Right, but if you take the old school RS's for instance. In 99 they changed the whole engine and drive line.

Think about this....How many subaru's go in there for parts? How many new subaru and parts are being made every year? They can't keep track of all this in their minds. They are human!

There are some non-enthusiast that go out and buy subaru's and infact don't know the year or model that they have.

Maybe their software is keeping track of this information. Of what parts are being bought for what subaru's. Have you ever used their software. Maybe they have a new procedure of doing things. That's why you never had to give the VIN number before.