Buying a New Subaru (Boston: home, live, transport)

[kudzutoo]

Originally Posted by gf2020

I believe Patrick Subaru in neighboring Shrewsbury is the highest volume Subaru dealer in MA. I have purchased 2 Subarus from Manchester Subaru in Manchester, NH, and have found them very good to deal with.

Owned by the same Patrick family as Patrick Subaru:
VW sales manager in Auburn facing fraud charges - News - telegram.com - Worcester, MA

I bought a used car from Patrick Subaru years ago. Horrible...I would never send anyone to them.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

Everything half-decent is $30K+ these days.


My folks have a 3.6R. It's nice to drive, well equipped, and very good in the snow with the factory all-seasons. Had some decent get-up-and-go as well and I was impressed with it's HP. Overall though, it offered very little driving excitement, but most people who buy such a vehicle aren't looking to drive it in a sporting fashion.


The downside for me was it's cargo space. It has a decent amount, but, I had a hard time getting some items in the back that I could fit in a true SUV type vehicle. The rear hatch opening is low, so a few times I was stranded unable to fit something in from the local home depot. I couldn't even get my 60G aquarium in it which was only 24" tall.


Overall, not a bad car, although not one I could drive personally.

I just measured. The tailgate height opening in an Outback is 29 3/4" measured from the floor to the dome light. You are dimensionally challenged.

It's an appliance but when you put Nokians on it, it's a good winter car.


I have a $299 Harbor Freight folding 4'x8' trailer in a corner of the garage.

Every car is a compromise. If I want a car to drive "in a sporting fashion", it's not going to be able to haul a 60 gallon aquarium.

[mmyk72]

My relative just bought a 2017 CrossTrek premium earlier this month. I was told they ended up paying about 10% off sticker (plus tax, etc.). Hope this helps.

BTW, what is the etiquette on car buying -

* Do I walk into the dealership and just get whichever sales guy is free to help me?
- - - OR - - -
* Am I obligated to work with the same sales guy that I talked with before?

Background - I visited a dealership late in Dec and spent maybe 30 min with a sales guy. I just walked in and waited for whoever was available. This sales guy didn't know anything about the car's features - given the 2017 was a redesign, I can tell he hadn't done any reading up on them. He got some keys so I can see a few Impreza's on the lot. I asked to test drive but he said none of the cars were ready to be driven - he said these 2017's just arrived to the dealership and they haven't had a chance to prep the cars. So we just sat in 1 of them and chatted for a few mins. The next time I go back, it'd be for a test drive and probably actual purchase.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

I just measured. The tailgate height opening in an Outback is 29 3/4" measured from the floor to the dome light. You are dimensionally challenged.

Ah, it was the stand that wouldn't fit. Not the tank. Tank was 24" but the stand was 30-31" or something like that. I had to lay it on the side and make two trips.


There was something else I couldn't fit, but not the cars fault. I was trying to do pickup truck things with a vehicle that wasn't meant to do it.


It is awesome in the snow though.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

Everything half-decent is $30K+ these days.


My folks have a 3.6R. It's nice to drive, well equipped, and very good in the snow with the factory all-seasons. Had some decent get-up-and-go as well and I was impressed with it's HP. Overall though, it offered very little driving excitement, but most people who buy such a vehicle aren't looking to drive it in a sporting fashion.


The downside for me was it's cargo space. It has a decent amount, but, I had a hard time getting some items in the back that I could fit in a true SUV type vehicle. The rear hatch opening is low, so a few times I was stranded unable to fit something in from the local home depot. I couldn't even get my 60G aquarium in it which was only 24" tall.


Overall, not a bad car, although not one I could drive personally.

Odd, I fit my 60 gallon in the backseat of my Honda Accord (no, not a 55). I'm not looking forward to getting that moved though.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by timberline742

Odd, I fit my 60 gallon in the backseat of my Honda Accord (no, not a 55). I'm not looking forward to getting that moved though.

I put mine across the backseat of my Infiniti (when I had it). Fit fine there. I just couldn't take the stand.


I tried to do tank and stand in the back of the Subaru standing up. The tank fit, but the stand had to lay down. Just meant I had to do it in two trips as I couldn't drive two cars.


My 60 was pretty much just a 3" taller 55G. It sits empty these days.

[timberline742]

Yeah, I might ditch this 60 when I move and go to a 55. Especially if the frame footprint is the same. The frame is worth more than the tank.

[BostonMike7]

I'm not a fan of it either. Too much empty water up top. I like the footprint, just prefer shorter heights like a 33G or even a 40G.


33G reef is something I'd like to do soon

[gf2020]

You aquarium guys are getting a bit off topic here.

[BostonMike7]

Beats politics anyday