NSR: anyone ever use an auto broker?

[freshies]

I am looking to get the new Subaru Outback XT Limited. Currently have a 2002 Subaru Outback Limited w/76k and 12 months of payments left on it. Plan is to trade in old car for new, monthly payments should be roughly the same as current car, and just go into a new 4-5 year finance plan. No cash outta pocket.

I have been haggling with some local dealers here via the internet, and have found what appears to be a solid offer: $300 below invoice, $12k for trade in, and Suby finance at 5 yrs = same mo payment as I have today.

There is a local car broker (www.cartelligent.com) here that offers a service of finding you the car of your choice well below invoice (they buy 2000+ cars a year), handles your trade in (network of private parties, dealerships and others, etc), and can even find the best financing for you (either direct w/Suby or through other lenders). All for a $300 flat fee.

What do ya think?

[El Chupacabra]

I am looking to get the new Subaru Outback XT Limited. Currently have a 2002 Subaru Outback Limited w/76k and 12 months of payments left on it. Plan is to trade in old car for new, monthly payments should be roughly the same as current car, and just go into a new 4-5 year finance plan. No cash outta pocket.

I have been haggling with some local dealers here via the internet, and have found what appears to be a solid offer: $300 below invoice, $12k for trade in, and Suby finance at 5 yrs = same mo payment as I have today.

If you want it now, then go for it. Decent deal. I've heard good things about using a broker service, but the best deals through brokers seem to be on cars that are in hot demand (new models, hard-to-get models, etc. -- ones where dealers won't budge off their "market adjustment" prices). I don't consider a Subaru Outback to be difficult to get.... the local dealers routinely advertise any Subaru for invoice pricing.

If you can wait, do what I'm doing -- I'm thinking of selling my Jeep Grand Cherokee and replacing it with the Outback XT (not "Limited" though) -- join IMBA for $25; after being a member for 6 months, you can buy any Subaru for invoice price, and you get any incentives, rebates, low-financing offers, etc., etc. Subaru incentives have been $1500-2000 for awhile now.

IMBA Subaru info:
http://www.imba.com/tcc/subaru_faq.html

There are other programs that offer this deal with Subaru too; I picked IMBA because I mountain bike. Google it and you can find the other ones.

If you change your mind, decide you want a different car, you're only out $25 as a donation to IMBA.

[cuzinick]

Im a sales manager at a Chysler Jeep Dealership. I think auto brokers are just ok. The amount of money they will save you is about what you would pay them, or ask for a quote upfront to "decide if you want their sevices"
Or just ask the dealership or two for $600 under invoice and call it a day.

[Super G]

I used an auto broker in 97' to buy a 92' Sub legacy. The Subaru is still going strong. I thank the auto broker for finding me a quality car and not some P.O.Shit.

$300 extra is a small price to pay to get a quality car

[El Chupacabra]

I don't consider a Subaru Outback to be difficult to get.... the local dealers routinely advertise any Subaru for invoice pricing.

If you can wait, do what I'm doing -- I'm thinking of selling my Jeep Grand Cherokee and replacing it with the Outback XT (not "Limited" though) -- join IMBA for $25; after being a member for 6 months, you can buy any Subaru for invoice price, and you get any incentives, rebates, low-financing offers, etc., etc. Subaru incentives have been $1500-2000 for awhile now.

Should've also mentioned -- the advantage of the IMBA pricing is that you supposedly get the car for actual invoice, and not with the dealer's invoice + misc bullshit add-on charges ($300 doc fee, prep fee, advertising fee, etc., etc.). So although you can pick up a Suby at invoice about any time you want, it's harder to get rid of the $500-700 extra crap charges that are tacked on.

[DBdude]

a credit union I used to belong to would do this for a couple of hundred bucks

[freshies]

THX for everyone's input. I forgot to add that the broker has a money back gurantee: if you can find the car for less, they will refund the $300 fee. also, if you decide not to buy the car(s) they find for you, then your $300 goes on ice for up to 2 years, when you can reactivate the service at any time.

[Beaver]

No cash outta pocket.

