Mollox Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 I'm just curious to know what our perception of this term is and if anyone can actually describe the reality of what and ex-demo has done or where its been...? I keep heering the usual *sucking through teeth* "oooh I wouldn't buy an ex-demo [insert performance car name here]" Why not? Do they really get "ragged rotten" on test drives etc? Are they really driven by salesmen who don't care? Can we get to the bottom of this one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cossie604 Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Depends but normaly yes, it has been un-loved! Unless you get hold of say the bosses wifes run around which gets looked after lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriGGa Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 well i no someone who works in a certain BMW showroom. His last story "how me n my mate raced an M5 with an M3 cabrio" so i wouldnt reely trust them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BURTON Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 My R32 was a ex demo. Didn't put me off as everything was covered under warranty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 I think it depends on the car. If it's a TDI whatever, then it's probably been driven by Mr Average and his wife to get the hang of it. If it's a high end model, I would probably exercise caution, but it all depends on how much a salesman lets a prospective customer loose in the car. If it's a case of "go out on your own for the day", I would be prone to sucking teeth, otherwise not. The plus point is that you can get a highly spec'd car for the same price as a standard one (or even a lot less, depending on the manufacturer), as long as you don't mind 2K miles (or whatever) on the clock. You can even advance order your car to the spec you want, let the dealer run it as a demo for three to six months and then get a few grand off when you pick it up. The same goes for buying a second hand car. Mr Jones selling his 2004 BMW M5 probably looks like "a jolly decent chap", but is a demon car-thrasher who never lets it drop below 9,000 rpm when he's out in it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 I wouldn't buy an Ex hire car, or ex company car, as seeing friends rag these to bits, puts me off. But I would by an ex demo car. These in my experience, are loaded with kit, driven by potential customers with the dealer usually in the car too, or sometimes, depending on who takes the car out, just the potential customer. They aren't ragged nearly as much as someone who's had a hire car or company car for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] They aren't ragged nearly as much as someone who's had a hire car or company car for a while. [/ QUOTE ] Tell me about it, that Hertz rental Citroen Xsara Picasso was going to do 100mph on the way back from Heathrow even if it killed it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I wouldn't buy an Ex hire car, or ex company car, as seeing friends rag these to bits, puts me off. But I would by an ex demo car. These in my experience, are loaded with kit, driven by potential customers with the dealer usually in the car too, or sometimes, depending on who takes the car out, just the potential customer. They aren't ragged nearly as much as someone who's had a hire car or company car for a while. [/ QUOTE ] I agree with all that A demo may have been pushed hard a couple of times especially if it's a "fast" car but then that's what it is designed for. Personally I would have no problems with buying a warrantied demo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 My TT and my A4 cab were both ex demo, both had around 2000miles on them when I got them, both were in perfect condition and the main part is that I saved approx 2500 on each one! My dealers have also said that if I wanted to save on a new car, it can be specced by me, ran as a demo for 3 months and then I save 10% minimum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] My dealers have also said that if I wanted to save on a new car, it can be specced by me, ran as a demo for 3 months and then I save 10% minimum [/ QUOTE ] Can't you get 10% off when new? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I wouldn't buy an Ex hire car, or ex company car, as seeing friends rag these to bits, puts me off. But I would by an ex demo car. [/ QUOTE ] Bear in mind that most demo cars are the salesmans company car, the thing he drives home in at the end of the day, so he's likely to treat it as anyone might treat a company car. Indeed possibly worse as he knows he's only got it for 3 months... Depends on the car though, a Passat Tdi is less likely to be ragged than a Golf GTI probably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobmad Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 I have bought the following ex-demo direct from demo: Celica - proper dealer demo (did 100k miles in approx 30 months - no prob), Corrado Storm - Head Office Manager's Car (ditto - 100k miles in approx 30 months - no prob)and A4 2.8 Quattro - proper dealer demo (80k miles in approx 30 months - no prob) Bought brand new E46 M3 after A4 2.8Q and engine blew up - go figure. If the spec and figures are right then I wouldn't have a problem. Knock them down on price because your buyer may do the same because of demo when it comes to