Costco's Auto Program: Can Membership Pricing Really Save You Money on a Car?

Costco's Auto Program can simplify the car-buying process with prearranged pricing and member perks. Here's what to know before you use it. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more delivered daily. Smart money moves start here.Get practical help to make better financial decisions in your everyday life, from spending to savings on top deals.Get today's biggest financial and investing headlines delivered to your inbox every day the U.S. stock market is open.Financial pros across the country share best practices and fresh tactics to preserve and grow your wealth.Trim your federal and state tax bills with practical tax-planning and tax-cutting strategies.Your twice-a-week guide to planning and enjoying a financially secure and richly rewarding retirementInsights for advisers, wealth managers and other financial professionals.Your twice-a-week roundup of promising stocks, funds, companies and industries you should consider, ones you should avoid, and why.Your step-by-step six-part series on how to invest for retirement, from devising a successful strategy to exactly which investments to choose. Buying a new vehicle is a major investment, and the cost of new vehicles has soared in recent years. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price of a new car reached a record $50,326 in December 2025, making any potential savings on a vehicle purchase even more valuable.Costco may be known for offering great deals on groceries, appliances and other items, but the Costco Auto Program could help you save on a new or pre-owned vehicle purchase or lease. While the program provides a more streamlined buying experience, it doesn't always guarantee the lowest possible price.The program offers several additional perks for members, from discounts on parts and service to discounts on RVs. Taking a closer look at how the program works and what these benefits include can help you decide whether it's a good fit for your next vehicle purchase.Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special IssuesProfit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.Costco doesn't sell vehicles directly. Instead, it connects members with a network of participating dealerships that offer prearranged pricing.

The Costco Auto Program, which has been around since 1989, is free to use with an active Costco membership.Through the program, members can shop for new vehicles, electric vehicles and certified pre-owned models, all with pricing negotiated in advance through participating dealers.Once you decide to use the program, the process is fairly straightforward:Costco vets and trains participating dealerships, with a focus on customer service, to help ensure a more consistent and lower-pressure buying experience. However, Costco doesn't sell vehicles or negotiate individual transactions. You'll complete the purchase directly with the dealership.Pricing is negotiated in advance between Costco and participating dealers, but it isn’t displayed online. Instead, you'll need to visit or connect with the dealer to receive your prearranged Costco member price and decide whether to move forward with the purchase.Dealerships pay a fee to participate in the program, which helps support and maintain the service.The amount you can save through the Costco Auto Program varies based on the vehicle model, demand and your location. Some estimates suggest average savings of around $1,000 on a new vehicle purchase, though actual discounts can be higher or lower depending on market conditions.In some cases, limited-time manufacturer incentives can increase your savings when combined with Costco’s prearranged pricing. For example, the current promotion offers eligible Costco members up to $1,250 on a new Chevrolet Traverse for Executive Members ($1,000 for non-Executive Members), plus any additional incentives they qualified for.These types of promotions can increase the overall value of the program, especially if you're flexible on timing your purchase.Costco Auto Program Chevrolet Limited‑Time SpecialEligible Costco members who purchase or lease a new Chevrolet Traverse can receive:$1,250 incentive for Executive Members or $1,000 incentive for Non-Executive Members.Plus, all available incentives for which the member qualifies. See details.

The Costco Auto Program also includes perks beyond vehicle pricing that can add ongoing value. Member-only incentives and limited-time promotions can be stacked on top of the prearranged Costco price, potentially increasing your total savings at the time of purchase or lease.In addition, members receive 15% off parts, service and accessories at participating service centers. Savings are capped at $500 per visit, but these discounts can help reduce maintenance and ownership costs over time, especially for routine services or larger repairs.Here are a few reasons to consider using the Costco Auto Program:While there's a lot to like about the Costco Auto Program, it does come with some drawbacks:StackSocial Costco Gold Star Membership Deal Stack Social is offering a Gold Star Membership + $20 Digital Shop Card for the price of a $65 Gold Star membership.It is also offering an Executive Gold Star Membership + $40 Shop Card for the price of a $130 Executive Gold Star membership. Memberships auto-renew each year until you cancel.The Costco Auto Program tends to work best for buyers who value simplicity and a more predictable experience. If you dislike negotiating, the prearranged pricing can take much of the stress out of the process.First-time car buyers may also appreciate the straightforward, guided approach, while busy shoppers can benefit from being able to start the process online and complete a more streamlined transaction at the dealership.The program can be especially useful for high-demand vehicles, where discounts below MSRP are harder to find. In those cases, even a modest prearranged discount or added incentive can provide value.That said, the program may not be the best fit for every buyer. If your top priority is getting the lowest possible price and you are willing to visit multiple dealerships, negotiate or use competing offers as leverage, you may be able to find a better deal on your own. You can get the most value from the Costco Auto Program if you're willing to do a little extra research:The Costco Auto Program offers convenience and predictable pricing, but it doesn’t guarantee the lowest possible deal in every situation. If you're in the market for a new car, consider how much you value a simpler buying experience versus the potential savings of negotiating on your own.It can be worth comparing the Costco price with quotes from other dealerships, as well as factoring in available incentives and your willingness to negotiate. Weighing these trade-offs can help you decide whether the program is the right fit for your budget and buying style.Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.Paige Cerulli is a freelance journalist and content writer with more than 15 years of experience. She specializes in personal finance, health, and commerce content. Paige majored in English and music performance at Westfield State University and has received numerous awards for her creative nonfiction. Her work has appeared in The U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, GOBankingRates, Top Ten Reviews, TIME Stamped Shopping and more. In her spare time, Paige enjoys horseback riding, photography and playing the flute. Connect with her on LinkedIn. With mortgage rates still elevated, taking over a seller’s existing home loan could lower monthly payments — if the numbers work. When your heart says "yes" but your wallet says "no," there is still a way forward. Here's what financial pros say. Becoming "work optional" is about control — of your time, your choices and your future. This seven-step guide from a financial planner can help you get there. A simple shift in how you plan meals could help you spend and waste less. Once seen as a budget alternative, prepaid wireless is attracting new attention as networks improve and shoppers look for flexible, lower-cost options. Expect to pay more for flowers and chocolates this year or find creative alternatives to save on Valentine's Day without looking cheap. Hosting a Super Bowl party in 2026 could cost you. Here's a breakdown of food, drink and entertainment costs — plus ways to save. Want to get your finances in shape this year? Start by cutting out these sneaky sources of waste in your budget. Verizon’s aggressive pricing makes Samsung’s top-tier phone tempting, but the real cost depends on your plan and how long you stay. T-Mobile's prepaid lineup promises MLB.TV, T-Mobile Tuesdays and hotspot data. But do the perks make it worth switching? Scrambling to cross those last few names off your list? Here are 23 last-minute gifts that you can still get in time for Christmas.