Except for the monthly payment that you would otherwise not have to make if you continued driving your perfectly servicable automobile.

[Idris]

Except for the monthly payment that you would otherwise not have to make if you continued driving your perfectly servicable automobile.

Agreed.........

[Flexon Phil]

I am a Manager at a Subie dealer. Invoice -300 is good. you might be able to squeeze either some options (mats, liners ect) or a few bucks off of it yet.

Food for thought, don't push too hard...You don't want to be labled that "Dick" who wanted everything. This is important if you need that extra concideration when it comes to a questionable warrenty situation.

[mrw]

Except for the monthly payment that you would otherwise not have to make if you continued driving your perfectly servicable automobile.

A couple of years ago,I would have disagreed. Now, with $$$ gas prices, I am so over cars it's pathetic. My Jetta diesel just turned 200,000 miles. I am hoping for 500,000.

[El Chupacabra]

Food for thought, don't push too hard...You don't want to be labled that "Dick" who wanted everything. This is important if you need that extra concideration when it comes to a questionable warrenty situation.

I seriously doubt the sales vulture who I'm a "dick" to will even be working at the dealership in a few months/ years/ whenever the warranty issue arises, much less remember me, much less convey that info over to the service department.

I'm all for supporting the local bike shop, ski shop, etc., but when it comes to car dealerships, I take advantage of every possible thing I can.

[The AD]

My wife bought her car using a broker. It was a website, I believe carbargains.com. Anyway, I was impressed with the deal she got. After specifying what model we wanted, we got back offers from five dealers and picked the best one. Then it was basically go to the lot and pick out the car we wanted. It was worth the $300 or whatever it was in my book.

[Flexon Phil]

I seriously doubt the sales vulture who I'm a "dick" to will even be working at the dealership in a few months/ years/ whenever the warranty issue arises, much less remember me, much less convey that info over to the service department.

I'm all for supporting the local bike shop, ski shop, etc., but when it comes to car dealerships, I take advantage of every possible thing I can.

You are right, must sales vultures come and go...but managers and owners have pretty good memories. Take it for what its worth.

[Snow Dog]

Except for the monthly payment that you would otherwise not have to make if you continued driving your perfectly servicable automobile.

Exactly.

[freshies]

why did I know some folks would get all uppity about not just riding out my lasy year of payments and owning outright vs rolling into a new car?
look, i put 20 - 25k a year on my car (work + yo-yo'ing between Truckee and Bay Area almost every Thur-Sun), and so that would leave me debt free on this rig next June w/roughly 95k on the car. Once you get to 100k shit starts to go wrong, and you end up spending $ on repairs and maintence...and then I would be looking to get a new ride a year later....and have to finance again, so what's the diff.....

[Snow Dog]

I'm a big believer in debt = dumb.

[The AD]

Once you get to 100k shit starts to go wrong, and you end up spending $ on repairs and maintence...and then I would be looking to get a new ride a year later....and have to finance again, so what's the diff.....

I think this is a misconception. A reliable car will get you a hell of a long way past 100K without any major problems. Yes, you'll have to do some routine maintenance, but say once or twice a year you have $300-$500 in maintenance. It's basically like you're paying your monthly car payment, but it's twice a year instead of twelve times.

What's the difference? The difference is you're not making a monthly payment. Every month you're not paying is a month you can save that money instead.

[The Dad]

Back on the topic, Freshies, if you're a Costco member, you should see if you can get pricing through their service. I think that AAA has a similar deal going.

[freshies]

I understand basic finance, thanks (e.g. every month not making a payment = $ that could be saved, etc). Wasn't asking for a lesson in thriftiness - just if anyone has used an aouto broker, and if so, was it worth the fee they charge to essentially handle everything for you (car, trade in and finance).

[Snow Dog]

I understand basic finance, thanks (e.g. every month not making a payment = $ that could be saved, etc).

Heh, we're just trying to put more money in your pocket so you can ski more.

I have a friend who's an auto broker but he snores and sleeps in on hunting trips so I can't recommend him for that.