Costco Used Purchasing Experience?

I am looking to buy my daughter either a new or certified used Subaru Crosstrek for college graduation.
i did a cursory search and found lots of chatter on TW about using Costco's Auto Pgm to purchase new but nothing about buying a Used vehicle thru same? Am most interested in Pgm pricing vs published Dealer price experiences on the used vehicle? I ask because as a Costco customer in general I have found them to sell a good product at a better than average price and I'm wondering if that has been other peoples experience when buying new or used autos? I understand how to value my trade/outright sale as well as the new purchase and I negotiate ok but Im hoping that the Costco discount (in general) will get one to a "reasonable deal" on whatever vehicle.

TIA
1987 Extended Cab 4cyl 5 speed truck (used)
1995 Extended Cab 4cyl 5 speed Tacoma (used)
2002 Toyota Tundra Extended V8 (used)
2018 Tacoma OR (new )

 

One thing you have to remember is that you're not buying from Costco. You're buying from a dealership that has a contract with Costco. Sure the price is already pre-bargained but often you can beat the Costco price if you negotiate well. You'll be limited to just that dealership's inventory if you want Costco pricing. Doesn't hurt to check it out, get a quote and take it somewhere else and see if they can beat/match it though.

Tried to buy my truck through the Costco auto program and one dealership never had availability and the other kept ghosting me or kept trying to get me to buy directly through them instead of through Costco.

 

I do understand that its not Costco's product and a there are a thousand other variables with buying a vehicle. Your input/experience is exactly what i was looking for (more info) before starting the process - thank you....

 

I used the Costco program to get a quote on our 4runner, then used that written quote to get it a little lower from another dealer (two hours away though). It's a great way to start your search at least.

 

Carmax and autolenders have ruined the used car market. With this no Haggle pricing bullshit. When I was in the market for a Taco I went to a ton of dealerships for a used one. Every time the price on the truck was a bout 2-3 grand higher than the price on the internet. A lot of the dealers I went to said that their lowest price is already listed online and they will not go below that number, and they will not haggle. And that number online was around the average KBB number. I walked out of every one when they said that. I ended up getting a deal on a new 2018 at the time. It was cheaper than buying a used truck

 

when I was buying my wife’s Jeep, I started with the Costco program. The specs we wanted, no dealer carried. They told me they could order it in and that would take 6 weeks or they could get one that was 99% a match from a dealer back east. So at least around me, and for Jeep, it certainly wasn’t limited to their stock on-hand.

 

Dealerships pay Costco about $3k a month to be a preferred dealer.I tried several zip codes on there sight for different dealers.The local dealer matched the price.

 

I have no idea on Used prices...however, I can let you know on our 2019 Taco....

USAA...had a high price
Boeing...had a high price
NFCU...wasn't close
Face to face....for me was actually not worth the hassle as we went between 4 dealerships and no budging on price aside from "floor mats"....LOL


The best deal we got was actually through Costco...and some negotiation was available.

After the negotiations over the phone we got some "stuff" tossed in and I was in and out of the dealer in 45 min!

That was on our new Taco....so used I don't know.

Try asking each "buying service" and go in with what you would like to pay.

 

I tried buying 2020 Tacoma from Sam's club. They claimed savings of thousands of dollars from a local dealer. I received the quote and the price they quoted was more than what that dealer was selling it for on the internet.

 

I personally hate the haggle of buying a new or used car. It really takes all the joy out of a purchase for me. I always walk out wondering if it really was the “best” deal without ever being sure.

When I bought my current truck on December 28, 2019 - it is a 2019 as well, I went in there armed with the best pre-determined price my company perk offered. Before I had even a chance to pull that “best price” out of my pocket, the dealer was offering me a price that was even better than the one I had. I don’t know, maybe because it was the end of December and they were trying to move their 2019 stock, but I end up getting it at seven grand plus under sticker price. Again I tried to haggle it for a better price but they won’t budge off of that original offer. So I have to ask, was it really be “best” price possible?

 

Here is what I feel.

If anyone purchases anything we all want the "best deal".

I think that if you walk away from a purchase feeling Good about it then, personally, I could give a "rats ass" if someone got a "better" deal.

The "best" price is irrelevant to me.

I know I was happy with our purchase after doing a ton of research and hell, if someone got a "cheaper" deal so be it. I was VERY happy with our price and still love my truck!