Demo car w/ 1000 miles... Bad Idea?

Justin · 05-15-2008, 11:19 PM

Hey guys/girls,

This is an extension to my previous post from today... (not happy).

The GM offered me $1500 off the demo car which has 1000 miles on it. What do you think? Good deal? Bad Idea? Obviously it probably wasn't broken in as well as I would have preferred. Still, do I take the deal and drive off the lot tomorrow or ditch the deal, pay more, and wait 2-3 months for an order.

jtsherri · 05-15-2008, 11:33 PM

I can tell you for a fact that you can get that same $1500.00 elsewhere for a brand new car.

Also, knowing how I personally drove the demo car, I would recommend offering $500 over invoice and standing firm... I'm not the type of guy that'll blatantly BEAT a car (well, unless it's a rental...); however, I had fun with it and it's safe to assume that at least one of the people that drove that car did.

ScottyGams · 05-15-2008, 11:35 PM

look for 500 over invoice and take the car... never down from MSRP

Bizall · 05-15-2008, 11:39 PM

Some people value a "new" car more than others. It's up to if you want to wait 2-3 months for a car that is EXACTLY what you want and brand new. You will know exactly how it was treated from birth. If you were to take the deal, I'd try to get more money off though. I personally, would never trade the wait/excitement on ordering a brand new car. Checking online for each next step and everything else along the journey. Thankfully, it's coming to and end by the end of the month. Good luck.

BullishMB · 05-15-2008, 11:47 PM

I would be looking to pay under invoice.

ItalianButter · 05-16-2008, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullishMB

I would be looking to pay under invoice.

Agreed ...

...the demo cars get driven hard...
_______________________

(couldn't resist)

$500-$1000 over invoice has been done. Get yourself a new brand new one! :thumbup:

InsaneSkippy · 05-16-2008, 12:23 AM

Holy lopsided poll, Batman!

Pike · 05-16-2008, 12:33 AM

My concern wouldn't be so much with whether the break-in was followed correctly (not that any of us can agree on break-in procedure).

My big concern with this car would be about it being driven hard from dead-cold. Regardless of our differences on break-in procedure, almost all of us agree that a car shouldn't be driven hard until the engine is properly warmed up, which takes 10+ minutes, easily. From what I've seen, a demo car will get pounded on repeatedly long before it's warmed up.

Doubtful that would result in lots of issues prior to warranty expiration; it's the longevity of the engine post-warranty that I'd be worried about. $1500 just wouldn't be enought to assauge those worries.

d3syd · 05-16-2008, 12:37 AM

Ok for a Toyota Camry or the like, but for a 135, you KNOW it has had a tough 1000miles

lib · 05-16-2008, 12:42 AM

You don't have to pay MSRP when you order one so you're really only saving a few hundred dollars.

If you might have it for more than 4 years it's not worth the risk, no matter how small that risk may be.

Dan203 · 05-16-2008, 03:25 AM

I'd be hesitant to take a demo myself, due to simply not knowing what was done to the car before I bought it. However if you're OK with it then go for it! If it does have any problems due to the hard driving it'll be covered under warranty. (try to get them to throw in a free extended warranty if you can, just in case)

Dan

Carlos · 05-16-2008, 03:43 AM

Well mate, if you just plan to have the car for less than two years and then selling it, no problem, go for it, but if you plan it to have it for longer do not go for it, just buy a new one.

backtoreality15 · 05-16-2008, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtsherri

I can tell you for a fact that you can get that same $1500.00 elsewhere for a brand new car.

I did it. I would only get a demo car an X amount UNDER invoice...

BMW Dreamer · 05-16-2008, 04:59 AM

Maybe I might consider it IF it was at invoice. Like $3500 off MSRP.

Kiety · 05-16-2008, 06:10 AM

also depends on whether you plan on owning (finance/cash purchase) or leasing the vehicle. If it's gone in 3 years and you WANT it now, then by all means go for it, (i voted no anyways because I'm not huge on the leasing thing)

JB135i · 05-16-2008, 07:52 AM

I posted my full opinion in your other thread...

AchtungF80 · 05-16-2008, 07:55 AM

I still don't think its a good idea, under no circumstances whatsoever.
At least press-release test cars get crushed at the end, demo cars get even more abuse and then are sold to people who do not know better.

