Boardman

So I hit a dealer yesterday looking for pricing on a new TL. Turns out they have the EXACT TL I'm lookin' for - '06 ASM 5AT Navi - as a demo right now and they are willing to part with it. I said I would "think" about it and we never talked pricing.

So what does everyone think about buying a demo? Car has 258 km [~ 160 miles] on it and looks perfect cosmetically. Keeping in mind I'm in Canada MSRP on this car is C$44,800 plus delivery etc etc. I was goin' for C$42,500 for a new new TL meaning the dealer will make ~ C$1,000 over invoice on the car.

Should I go for this? If so, how much should I offer for the demo? Thanks!

05TLTony

Although some may say otherwise, I'd personally stay away from demos because many people (including the salesmen) that testdrive the demos beat the shit out of them. This is from experience while I was shopping for myself and my friend. They are not broke in correctly at all.

SouthernBoy

I agree. While you still get the full factory warranty, wouldn't it be a pain to start having to use it?

My TL's never seen the dealer's service department since I bought it and hopefully, it never will.

fast-tl

^^ Possibly, true, but this car only has 160 miles on it; how much abuse could it have possibly have in that short time? Plus, he still have a full warranty, so IF there were problems, it's not as if he has no coverage. For the poster, just tell them you want the process to go smoothly, so make their best offer, otherwise you have other dealers to visit.

joed40

Question. Who drives demos? Salesmen. Salesmen are the same people that say "I don't know if we can do this let me talk to my manager." Salesmen=asswipe,* would you by a car an asswipe drove??

You'll be second guessing yourself every time something went wrong with the car. But, it is your dime and your choice. You'll have to live with it. Good Luck!


* Agreed, not all are indeed asswipes, it is relatively difficult to figure out which ones are. Usually safer to assume they all are and move on.

160 miles at 60 MPH, or was that 160 at 100mph??

03CoupeV6

I'd buy a demo if the price was right... I wouldn't buy a loaner, though.

JERU

Demos are fine for the right price. People test driving usually don't beat the hell out of a car in front of a salesman, loaners are a bit different though. I would have no problem buying a demo if I got a good price. 160 miles is cake, not nearly enough to make you think twice. With a full warranty, buy the car, go to the club, get a bottle of Moet and count all that money you saved (with assorted tipsy women sitting around your table giggling).

Ka0tik

i bought a demo, its great, havent had any problems... mine is an 05 and had no dings when i bought it, no problems when i bought it whatsoever. the only problem i had was the plastic on the back of the passenger seat came off a little just recently (it was my friends fault). this last week i took it into the dealer and got it fixed for free with a free hand car wash and a soda .

imo its a new car that has been driven a couple hundred miles and is a lot cheaper.... + with a demo you get the factory warranty to start with the miles when you bought the car

fast-tl

Most salespeople don't drive demos, firstly. Secondly the demo is just that = to demonstrate how the car drives. And this model, with under 200 miles, should get a pretty nice discount.

Boardman

Thanks for all the input guys! Initially I dismissed it as I has "test piloted" maaaany demo's in my time lol! That said, I think those who test a TL would be more "reserved" than those who test drove a true sports coupe per say. I will have to confirm how much cheaper the demo is than the "new new" model and that will help me make my decision. I could also test drive the car I'd be buying to be sure there are no issues with it [pulling to the right etc] which is another upside I guess. Thanks again!

BrandonClaps

i disagree, i know people beat the shit out of cars infront of dealers... I've even asked if I can before i do. They have no problem letting you see what the car hs for power.

Boardman

FWIW when I went to drive a TL the guy let me take it out by myself to spite me telling him the car I was driving at the time was a rental lol! BTW - it WASN'T the demo I'm thinkin' of buyin' .

6MTrules

Other info here:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129292

And my salesman TOLD me to beat on the demo.

quake97

Ditto!

Joe

Danoli

if you can save about $3000 Id say its ok that will pay for an extended warranty up to 120,000 mi plus save you another $1000. if something goes wrong cause the engine wasnt broken in right they can fix it and maybe you'll get a new engine with no miles on it. but its your call. theres a $1000 dealer hold back in the states now so ever selling it at invoice plus destination charge they'sr still making a grand off the deal.

05TLTony

I know alot of people are saying "that's what the warranty is for, " but I don't think it's worth one's time going back and forth to the dealer and having to argue with them to get something fixed/ replaced. That's assuming that something goes wrong. Hopefully you won't with yours.

joed40

I will ask one irrefutable question. This or any demo, was it ever in an accident??? How would you know??? If so, was it an in house repair, highly likely. Would you find it on a carfax report...never. Just a pessimistic thought on why not to buy a demo. That is unless you could live without really knowing what type of damage your demo incurred.

CL6

Don't.

Riu

buy it

Boardman

Thanks for the input guys! Most of what you stated is what I've been battling with in my mind since I hit the dealer. Went back tonight and signed the deal on the "new" TL as the discount they were offering on the demo wasn't even enough to buy the extended warranty lol! BTW - I took a dynamic for a test drive and beat on it pretty good - wouldn't wanna be buying THAT demo .

fast-tl

Congrats! Hope you can pick it up soon. It was a win-win situation, as far a getting a good car. The TL is great.

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

You obviously made the right choice! You will love your new car! If they didnt offer you a huge discount....not worth it. Fact is...this offering the demo up is a bit of a sales tactic...most people do just what you did just for that reason...but you see what they effectively did....they kept you at the table talking about it and let you make the decision.....they win either way! They "steer" you through their offers. Most of the time they dont sell those things with that little milage on it....but obviously everything on a car lot is for sale...so had you taken it...that would have been ok too. Either way....you were deciding on two cars....both theirs!

joed40

touche'