The entire bullshit process begins when you try to get a price that doesn't have thousands of extra dollars in for the dealership.
Simply visit the dealer, get through exactly the model you want, be reasonably interested (but not too much in love), ask for a quote, leave some contact details and leave.
Never answer and come back in about a month with a cheque when they've bidded themselves 20% down without you even saying a word.
I guess you could just multiply by X dealers and use the same "time is on my side" approach.
However, especially as you get to luxury brands and buyers aren't trying to get to minimal prices, I expect the "dealer experience" gets better.
This was "Here's the price excluding title transfer including delivery"
1. Call the dealer and ask for the internet sales manager.
2. Tell the manager exactly what you want (many people are not able to do this accurately and consistently).
3. Ask for the out-the-door price.
4. Repeat for any number of dealers that you are willing to drive to.
5. Buy from the dealer you choose.
I usually get several quotes within $100 or so of each other. At that point, I just pick the place with a low price and in a location that I prefer to pick up my car.
Buying a car and medical billing are the sleaziest businesses I have ever dealt with.
Turns out almost all Subaru dealerships in SW WA are owned by the same owner under different names so they just coordinate to not deal unless they know they're actually competing for a sale.