills on time.. the person who co-signed would be VERY pissed off since it will lower his/her credit score.

That is.. if I'm reading your response correctly Buggy. :P

Oh lol, mmm... not exactly. I was merely saying that the best way to get a discount if you haven't signed up already is to partner up with someone that already has the VIP for over 6 months. However, most people would not be so inclined to partner with you to purchase it if they don't even know you.

Though its good to know that you are able to co-sign and purchase the car, etc.

Sounds good with Frank though. Glad to hear that its the bigger lot one. Though for the sales tax, Sacramento area is 7.25% and for San Mateo (just a bit south of SF) its 8.25% ... so... lol I think LA might be just a little bit more :P

[Toofast4Yourazz]

Can someone find out what tax rate applies, delar local tax rate or our home area tax rate? I'm in sac, so I'd like to have the lower tax rate.


Also, what does a deal on extended warranty and/or maitanence package look like? Free or just discounted?