[Questions] Would you buy a demonstrator car?

Robbieee · 12th April 2008, 19:58

Been offered a civic type s gt 2.2 for 16000 but its a demo car. 3k miles on the clock. Any disadvantages to go for the demo cars? Arnt they thrashed during the test drives??

FWH · 12th April 2008, 20:00

How do you test drive cars?

Robbieee · 12th April 2008, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWH

How do you test drive cars?

haha true. But my question is- has anyone bought a demo car and have they had any problems?

dman_lfc · 12th April 2008, 20:53

I brought an ex demo with 1500 miles on the clock. I haggled a bit and got a spare wheel, parking sensors & ipod prep (not worth it) thrown in.
It's basically a new car but a 57 plate. So if you can live with that go for it.
I suggest go in with a £15k offer or get them to add some after market goodies.

DMAN

Vet_2010 · 12th April 2008, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbieee

Been offered a civic type s gt 2.2 for 16000 but its a demo car. 3k miles on the clock. Any disadvantages to go for the demo cars? Arnt they thrashed during the test drives??

I did! Although it was an ex Honda UK car as opposed to a demo, apparently it was kept for when the Honda Big Chiefs would visit N. Ireland and needed a car for going around the dealerships

I personally would never buy brand new unless it was a top end premium car like Aston Martin etc. simply because of the depreciation the second you drive it out of the show room. Then again if I bought brand new it would be cared for to my standards from the start, I doubt very much the Honda Garage spent hours cleaning it each time

My car had just over 3k on the clock when I got it and I can't say I've had any problems. The only thing I will say is make sure and carefully inspect the car first. When I first got to wash my car I came across a few marks I would have queried and expected to have repaired if I had noticed them before signing anything. So you might want to offer to wash it for them first

Vet_2010 · 12th April 2008, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by dman_lfc

I brought an ex demo with 1500 miles on the clock. I haggled a bit and got a spare wheel, parking sensors & ipod prep (not worth it) thrown in.
It's basically a new car but a 57 plate. So if you can live with that go for it.
I suggest go in with a £15k offer or get them to add some after market goodies.

DMAN

Yeh likewise I'd reccomend you try and get a good discount or some nice extras. I managed to get the Image Pack & Ambient Lighting with mine!

lippy · 12th April 2008, 22:05

My civic is ex demo bought at 3 months old and had done 2700 miles. Had no problems with it. (Apart from warranty calls) Also as ivtec's are 'run in' at the factory can't see that any damage would be done. My car is the car I test drove, so I think i would have noticed anything wrong - also these cars have to be kept in good condition or else a customer wouldn't buy any model.

I think it's a good way of getting a virtually new car.

emmaloula · 12th April 2008, 23:35

Mine was an ex-demo which was previously driven by one of the Sales guys. I got it with 500 miles on the clock and bar the usual problems (fuel cap, peeling paint etc) it's been fine.

Moose · 12th April 2008, 23:57

Mines been ok so far, just think on the saving you'll be making, plus you still get the warranty roadside assistance

cb550 · 13th April 2008, 05:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbieee

Been offered a civic type s gt 2.2 for 16000 but its a demo car. 3k miles on the clock. Any disadvantages to go for the demo cars? Arnt they thrashed during the test drives??

Yep,they'll be thrashed.(its inevitable is'nt it)Part of a car salesman's job must be bit like that of a driving instructer's-but at least they have dual controls

FWH · 13th April 2008, 06:07

I think it also depends on how long you plan to keep it.
If you know you will be selling before the end of the warranty it is a different situation compared to if you plan to keep it for 5 years.

robbo51 · 13th April 2008, 06:36

I would have bought a demo if there had been one..Just make sure the price is right

Robbieee · 13th April 2008, 10:09

Thanks everyone!
The guy apparenty searched the whole of the UK used stock and couldnt find a 2.2 milano s gt! I had my heart set on milano red so I might hold off for that...

