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Yep, I did the same immediate $500 donation with the ASPCA. The process from the donation time to the VIP email in my inbox was 3 hours. I was impressed with the quick response from both organizations. We decided on a Touring model and provided the dealer with the options we wanted. The no negotiating part is nice as the price of the vehicle came in at invoice minus 2%.

The problem here in Florida is that almost every dealer charges a "dealer fee", which they have various names for, and unfortunately, this fee is legal if a dealer chooses to have one. This is mostly, if not all, profit and in my instance is an additional $799.50. Don't get me wrong, I understand the dealer needs to make a profit, and I was willing to let them have it. But it isn't like they aren't already getting money from Subaru via holdback and floor plan money, which, FYI, works out to a little over $1100 on a Touring model. So, by my estimate, if I did approved that, they were going to make almost $2000 on the sale. Which I think would be a nice profit on a new car.

However, there are more costs this dealer has added to pad their profit margin like, electronic filing fee $179.00; document stamps fee $166.00; new license/tags/registration fee $389.00 (I looked this up on DMV and it's only $304.25 at the max). Then they broke out separate line items that are part of the $304.25 registration fees for Florida, like the lien fee $2.00 and the lemon law fee $2.00. Finally, two other fees that Florida requires and are required are a tire fee $5.00 ($1.00 per tire), battery fee $1.50. Then the big one here, 6% tax rate. By the time it was all said and done, the final price (prior to down payment) was $300 more than the MSRP.

So, even though I got the VIP price, when I add up all there is $1233 of dealer profit on top of the money Subaru pays them to sell it. Probably not going to go with this dealer.

I did not go the VIP pricing route but got that level of pricing through my broker who had zero extras that you listed above.
The only additional costs above "price" were sales tax, registration and delivery. That is it. No prep, no this and that. The price was much lower than other brokers and dealers. All special ordered the way I wanted for my 2019 Limited.

 

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100 % Agree with you. I was reading your response else where on a different post to “ Shop around for financing; in many cases, a dealer will find a way to match a great rate with an alternative finance source so they get the financial benefits of your loan” . I bookmarked that statement as a to do list item when ready to sign the buyers order. Thanks.

I doubt any dealer using traditional financing would be able to match the 1.9%. Subaru subsidizes Chase to achieve the 1.9%. Now with interest rates about to go up (starting March), I would not be surprised if March or April will have a higher interest rate from Subaru.

On another note, I just learned Autonation has suspended their discounts to their employees for new car purchases.

the benefits amounted to VIP pricing (in better times, there were additional discounts such as dealer cash among others. Nowadays prior to the suspension, it amounted to the 2% off invoice.

New & Pre-Owned Vehicle Purchase Pricing

As most of you know, consumer demand continues to outpace new vehicle inventory supply. For this reason and to continue delivering a peerless Customer experience, we are temporarily suspending the Associate Purchase Perks program on all new vehicles both in-stock and vehicles ordered until further notice. Associates are still eligible for the Perks program on in-stock Pre-owned vehicles. No changes have been made to the pre-owned vehicles program.

Should you need a new vehicle now, you may purchase the in-stock or order the new vehicle without Associate pricing.
On Pre-Owned vehicles, the pricing is $250 over net cost on most** pre-owned vehicles. Transparent and consistent pricing. That's what you can expect when buying or leasing a car with the Associate Purchase Perks Program.
Contact an AutoNation store near you.
Click here for complete pricing details.
All Associate vehicle trade-ins will be evaluated by Central Appraisal and Acquisition Division (CAAD).
*Certain new vehicles are excluded. See employee restricted new vehicles list below, which is controlled by region/market and subject to change at any time in the sole discretion of region management.
** Pricing exceptions may apply for certain pre-owned vehicles at 21 or more AN days as determined by the Region President, in his/her sole discretion. Additionally, Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles may have additional charges.

Restricted New Vehicles for Associate Purchase Program & Refer-A-Friend Program


Employee Restricted New Vehicles List

Acura: NSX, TLX PMC Edition
Alfa Romeo: None
Audi: R8, RS, S5 Sportback
Bentley: All
BMW: All M models and Alpina products, i8, and Z4
Buick: None
Cadillac: None
Chevrolet: Corvette ZR1, 2020 Corvette and Newer, Suburbans and Tahoes - in stock are not eligible for employee pricing. If the Surburban or Tahoe is ordered, it will be eligible for employee pricing.
Chrysler: None
Dodge: Charger Scat Pack
Fiat: None
Ford: Mustang Shelby, Bronco - ** Bronco in stock vehicles are not eligible for employee pricing. If the Bronco is ordered, it will be eligible for employee pricing.
GMC: Hummer EV
Honda: Civic Type R
Hyundai: None
Infiniti: None
Jaguar: None
Jeep: Anniversary editions, Wrangler 392
Land Rover: Range Rover, Range Rover Sport - Must live in stores market to get discount as Land Rover hits us with a significant financial penalty for selling to customers living outside the stores market.
Lexus: RX 450 Hybrid, RXL 450 Hybrid, LC 500, LC 500 Hybrid, LC 500 Convertible
Lincoln: None
Mercedes-Benz: G, GTS, All AMGs, GT, GTR
Mini: None
Nissan: None
Porsche: All except Base Cayman and Boxster
Ram: 1500 TRX
Smart: None
Subaru: WRX STI
Toyota: Supra, TRD Pro
Volkswagen: None
Volvo: None

