What's up with the 2005 pricing structure?

[y_p_w]

Impreza is fine for young person/couple but add kids dogs gear and
its not really adequate. The Outback is fine sizewise but they will
suffer if they price it as such

Understood. However - this was what I was responding to (from Mr. A):

Unfortunately, there seems to be no AWD *car* available in my price
range. With the subarus starting in the mid-20s, or Audis, and
Volvos well into the $30k range, a small SUV like the ford escape
sounds downright cheap at $19k.

I know that the Impreza is a bit smaller than the Legacy or Forester.
However - it is an AWD car (or wagon) for less than the price of an
Escape - i.e. what he claimed wasn't available.

 

[Mr. A]

Understood. However - this was what I was responding to (from Mr. A):


I know that the Impreza is a bit smaller than the Legacy or Forester.
However - it is an AWD car (or wagon) for less than the price of an
Escape - i.e. what he claimed wasn't available.

Sorry if I wasn't clear, but Jkpoulus7 pretty much nailed it.

I didn't buy a Subaru until the '95 came out because it had insufficient
room in the driver's seat for me. At 6'2" I'm not terribly tall, but my legs
are kind of long and the smaller cars just don't cut it. As I mentioned in
my original post, the 2004 Legacy doesn't have as much legroom as my '95. I
suspect it has something to do with the power seats.

I seem to recall that the original Outback had more headroom than the
Legacy, but I seem to recall that the difference went away eventually.

 

[G.R. Aydelotte]

Was thinking about trading in my '02 H6 Sedan for a '05 wagon until I saw
the prices. What is Subaru
smoking? $30K for a 4 cylinder wagon? Come on!! They're just slightly less
then a STi.
My H6 fully loaded didn't even cost me $25k. Even dealers
I've talked to agree that the price are too high. One dealer said just
wait till the 7 passenger comes out
we've been told it'll sticker for $35k. I used to think Subaru was the
affordable AWD now I'm looking at
going back to GM at least I don't have to second mortgage to buy one.

So, someone enlighten me as to why Subaru has decided to price their
vehicles along the lines of BMW, Volvo and Saab.

The 2004 models in a limited 4 cyl are msrp 28,865 invoice is 26,188
and "what others are paying" (source Edmunds.com) is 26,608. I paid to
get the pricing from Consumer Reports on the 2005 Limited 2.5i with
auto which showed the dealer pays 26,309 for the vehicle and they get
an $840 holdback form Subaru. I bought our 2005 Limited for about $500
over invoice with some options included. I looked at both cars (2004
vs 2005) and judged the 2005 the be the better car in regards to
interior, exterior, and safety features/construction (stronger ring
reinforcement). I don't believe a car was available with as many
standard features, reliability, AWD for this price. What really sold
me was the safety the car provides to my family. I also believe that
resale values will be good. What would be a better comparable choice?

Later,
Gregg

 

[y_p_w]

Sorry if I wasn't clear, but Jkpoulus7 pretty much nailed it.

I didn't buy a Subaru until the '95 came out because it had insufficient
room in the driver's seat for me. At 6'2" I'm not terribly tall, but my legs
are kind of long and the smaller cars just don't cut it. As I mentioned in
my original post, the 2004 Legacy doesn't have as much legroom as my '95. I
suspect it has something to do with the power seats.

I seem to recall that the original Outback had more headroom than the
Legacy, but I seem to recall that the difference went away eventually.

I've got a 2004 WRX, which I think is very close to the standard
Impreza in terms of leg room. My WRX front seat has an adjustable
height lever, and I can bring the seat back quite a bit. I'm having
no problems (I'm 6') and the headroom is far more than I'm used to
(previous car was a '95 Acura Integra GS-R). I don't know if the
base Impreza has these front seat features, but I'd think that
someone 6'2" could be comfortable driving it.

 

[JW]

So, someone enlighten me as to why Subaru has decided to price their
vehicles along the lines of BMW, Volvo and Saab.

Other than the fact that the Subaru is a much better vehicle than the
above mentioned three combined, I can't think of a thing.

 

[PMS]

I test drove an 05 legacy GT yesterday. Nice car but the price is way too
high. There are alternatives in the market that are just as powerful with
more options at a lower price point.

I spoke with the sales manager and told him I am seriously considering an
Altima 3.5 SE but I would consider the Legacy GT. Interesting that the sales
manager did not try the line that the subaru legacy is an entry level luxury
model and thus in a different class than the Altima and you should not
compare them.

