Potentially Shopping for 2013 Impreza

Nick Boxler · 09-18-2012, 12:31 PM

So my mom is looking to get into the Subaru game, FINALLY!

And she wants to check out some 2013 Imprezas. I know she wants an automatic, and she also wants the cold weather package with heated seats. Stereo iPod hookup is also a plus. She is potentially going to be trading in her Mazda3 with 100k on it.

I guess what I want to ask is what people can offer as advice on looking at these cars? Has anybody bought one and realized they had missed something during the buying process they regret? Is there something that I should watch out for that later made the car worse? I'm also not aware of any lemons in this year, but any info on that would also be helpful.

Unfortunately I am not as savvy on the new Subarus, only the older ones, so odds are I am reaching out to the salespeople on the dealership floors for some advice.

RM_2 · 09-18-2012, 04:08 PM

Floor mats, cargo trays and if it's a hatch, get the cover for the rear bumper. Gotta protect the car. Subarus are pretty basic, no frills cars...especially the naturally aspirated ones. The 2013 Imprezas don't have much torque or power so that's something to be mindful of but it is much more fuel efficient than the previous model with the 2.5L.

Nick Boxler · 09-18-2012, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RM_2

Floor mats, cargo trays and if it's a hatch, get the cover for the rear bumper. Gotta protect the car. Subarus are pretty basic, no frills cars...especially the naturally aspirated ones. The 2013 Imprezas don't have much torque or power so that's something to be mindful of but it is much more fuel efficient than the previous model with the 2.5L.

Cool, thanks. We took one for a drive this afternoon and I think we have everything sorted out that we want and need. Only thing is the coating they add to the paint and interior that is supposed to prevent stains for 5 years sounds a little bit like snake oil to me.

edawg · 09-18-2012, 07:00 PM

Your instincts are right and I'd pass on a dealer that tries the old "paint/fabric protection" ploy...

Here's the sign of a good dealer in my book...

1. No 2nd sticker on the car unless it's a really useful dealer add on (e.g., leather seats or something truly that increases safety or value of the vehicle when you trade it).

2. Subie dealers are better than most but there are a few "turn to earn" ones to watch out for... The "#1 high volume" dealer will usually promise anything and use a "team" approach where the sales guy has a "team leader" who walks out and comes in to handle the final negotiations. That guy will be a pro and squeeze another few hundred out of your mom and you before you can blink so either avoid them or just learn the tactful words "No thanks... that's my number so thanks for your time" as you stand up. That's car-speak for I'm done and you'll get your price.

3. The evil twin to the team leader is the F&I guy in the back office. Ensure mom has her financing BEFORE you go even if Subaru's offering low interest rates. The dealer has no obligation to give you the "well qualified customer" rate they advertise.

4. The good dealer will have a veteran sales person who handles the entire deal, intentionally introduces you to the Sales Mgr AND the Service Mgr. That generally says it's a dealership where they intend to look after you after you sign.

I'm sure others have more, even-better tips, but these quick 4 will help you spot the better dealers who are the reason most folks love their Subies over the long haul.

zlr101 · 09-20-2012, 10:03 PM

I have a 2012 with 8000 miles on now with the cvt. As a daily driver my only issue is with the fog lights they are like a set of christmas lights. Power from the 2.0 is good its a light car we are averaging 28.3 mostly city driving when we get out on trips 33-36 mpg depending on my right foot.

Nick Boxler · 09-24-2012, 09:31 PM

Thanks for the good advice, I relayed it to my mom and we picked up a brand new one a couple days ago. Mom is in love!

I was noticing about a 28 MPG average lately, but we haven't driven it on the highway much.

myrt1987 · 09-25-2012, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Boxler

Thanks for the good advice, I relayed it to my mom and we picked up a brand new one a couple days ago. Mom is in love!

I was noticing about a 28 MPG average lately, but we haven't driven it on the highway much.

Nice! Good choice! love my car! what color/trim?

Nick Boxler · 09-25-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myrt1987

Nice! Good choice! love my car! what color/trim?

It's SWP, premium trim with the all weather package. I was trying to get her to get the 17" alloy upgrade but it was a no-go haha!

Decipher · 09-24-2012, 11:24 PM

Congrats. You will usually see even higher numbers after 5000 miles or so. That's the point where the engine is fully broken in and most cars will begin to reach their peak potential. Enjoy!

Decipher · 09-24-2012, 11:25 PM

Oh, and edawg, solid advice. I have learned all these tactics (and more) over the years and your advice is gold. It should pretty much be a sticky.

cpipala · 09-25-2012, 05:05 PM

Good luck! I think the all weather mats and rear bumper cover are a must!

Chingyul · 09-28-2012, 12:31 AM

How much does the rear bumper cover run?
Don't see it as an available accessory for the Hatch (at least here in Canada).

ShaggyScoob · 10-06-2012, 12:11 PM

Just got my 2013 limited I Dark Gray with the all weather package and love it!!! As a dd it can't be beat and it is a last to drive around town. I keep getting woke up early during the week by my soon to be 13 year old son begging me for a ride to school... Taking the back roads of course!! Puts us both in a good mood early in the morning.

