Costco/usaa/etc car buying services

[team moneyball]

Hey guys,

Wanted to see if anyone has gone through a membership service like USAA or Costco to get dealer quotes. They advertise as no haggle, low price services which keeps things easy. A co-worker said he got a good deal, though he admits not the best deal possible, through costco and it was painless.

Just wanted to see if people think this is the best place to go or if its better to just work through email and get dealers to bid against each other?

[FemGearHead]

I went through an auto broker when I was looking for my car. It was done through the credit union. I called him, told him what I was looking for, max price, and 2 hours later he called me to let me know he found it. Got a great deal too.

Best way to go.

[team moneyball]

Thanks for the quick reply. A couple of questions

Even though they said its a no-haggle deal, did you try and get them to change the price at all?

And what do you think you saved compared to most other people? I'm comparing some quotes I've received and they seem about average to what people have gotten on this forum.

[FemGearHead]

I paid under invoice for mine. I knew already what the prices were for the options on the car I ordered.

[garlandk]

I bought my 09 MZ3 in January through Costco. The Costco price for a MZ3 was the same as invoice, and a MS3 was $500 above invoice. Mazda was also giving a $500 rebate at the time. The dealer that Costco sent me to didn't have the exact car I wanted, but was able to find one locally. My final purchase price was about $750 below invoice, and 1.9% financing for 48 months.

[youngun]

I have not purchased a car through Costco or USAA. However I can attest for the quality of service I have always received from USAA. I do all my banking, insurance, CC's you name it I do through USAA. I have for years and love them. I was un aware they did that. Honestly I would use USAA if they are an option.

[Garfield3d]

I was under the impression that the car buying service from USAA, and perhaps from some of the other car buying services, was primarily through Zag?

--Garfield3d

[Grazamataz]

i will also speak for USAA, i have many accounts with them and i have played with the car-buying service a couple times and it came up with good prices. definitely worth a look, and USAA won't screw with you either. great customer service.

[alpha732]

getting below invoice an any car right now is cake

[vtrin]

the car buying service (at least via the credit union) is they call up the dealer manager, who already has a set price. Then you see the manager to fill out the papers. I actually told our advisor to find the car for the price I wanted. The dealership after some haggling, offered more on my tradein than I was originally offered. HOWEVER, I ended up getting a used car from elsewhere.

You can haggle a bit..