Even with port access, I highly doubt you would be able to go to the port and pick your car up personally (although that would be great if you could).
As for the VIP program, I am not sure which one you mean exactly but I am assuming it is subaru's VIP program which is nothing special really and more expensive than my deal. I think VIP actually excludes STi/WRX but I'm not sure they may have changed it.
Down payment of 20% would be great to get around a light credit situation, but like most credit related questions, the answer really is "it depends". Certainly the more you put down the better.
As far as shippers go, I have to admit they typically are super annoying from my end. Here is how it goes usually (Yes there are good shippers out there too, but like good car salesmen they're hard to find):
MR CUSTOMER: "Ok Clayton we're all set! I just got off the phone with the shipper, they will be there at 2pm on Thursday"
ME: "Ok Mr Customer, sounds good, I will have everything ready for then"
10 minutes later
Shipping Co: " Hi Carlton, were calling about Mr. Customers shipment, we will be there some time in the morning, either Tuesday or Wednesday"
ME: But I just got off the phone with the customer and he said 2pm Tuesday!? Do you know what time they would be coming on Tuesday or Wednesday?"
Shipping Co: "Hmm ok I'm not sure about that. I'm not the driver, but I will have the driver call you"
Me: Ok
A few days go by, the driver never calls. I call the shipping company again, they promise the driver will call. Sometimes he does, mostly he doesn't.
Its Monday now, I'm in the middle of writing a deal up and trying to handle another couple as the dealership is busy. All of a sudden a huge truck pulls up and parks illegally on the side of rt 17, effectively blocking the entrance to the dealership. A guy with a clipboard hops out and walks in.
Driver: "Hey is Carlton here?"
Receptionist: "Clayton? Yes he is with customers right now"
Driver: " Well I don't have time to waste here how long is he going to be?'
Receptionist: " I don't know, as soon as he is done I will let you know"
So I see this gruff truck driver staring at me while I am trying to do my thing, he is obviously annoyed at the lack of attention he is getting from me. I tell my customers I'll be back in a minute
Me: "Hi Mr. truck driver can I help you?"
Driver: " Yeah, I'm here to pick the STi up from Mr. Customer."
Me: "Ok well nobody called and you're a day early, the car is not ready to go, it's at our other storage lot"
Driver: "@%#% THIS IS RIDICULOUS, I HAVE TO BE IN MARYLAND IN 6 HOURS WITH THIS BUGATTI RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!!!!"
Me: "Well next time, call, make an appointment to pick up the car and I'll have it ready to go as soon as you come, at this point you are yelling in the showroom, interrupting 2 sales, and blocking the entrance to my dealership for 20 minutes. Plus the car is at a completely different location!" (at this point I'm sure I am coming off as an ******* too as I am obviously annoyed.)
Driver: Storms out mumbling curse words. Has to come back tomorrow, or in a few days later or whatever. Usually still doesn't call ahead, or shows up early or late, and a lot of times has to wait another 20 minutes while I have to rush to get the car.
So maybe your company is different but like 50% of the time this is exactly what happens with shipping companies, so that is why you're getting the cold shoulder from a lot of dealers. With that said, the good shippers who are organized and have good communication will have zero problems here.