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My Subaru Salesperson Should Have Informed Me, I Would Not Have Bought The Impreza RS After What I Found On The Post-Sale Walk Around

What happens when a Subaru salesperson fails to disclose every detail about your new 2024 Impreza RS hatch? Bob was in disbelief when he discovered crucial information during the post-sale walk around. Here is his enlightening story. 

I would not have purchased the Subaru Impreza if I had known.

That's what Bob told me after he read one of my Subaru reports. Here is his story of why car salespeople must grasp the significance of full disclosure about a new car before customers commit. Here is Bob's intriguing story: He recently purchased a new 2024 Subaru Impreza RS, and when asked if he would buy the same car, he would say no. 

Bob wrote to me and told me he was unhappy about his Subaru salesperson's failure to inform him about the Impreza. He responded after he read my report on 5 Things My Subaru Salesperson Should Have Told Me About My New Vehicle But Didn't. 

Bob wrote, "You left something important out about what the Subaru salesman should have told me. I bought an Impreza that comes without a spare tire, and that Subaru won't even make one for you. Luckily, I saw it when I did a post-sale car walk around the car before leaving the dealership. I should have been informed of it before I bought the car, though, as it's a safety issue, and I would not have bought the car if I knew it beforehand."

I replied to Bob and told him his Subaru salesperson should have pointed it out before he decided to buy the new Impreza compact hatch. 

"Hi Denis, thanks for getting back to me. It really is a big deal, as people are walking out of dealerships with new cars (not just Subarus) without knowing they don't have a spare in their trunk. It's important to me because the last car I had got lots of flats, from city potholes to being on the freeway -- so I know it will cause a problem sooner or later. Alright, thanks for all you do!"

I asked Bob to give me more details of what happened to him so I could share it with readers.

Bob tells his story.

"Great, happy to provide the details. Here is what I learned from the Subaru dealer about Imprezas and the spare tire situation (I have a 2024 Subaru Impreza RS). I will detail my experience buying the car below, but these are the relevant things I only found out after I paid for my car. The Imprezas do not come with a spare." 

"The Impreza RS comes standard with a fix-a-flat kit in the trunk. Subaru does not make spare tires that would fit the Impreza line anymore. So you can't even buy an OEM-made spare as an add-on. Subaru does not recommend using any spare tire on the car as they said it will likely harm the all-wheel-drive due to wheels operating at varying rotation speeds (not sure what changed that they could provide a spare in previous models)." 

I checked Subaru's specifications section on the 2024 Impreza under the Wheels and Tires category, and the only thing Subaru mentions is that the Impreza comes with a "Tire repair kit." The Subaru of America website does not mention that the Impreza does not even come with a temporary spare tire designed to drive a distance of 50-70 miles and not over 50 miles per hour. 

Bob continues his story.

"There is still a wheel well in the trunk where a spare tire could go (they now put the fix-a-flat kit in that space). Here are some things I found out on the internet related not from the Subaru dealer. The foam insert that holds the spare tires on the Crosstreks fits into the Impreza wheel well (may need some minor modifications)." 

"There is at least one company that makes after-market spare tires (the company is called "Modern Spare") that they say will work with the Subaru Impreza and Impreza RS (but again, Subaru warns against using any spare tire on the car)." 

"As far as my sales experience, and what was so disturbing, was I was never informed that the car came without a spare tire and that there would be no option to buy a spare tire for the car even if I wanted one to address my safety concerns." 

"I only found out that the car had no spare after I purchased the car. I was given a tour of the car and all its systems and functionality, and I luckily asked the product specialist where the key for the wheel locks was. That's when he showed me the area with the fix-a-flat kit, and I was stunned not to see a spare tire." 

"Had I not asked, the first time I would have learned that the car did not have a spare tire would have been when I was on the side of the road needing to fix one." 

"The car industry has been moving in this direction for several years. However, I still don't believe it is right not to inform people about the lack of a spare tire. Also, this problem is not just related to Subaru vehicles; many manufacturers are doing the same thing. I posted about my experience on Facebook, and at least three people responded, "That same thing happened to me." 

Thank you, Bob, for sharing your Subaru Impreza story and explaining why it's important for salespersons to let customers know every detail about the new car before they buy it. 

Do you have an interesting Subaru story you'd like to share? We want to hear from you. If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out Warren's story: "My Weak Subaru Salesman Wouldn’t Sell Me A Bike Rack On Display, Someone Overheard, Took It Off, and I Put It On My New Crosstrek In The Parking Lot."

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReportAll Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierlFacebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Tucson Subaru

Comments

Me (not verified)    November 3, 2024 - 10:36AM

Why whine about something that is your own responsibility?! It's silly to do a "post sale walk-around"! Don't be so helpless!

