Purchasing a new car can often feel like navigating a maze, filled with confusing prices and stressful negotiations. The AAA Car Buying Program aims to simplify this process, offering a more transparent and potentially cost-saving route for its members. But how does this program actually work? Let’s break down the key components to understand how AAA members can leverage this service when buying their next vehicle.
At the heart of the AAA Car Buying Program is the concept of pre-arranged pricing. Participating franchised new car dealers agree to set prices for vehicles for AAA members. This means that as a member, you gain access to an “Estimated AAA Member Price.” It’s important to understand what this price represents. For vehicles already in the dealer’s stock, the “Estimated AAA Member Price” is calculated based on these pre-negotiated agreements. If you are considering configuring a vehicle online to your exact specifications, the “Estimated AAA Member Price” serves as an estimate based on the dealer’s base price for the selected year, make, model, and trim, excluding any optional features you might add.
It’s crucial to note that the “Estimated AAA Member Price” is not the final price you’ll pay. This estimate typically does not include government fees and taxes, finance charges, dealer documentation fees, or emission testing costs. Furthermore, the actual price can fluctuate based on several factors. These include optional equipment you choose, dealer-installed accessories, premium paint colors, and any available rebates or incentives for which you might qualify. Advertising costs and other dealer fees can also influence the final price. Additionally, while you might configure a vehicle online, the recommended dealer might not have that exact configuration in their current inventory. Therefore, it’s always recommended to visit the dealership to confirm vehicle availability and to get the final, precise AAA Member Price.
Another significant aspect of the AAA Car Buying Program is the “Estimated Savings off MSRP.” MSRP stands for Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price, which is essentially the sticker price suggested by the car manufacturer. The program highlights the potential savings you could achieve by showing the difference between the MSRP and the “Estimated AAA Member Price.” For in-stock vehicles, this “Estimated Savings off MSRP” figure represents the estimated amount you could save compared to the MSRP. For virtually configured vehicles, the savings estimate is based on a comparison to the MSRP of a similar in-stock vehicle at your chosen trim level. Remember that the MSRP itself includes destination charges but excludes optional equipment, premium colors, regional fees, rebates, incentives, and title, taxes, license, or other fees.
To utilize the AAA Car Buying Program, keep in mind a few essential points. Firstly, the program is exclusively for AAA members. You’ll typically need to generate a AAA Member Vehicle Certificate, which will display the “Estimated AAA Member Price” and the “Estimated Savings off MSRP” for your chosen vehicle. This certificate is your key to unlocking the pre-arranged pricing at participating dealers. It’s important to remember that there is no obligation to purchase a vehicle even after consulting with a recommended dealer through the program. AAA regularly renegotiates these pre-arranged prices, but they are always subject to change. The program is generally available for most makes and models, but certain limited supply or special edition vehicles might be excluded. It’s always best to confirm the specifics and any potential restrictions directly with the participating dealer to ensure a smooth and informed car buying experience through the AAA Car Buying Program.