ScottyGams · 05-16-2008, 08:27 AM

and its not like you have grannys coming into test drive the 1er...

you have guys like me!

dbtheo · 05-16-2008, 08:37 AM

From what I have seen, the cars can take it, but I would personally take a $500 over invoice deal on the car.

redwood · 05-16-2008, 10:11 AM

When I test drove the demo, I was NOT abiding by the break-in requirements. No way I'd buy a demo 135i.

Nixon · 05-16-2008, 11:15 AM

The only way I would touch ANY performance car that was a demo for 1000+ miles would be through a short 2 or 3 year lease. If we were talking about a Prius, I wouldn't have a problem with it being a demo. Maybe even a 328i 4-door I might consider it. A 135i? No.

But I hate leases, so if I want to save money, it's going to have to be by doing European Delivery.

chriscecc914 · 05-16-2008, 11:24 AM

Demo cars are beat on the worst and they are not given a proper break in.

View Poll Results: Demo car w/ 1000 mi. for $1500 off?
I'd take deal.	8	9.20%
No deal/Bad idea.	79	90.80%
Voters: 87. You may not vote on this poll

05-15-2008, 11:19 PM	#1
Justin Private First Class 21 Rep 161 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0)	Demo car w/ 1000 miles... Bad Idea? Hey guys/girls, This is an extension to my previous post from today... (not happy). The GM offered me $1500 off the demo car which has 1000 miles on it. What do you think? Good deal? Bad Idea? Obviously it probably wasn't broken in as well as I would have preferred. Still, do I take the deal and drive off the lot tomorrow or ditch the deal, pay more, and wait 2-3 months for an order.
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05-15-2008, 11:33 PM	#2
jtsherri Major 144 Rep 1,262 Posts Drives: TBD Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Metro Detroit, MI iTrader: (14) Garage List 2008 135i [10.00]	I can tell you for a fact that you can get that same $1500.00 elsewhere for a brand new car. Also, knowing how I personally drove the demo car, I would recommend offering $500 over invoice and standing firm... I'm not the type of guy that'll blatantly BEAT a car (well, unless it's a rental...); however, I had fun with it and it's safe to assume that at least one of the people that drove that car did. __________________ -Jason My review(s): cp-e™ Cat Back Exhaust, cp-e™ SS 3" Downpipes, TPLSM3 Custom Fiberglass Subwoofer Enclosure, P3 BMW 135 Vent Integrated Digital Interface
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05-15-2008, 11:35 PM	#3
ScottyGams Uber-Lee7 Member 47 Rep 1,440 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (2)	look for 500 over invoice and take the car... never down from MSRP
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05-15-2008, 11:39 PM	#4
Bizall Captain 123 Rep 905 Posts Drives: 2019 Honda Accord Touring 2.0 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (0)	Some people value a "new" car more than others. It's up to if you want to wait 2-3 months for a car that is EXACTLY what you want and brand new. You will know exactly how it was treated from birth. If you were to take the deal, I'd try to get more money off though. I personally, would never trade the wait/excitement on ordering a brand new car. Checking online for each next step and everything else along the journey. Thankfully, it's coming to and end by the end of the month. Good luck. __________________ 2018 BMW M3 - 12.1 @ 121mph 2014 BMW 335i M-Sport (Sold) 12.4 @ 113mph 2008 BMW 135i (Sold) 12.8 @ 106mph
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05-15-2008, 11:47 PM	#5
BullishMB Enlisted Member 0 Rep 31 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0)	I would be looking to pay under invoice.
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05-16-2008, 12:23 AM	#7
InsaneSkippy Lieutenant Colonel 79 Rep 1,597 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	Holy lopsided poll, Batman! __________________
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05-16-2008, 12:33 AM	#8
Pike Private First Class 3 Rep 146 Posts Drives: '08 E92 335i, '91 E30 325i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Santa Fe, NM iTrader: (0)	My concern wouldn't be so much with whether the break-in was followed correctly (not that any of us can agree on break-in procedure). My big concern with this car would be about it being driven hard from dead-cold. Regardless of our differences on break-in procedure, almost all of us agree that a car shouldn't be driven hard until the engine is properly warmed up, which takes 10+ minutes, easily. From what I've seen, a demo car will get pounded on repeatedly long before it's warmed up. Doubtful that would result in lots of issues prior to warranty expiration; it's the longevity of the engine post-warranty that I'd be worried about. $1500 just wouldn't be enought to assauge those worries.
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05-16-2008, 12:37 AM	#9
d3syd Major 50 Rep 1,474 Posts Drives: 135i MT, LMB, ProNav Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Scamander, Tasmania iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i Coupe [0.00]	Ok for a Toyota Camry or the like, but for a 135, you KNOW it has had a tough 1000miles __________________ Fun Car: 135i Manual LeMans Blue / Beige Leather / Grey Poplar / pro nav / euro plates. Delivered 24 June 08 Family Car: Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 Spare Car: Volvo V70 Sydney Car: MB 420SEL