Bob (not verified)    December 8, 2024 - 11:17AM

In reply to by Me (not verified)

The reason for “whining” about this is to educate others so they dont go through the same experience and know to check. I’m not a selfish idiot who thinks because something happened to me it should happen to others as well. This is obviously a problem and infuriating to many people not just me. Since having this experience I’ve spoken with multiple people who first found out that they didn’t have a spare tire when they were on the side of the road and went to fix a flat tire. And their responses were all the same anger and disbelief. and It’s clearly a safety issue, as these fix a flat kits don’t work in many situations and towing service is not easy to come by at many times and in many locations.

Richard Epstein (not verified)    November 3, 2024 - 2:29PM

Does any customer looking to buy/lease a car really expect their sales person to be 100percent honest?!!
No Going to Happen!!

Robert Brown (not verified)    November 3, 2024 - 3:13PM

Does the Forester and Outback have a spare. I eliminated Crv from consideration for same reason.
Thank you

Jeffrey (not verified)    November 3, 2024 - 3:14PM

Are any other readers bothered by the lack of a spare tire?

I've needed a spare tire exactly zero times in 31 years and 500k miles of driving.

Many times I've encountered nails and woken up to a flat. A portable air compressor (included on new vehicles sold with no spare) will inflate the tire enough to safely make it to a tire repair shop without need for the can of fix a flat.

HS (not verified)    November 3, 2024 - 3:18PM

If a car feature is enough to be a deal breaker to the point of, I will not buy it, then I wouldn't depend on a stranger, salesman, or anyone to verify it.

The only thing I would take for granted are government mandated safety items (windshield, smog control, etc.).

Anything else that's a deal breaker, I would verify it.

Placing the responsibility on someone else is the epitome of laziness.

NMK (not verified)    November 3, 2024 - 6:38PM

None of this is a big deal. A spare tire is VERY easy to add. I too have a 2024 impreza RS and have added a spare tire. Wheels and tires are not vehicle specific. All you need os the right combination of rim\tire size, wheel hub size, withe the correct lug pattern and offset. Its not rocket science. Any tire shop will be able to help you. There are also aftermarket companies that sell everything as a kit, along with the wheel\tire combo, tire mount, hardware and new foam trunk well insert to get it all in there just like OEM. If something so incredibly simple is a deal breaker for somebody, they must live an incredibly easy, sheltered life. I sorted this out myself in about 10 minutes. Ordered some parts and did the install in another 10 minutes. A spare tire should not make you reconsider an entire car. That is insane to me.

Ted (not verified)    November 3, 2024 - 6:49PM

I had a 2020 Subaru Impreza and it did have a spare. I too think it's important. I actually did have a flat too. Ironically I've driven almost a million miles over 40 plus years and own 33 vehicles between my wife and I and I've only had to replace a tire on the road 3 times. I also had a 2019 VW that had no spare tire. I also think they're important and they should be included. VW charged and outrageous price to get the spirit as well. I find it mind boggling that it's not even offered as an option for Subaru.

Matt S (not verified)    November 3, 2024 - 7:15PM

Not to be rude...but during purchase, that is an item in fine print.
I hate people complaining about something that's listed in the car details. Easy to find online and in the fine print. If you're forking over thousands of dollars, take a minute to make sure what you're getting or not getting. Especially on a used car ad it could be something to negotiate into the deal (just like winter tires if relevant).
Sorry you didn't have it but not sorry as you should have done homework on a big purchase.
A lot of cars don't come with them unless you bargain for it. It's weight savings, aerodynamics, and protection or simply keeping costs down by not having a spare these days. Doesn't really matter. Not having a spare is becoming very common so sont let old thinking be part of a new purchase. So much has changed. Protect yourself. Good luck

Silentwolf (not verified)    November 3, 2024 - 7:41PM

Sorry but too many idiots driving that shouldn't be. This issue with the spare and awd in general is circumference of the wheel. That needs to be uniform across all wheels (also why reg rotation is more important on awd). Subaru is just being cheap and laywereez warning about using spares. Easiest is to just get another OEM wheel and put exact same tire on it as your other 4. DO NOT RELY ON OR USE DONUT SPARES!

David Michael Waun (not verified)    November 3, 2024 - 8:43PM

Most new cars don't have a full size spare. Few SUV's have them either. I've never considered the lack of a spare as a deal breaker. Besides, doesn't his new Impreza come with 3 years of road service?

Jck (not verified)    November 3, 2024 - 9:56PM

Although the sales should have reminded customers but If you believe it's an essential feature for you, you should have done your own research.

