[Alyson]

Hi from a newbie,

We are seriously considering purchasing a 2008 XR that has 1000 miles on because it is/was a demo car. I searched on "demo" and found a few of you out there had negotiated lower prices because the cars were demos. One person mentioned $2000 off for a demo with 2400 miles on it. Also, someone else mentioned that demo cars are sometimes driven hard.

Would you be wary of buying a demo car? Should I ask for an extended warranty?

For a demo car with 1000 miles, what would you ask for for a discount? $1000?

Thanks!
Alyson

 

[leobg]

You should check on warranty - warranty starts when the car has been put on the road. Make sure you ask them to somewhat compensate you/cover for the 'missing' months. "Demos" are usually like 6 mth old and up to 5000 miles.

It is true that demo cars get some more abuse when they are most vulnerable - during the first few thousand miles of their life. Especially if dealer allows clients to go on test drives alone (sales guy not in car) - people tend to test 'how it pulls' and 'how it brakes' (read redline it, then stomp on the brakes), which is not good for the car in long term.

Aside from the warranty - you should be able to get some $$ off. On practive you are buying (slightly) used car. Simply ask them how much they will offer you for the car if you return it in {x} months with 1000 miles on it if you have bought new (paid full price)

Cheers and good luck

 

[DaleJr]

We received $2k off the no haggle price. Because it was a demo and they were trying to move the 07's to make room for the 08's.
Our demo had 2400 miles and was driven by one of the managers at the dealership so i dont think it was driven hard.
The warranty starts the day the car is sold or leased not when the car hits the road ,cars that are driven by managers and sales people are not sold yet and are considered new and can be sold at anytime if a deal is made.

 

[OL_Shopper]

Definitely a your mileage may vary situation. I found an XR we could live with, but it was in Illinois. It is a demo w/ almost 4K miles. The Internet Manager would only come down $1,000 off the sticker, plus $1,250 for incentives. He said GM Supplier prices didn't apply to demo units, nor did the $500 Conquest cash. That, combined with shipping and loss of the trade-in value made this vehicle more expensive than a new one here.

 

[leobg]

The warranty starts the day the car is sold or leased not when the car hits the road ,cars that are driven by managers and sales people are not sold yet and are considered new and can be sold at anytime if a deal is made.

Not true - GM warranty begins at the moment car has been put on the road. Call GM - ask when warranty expires on yours. Prepare for "bad news". I am 100% sure. Mine was a demo too. Mine also "was driven by the delaership manager" (yes - I've got top of the line model - could have been manager's). I don't believe these "manager" stories much. I personally test drove the very same car. These cars are used for test drives too.
I have arranged extended warranty on mine to cover for the missing several "demo" months.