USAA car buying service

[Bull City]

Has anyone used this? If so, what did you think about it?

[LarryHoward]

Has anyone used this? If so, what did you think about it?

I used it about 10 years ago for pricing and then the local dealer matched it (while grumbling that I was stealing from him). Really agressive pricing back then but with Trucar and other sources today, I wonder how their prices compare.

[Cherie320]

For a used deal, we have had friends who got a good deal from the guy who regularly purchases dealer auctioned cars and passes the savings. The next level is a CPO with a long term extended warranty, which can be better value than new. For a new car, the dealers that offer internet quotes get you no hassle and a reasonable deal. For the hard core, last $50 kind of negotiation, you have to get face to face with several competitive dealers. Really believe the old advice that said.....find what you want on a dealer lot, offer what you will pay, and wait. You do have to put in the homework. Truecar includes some costs that are not in the Edmunds and Bluebook info. Good luck. Pat

[Bull City]

For a used deal, we have had friends who got a good deal from the guy who regularly purchases dealer auctioned cars and passes the savings. The next level is a CPO with a long term extended warranty, which can be better value than new. For a new car, the dealers that offer internet quotes get you no hassle and a reasonable deal. For the hard core, last $50 kind of negotiation, you have to get face to face with several competitive dealers. Really believe the old advice that said.....find what you want on a dealer lot, offer what you will pay, and wait. You do have to put in the homework. Truecar includes some costs that are not in the Edmunds and Bluebook info. Good luck. Pat

Thanks, Pat. Good advice.

I really dislike dealing with the "sales team" at dealerships. It takes up so much time, and is filled with such a lot of flim-flam, and psychological dueling. I've been with USAA since 1970 and have always been very happy with them; hence my interest in this service.

[Orestes Munn]

I used a price matching service when I bought my last vehicle, in 2004. Saved some shoe leather and bullshit, but I think I could have gotten the same price with some handling. Useless when wife bought an infamous Jetta TDI in 2008: No one was dealing. All I was able to do was fight off the dealer extras. She's going to get another one with the buy-back.

[Bull City]

I used a price matching service when I bought my last vehicle, in 2004. Saved some shoe leather and bullshit, but I think I could have gotten the same price with some handling. Useless when wife bought an infamous Jetta TDI in 2008: No one was dealing. All I was able to do was fight off the dealer extras. She's going to get another one with the buy-back.

I had a 2007 Passat wagon. I loved everything about it, except the post-warranty check engine light/repair experience. It was one emission/fuel evaporation/flux capacitor item after another. My mechanic even mentioned it to me. After 106,000 miles, I traded it for an Outback. It was my fourth VW, and my last. The Subaru (knock wood) just ticked over 100,000 and has had no repair needs. My oldest son bought a very plain vanilla gasoline Jetta wagon 37,000 miles ago; the check engine light just came on, to advise him of an upcoming $400 repair.