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Old 03-07-2002, 08:37 PM   #1
patmc
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Default Subaru VIP Program

Hey, anybody that bought their car with the VIP discount, what are the stipulations? Can I order a car, or does it have to be off the dealers lot?
thanks...
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Old 03-07-2002, 08:45 PM   #2
well_armed
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I joined the Internationl Mountain Biking Association, which gives you the VIP reward ($20). If you go to thier website you can read the details of the agreement. http://www.imba.com/tcc/subaru.html

To try and answer your question, I believe that you can either pick one off the lot or order one. It does not restrict you to either one I believe. If you think about it, if they had your car on the lot, why do they need to order one when they can sell you one right there and then?
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Old 03-07-2002, 11:48 PM   #3
mtnbkaz
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I've been an IMBA member for years so I took advantage of the VIP discount. You can buy any car, on the lot or not. First you are supposed to contact IMBA. They will send to SOA who will send your "Dealer Visit Authorization" to you. You take that piece of paper to the dealership and go talk to the fleet manager. The fleet manager will sit down with you and fill out the paperwork. You pay invoice price on the car, port options (like standard accessories, boost guage, etc.) & dealer options (like the window tint in my wagon).

If they would have had my car on the lot, I would have just bought it. Since they didn't, I ordered it and waited about 10-11 weeks.
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Old 03-29-2002, 08:15 PM   #4
nt5k
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So any options that I pick are also covered? sweet.. How long does it take them to get you the 'certificate'. I want to get the car on the 13th of April.. I figure getting the wrx at invoice will help ease pain of my trade-in at least..
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Old 03-29-2002, 10:23 PM   #5
Wag_the_Dog
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Question Question for mtnbkaz

If you don't mind me asking, was the dealership you went to pretty cool about the VIP discount, or did they try to sneak some extra costs into the deal to help make up some profit? (Here's your invoice pricing, but the undercoating isn't covered and that costs $800 ). I am an IMBA member too and plan to buy an WRX sometime this Summer. I just wonder how SOA compensates the dealers for this program.
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Old 03-30-2002, 08:24 AM   #6
nt5k
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Default Re: Question for mtnbkaz

Quote:
Originally posted by Wag_the_Dog
I just wonder how SOA compensates the dealers for this program.
I was wondering the same thing.. I bet if subaru covers the difference or something I could negotiate a better trade-in deal.. hmm.. anyone know this?
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Old 03-30-2002, 11:19 AM   #7
nt5k
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Ok, just talked to a dealer and he pretty much said SoA just gives them another car.. I'm betting they get something more as well..
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Old 03-30-2002, 12:11 PM   #8
Jon [in CT]
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Subaru dealers are not required to participate in the Subaru VIP program and many do not. So, number 1, count yourself lucky you've found such a dealer. I doubt the dealership makes much, if any, money on a straight (cash, no trade-in) VIP purchase. Their profit would come from any financing they arrange and from your trade-in. I suspect you'll have very little leverage when it comes to setting the trade-in value.
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Old 03-30-2002, 03:22 PM   #9
Wag_the_Dog
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Good points, Jon. So, if you're like me and you won't have a trade-in and you arrange your own financing, they probably won't be too happy to see you.

I'm not sure where you are in CT, but do you know which of the Northern CT dealers do participate in the VIP program? I don't remember seeing anything on the Subaru web site, but maybe I'll look again.
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Old 03-30-2002, 07:22 PM   #10
nt5k
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Well it's done.. They gave the vip price and took the acura with a loss I was prepared for.. Just got home with the new Silver WRX Sedan.. woohoo! I guess I should update my sig..
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Old 03-30-2002, 07:38 PM   #11
mtnbkaz
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My experience was completely no-hassle. It did take a few weeks to get my authorization (first you contact IMBA, then they contact SOA, then SOA sends you an authorization letter that you take to your dealer). I just walked in, dealt with the fleet manager, and ordered exactly what I wanted. You pay flat invoice on all options, port & dealer installed. For ex., I got the factory turbo guage for something like $175 installed. I also got window tint installed by the dealer (or whomever they contract out for that work) for about $125. It was a pretty sweet deal.

As for the dealer making money, they still made plenty of money on my sale. The dealer gets a percentage of the sale for "dealer holdback". They also generally have deals worked out with the banks so that they get kickbacks on the financing. When you deal with the fleet manager, he really doesn't care as much about sales price/unit as he does about total sales/month. Individual salespeople get a commision so they want to negotiate for the highest price possible. The fleet manager just wants to sell as many cars as possible. For 30 minutes of his time, he scored the holdback money on my $22,500 car. Pretty easy money if you ask me.
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Old 03-30-2002, 08:33 PM   #12
CosmoTheCat
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I inquired about the benefit to the dealer for this and SOA gives the dealer $400 for selling the car, in addition to the holdback at the end of the year. So it's not like they aren't making any money.

Still a good deal though.
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Old 03-31-2002, 08:43 AM   #13
chuglobal
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Default Humm ...

