Hi, I’m a college student and this is my first time buying a car on my own. After some thought, I’ve decided on the 2025 Subaru Premium Outback with the OP13 package. I went to the local dealership to ask for a price.
Here’s the breakdown of the costs:
34,725 MSRP
-1,000 discount
doc fee
sales tax
new plates
That leaves me with an OTD price of 36,704, which seems a bit high. I told the salesman I was hoping for more than a 1.5k discount since I did my research. But he wanted the sources and started laughing. He said he could do another 500 off if I’m definitely buying.
Does that sound reasonable? What kind of range should I be aiming for in a discount? Any advice on how to ask for a better deal would be greatly appreciated!
Honestly, I wouldn’t bother asking for a discount unless you’re paying in cash. It’s usually easier for them to offer extras in the deal if you’re financing.
Without knowing your financial situation, I would say it might be too much car for a college student. You still need to focus on school, eat, and pay living costs. Car payments can really add up when you add insurance, maintenance, and unexpected repairs.
It might be better to find something more affordable that you can comfortably pay for without worrying about a rebate. If you’re set on the Subaru, there might be some rebates available, but shopping around and comparing offers from other dealers might help more than negotiating on the spot.
Vey said:
That’s a lot for a college student, but good for you!
In college, the car I drove was only 4 years younger than I was haha!
My wife bought her first car right out of college for $20K and I thought she was crazy. At that age, you can do so much more with that money. But I guess everyone has to buy a new car at least once.
@Vey
I bought my first new car about two years after graduating when I had a full-time job. I was still living with my parents, so I had the down payment saved and didn’t have to worry about rent.
You should aim for at least $2200 off the MSRP. It could be more or less depending on the options you choose.
I’ve bought 5 Subarus and never paid more than invoice price, even during the shortage. I usually paid a little less than invoice (I got $100 under on my 2024 Outback). If you put in the time and effort, you can do even better.