COSTCO Auto Program

Aren’t there any COSTCO members on the board here? Since I joined the forum here, I haven’t seen any mention of anyone buying their 4Runner through the COSTCO auto discount program.

I’m just wondering if I should obtain a COSTCO membership before getting heavily involved with any of the dealers.

I want to get my ball rolling here on ordering my 4Runner. Mine won’t be too radical. I’m just going to be shooting for an SR5 Premium.

Does COSTCO allow the ordering of a vehicle, or do they limit you to just picking something out of dealer current stock?

 

Can I factory-order my car?


In most cases, yes. The dealer will explain the process to you when you select a vehicle. Please note that manufacturers' processes vary. Regardless of the brand, you typically are entitled to any rebate or special rate financing that is available on the day of delivery. If the manufacturer changes the offer between the dates of order and delivery you receive what is available the day of delivery.

https://www.costcoauto.com/faq.aspx

 

Since Covid most if not all dealers stopped doing Costco program especially for the 4Runner. There are months long waits if not hears longs wait even now especially for trd models so dealers have zero incentive and they need to make money since they can no longer sell in bulk whether intentional or not

 

We attempted to order my wife's 22 Limited at Costco and at the same time turned in an order to a dealer we've worked with before. Costco, kept pushing the delivery date back again and again and ultimately never produced the vehicle. The dealership got it first. It took 4 months to get the 4R 4WD in with the equipment and colors we spec'd. No disrespect to Costco, they tried and were great about staying in touch. They simply could not produce a 4R 4WD Limited in our color and interior combo before the dealership did. We paid MSRP for the 22 4R Limited with no additional mark-up.

 

Welcome. Where are you located or trying to buy a 4Runner?

Most dealers are not participating through the Costco Auto Program for the 4Runner.

 

I checked a month or so ago in upstate South Carolina. I contacted the preferred dealer and they offered MSRP with no ADM. That was the same deal I had seen outside the Costco program, so there appears to be no advantage currently in this area. Hopefully you'll have better luck.

 

I am just outside the Austin, Texas area, in what is called the Texas hill country.

 

PM'd you if you are willing to travel for your 4Runner.

 

Back in 2020 I tried to go through the Costco auto program for a 2021 TRD ORP. Not 1 dealer in my entire state of NJ would participate for that model. Had 1 dealer in NY respond only to find out they never had the one I wanted in stock. They were trying to push a Limited on me which I did not want.

 

Am guessing throwing Costco into the midst for a hard to find T4R doesn't cut it for dealerships.
No incentive to participate except its for vehicles like GX460 (hard to sell)

 

I'm thinking the same as most. No real incentive for stealerships to keep the Costco relationship in today's market. But IMHO it'll come back to bite them in the ass when things level out again. We as consumers will remember the crap they have been pulling.

 

Well alrighty then. It doesn’t appear that it would be worth obtaining a COSTCO membership.

……not for the express purpose of getting a fantastic discount on a vehicle anyway.

Thanks everyone for your inputs.