you moving it on but apart from that no bother. Of course it could've been thrashed but then so could any car..........as long as warranty is valid for the period of time I am looking to own the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 My VX Turbo was an ex-demo - no real problems with it and anything that did come up was fixed under warranty as it would have were it brand new. It had probably been driven quite hard on the tests it had been out on, but then again I don't tend to keep a car long enough for any real issues to come up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] My dealers have also said that if I wanted to save on a new car, it can be specced by me, ran as a demo for 3 months and then I save 10% minimum [/ QUOTE ] Can't you get 10% off when new? [/ QUOTE ] Oh shut up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrsaku Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 I don't think anything will happen to a car however hard is driven for only three months. Besides why do you think that because it is a demo car the salesmen will not take care of it? Would the not have to depend on it to impress a potential buyer? Personally i wouldn't drive it differently! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Because some car salesmen can be a little unsympathetic, and because it is the vital running in period, when you most don't want a car thrashed. However I'm playing devils advocate, I'd probably buy an ex demo if it were the right car and the right price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulkbear Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Me + Demo car + Traning course = 1.6 FSI Golf V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrsaku Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Me + Demo car + Traning course + Taking picture = you do that mistake only once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 See what I mean...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigR Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] See what I mean...? [/ QUOTE ] Whats the problem with a car driven at that speed nowadays,ok the first few hundredmiles may be driven with less regard than a new owner, but what do your think you brand new car with 50 miles on the clock was driven like on its PDI and when the salesman/valet took it to the petrol station to fill it up before you collect it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulkbear Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Craig you have hit the nail on the head there when you say valeter ! i have seen a valeter start the engine on a brand new R32 in the middle of winter and red line it from cold just to hear the engine roar it made me feel sick ! The Valeters are some of the worst i have seen for mistreating vehicles customers cars and demo's when i took my car to Ford for a recall i told them not to get it washed as i know what valeters are like If you look at that picture the engine is hot and got over 4000 miles on the clock so no abuseing cars for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Interesting. When I went to visit VW a few years ago, to watch them build the Mk4 GTi's, the tour guide told us that the engines are stress tested to extreme for 5 minutes to ensure that components do not fail. When we asked about run-in periods, we were told this doesn't apply anymore. In fact, they suggested that it was better to treat the car a little meaner than soft driving to bed it in properly. This, from a senior VW tech. They also drove them off the production line at a reasonable pace, then blasted them. They looked to be enjoying it too! As for people saying "I don't see people ragging TDi's" ... why not? I drive mine, as Milo puts it "like I stole it", and therefore it is well bedded in now. No problems so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] See what I mean...? [/ QUOTE ] Whats the problem with a car driven at that speed nowadays,ok the first few hundredmiles may be driven with less regard than a new owner, but what do your think you brand new car with 50 miles on the clock was driven like on its PDI and when the salesman/valet took it to the petrol station to fill it up before you collect it [/ QUOTE ] I was only teasing! Mind you, if the salesman managed to get 120mph out of mine when he went to fill it prior to delivery I'd be impressed, petrol station is only round the corner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 My brother works at Nissan and he told me how they inspect them. Part of the final inspection involves a rolling road test where they check all sorts of things and set other odds and ends up. Bearing in mind this is one of the first times the engine has ever been ran - the car is ragged through the gears and bounced off the limiter in every gear. It's part of what they have to do. He says the cars are flogged around the factory as they come off the line in first gear most of the time, engines screaming. Time is very important to these lads so they don't hang about Anyone who picks up a brand new car thinking it hasn't been red-lined is in for a shock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve2 Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 i know of a 2005 a4 2.0d with 380 miles on the clock that was ragged rotten Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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