I highly doubt that Subarus strategy of attempting to push their cars up
level will make them even a blip on the radar screen of a buyer considering
an Audi or BMW.

So, I also have to wonder what the guys at Fuji are smoking.

 

[Legrospied]

Other than the fact that the Subaru is a much better vehicle than the
above mentioned three combined, I can't think of a thing.

For whom ? I doubt many serious BMW, Volvo and Saab perpective buyer do
consider Subarus to be true alternatives -- at least as far as
performance and luxury are concerned. Not to say they are correct, just
that they probably will not flock to Subaru dealerships in huge numbers.

On the other hand, traditionnal subaru customers may well drop out (or
upgrade more slowly) because of high prices, or if they can afford the
current pricing they could well be tempted to shell out another couple
of grands and get that BMW, Volvo or Saab (or Audi).

The current Legacy/outback sure is better than the former, but still no
match for traditionnal luxury brands in terms of luxury or performance.
Lower maintenance costs are definitely a + for Subaru, but then again
Audis come with a 4 year free-everything...

Moreover, Mazda is proving to the industry that classy interior and
great handling are possible at reasonable market price points -- see the
Mazda 6 and especially the Mazda3. Subaru should learn from that.

I agree, Subaru got it all wrong here. They are about to loose me as a
customer.

 

[Guest]

Moreover, Mazda is proving to the industry that classy interior and
great handling are possible at reasonable market price points -- see the
Mazda 6 and especially the Mazda3. Subaru should learn from that.

I've had only Subarus since 1978 when I bought a new SW for Can$5800
and drove it until front fender literally dropped off from rust on a
bumpy back road.

A few months ago I started shopping around for a new Subie wagon to
replace my elderly '89 GL wagon, and decided to wait until the 2005's.

But, sorry, Subaru, you've finally lost a faithful customer :-(

The 2005s are all very nice but when a Legacy Limited wagon costs
$7700 more than the base model (which isn't cheap to start with) and
it *still* doesn't have an engine immobilizer or telescopic steering
wheel as standard they should be on cars of that price, and is *still*
fairly gutless, then that's just too much money for the car.

So what did I finally (and quite reluctantly) buy? A Mazda3 Sport GT
5-dr automatic for only about Can$23,000.

The features, finish and looks have Subaru beat hands down, predicted
reliability should be is at least as good, and it's one hot little
car. Yeah, I know it's not a WRX or AWD but it was $10,000 cheaper,
has more room and zoom (*much* more, even with automatic) than the
Impreza, and runs on regular gas with good mpg.

Come the winter I may regret not having a 4WD but in the meantime I'm
having fun - cheaply

 

[Stu Hedith]

I've had only Subarus since 1978 when I bought a new SW for Can$5800
and drove it until front fender literally dropped off from rust on a
bumpy back road.

A few months ago I started shopping around for a new Subie wagon to
replace my elderly '89 GL wagon, and decided to wait until the 2005's.

But, sorry, Subaru, you've finally lost a faithful customer :-(

The 2005s are all very nice but when a Legacy Limited wagon costs
$7700 more than the base model (which isn't cheap to start with) and
it *still* doesn't have an engine immobilizer or telescopic steering
wheel as standard they should be on cars of that price, and is *still*
fairly gutless, then that's just too much money for the car.

So what did I finally (and quite reluctantly) buy? A Mazda3 Sport GT
5-dr automatic for only about Can$23,000.

The features, finish and looks have Subaru beat hands down, predicted
reliability should be is at least as good, and it's one hot little
car. Yeah, I know it's not a WRX or AWD but it was $10,000 cheaper,
has more room and zoom (*much* more, even with automatic) than the
Impreza, and runs on regular gas with good mpg.

Come the winter I may regret not having a 4WD but in the meantime I'm
having fun - cheaply

I too was looking forward to the 2005 GT wagon, but I don't think it's
going to happen at these prices. My sister in law has been dying for a
legacy since I sold my '98 GT. Now that she's out of school and has a
job, I can't sell her on that car anymore. The reason I got the '98 was
because it offered much of what the A4 had, but for $10,000 less. Now
the difference is only a couple thousand, but it's not that much closer
to the Audi in terms of what it offers. Personally, I'm steering her
towards a Mazda6. 220 HP V6, leather, moonroof, 6-disc in dash, 17"
wheels, spoiler/front, side, rear skirts all for about $24k. No comparison.

Stu