Felix said:
@JamesHenry
$3k off MSRP isn’t a great deal. You’d do better calling sales managers during the last week of the month.
If you’re buying off the lot, that’s a good strategy. I custom ordered mine and didn’t want to drive far to get it.
Be ready for the finance office. They’ll try to scare you into overpaying for a warranty. You don’t have to buy it from them, and you can shop around later. The only thing worth considering is GAP insurance if your down payment is small, but check with your insurance company first—they might offer it cheaper.
@Devlin
I just picked up my new Outback last week. They pushed GAP hard, but I decided to roll the dice. Hopefully, I won’t need to deal with auto financing for the next 8-12 years.
Marlow said:
@Devlin
I just picked up my new Outback last week. They pushed GAP hard, but I decided to roll the dice. Hopefully, I won’t need to deal with auto financing for the next 8-12 years.
If your down payment isn’t huge, GAP is worth considering. If your car gets totaled and you owe more than it’s worth, you’ll have to pay the difference without it. It’s usually a few hundred bucks, and you can shop around for a better deal than the dealer offers.
Get the extended warranty. A friend just got one for as low as $1,000.
My two cents: Wait until the 2026 Outback is announced. It’s a complete redesign. Even if you decide to go with the 2025, you might get a better deal once the new model is revealed.
Thanos said:
My two cents: Wait until the 2026 Outback is announced. It’s a complete redesign. Even if you decide to go with the 2025, you might get a better deal once the new model is revealed.
I disagree. The 2026 might not have the same financing deals, and production delays could make it harder to get what you want.
@Verne
True, they might not offer incentives on the new models. But dealers might be more willing to cut deals on the 2025s if the new one looks good.
Thanos said:
My two cents: Wait until the 2026 Outback is announced. It’s a complete redesign. Even if you decide to go with the 2025, you might get a better deal once the new model is revealed.
I thought about that, but the current financing rates are really good.
@Chance
Don’t buy the first year of a redesign like the 2026.
Leighton said:
@Chance
Don’t buy the first year of a redesign like the 2026.
Plus, I’m worried about tariffs driving up prices and making it harder to find what I want.
Leighton said:
@Chance
Don’t buy the first year of a redesign like the 2026.
Plus, I’m worried about tariffs driving up prices and making it harder to find what I want.
Subaru’s moving Outback production back to Japan for the 2026 model, so tariffs might not be an issue. Japan isn’t on the list of countries affected by tariffs, at least for now.
Don’t get the 2.5L engine.
Tsuna said:
Don’t get the 2.5L engine.
Why not? This will be my first Subaru, so I’m genuinely curious.
Tsuna said:
Don’t get the 2.5L engine.
Why not? This will be my first Subaru, so I’m genuinely curious.
I’ve been driving a 2.5 Premium since 2020. It’s fine and gets better gas mileage than the 2.4T. More power would be nice, but you don’t need the turbo unless you live in a really hilly area.
Tsuna said:
Don’t get the 2.5L engine.
Why not? This will be my first Subaru, so I’m genuinely curious.
Don’t listen to this. Drive both and see what you like. I’m at 1,170 feet elevation and find the 2.5 adequate. I drive for efficiency, so it works for me. The 2.5 is also a reliable engine. The 2.4T might have more potential issues. When negotiating, don’t be afraid to walk away if they’re not giving you a good deal.
Tsuna said:
Don’t get the 2.5L engine.
Why not? This will be my first Subaru, so I’m genuinely curious.
The 2.5 is just noisy and underpowered. Go for the 2.4T.
Tsuna said:
Don’t get the 2.5L engine.
Why not? This will be my first Subaru, so I’m genuinely curious.
The 2.4T is more fun, but there’s nothing wrong with the 2.5. It’s perfectly fine for most people.
Buy a slightly used one. It loses a ton of value as soon as you drive it off the lot.
Finian said:
Buy a slightly used one. It loses a ton of value as soon as you drive it off the lot.
That’s good advice if you plan to sell it before paying off the loan. But if you’re planning to drive it into the ground, a new one is worth it.