Jaime Baena (not verified)    November 3, 2024 - 10:14PM

I was disappointed by the Subaru Solterra 2023 that I took on November of last year. I had a terrible accident (total loss)and none of the safety features functioned. The only response I got to my claim is basically that I hit the carvin a way that none of sensors pick it up. The only communication from Subaru Canada was that they are not interested in starting an investigation of why this happened. That they only would proceed if the insurance company asks for further assistance from them ecpanding their investigation which the insurance doesn't want to do either. I have pictures and copy of the messages from Subaru Canada if you are interested. In the mean time I lost my car and a lotnof belongings.

Claude Rocheleau (not verified)    November 3, 2024 - 11:52PM

Yes I understand sales and dealerships that do not take responsibility to the customers, I ran into this when I purchase a brand new GMC Denali, factory must of known when they released it, dealer prep which they charge 700 dollars should of caught it, but all ignored, front door panels did not match, front seats were not the same stitching was off, I lost around $8,000 when the dealer eventually bought it back because did could not find the parts, so I don't trust too many dealerships any more, it's too bad big corporations like GM are so low they can't admit to their mistakes and make things right after owning 5 new trucks, I guess I left thet manufacturer for life.

James Harmon (not verified)    November 4, 2024 - 6:26AM

I bought a new 24 Crosstrek wilderness and they missed a few things as well like and it's the biggest for me . You cannot take your car in for service anywhere but a Subaru dealership. That is unless your desired mechanic is willing to fork out thousands of dollars for a freaking software kit. Meaning they could change your oil rotate your tires but that's it. Everything else goes through Subaru and their over inflated rates. Truly just sad.

JGinNJ (not verified)    November 4, 2024 - 7:06AM

It doesn't come with a replacement fan belt either. I have been driving for more than 70 years and where flats were regular in the first 30 they became rarer in the last 40. Open your eyes, someone on the side of the road changing a tire is a rare sight. People of university age have little experience with flat tires.

Brian (not verified)    November 4, 2024 - 8:05AM

Kia started this a bunch of years ago and it pissed off so many people. They started putting the spares back in the cars. I had to pay a hundred and fifty dollars for a spare And a jack.

kimestsu Jiro (not verified)    November 4, 2024 - 8:54AM

Bob must be uninformed because almost every car maker is going with runflats at luxury makes or these fix a flat kits to reduce cost for them. Besides majority of people do not know how to change wheels.

Sancho Panza (not verified)    November 4, 2024 - 9:41AM

Don't most states have a "buyer's remorse" window of 48-72 hours? I completely agree about not being happy about this new trend. My GF blew out the sidewalk on her Ford Edge ST. It has low-profile tires and when she went to get the spare she found a pump. Rims are also more fragile and if you have to drive on them with a flat you risk damaging them as well. As cars become ridiculously more expensive they are also less user-friendly. My dad could change the oil and the spark plugs in the back alley with nothing more than a wrench. Apparently, you have to put my 2013 Legacy on a lift to drop some serious engine bolts to do an oil change. Really!?!?! Insurance companies aren't helping anything with their astronomical increases of late either...

Dan Martin (not verified)    November 4, 2024 - 1:17PM

Another reason why the Subaru Crosstrek and the Subaru Impreza have a long list of differences. My experience was with a three-inch nail that went through the tread and the sidewall. There is no 'repair' for this situation even with a tire pump in the back. Luckily I noticed the psi differences before leaving that morning and could take a backup vehicle. The other lucky thing was that my Subaru only had about twelve thousand miles on it. The replacement tire was close enough to the tread depth differential that I installed the new tire on the rear position as if I had just performed a tire rotation. The same wheel has now been rotated several more times since then. I installed my temporary spare tire and drove the vehicle to the tire shop to have the finishing installation touches performed. The only thing I cannot do at home is balance the wheel properly. Any difference in tread depth over 2/32" to 3/32" would possibly force the replacement of all of the tires.

This is just one more reason to research everything before buying a new vehicle. My '21 Crosstrek Limited does not have Dual X Mode. I bring this up because the '21 was a transitional year where only the Sport had that feature. Many articles written include the Limited with Dual X Mode but that is not the case for the '21.

Gordon M Barcomb (not verified)    November 5, 2024 - 3:18AM

Wow that's a LOT of whining over not having a spare. Anything that's a deal breaker like that ought to be a buyer question. I wonder if there's even a small car made today with a spare. You either get one or recognize you have to have another plan. Besides just not having a spare, people regularly call a tow truck these days when they get a flat.

Mike (not verified)    November 5, 2024 - 7:04AM

There’s a simple solution; since the Impreza shares its platform with the Crosstrek, buy a temporary spare for a Crosstrek. Voila!