Tell me about the Costco Auto Program

[Anonymous]

Were you happy with your experience? Benefits of using it? Regrets? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

If it’s the pricing one, I used it a few years ago. I had to go into the approved dealer for the price quote tho. Once I had it, I emailed other dealers with the OTD price and asked if anyone could beat it. No one could. This was about 13 years ago though.

[Anonymous]

I tried it last year for a Honda. I live in Alexandria, and they picked a dealer in Columbia, MD. I work full time and have a toddler, so I wasn’t going to drive all the way up there. I got what I understood to be a very good deal by calling around three or four dealerships closer to me and playing them off each other.

[Anonymous]

All the pre-price services like TrueCar and the Costco buying service will get you small discounts, but almost certainly not the best deal you can get. There's a reason dealers participate in those programs, and it's because it's beneficial to them.

To me, the best approach is to figure out the car and model you want, then contact 5-10 dealerships from a new email account. Ask for their out the door price for exactly what you want. Several will ask you to come in for a quote but you can ignore them for the ones who respond. It's only slightly more effort than a buying service and will probably save you at least $1000 right from jump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the pre-price services like TrueCar and the Costco buying service will get you small discounts, but almost certainly not the best deal you can get. There's a reason dealers participate in those programs, and it's because it's beneficial to them.

To me, the best approach is to figure out the car and model you want, then contact 5-10 dealerships from a new email account. Ask for their out the door price for exactly what you want. Several will ask you to come in for a quote but you can ignore them for the ones who respond. It's only slightly more effort than a buying service and will probably save you at least $1000 right from jump.

Completely agree. Give me a couple of hours negotiating and I can beat Costco’s price any day. Well worth the investment in time. These Costco set prices are for people that are intimidated by salesman.

[Anonymous]

Our insurance company, USAA, has a similar program. When it was time to buy a minivan, I did all the research I could, and figured out what I was planning/willing to pay. Then I called USAA, and they were actually able to beat the price I was willing to pay by $2,000. Went with them, and never lookd back. This was the 4th car I've bought, and by far the easiest. I will do the same for my next car (whenever that is).

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure that these confident posters can really beat the Costco price. It's not Carmax. About 7 years ago (so things may have changed), I was living in PA. The closest participating Costco dealer was about 2 hours away -- a pain for me. But my local dealer wouldn't match the price! So I drove the distance to get my new car.

My extended family has bought 3 cars through Costco (in 3 states). Excellent experiences all times -- super easy and great price. You can pick the color and any special features you want, and the dealer will order the car you choose, at the same price. The biggest hassle is that there may or may not be a participating dealer near you.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Is it the same price if you're paying in cash or financing?

[Anonymous]

We got an awesome price using the Costco program.

[Anonymous]

Never discuss financing with a dealer until AFTER you agree on the price. Then you can talk financing. And, you can usually beat the dealers financing through your local credit union. But, yes, the price of the car is the price of the car, no matter how it will be paid for.

Check all options first, so that when the dealers eyes light up to hear you will be financing, you know what your options are, and if you can do better than what they are offering.

[Anonymous]

Willing to buy a car out of town or out of state can also get you better deals. I bought my last car from a dealer in Wilmington; and have the car delivered to my home.

[Anonymous]

Costco deals with the fleet department and will custom order your car, if needed. No salesperson middle man = 1 less person’s commission. Plus you should probably get most rebates and dealer incentives on top of this.

You can likely get the price beat, but not the norm unless you have an “in” at that specific dealer – like buying the specific in stock car car when they are trying to get rid of, using one of thei employee discounts, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Willing to buy a car out of town or out of state can also get you better deals. I bought my last car from a dealer in Wilmington; and have the car delivered to my home.

Same PP ^^^^

USAA Has similar programs. Also most large companies that buy cars for their executives have similar programs.