Updated 6/1/2021

 

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What's the minimum donation amount before you get access to the VIP pricing? Is it a one time donation or do you need to sign up for the monthly donation? Thanks!

$501 or possibly $500 but to be sure go for the extra dollar. One time donation. The full donation will give you access to the VIP program within days instead of waiting for months. The amount is a minimum threshold.

 

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For immediate access to the VIP program there is a minimum $500 donation required. A lesser amount still qualifies, but there's a six month waiting period.

Jim,

here is the latest correspondence I received associated with the ASPCA VIP program.

these types of replies are what get me so annoyed. You can read my inquiry and the reply I received from ASPCA VIP program below. You will notice the first reply simply states the program can change anytime at the discretion of SOA. I wanted to drill into who actually controls the discount level (SOA or the partner). Well easier said then done. I asked directly that issue of who dictated that part of the term. The answer was essentially pound sand. I had already asked this question of SOA and I was directed to the partner (round and round). It is a program both SOA and the partner contract in and I do not question the right for it to change or even not exist at all, but this behind the curtain approach does not put a smile on my face.

If indeed the program discount level is dictated by SOA, when then would certain partners have 2% and at some at the flat invoice amount? Why change with one and not the other. Currently only PHS seems to maintain the 2% discount level. As you know - none of the discount levels are dictated by the amount of the donation.


Mon 4/11/2022 1:49 PM


Hi ,

The VIP Program is at the discretion of Subaru of America. Unfortunately we are unable to discuss the details of the VIP Program apart from what is listed on our webpage. We recommend reaching out to [email protected] with any questions.

All the best,

Kaylie
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2022 3:42 PM
To: ASPCA Subaru VIP Program <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: subaru vip discount change?

Please clarify if the terms at any point in time (2% below dealer invoice versus dealer invoice) is dictated by Subaru or ASPCA.

Thank you
------------------------------------
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2022 1:40 PM
To:
Subject: RE: subaru vip discount change?

Hi ,

Thanks for your message! The Subaru VIP Program is a limited time offer that is subject to change without notice at the discretion of Subaru of America. Additionally, all sales are subject to availability and retailer discretion. Please contact the Subaru VIP Program Administrator at [email protected] with any further questions.

All the best,

Kaylie

 

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I placed my VIP order in late March and made the donation to ASPCA about a week before the order went in.

My letter does state invoice Cost Minus 2%.

It would be interesting to see if anyone that is placing an order with the VIP program via a donation to the ASPCA this month (April and going forward) has any modification to their letter where the -2% is missing when they receive it.

The Outback forum already has a poster whose VIP letter is invoice only.

 

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My wife and I thinking of pulling the trigger on a new Impreza vs Crosstrek. Is the VIP still active/available?
We did not know about when we purchased our Ascent 2021.

yes.

You will need to check with Subaru of America (and possibly multiple dealerships) to determine if they will honor it for a particular model such as the Crosstrek.

Earlier this year Subaru and its VIP partners changed the discount terms to be dealer invoice for all partners instead of some having 2% below. You would need to contact the VIP partner to check the latest iteration.

Check you dealerships to determine if they charge dealer fees (regardless of what they may call them). These as you may know are not required fees by county or state and are completely negotiable (I paid zero dealer fees in my most recent Outback Onyx purchase).

There are no other requirements for the VIP program involving ordering packages (some dealerships are more honest than others).

Since you purchased your 2021 Ascent you should ask Subaru of America for a loyalty coupon. this coupon will range anywhere from $500 to $1000, and can be combined with the VIP discount.

Dealerships do not have new car inventory sitting around their lots, so this would be a factory order. There have been times when a dealership ordered a vehicle for someone for which later it was determined could not buy the vehicle so they may make that available to you since it is already in process. Vehicles are leaving the lots within days of being delivered.

Other than the above, the typical purchase strategies should be in play.

I'm in the process of exploring trading my 2019 Ascent Limited for a 2023 Ascent.

 

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We recently placed a VIP order for a 2023 Ascent. Our dealer told us verbally we were getting VIP pricing but the order sheet they gave us shows MSRP. We gave them the VIP authorization. Is this normal?

Yes, but iny case for my 22 outback i got all agreements in writing via email including zero dealer fees, etc.

