Subaru Levorg

[Jango]

Interestingly I received good service from Subaru SEs at both Leng Kee and TPY. However I wasn't please to arrive at TPY to be told that the test drive unit Levorg was not available and I had to go to Leng Kee. The Subaru SE at Leng Kee was very patient with me as I was undecided between Levorg and XV, and another brand, exchanging SMS with him over a course of 2 week+. In the end I didnt buy a Subaru but he was still very gracious about it.

 

Completely opposite to the horrible sales service I got at VW.

[Starblind]

Likewise, I received good service from my SE at LK. He patiently answered all my queries from when I first started looking at the Levorg in Feb until now. Even after I have already booked the car, he is prompt and courteous in his replies to my questions. This is in contrast to another SE I encountered at another AD. She was extremely pushy and yaya.

 

Ultimately, there are good and bad SE everywhere (not just in one AD over another), just like any other service industry.

[inlinesix]

http://paultan.org/2016/05/30/subaru-levorg-sti-sport-better-handling-and-looks/

 

Subaru Levorg STI Sport – better handling and looks

[teomingern]

"I use to own a Impreza so I know what I'm talking about... the fuel consumption is really quite dreadful which is probably why they've switched to a CVT which is the same unit in the new Impreza I drove so Japan. Which means it still feels like a rubber band. Very annoying. Blunts the capabilities of the AWD chassis."

 

 

Well I think all AWD cars FC will definately be poorer than FW or RW drive type. I have also owned an impreza before and knows FC is not their strong point. However the road holding and stability AWD gives you even on wet roads is more than compensate the poorer FC. Because it translate into a much safer car to drive. I treasure my life more when I am driving than the higher FC. If one's main consideration is the best FC, pls go for hybrid car, or better still go for the new tesla electric car!

 

To me, my main deciding factors are;

 

1, Stability/safety/reliability

2. exterior/interior design

3. comfort/features (electric handbrake/auto-hold etc)

4. Acceptable price and FC for the configuration.

 

There is one critical question that most people do not ask when they are looking for a car.

and that is : IS THE CAR SAFE TO DRIVE?

All cars that pass the safety regulations are safe to drive. It's how you drive it that matters. On Singapore roads, how fast can you go? And how fast should you go? It's quite an interesting viewpoint though that people equate all-wheel drive with greater safety. I mean that's the advertisement. But at the kind of speed limits we drive at, every car is safe. It's the driver who is unsafe.

 

In countries with temperate climates, people go for all-wheel drive due to snowy conditions. And if you say all-wheel drive is safer under such conditions, I think that's a fair point. But then again, most cars sold even in those regions are not all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive... are those cars without all-wheel drive unsafe to drive? I think not.

 

So don't simply conflated poor driving habits with all-wheel drive availability.

Dear Subaru,

 

I am writing this in Singapore. I am driving a Toyota Vios now but looking at changing to a new car and have set my eyes on the Subaru Outback after test-driving many cars in the market. However, I have huge difficulties dealing with the Subaru Singapore Sales Team.

 

Let me explain.

 

The Subaru Singapore Sales Team do not allow customers to choose the sales person you are comfortable with to make the purchase. So for example, if you walk into the Subaru Showroom and decide to go for a test-drive, the person who happens to be at the desk to book you for a test-drive ends up being âASSIGNEDâ to you. Letâs call this person Subaru Sales Person âAlphaâ.

 

After a few more visits to the showroom, you may have been familiar with another sales person because of the friendliness of the person. Letâs call this person Subaru Sales Person âBravoâ. To clarify, in Singapore, when purchasing a car, the customer would visit the showroom several times â why? Because the selling price of a Subaru Outback is between SGD$125,000 [uSD$90,600) â SGD$140,000 (local taxes is substantial). The ruling at Subaru Singapore is that you are tagged to Person âAlphaâ and have to buy your vehicle from that person and cannot go with Person âBravoâ. Now, I would be most willing to purchase my vehicle from Person âAlphaâ if the person is sales-oriented and customer-centric. BUT the problem is Person âAlphaâ is NOT. The Person Alpha is Mr Jay Ng.