09-18-2012, 07:00 PM	#4
edawg Scooby Newbie Member#: 295568 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Atlanta	move on... Your instincts are right and I'd pass on a dealer that tries the old "paint/fabric protection" ploy... Here's the sign of a good dealer in my book... 1. No 2nd sticker on the car unless it's a really useful dealer add on (e.g., leather seats or something truly that increases safety or value of the vehicle when you trade it). 2. Subie dealers are better than most but there are a few "turn to earn" ones to watch out for... The "#1 high volume" dealer will usually promise anything and use a "team" approach where the sales guy has a "team leader" who walks out and comes in to handle the final negotiations. That guy will be a pro and squeeze another few hundred out of your mom and you before you can blink so either avoid them or just learn the tactful words "No thanks... that's my number so thanks for your time" as you stand up. That's car-speak for I'm done and you'll get your price. 3. The evil twin to the team leader is the F&I guy in the back office. Ensure mom has her financing BEFORE you go even if Subaru's offering low interest rates. The dealer has no obligation to give you the "well qualified customer" rate they advertise. 4. The good dealer will have a veteran sales person who handles the entire deal, intentionally introduces you to the Sales Mgr AND the Service Mgr. That generally says it's a dealership where they intend to look after you after you sign. I'm sure others have more, even-better tips, but these quick 4 will help you spot the better dealers who are the reason most folks love their Subies over the long haul.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-18-2012, 12:31 PM	#1
Nick Boxler Scooby Newbie Member#: 180326 Join Date: May 2008 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Golden, CO Vehicle: 2005 WRX HTA68'ed San Remo Red	Potentially Shopping for 2013 Impreza So my mom is looking to get into the Subaru game, FINALLY! And she wants to check out some 2013 Imprezas. I know she wants an automatic, and she also wants the cold weather package with heated seats. Stereo iPod hookup is also a plus. She is potentially going to be trading in her Mazda3 with 100k on it. I guess what I want to ask is what people can offer as advice on looking at these cars? Has anybody bought one and realized they had missed something during the buying process they regret? Is there something that I should watch out for that later made the car worse? I'm also not aware of any lemons in this year, but any info on that would also be helpful. Unfortunately I am not as savvy on the new Subarus, only the older ones, so odds are I am reaching out to the salespeople on the dealership floors for some advice.

09-18-2012, 04:08 PM	#2
RM_2 Scooby Specialist Member#: 163058 Join Date: Oct 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Central Indiana Vehicle: 2011 Impreza WRX SWP Hatchback	Floor mats, cargo trays and if it's a hatch, get the cover for the rear bumper. Gotta protect the car. Subarus are pretty basic, no frills cars...especially the naturally aspirated ones. The 2013 Imprezas don't have much torque or power so that's something to be mindful of but it is much more fuel efficient than the previous model with the 2.5L.

09-20-2012, 10:03 PM	#5
zlr101 Scooby Newbie Member#: 196243 Join Date: Dec 2008 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: PA Vehicle: 2003 12 impreza swp	I have a 2012 with 8000 miles on now with the cvt. As a daily driver my only issue is with the fog lights they are like a set of christmas lights. Power from the 2.0 is good its a light car we are averaging 28.3 mostly city driving when we get out on trips 33-36 mpg depending on my right foot.

09-24-2012, 09:31 PM	#6
Nick Boxler Scooby Newbie Member#: 180326 Join Date: May 2008 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Golden, CO Vehicle: 2005 WRX HTA68'ed San Remo Red	Thanks for the good advice, I relayed it to my mom and we picked up a brand new one a couple days ago. Mom is in love! I was noticing about a 28 MPG average lately, but we haven't driven it on the highway much.

09-24-2012, 11:24 PM	#9
Decipher Scooby Specialist Member#: 262760 Join Date: Nov 2010 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Lake in the Hills, ILLnoise Vehicle: 2011 WRX Hatch Limtd Satin White Pearl	Congrats. You will usually see even higher numbers after 5000 miles or so. That's the point where the engine is fully broken in and most cars will begin to reach their peak potential. Enjoy!

09-24-2012, 11:25 PM	#10
Decipher Scooby Specialist Member#: 262760 Join Date: Nov 2010 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Lake in the Hills, ILLnoise Vehicle: 2011 WRX Hatch Limtd Satin White Pearl	Oh, and edawg, solid advice. I have learned all these tactics (and more) over the years and your advice is gold. It should pretty much be a sticky.

09-25-2012, 05:05 PM	#11
cpipala Scooby Newbie Member#: 327109 Join Date: Jul 2012	Good luck! I think the all weather mats and rear bumper cover are a must!

09-28-2012, 12:31 AM	#12
Chingyul Scooby Newbie Member#: 333537 Join Date: Sep 2012 Chapter/Region: W. Canada Location: Alberta Vehicle: 2013 Impreza 5dr Touring DGM	How much does the rear bumper cover run? Don't see it as an available accessory for the Hatch (at least here in Canada).

10-06-2012, 12:11 PM	#13
ShaggyScoob Scooby Newbie Member#: 334108 Join Date: Oct 2012 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Hudson Valley, NY Vehicle: 2013 Impreza Premium Dark Gray Metallic	Just got my 2013 limited I Dark Gray with the all weather package and love it!!! As a dd it can't be beat and it is a last to drive around town. I keep getting woke up early during the week by my soon to be 13 year old son begging me for a ride to school... Taking the back roads of course!! Puts us both in a good mood early in the morning.