I suggest you confirm they will be accepting the vip pricing scheme via email.

 

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Apologies for not being specific. This is Subaru VIP via ASPCA Founders $500 donation. I asked if they would take it before making the donation, then sent them the authorization form after I received it from SOA. They verbally told me vip pricing but my order form says MSRP. I'm more concerned they are unfamiliar with how to do the process rather than trying to screw me.

since dealer participation in the program is voluntary, I would simply ask for email confirmation and it should not be a problem.

 

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I just found a local dealer who says they participate in the VIP program. So, I can donate $500 to the ASPCA and get something from them that I take to the dealer, right?

yes. use the advanced search for my post (and others) describing in detail the process.

make certain you ask in advance of your order what their dealer fees are and if they require any dealer add-ons.

 

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What the heck is "Dealer VIP"?

pay no attention to the dealer VIP verbiage. just look at the bottom line discount. Subaru has had a VIP pricing program for many years. That program has been detailed out in this forum by myself and others. the Subaru VIP program used to provide pricing at 2% blow dealer invoice through some partners. Currently the program provides for dealer invoice pricing for customers.

Follow the Subaru VIP process and buy your vehicle at the dealer invoice price, which for my 2023 Ascent was $3300 below MSRP. The VIP program does not control dealer fees which I have posted about ad nauseam. Also be aware of possible dealer accessory requirements. Again these have nothing to do with the Subaru VIP program. The dealership I just bought my 22' Outback through and I am currently buying my 23' Ascent through does not require any accessories or option package, nor do they charge any dealer fees. Every dealership is different so it is worth checking.

 

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How is it determined if it's at invoice or a % below. I got my letter from SOA and it specified at invoice, not 2% below.

In the past it varied depending on the partner non profit, but now they all are at invoice. It changed in early 2022. My 22' Outback slid in at 2% below while my 23' was at dealer invoice.

 

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I'm going to buy using the Subaru VIP program. I donated $500 to the ASPCA. What should I do next?

VIP Order From Beginning to End

So, there seems to be a lot of questions surrounding the VIP orders with the Ascent. I think that I have read every thread about it on this forum and other places around the net. A ton of details are missing which I will try to fill. I was hoping to use my wife's membership with ASHA to make...

www.ascentforums.com

note that the pricing is now dealer invoice.

 

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OK, so I submitted the request on the ASPCA web site. I got this back in an email:
"Thank you for submitting a VIP verification form request! Due to the high volume of requests, please allow up to 5 business days for your form to be processed."

The process wss detailed out in the link i just posted.

 

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Can anyone confirm that the $500 Subaru Loyalty coupon can be used when getting Subaru VIP pricing?

Absolutely it can

 

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What happens if you buy with Subaru VIP pricing and you have a trade-in, but you need to keep the trade-in until the new car arrives? The new Ascent will be replacing our 2018 Outback.

I completed this type of transaction about one month ago. I traded in my 2019 Limited for a 2023 Limited. You place the order with your vip documentation and simply wait until the vehicle arrives. At or very close to the time or arrival you will be able to negotiate the trade in price - two seperate negotiations (although the vip is not a negotiation). When the vehicle arrives you will actually trade in the vehicle at the agreed upon price and pick up your new vehicle. The day of pickup will be the day you pay for the vehicle (cash or finance or any combination of each). If you are financing or course, you should have that set up for the car you want ahead of time unless it is happening during the week, during the day so they can confirm you qualify. You can use Subaru financing if you are tier one or two auto credit score and get the lowest rates.

 

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I ordered ours on 8/16/22 and locked in a trade in price on our 2022 at that time. A very fair one I thought. They honored that price over 2500 miles later the first week of November when we bought the new one

every dealership handles the trade in market valuation differently given the recent volatility of the used car market. some are willing as Steve70 stated to provide an offer within certain mileage range and some want to wait until the last moment.

 

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are we still at invoice? hoping with market starting turn back in customer favor...at least from what I've been starting to hear, maybe 2% below invoice will come back?

that crystal ball does not exist.

 

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We aren't really at invoice pricing to begin with. It's $500 over

Subaru does not pocket that $500, so the sales price for the vehicle is dealer invoice. The doc fee is not controlled by SOA. that is negotiated between dealer and buyer.

 

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I never meant to imply that Subaru pocketed any money, but our cost with this program is $500 over invoice before any additional fees are added in by the dealer. That the $500 goes to a worthwhile org is immaterial. You can't get the deal without donating.

My net savings was $560. Still worthwhile and good donation too.

I knew you understood the difference. My clarification was for other readers. The price of the vehicle is currently dealer invoice per vip program.

Some buyers also pay doc fee (i did not), some pay for unwanted add ons (i did not), and some buy two cars in same year and were able to use the single donation (i did this). Some finance through dealership at higher interest rates (i used the low subaru financing rate).