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As far as features a lot of it just depends on be package/trim level. Like for example I have a sunroof I never use and never will use, but I couldn’t not get the sunroof without also not getting leather seats which I definitely wanted. So at least in my experience you can’t really pick and choose individual features very easily. That being said I 100% recommend leather seats! I also bought aftermarket Weathertec floor mats and they are great! They basically cover the entirety of any carpet in my car and are vinyl I think but can be easily taken out and rinsed. So the carpet and original factory carpeted mats are in mint condition which will be great if I ever sell my car.

We just bought a Subaru Ascent this month. So far we love it. My must haves when buying were retractable sunshades, captains chairs, leather, heated seats and steering wheel, and AWD. The only thing i really didn’t want was seat back DVD players - that would have been a deal breaker for me but luckily the Ascent doesnt come with them at any trim level.

Have fun!!

Best time to buy is the end of the month when dealerships are trying to hit their monthly sales numbers.

We financed through the dealership to get the $2k discount and then refinanced at our credit union for a lower rate a few days later.

@gotkimchi: agree on the math we also did this when we bought 4 years ago. I’m forgetting all the details but there were several advantages to taking the car at the lower price vs 0%. Not only monthly payment but also maybe taxes and something about what happens if you trade in early - might be worth trying to read about.

Leather is a must for me, we bought the highest trim to get it (but on a cheaper car so still not very fancy). I wish we had more safety features like backup camera (mine just beeps) and blind spot notifications and such - but assume Subaru would have that stuff.

Definitely use truecar.com or the Costco program if you’re a member. They will give you a fixed price at a specific dealership, but we took the quote to other dealerships to see if they would match or beat it, and someone always did. I think we ended paying something like $4k under MSRP for my car.

If you can try and find a new 2017. We bought a 2014 Ford Flex in December 2015 and got an amazing deal. Don’t bring a kid, be willing to walk out and or shop around- don’t give into pressure. Also yes to research/calling around before going in.

I always get a new car that is the last years version at a time when the next years' edition is coming out. I hope that makes sense. I wanted a specific car that I couldn't afford. Finally, the sales guy called and told me that they had one that had been sitting on the lot for a year and I got an awesome deal on it. Brand new with only 8 miles on it.

Bluetooth, gps and a sun/moon roof are must. ETA: yes to the back up camera.

If its an SUV, i really like to be able to close the back with a push of a button.

Good luck and a congrats on the new car!

@LCTBQE: I bet if you find one you could save thousands. It would be worth looking a bit out of your normal radius a bit for the right color/trim.

No yet. 5 weeks from yesterday we will be on the road driving cross country. Not in my Flex sadly. It is getting shipped.

@Bluemasonjar: we did the same thing but the finance guy was a total a-hole and I wish I would have known my options a bit more before we went in.

We went in unprepared to buy: no financing secured from our credit union, no ideas about warranties, etc but I had found a perfect fit for what DH wanted online so we took our kids to check it out. It ended up being the last day of the month/quarter so when we were ready to walk, they came back with another $1K off. We also did Costco pricing but they dont tell you what it is until you go in so it’s a whole song and dance there too.

Next time we buy, I’ll have preapproval from our CU and definitely go in the last day of the month WITHOUT our kids.

In my next car, I want a backup camera, auto lifegate, lane assist and other safety features.

I agree car shopping now doesn't have to be painful as long as you do your homework! I got several quotes plus know the # from kbb what a fair price is. I'm not out there to get every last dollar from the dealer; as long as I'm getting a good enough deal, I'm not gonna "go there" as I don't like conflict/awkwardness. So as long as you know what you're talking about and know your bottom line, I think it's actually enjoyable!

Any chance you can get friends/family pricing? Have you checked on Facebook if anyone has any connections? Its a great way to get the best deal.

Beyond that, you can inquire about getting the holdback, it can be another $500-1000 depending.

If you are trading in a car absolutely do not tell them that until they have given you all the numbers.

Dealers should be able to hunt down the proper trim/model/color scheme you want. Especially if you can wait a week or two.

I pride myself in the deals I have scored - but I also generally have family pricing on my side...

@LCTBQE: no kids because it takes so dang long! We went in the evening when DH was home from work on a Friday and had to call my parents at 8:30 pm to pick them up because the financing took forever and we hadn’t planned on staying that late!
Ford had 0% or a rebate with their regular rate and it was cheaper to in the long run to do the rebate and refi immediately at our CU. Our CU was only 1.75% or something. Very low!

I second truecar.com to find the lowest price cars have sold in your area. We used that for both our new cars and was able to match one, and beat the other. I think you just need be stubborn with your price, making it clear from the start that's what you expect to pay, and be willing to walk away. (Dealers are plentiful here, so it's easy to just go to another and I think they know that). My parents just bought a new car a few months ago, used that site too, and was able to beat the lowest price (by like $20 bucks, but, my stubborn dad just stuck to it and told them he wanted the *best* price, not just to meet the lowest but they eventually came to agreement. They started at like $100 lower, but the dealer wouldn't go for that. I'm pretty sure they each just wanted to "win" at that point haha)