To say I expected a lot out of Irvine is an understatement.

For as much as this dealership is talked up I was looking forward to visiting them today. I had been working with two dealerships local (San Diego), and decided to give Irvine a try. I drove the 1hr 15mins in the rain to see what kind of deal they could offer me. I didn't even get to step out of my car before a salesperson was at my door ... kind of annoying but at least they were attentive. I drove the Legacy 2.5gt Sedan and WRX Sedan back to back to make up my mind and decided to deal on the Legacy.

Before any prices were discussed the salesperson (and sales manager) refused to deal with me without filling out a credit application. Sure, I can understand they want to qualify me as a buyer ... but refusing to give me a starting point before making a hard inquiry on my credit is absolutely ludicrous. So I spoke to the manager "Mike" who was extremely combative and only wanted to argue with me. After a couple minutes back & forth he finally folded, but this should have been a non-issue. Next he would not budge on $200 over invoice at all. So I figured I can work with that, lets go to the trade-in.

I drive a 2004 Mazda 3 5dr S which has a trade in value of mid $15k and I owe $16k on it. Dealer appraisal, $13,000

I realize there is depreciation involved but if I traded in the car at that price I'd have to call the cops before I left because they would have stolen it from me!

This salesperson / sales manager tried every trick in the book.

1. The 4 box method "how much do you want your payments to be?"
2. The sit customer in lobby alone for extended periods of time
3. The a55h0le sales manager
4. The back & forth between sales person and sales manager.
5. The extreme lowball trade-in value
6. The kbb & nada are not accurate values trick

Etc. Etc.

In the end the sales manager would not move anything above $13,500 even when I offered to put $500 cash down if they could come within $1000 of what I owed on the car. Finally after 1 1/2 hrs the manager said, " $13,500 take it or leave it", so I left it and drove home. None of what I was asking was out of the question, and has been agreed to in car deals in the past. This is definitely not my first new car purchase so I know what I'm dealing with.

All in all I won I saw the dealer invoice and noted the holdback on the deal, as well as how long the car has been on the lot. Not only this, my credit wasn't pulled and I drove back home after we couldn't come to agreement.

So next week I will go back to dealing over e-mail exclusively until my price point is met.

I would not recommend Irvine Subaru to anyone I know. Who cares what they placed in the nation for subaru sales.

I was not impressed to say the least


Irvine Subaru in Lake Forest, CA = thumbs down

 

I don't think she was there today on a rainy sunday, I'll have to do so next week

Thanks for the tip!

Is she willing to move cars?

I admit my negotiating isn't most advantageous for most dealerships but if she is looking to get me into a Subaru and still make some coin on the deal, then by all means I will e-mail her.

 

:bowdown:

thanks for all of your help!