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05-16-2008, 12:42 AM	#10
lib Major 141 Rep 1,401 Posts Drives: <This space for rent> Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: ATX iTrader: (0)	You don't have to pay MSRP when you order one so you're really only saving a few hundred dollars. If you might have it for more than 4 years it's not worth the risk, no matter how small that risk may be.
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05-16-2008, 03:25 AM	#11
Dan203 Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,592 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Carson City, NV iTrader: (1)	I'd be hesitant to take a demo myself, due to simply not knowing what was done to the car before I bought it. However if you're OK with it then go for it! If it does have any problems due to the hard driving it'll be covered under warranty. (try to get them to throw in a free extended warranty if you can, just in case) Dan
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05-16-2008, 03:43 AM	#12
Carlos Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 283 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	Well mate, if you just plan to have the car for less than two years and then selling it, no problem, go for it, but if you plan it to have it for longer do not go for it, just buy a new one.
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05-16-2008, 04:59 AM	#14
BMW Dreamer Colonel 72 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: Modded 06 TL Manual Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northern IL. iTrader: (0)	Maybe I might consider it IF it was at invoice. Like $3500 off MSRP.
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05-16-2008, 06:10 AM	#15
Kiety The ONE 12 Rep 388 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Cabriolet Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Burnaby iTrader: (1)	also depends on whether you plan on owning (finance/cash purchase) or leasing the vehicle. If it's gone in 3 years and you WANT it now, then by all means go for it, (i voted no anyways because I'm not huge on the leasing thing) __________________ 135i Cabriolet \| Sparkling Graphite Metallic \| Coral Red Boston Leather \| Moonlight top \| Glacier Aluminum trim \| Premium package \| M Sport package \| Sound package \| PDC \| Power Seats
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05-16-2008, 07:52 AM	#16
JB135i Lieutenant 17 Rep 478 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SW burbs iTrader: (0)	I posted my full opinion in your other thread...
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05-16-2008, 07:55 AM	#17
AchtungF80 Brigadier General 276 Rep 3,465 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3, '17 G30 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135is [9.50] 2010 Cooper S [10.00] 1991 318is [10.00]	I still don't think its a good idea, under no circumstances whatsoever. At least press-release test cars get crushed at the end, demo cars get even more abuse and then are sold to people who do not know better. __________________ ig: 0verrev
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05-16-2008, 08:27 AM	#18
ScottyGams Uber-Lee7 Member 47 Rep 1,440 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (2)	and its not like you have grannys coming into test drive the 1er... you have guys like me!
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05-16-2008, 08:37 AM	#19
dbtheo 1addicts CA 82 Rep 1,245 Posts Drives: 2005 330i ZHP cic, 2021 X5 40i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Tampa, Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 330i cv ZHP [0.00]	I would not be worried about the miles From what I have seen, the cars can take it, but I would personally take a $500 over invoice deal on the car.
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05-16-2008, 10:11 AM	#20
redwood Second Lieutenant 2 Rep 292 Posts Drives: 1999 BMW 328i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	When I test drove the demo, I was NOT abiding by the break-in requirements. No way I'd buy a demo 135i.
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05-16-2008, 11:15 AM	#21
Nixon Banned 57 Rep 1,396 Posts Drives: : Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: : iTrader: (0)	The only way I would touch ANY performance car that was a demo for 1000+ miles would be through a short 2 or 3 year lease. If we were talking about a Prius, I wouldn't have a problem with it being a demo. Maybe even a 328i 4-door I might consider it. A 135i? No. But I hate leases, so if I want to save money, it's going to have to be by doing European Delivery.
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05-16-2008, 11:24 AM	#22
chriscecc914 Second Lieutenant 27 Rep 247 Posts Drives: 1 series Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Demo cars are beat on the worst and they are not given a proper break in.
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