Quote:So I am considering getting a car using one of the car buying programs. I am a costco member, so I am trying theirs, plus I am getting some leads from edmunds and truecar. What has been peoples experience with these programs? Any recommendations? It seems like they are more of a way to generate leads for companies, but I want to see what people think and what your experience has been.

To answer your question stay away from these programs. Find a certified pre owned vehicle coming off lease or find a car from Enterprise or Hertz car sales. Former rental cars have been maintained meticulously and you can usually find great deals there. If you do decide to go to a dealership then get your financing up front at your local credit union as it's much easier to negotiate with "the devil" with a pre-approved check in your back pocket. To find the best deal at a dealership you may have to travel a few miles out of town but it's usually worth it. For whatever reason cars seem to be somewhat cheaper down south.

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