Anyone use the Costco auto program?

[JTsyo]

Looking to buy a 2013 Fusion hybrid. I figure since the car is new, dealers won't provide much incentive. Something like the Costco program seems like the best bet. I've already visited on dealer and they came in $1K below the ford.com price. I've contacted the Costco associated dealer via the Costco site but think I'll need to call to get the price.

 

[RKS]

I looked at it and also the AMEX/ZAG/USAA/ZAG, I believe they are all the same and very helpful especially if you don't want to negotiate. I actually knew the GM at the dealership and barely got a deal much better than AMEX.

 

[NutBucket]

I would look into it but I wouldn't assume its the best price I could get.

 

[JTsyo]

I looked at it and also the AMEX/ZAG/USAA/ZAG, I believe they are all the same and very helpful especially if you don't want to negotiate. I actually knew the GM at the dealership and barely got a deal much better than AMEX.

AmEX doesn't seem to have the 2013 Fusion yet.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Yes, I have. I wrote a check for the costco amount and all the sudden the dealer I was working with wanted 'shipping fees' and other bogus/BS which added up to almost $5k; 10% the cost of the vehicle. All of it violated their agreements with costco but there was little I could do other than walk from the deal.

I cancelled the check and wrote a complaint to costco, it's the only time that company (costco) has ever disappointed me.

 

[Pantoot]

Yes, I have. I wrote a check for the costco amount and all the sudden the dealer I was working with wanted 'shipping fees' and other bogus/BS which added up to almost $5k; 10% the cost of the vehicle. All of it violated their agreements with costco but there was little I could do other than walk from the deal.

I cancelled the check and wrote a complaint to costco, it's the only time that company (costco) has ever disappointed me.

To be fair, if everything the dealership did was in violation of their agreements with costco, how could you feel that it was costco that let you down?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

To be fair, if everything the dealership did was in violation of their agreements with costco, how could you feel that it was costco that let you down?

It's just a messed up program ripe for failure. Trust me, I LOVE costco.. Almost everything in my home comes from there.. I've used their vacation services, carpet, etc.. I'm about the biggest costco fanboy out there, but they are the ones running the program and they should be enforcing it.

 

[JTsyo]

The Costco link dealership is 1 hr away and they won't give a price over the phone. Guess I should head over and get the price but they don't even have a Fusion yet, don't want to make multiple trips.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

The Costco link dealership is 1 hr away and they won't give a price over the phone. Guess I should head over and get the price but they don't even have a Fusion yet, don't want to make multiple trips.

Ask to speak to the internet sales manager, they tend to know more about these sorts of deals.

FWIW, when I did this costco.com provided me with a printout that had the 'costco price', I wouldn't trust the dealer to just give you the correct price.

 

[JTsyo]

Ask to speak to the internet sales manager, they tend to know more about these sorts of deals.

FWIW, when I did this costco.com provided me with a printout that had the 'costco price', I wouldn't trust the dealer to just give you the correct price.

I'm dealing with the internet manager but the Costco site didn't ask for model of the car or anything. Just the Brand. The e-mail I have seems to indicate that the dealer will give me the Costco price sheet.

 

[CrackRabbit]

I tried using the Costco program once, ended up at a very sleazy Hyundai dealership.
Very pushy bunch of bastards, after dealing with their shenanigans for an hour I demanded to see a price.
Ended up being $500 less than MSRP, I got rather angry with the sales manager and left.

 

[Zap]

I had reasonable luck with using my AAA membership buying program for my wife's 2011 WRX. Dealer told us whatever we wanted would be dealer invoice plus X amount (something like +$500 or so, forget exact amount). IIRC we saved several thousand over MSRP.

Of course much later the dealer's service department jacks with us by selling my wife (who doesn't know better) a "fuel injector flush" on a 1½ year old car.

 

[anderbd]

Hard to beat Costco, my parents buy all their cars from them. Less dickering with the salespeople too!

 

[JTsyo]

I had reasonable luck with using my AAA membership buying program for my wife's 2011 WRX. Dealer told us whatever we wanted would be dealer invoice plus X amount (something like +$500 or so, forget exact amount). IIRC we saved several thousand over MSRP.

Of course much later the dealer's service department jacks with us by selling my wife (who doesn't know better) a "fuel injector flush" on a 1½ year old car.

As of my last talk with them, the price would be $300 below invoice but not sure what else they would tack on to that. I'll be sure to get a final price before signing anything or giving a deposit.

What kind of interest rates are around for financing now for excellent credit? The the local CU offer 2%.

 

[NutBucket]

I got 1.9% for 60 months from Chase a couple months back. That's about as good as it gets for non-promotional financing I believe.

 

[drbrock]

my parents used it to buy their Honda CRV. Great process! Price was very cheap compared to other programs. Will use for future car purchase. They maybe could have saved 250 more than what costco was offering. For 250 bucks it is not worth the hassle of going back and forth and wasting a day or two at the dealership.

 

[exar333]

The Costco price can be pretty good if your in a market where dealers don't want to budge at all on some popular model cars that sell very well at full MSRP.

I have had more success negotiating better prices every time vs. Costco, but that's been my fortune. Some people don't like the haggle process though.

 

[JTsyo]

Visited the dealership this weekend. They offered the car at $300 below invoice with the Costco deal. Sounds like a win :thumbsup: $2500 below MSRP.

 

[hans007]

Amex car buying service I think gets better prices. Check that out if you haven't

 

[JTsyo]

they don't have the 2013 Fusions on there yet.

 

[JTsyo]

The local dealer matched the Costco price. Placed the order. Should see the car in 8-10 weeks. Now to see if I can sell my car within that time or just trade it in. I have a 2001 Alero coupe. Bluebook value is about $2.5K.

 

[mvbighead]

The local dealer matched the Costco price. Placed the order. Should see the car in 8-10 weeks. Now to see if I can sell my car within that time or just trade it in. I have a 2001 Alero coupe. Bluebook value is about $2.5K, I'll be happy with $1700.

From what I've heard, that shouldn't be hard to get. Generally speaking, cars in that price range go fairly quickly as it's all some people can afford. Check out Truecar.com to get some ideas on what it should go for, and put it out there.

 

[JTsyo]

From what I've heard, that shouldn't be hard to get. Generally speaking, cars in that price range go fairly quickly as it's all some people can afford. Check out Truecar.com to get some ideas on what it should go for, and put it out there.

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[Raizinman]

I purchased my 2012 Honda through Costco. There are probably 6 Honda dealers here and only one was involved with Costco. The experience was good except the finance manager tried his best to sell me paint sealer, interior protective, and other add ons. Obviously I refused all that crap. Overall, I am very happy with the price, which is all I cared about.

 

[mvbighead]

No go.

You get that trying to hit truecar.com?

Meh, try autotrader or something similar. Just check around and see what others are asking. In my area, it seems the closest thing listed to yours is a 2000 Sedan and the lowest asked price is 2995. That being the case, I would not at all be surprised if you could find a taker at $2500.