A viral TikTok calls buying a car through Costco a game changer, but everyone’s debating if it’s worth it
Published on Jan 19, 2026 at 9:04 AM (UTC+4)
by Molly Davidson
Last updated on Jan 19, 2026 at 9:04 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Molly Davidson
A TikTok about buying a car through Costco has taken off.
The video claims the process skips the most frustrating part of car shopping.
For people who hate dealerships, that’s an attention-grabber.
But once it started circulating, the comments turned argumentative.
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What the Costco Auto Program promises buyers
The video gaining traction comes from Vince Rives, a TikTok creator who says he bought his car through the Costco Auto Program and doesn’t plan on ever going back to regular dealerships.
His experience centers on how the price was handled.
According to Vince, the number was already set before he arrived.
The salesperson told him it wasn’t something they could negotiate, because it had been agreed through Costco’s program with participating dealers.
That immediately changed the dynamic.
There was no drawn-out discussion around price, and no attempt to reshape the deal as the conversation went on.
Vince also questioned how dealership pricing normally works.
In his view, many discounts are built on inflated starting points, followed by cuts that are meant to feel generous.
Compared to that, a Costco-arranged price felt more straightforward.
For him, the biggest upside wasn’t just the final number.
It was how the process felt.
He described it as quicker and far less stressful than past experiences, calling the Costco Auto Program a game changer for anyone who dreads buying a car.
@vincerives Costco auto program is a gamechanger @Costco Wholesale #rav4 #cars ♬ original sound – vincerives
Why others say it’s not that simple
Online though, the reaction wasn’t universally positive.
Another TikTok creator, car expert Tomislav Mikula, pushed back on the idea that Costco automatically makes car buying painless.
He argues that while Costco can lock in a price, the dealership still controls the rest of the deal.
That means Vince’s smooth experience isn’t guaranteed – it depends on how the dealer handles fees, extras, and trade-ins.
@tomislavmikula Is the Costco Auto Buying Program actually worth it? #costco #toyota #delivrd ♬ original sound – Delivrd
In Vince’s comments, some users claim major savings, especially during periods when car prices were high.
Others say the Costco deal was acceptable, but no better than what they could have achieved by negotiating themselves.
The disagreement comes down to what buyers actually want from the process.
Is this about getting the lowest possible price, or about making the process easier to live with?
The Costco Auto Program won’t work the same way for everyone.
But the response to this viral TikTok makes it clear that buyers aren’t necessarily chasing the perfect deal anymore.
They just want a car-buying experience that doesn’t feel exhausting.
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Molly Davidson is a Junior Content Writer at Supercar Blondie. Based in Melbourne, she holds a double Bachelor’s degree in Arts/Law from Swinburne University and a Master’s of Writing and Publishing from RMIT. Molly has contributed to a range of magazines and journals, developing a strong interest in lifestyle and car news content. When she’s not writing, she’s spending quality time with her rescue English staffy, Boof.
