Subaru new car distribution. Info needed.

[ZZ]

Can someone enlighten me as to how the new car distribution system
works? I went to my local dealer the other day, and presented him with
a requirements list on an '05 Forester XT Premium (auto xmsn) in a
specific color. The accessories I wanted were listed as being port
installed or they could be dealer installed.
He came back and said he checked his incoming list and the region
dealers, but found nothing.

Once vehicles arrive at the port, how is it decided which dealer gets
what?
I suppose I could go online and check all the dealers inventory in CA
and NV and then tell him what I found and where, but I have heard that
dealers don't always want to transfer to another dealer.
Any suggestions or information is appreciated.

 

[Jim Stewart]

Can someone enlighten me as to how the new car distribution system
works? I went to my local dealer the other day, and presented him with
a requirements list on an '05 Forester XT Premium (auto xmsn) in a
specific color. The accessories I wanted were listed as being port
installed or they could be dealer installed.
He came back and said he checked his incoming list and the region
dealers, but found nothing.

Once vehicles arrive at the port, how is it decided which dealer gets
what?
I suppose I could go online and check all the dealers inventory in CA
and NV and then tell him what I found and where, but I have heard that
dealers don't always want to transfer to another dealer.
Any suggestions or information is appreciated.

I've followed this group for years and there's
been 2 separate conclusions:

1. You can order a car to your specification.
2. You can only buy what's on the dealer's floor.

Sorry I can't be more helpful

If you really want to find out what the story
is in your area, make a list of all of the
Subaru dealers you'd be willing to buy from
and call the sales manager at each one and
ask if you can order your car.

Please let us know what you find out if you
do.

 

[Ragnar]

Can someone enlighten me as to how the new car distribution system
works? I went to my local dealer the other day, and presented him with
a requirements list on an '05 Forester XT Premium (auto xmsn) in a
specific color. The accessories I wanted were listed as being port
installed or they could be dealer installed.
He came back and said he checked his incoming list and the region
dealers, but found nothing.

Then ORDER the car you want. Depending on someone's current inventory only
guarantees that you won't get the car you want. You'll have to wait a few
weeks to get the car you want, but thats a small price to pay to get the car
you want.

 

[Aaron M]

I had the dealer search for my current Subaru 4 years ago. I set down with
the general manager and went over what options I wanted on the car, and what
colors I liked. He then got out SOA's list of options and their cost (in
parts & labor) to have those options port installed, dealer installed, or
installed after delivery. From there I was able to narrow down what options
had to be port installed. In my case that was the premium sound and alarm
system.

The only items I had dealer installed were the rear diff protector, and the
pollen filter.

Although I did luck out. The last dealership in the region that they
contacted had what I wanted. The other 3 that were on the list had been
sold by Monday morning.