I was trying to send an email to IMBA asking what happens if I join IMBA to get the Subaru benefit but the deal ends before I get a Subaru. Is it still valid or am I out of luck. I'm looking at the 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI which won't be here till end of 2003 as a 2004 model. I would love to get it at dealer invoice but I don't want to lose the benefits it the deal expires before the STI comes out. Any ideas?
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Old 03-31-2002, 04:10 PM   #14
mclmk8d
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I would email Heather at IMBA for any updates..here is the link

http://www.imba.com/news/news_releas...05_subaru.html

I got my car with the IMBA pgm...invoice on the car and options
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Old 04-01-2002, 04:27 AM   #15
driver
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If you use this vip program.....are there any other obligations or agreements you must abide to?
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Old 04-01-2002, 10:21 AM   #16
mtnbkaz
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I doubt that the STI will be eligible for the VIP program. Generally a dealer has the last word on whether they will let you use the program. On a limited production item like the STI they should have no problem selling it for more than invoice to someone else. If your goal is to score a discount STI then I'd suggest marrying the daughter of the president of SOA or something. I wouldn't bother asking IMBA about the STI. They wouldn't know anything about it until after it comes to the US.

Subaru seems committed to many organizations like IMBA but in this economy they could drop their support at any moment. I was just lucky enough to be looking for a car at the right time and I've been an IMBA member for years so I didn't have to go through the wait period. When the WRX first came out my local dealer didn't accept VIP discounts on it (at least that's what they said.

driver - the only obligation I had to sign was that if I get a speeding ticket with my new car that I had to pay the difference between invoice and MSRP.... Just kidding. You don't have any obligations that anybody else has - you just get a no-haggle invoice price on the car. That's it.
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Old 04-01-2002, 02:01 PM   #17
QA Guy
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Is there a listing of dealers that participate in this program? Or do I have to email the IMBA office ([email protected]) or Subaru for this info?
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Old 04-01-2002, 03:00 PM   #18
CosmoTheCat
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Quote:
Originally posted by QA Guy
Is there a listing of dealers that participate in this program? Or do I have to email the IMBA office ([email protected]) or Subaru for this info?

All dealers are included in it, it's just that when the WRX first came out a lot of people were cancelling their MSRP pre-order and joining IMBA for the discount, so they changed the agreement to extend the waiting period. They also made it voluntary for the dealer to participate. Right now, I don't think there's a dealer out there who wouldn't sell you a car. WRXs are sitting around collecting dust because the demand isn't as high.
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Old 04-02-2002, 05:02 AM   #19
driver
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I checked out the IMBA website. It says that the basic membership is $20........but it didn't say if that is per year or per month or what.

I'm supposing per year. Is that correct?

Last edited by driver; 04-04-2002 at 02:38 AM.
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Old 04-02-2002, 07:09 AM   #20
dbrier
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$20 is for one year. You have to be a member for at least 6 months before you can use the discount. That is supposed to keep people from signing up just for the discount.

I believe you can get the same thing if you belong to the American Canoe Association (ACA).

I got my WRX through the VIP program in April 2001, when WRXs were order only cars and most dealers would not come down from MSRP. Heather (at IMBA) told me many dealers were not giving VIP discounts on the WRX. I consider myself lucky...
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Old 04-02-2002, 07:21 AM   #21
NYCshopper
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my friend signed up for this credit card...(no annual fee)

http://www.rainbowcard.com/

same deal...you need to be a member for 6 months before you can qualify for the subaru vip program...

she just got the card, called up to activate it....and just never charged anything on it.....then 6 months later...bam....new subaru on invoice...
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Old 04-17-2002, 05:00 AM   #22
Javabean2
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Quote:
Originally posted by dbrier
$20 is for one year. You have to be a member for at least 6 months before you can use the discount. That is supposed to keep people from signing up just for the discount.

I believe you can get the same thing if you belong to the American Canoe Association (ACA).
Damn, glad I used the search function! I signed up for IMBA last month (well I really should have anyways, been mountain biking for years) but I've been a member of the ACA for a year now as well, and it looks like I qualify for the VIP program! Fingers crossed!

Javabean
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Old 04-17-2002, 11:17 AM   #23
Judah
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I guess I was just lucky.

My ex-girlfriends mom did loans for a lady who worked for SOA and got me in on the VIP program.
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Old 04-17-2002, 01:29 PM   #24
bjteel
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I had worked at a couple bike shops throughout college and have been riding for years. I never knew I could get a deal for being an IMBA member. That still bugs the crap out of me, I could have saved a lot of dough.
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Old 04-17-2002, 03:29 PM   #25
Javabean2
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Quote:
Originally posted by bjteel
I had worked at a couple bike shops throughout college and have been riding for years. I never knew I could get a deal for being an IMBA member. That still bugs the crap out of me, I could have saved a lot of dough.
Yeah, win some, lose some. If I had let the issue rest, my ACA membership would have lapsed in 2 weeks and then I'd have to wait for the 6 month maturation on IMBA. I'm sure by getting in on this, the cosmos will retaliate by making me lose the lottery. I think I'll test it out on this week's.

Javabean
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