 

I have booked for a Subaru Forester XT at the Singapore Car Show with Mr Jay Ng on 23 April 2016 and put down a SGD$10,000 deposit for it. I changed my mind after test-driving the Subaru Forester XT and cancelled the deal to get back my deposit. On the day of getting back my deposit, Mr Jay Ng, told me that I will be blacklisted and shall not be able to purchase any Subaru cars â for the next 3 months because it would be unfair to other customers. This is before I had the chance to explain to him that I am more interested in purchasing something else â which is of course, the Subaru Outback. But I did not express this the moment Mr Jay Ng told me I am blacklisted because his demeanor is not very friendly.

 

I had the notion to re-visit Subaru Showroom in a few monthsâ time (once I am taken out of the blacklist) because of my desire to own a Subaru Outback.

 

However, a week ago (23 May 2016), I received rumours that the Singapore Government may be changing the rules of purchasing a vehicle and I understand that this may inflat the prices of cars.

 

I could not wait any longer (for my name to be taken off the blacklist) but to try to visit the Subaru Showroom to determine if I can purchase the Subaru Outback.

 

This is when I met Sales Person âBravoâ â Mr Alister Lim. Mr Alister Lim was friendly and very patient when I was test-driving the Subaru Outback. However I did not tell him about the cancellation of purchase with Mr Jay Ng. Mr Alister Lim also threw in a few incentives like car accessories and add-ons to build up my enthusiaism for Subaru Outback â which was not offered to me by Mr Jay Ng.

 

It took me a few days to make up my mind and decided to go to the Subaru Road Show with my friends and family, to meet Mr Alister Lim, to purchase the Subaru Outback on 27 May 2016 â but I did not expect the following to happen.

 

When I reached the Subaru Road Show, I was not allowed to purchase the vehicle with the terms I have negotiated from Mr Alister Ng. Apparently Mr Alister Lim was made to answer to âHigher Upsâ because he has taken a customer away from Mr Jay Ng. I was told (by Mr Alister Ng) that he will contact me on Saturday if the deal we initially discussed can go through.

 

On Saturday morning, I was contacted by Mr Jay Ng. He told me on the phone that he is tagged to me and that I should not deal with Mr Alister Lim anymore. He also told me that the deal between Mr Alister Ng and me is off and now I will not be getting any incentives at all. No more car accessories. No more add-ons. He insisted that I have to live with it and buy the Subaru at the âNormalâ price. He also added that there are many people at the Showroom right now because the government has changed the rules and I have many customers to talk to. He ended by saying if you are still interested in Subaru, then you better purchase it as the âNormalâ price without any add-ons or freebies.

 

I am saddened that the situation has to end this way and wanted to voice my dissatisfaction with the Subaru Singapore Sales Team. If this is the way Subaru decides to do business in Singapore, then Subaru would end up with many disgruntled customers.

 

Subaru could have sold more vehicles in Singapore because Subaru cars have been better designed than the other SUVs in the same category.

 

Now I have no idea who to contact at Subaru â Mr Alister Lim is not answering to my messages or phonecall. I am also annoyed with Mr Jay Ng. And most critical of all, I have missed out on any savings.

This sounds really bad. Why don't you write an email to the Tan Chong boss, Glenn Tan I think? He's very vocal about the car industry and appears to be very proactive with regards to both the Nissan & Subaru branding in Singapore. I'm sure he'll get back to you... or you could post a message to him on their Facebook page?

[wheelogist]

All cars that pass the safety regulations are safe to drive. It's how you drive it that matters. On Singapore roads, how fast can you go? And how fast should you go? It's quite an interesting viewpoint though that people equate all-wheel drive with greater safety. I mean that's the advertisement. But at the kind of speed limits we drive at, every car is safe. It's the driver who is unsafe.

 

In countries with temperate climates, people go for all-wheel drive due to snowy conditions. And if you say all-wheel drive is safer under such conditions, I think that's a fair point. But then again, most cars sold even in those regions are not all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive... are those cars without all-wheel drive unsafe to drive? I think not.

 

So don't simply conflated poor driving habits with all-wheel drive availability.

