Subaru Outback & Forester

manual 4cyl Outbacks used to have 'low range' (not sure about current model) XT's never have I believe. Outbacks were a bit bigger (new model coming that apparently will be bigger to get better rear leg room) but the latest Forester is bigger than the previous model. Foresters 'historically' have had better approach/departure abilities, if that matters.

We had a 4cyl Outback and thought it was a great car, just not up to the towing abilities we had planned, otherwise we'd still have it!

GFC?

Sorry, you lost me on the ackronym? (Global Financial Crisis?)

I am intersted in new vehicles also for the young feller.

Part of this excercise, is getting him to crunch the numbers - not just affordability of the vehicle he buys - but where it will leave him in 5 years when it is paid off as far as resale value and getting into his next vehicle.

It's a tough excercise because interest rates vary on loans between new and used and as a result, resale values after 5 years also vary with the difference in age and kilometers of the new versus used vehicles.

Yes you take a big hit in depreciation on a new vehicle in the first two years,but you pay less interest and end up almost better off than a one year old with 25,000km's - at the end of the 5 year payments period.

Another issue is that in two weeks time all these 2 year old used 2007 models suddently become 3 year old models in 2009 add 5 years to pay them off and suddently it's a 8 years old car that no one wants to pay anything for come resale time.

However buy a new 2009 at lower interest rates - and in 5 yars it's paid off and only 5 years old come resale time...due to the lower interest rates the repayments are about the same per week...

It seems like he should buy a brand new one......

I would have thought that the used car trade and new cars would be doing it tough, with the world fiscal climate....but apparently not so.

A couple of places we have made "cash no trade offers" (at 10% under the dealer list price), the dealers have said NO and chosen to hang onto their stock...

When you can only get $250 off a $25K listed car for "cash no trade" IMHO theres something wrong - either they have too slim a margin to begin with or are trying to rip people off.

We have walked away from a few vehicles in the last 3 weeks when a 10% dscount can't be acheived for cash no trade.

For an excercise today we looked at a new 60th anniversary Holden Commodore - advertised at 29990 driveaway.....only to find that it is false advertising - they want an extra $500 for metalic paint and don't have any white ones (the only non metallic paint colour available) in stock!

After 3 weeks at this I am so peed off - that we will give up now until after Christmas, and go back in the new year = and offer LESS than we already have and been knocked back - for their now 1 year older used, or even last years 2008 "new" vehicle.

Come 2009 as fiscal things tighten even more they will be even keener to quit their older stock to make way for new 2009 plated stock and models.

He who laughs last and all...

In the meantime the young feller can save a larger deposit, and be in a better negotiating position.

It's kinda fun teaching a new chum the ropes of this car stealership routine but I'm growing weary of it now after 3 weeks looking.

Cheers

Sorry it is Global Financial Crisis. Maybe the best alternative is a demo. Say 1000-2000 kms. A few months old. The big dealers have run out weekends or big sales inc. their demos. Keep a look out in the papers.

BTW I am extemely happpy with the Forester, it is the first Subaru I've owned.


Good luck.

Flywest, I bought a Forrester in 2000 for $30,000 so the price hasent gone up much. Was a great vehical and got a good trade in price on my Nisson. Didnt use Subaroo to service it though(except for first one) , was able to get it done a lot cheeper elsewhere. It was a manual and had low range though not that much lower. I will buy another one as soon as i"m finished playing FWD ing.