Hello guys, I am finally going to be able to buy a WRX this week. So after looking at differences between 2004 and 2005 I decided to go for the 2005.
I sent out emails to Carlsen, Santa Cruz, Marin - and I expected Calrsen to be the winner based on posts in this forum, and its closest to my house as well.

However, right off the bat Carlsen says they will sell at 300 over invoice. Marin right away said invoice, minus 1250 September subaru rebate.

I ask Carlsen to match - they say ya, but the rebate is only 500 on 2005 WRX, and 1250 on 2004 WRX. WTF? I read on cars101.com AND carsdirect.com that 2005 WRX is 1250 rebate, and 2004 WRX 1500. Whats happening to Carlsen as a dealership? Are they getting complacent?

Any advice? I am waiting to see if Carlsen is going to admit to the 1250 rebate - after all it looks like a factory rebate, they should give it all to me, and not take more then half for themselves.

UPDATE: Looked like it was a slight "misunderstanding". Carlsen sold me the car at a great price - 2005 WRX Sedan. Can't wait to pick it up. Saleperson was super cool, I got a great deal over email - rebate and all - no haggling - props to Carlsen

 

print out slips of the websites and show em
they cant' argue with the truth

 

So why not just buy from Marin? Its not like Carlsen did anything worthy to deserve having your business.

 

I would say just go to Marin.

 

ya would buy from Marin, but Carlsen is a)closer to my house b)has the WRX in blue - my favorite color

i am trying to get Marin to get me a blue one

 

Or ask Santa Cruz to match Marin's price, and you will get free oil change for 3 years (or something like that). Why waste your effort to deal with Carlsen. You asked them once already. If they wanted to match they would have matched already. To me they are overrated, both in terms of their sale reps' service and their price. I wouldn't mind driving a bit to do a $20+k purchase.

 

Mention your affiliation with the site. The last run in I had there was handled in a legit manner due to this site and many others. We don't have a whole lot of leverage but, we do determine who gets labled with shame or fame. Bring the factory rebate information with you. It does seem to make sense to have a larger rebate for the '04 model. BTW I don't blame you I went with an '05 instead of an '04.

 

+1 for marin mazda subaru...

 

Santa Cruz! That way you get to drive 17 everytime you bring your car in!

 

I'm sorry but Carlsen has always had a "take it or leave it" policy regarding quotes. As for rebates, I don't know. But you won't get far with showing quotes to them and trying to get them to match it. Same goes for you walking into the dealer and asking to bargain with them. It's not going to work.

It's what you call hassle free. If you don't like the quote they gave u, go somewhere else.

And no I don't work for them.

 

+1 for santa cruz

PM cyyeo on i-club... I bought my 04 WRX wagon from him...

 

www.subaru.com has all the real factory rebates, and they DO differ based on zip code.

Who cares what some douchebag site like carsdirect.com says.

 

Carleson is sick (excellent service), and I just got my new 05 for 250 under invoice...you should get an online quote, then haggle by email...then when you go in there Warren won't have any choice but to give you the price he promissed...going into any dealership is worse than online correspondance. It is good to mention this forum and NASIOC and ClubWRX and all the ones you've been to...and mention that people on here are getting better deals than what Carleson quoted you...

 

Go to Santa Cruz .. they might do the invoice - factory rebate .. pretty sweet deal for 05.

 

I hate Carslen...they lie on their emails and the internet department is fake!!...I was suppose to get a 04 for 22,900 OTD..i went down to pick it up...he gave it to me for 22,900 plus fees....they suck...i think the service department is the only bright side