This sounds really bad. Why don't you write an email to the Tan Chong boss, Glenn Tan I think? He's very vocal about the car industry and appears to be very proactive with regards to both the Nissan & Subaru branding in Singapore. I'm sure he'll get back to you... or you could post a message to him on their Facebook page?

If you do not agree with my opinion is ok. But do not put words in my mouth. Where in my post did I say fwd and rwd cars are unsafe to drive. What I said is awd cars compared to fwd and rwd is more stable given the same condition of the road and speed and thus equate to a safer drive.

I am entitled to my opinion to share in this forum, so are you. If you don't agree with my opinion, all I care!

[ruddies]

You must feel happy during car purchase. If you do not, get another brand and model. Plenty of options out there.forget MI.

[teomingern]

If you do not agree with my opinion is ok. But do not put words in my mouth. Where in my post did I say fwd and rwd cars are unsafe to drive. What I said is awd cars compared to fwd and rwd is more stable given the same condition of the road and speed and thus equate to a safer drive.

I am entitled to my opinion to share in this forum, so are you. If you don't agree with my opinion, all I care!

 

Chill... whatever you said up there applies equally to you... so chill... if you read what you wrote again, it's quite obvious that by implication you're saying that people don't consider safety as a priority when buying cars, and you do and you choose to buy an AWD car, and therefore by inference, if the car doesn't have AWD, it isn't safe.

[Soya]

First time I ever hear a customer is 'blacklisted' from buying a car.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Friendstar]

If you do not agree with my opinion is ok. But do not put words in my mouth. Where in my post did I say fwd and rwd cars are unsafe to drive. What I said is awd cars compared to fwd and rwd is more stable given the same condition of the road and speed and thus equate to a safer drive.

I am entitled to my opinion to share in this forum, so are you. If you don't agree with my opinion, all I care!

U need to take a chill pill.

 

I'm amazed by ur reaction

[wheelogist]

U need to take a chill pill.

 

I'm amazed by ur reaction

You can keep that pill for yourself. Your reaction is even more amazing.

[wheelogist]

Chill... whatever you said up there applies equally to you... so chill... if you read what you wrote again, it's quite obvious that by implication you're saying that people don't consider safety as a priority when buying cars, and you do and you choose to buy an AWD car, and therefore by inference, if the car doesn't have AWD, it isn't safe.

Amazed at how you delibrately misinterprete one's msg again and again. Talented indeed!

[teomingern]

Amazed at how you delibrately misinterprete one's msg again and again. Talented indeed!

 

I'm glad I amused you then...

First time I ever hear a customer is 'blacklisted' from buying a car.....

 

True true... hahaha.... so weird... maybe can try yet another Subaru SE?

[wheelogist]

I'm glad I amused you then...

 

 

True true... hahaha.... so weird... maybe can try yet another Subaru SE?

Wow, meaning of amazed is now same as amused.

Good understanding of english indeed! Should make a good spin doctor.

[teomingern]

Wow, meaning of amazed is now same as amused.

Good understanding of english indeed! Should make a good spin doctor.

 

You really need to chill bro...

[wheelogist]

You really need to chill bro...

You need it more!

[Soya]

I'm glad I amused you then...

 

 

True true... hahaha.... so weird... maybe can try yet another Subaru SE?

Errrr....I tink trying to buy a subaru from another SE got him blacklisted from buying a subaru in the first place.

 

Most bizarre, incredulous & outright ridiculous if it was true. Would make a great TNP story tho.

[teomingern]

Errrr....I tink trying to buy a subaru from another SE got him blacklisted from buying a subaru in the first place.

 

Most bizarre, incredulous & outright ridiculous if it was true. Would make a great TNP story tho.

 

Yeah it will make a good newspaper story... hahaha...

[Clement]

Woah! things are getting hotter here!

 

I am not a Subaru owner, but I have to say a few things.

Not interested in AWD, 4WD as I do not see the necessity here in S'pore concrete jungle.

It only adds extra weight to the car and increases FC.

2WD is good enough for me,  as I do not even drive out of S'pore.

 

But I can see why some prefer AWD, 4WD as it is perceived to be more stable in poor road conditions.

Everyone has their own opinion and to each their own.

One man's meat is another man's poison.

That is why there are many different types of cars to cater to everyone.

 

Chill out!