Advice on buying used Subaru in DC area

[Anonymous]

Ok, I have not bought a car in 15 years and that was on the other side of the country. So looking for a little advice.

I know what make and model I want and have a general range for year and mileage. I have a good sense of the price range for the car based on scouring Carmax, Carvana, and a host of local Subaru dealerships. I have preferences regarding features and color but am not rigid at all on those (like I'd prefer leather seats and don't want a gray car if possible, but if we found the perfect car except it had cloth seats and a gray exterior, I'd be fine) and am not in a hurry but would like to be in the car by August at the latest.

So... what now? We're somewhat flexible on price if we get everything we want. Should we just go to a local deal and test drive something? Is it smarter to buy from Carmax or Carvana since we have access to a wider range of cars that way (and don't mind having something shipped for a fee, though we'd still like to test drive with same year and some of the same features if possible). We have the cash but would finance if we got a great deal.

Sorry that this is an open ended question. I just feel mildly nervous about buying a car since I haven't done it in forever and it's a big purchase. All these online options didn't exist in the same way back then. I want to do it in a "smart" way, but feel out of my element. Any advice welcome.

[Anonymous]

It is hard to find good used Subarus because Subaru owners tend to hang on to their cars forever. Twice we started out shopping for a used Subaru, and twice we ended up buying new because the price difference just wasn’t enough of a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is hard to find good used Subarus because Subaru owners tend to hang on to their cars forever. Twice we started out shopping for a used Subaru, and twice we ended up buying new because the price difference just wasn’t enough of a difference.

This. Same with Toyota and Honda minivans also.

You'll find the best cars at a Subaru dealer, as any junk they send to wholesale. Then any other new car dealer, then Carmax/Carvana. As you go down the line, you'll pay less but risk is higher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is hard to find good used Subarus because Subaru owners tend to hang on to their cars forever. Twice we started out shopping for a used Subaru, and twice we ended up buying new because the price difference just wasn’t enough of a difference.

I've heard that too (OP here) but have actually found a decent selection online and am feeling optimistic. We'd buy new if we needed to but it does seem like what we are looking for is out there. I just don't know whether I should try to go through a dealer or buy via one of these websites or national companies. I'm interested in other's experiences.

Did you buy from a dealer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is hard to find good used Subarus because Subaru owners tend to hang on to their cars forever. Twice we started out shopping for a used Subaru, and twice we ended up buying new because the price difference just wasn’t enough of a difference.

This. Same with Toyota and Honda minivans also.

You'll find the best cars at a Subaru dealer, as any junk they send to wholesale. Then any other new car dealer, then Carmax/Carvana. As you go down the line, you'll pay less but risk is higher.

Thank you, that's really helpful. I actually found the exact car I wanted at a nearby dealer for an acceptable price (on the high end of what we are willing to pay, but it's exactly what I want so we'd do it), but it's just been so long since I bought that I had second thoughts and was wondering if I was doing it wrong.