RobSp8 · 13th April 2008, 10:25

Mine was, according to the dealer, a ex-honda owned car which was used by the manager of another dealership. I'm sure at some point it must have been used as a demo. Imagine it- someone comes in interested in the EX & there's mine just sat there. It was in perfect condition & I paid significantly less than the price Parkers car guide quoted for one with 10k miles on the clock, mine only had 4600 miles on it & leather interior. Go for it!

Moose · 13th April 2008, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbieee

Thanks everyone!
The guy apparenty searched the whole of the UK used stock and couldnt find a 2.2 milano s gt! I had my heart set on milano red so I might hold off for that...

Try searching yourself, The Honda Dealer I tried first couldn't find me a G/Grey EX diesel with leather and glass. He tried to sell me what he had. Went home and searched myself on Honda Site for used cars. Had to travel 60 miles but found exactly what I was looking for. Happy Searching

slick · 13th April 2008, 11:05

i got an ex demo car, 2.2 type S GT. it had 1800 on the clock 8 months old and i only paid £14, 500.

they seem to be asking quite a lot for your higher milage lower spec car.

ASH · 13th April 2008, 13:25

It makes much more sense than buying an import (e.g. from Cyprus) IMO.
AA coverage, 90,000mile warranty, and most of all, no need to hesitate to contact the dealer. That's how I feel.

leodis41 · 13th April 2008, 13:45

This is my second Honda ex demo, last one was the last gen 3 door. No unusual problems with either if them.

Dawson · 13th April 2008, 13:45

I'd never buy an ex demo car. I know how I drive them myself.

terry · 13th April 2008, 14:50

Mine was an ex-demo and no problems other than rattles and recall stuff which is nothing to do with how it is driven.
I didn't really want to buy a car so new, but at the time there were no used ones of around a year old, so the choice was new or ex-demo.For me the saving was worth not having to wait. It will still have the balance of 3-years warranty, so you have peace of mind.
I suspect Dawson is in a minority, most people when driving a car that is new to them, such as on test drive, will be fairly careful as they will not "know" the car.
Cheers,

Terry.

12th April 2008, 19:58	#1 (permalink)
Robbieee Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 27th September 2007 Location: Glasvegas Posts: 297	[Questions] Would you buy a demonstrator car? Been offered a civic type s gt 2.2 for 16000 but its a demo car. 3k miles on the clock. Any disadvantages to go for the demo cars? Arnt they thrashed during the test drives??

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This thread is about: [Questions] Would you buy a demonstrator car?, it's in Buying, Dealers and Servicing at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Been offered a civic type s gt 2.2 for 16000 but its a demo car. 3k miles on the clock. Any disadvantages to go ...

12th April 2008, 20:00	#2 (permalink)
FWH Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 3rd June 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 4,176	How do you test drive cars?

12th April 2008, 20:53	#4 (permalink)
dman_lfc Supporter Valve Cap Join Date: 11th April 2008 Location: Chorley, UK Posts: 8	I brought an ex demo with 1500 miles on the clock. I haggled a bit and got a spare wheel, parking sensors & ipod prep (not worth it) thrown in. It's basically a new car but a 57 plate. So if you can live with that go for it. I suggest go in with a £15k offer or get them to add some after market goodies. DMAN

12th April 2008, 22:05	#7 (permalink)
lippy Bournemouth Belle Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 10th January 2007 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 320	My civic is ex demo bought at 3 months old and had done 2700 miles. Had no problems with it. (Apart from warranty calls) Also as ivtec's are 'run in' at the factory can't see that any damage would be done. My car is the car I test drove, so I think i would have noticed anything wrong - also these cars have to be kept in good condition or else a customer wouldn't buy any model. I think it's a good way of getting a virtually new car.

12th April 2008, 23:35	#8 (permalink)
emmaloula Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 19th November 2006 Location: Berkshire Posts: 100	Mine was an ex-demo which was previously driven by one of the Sales guys. I got it with 500 miles on the clock and bar the usual problems (fuel cap, peeling paint etc) it's been fine.

12th April 2008, 23:57	#9 (permalink)
Moose Supporter Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 22nd February 2008 Location: Doncaster Posts: 105	Mines been ok so far, just think on the saving you'll be making, plus you still get the warranty roadside assistance

13th April 2008, 06:07	#11 (permalink)
FWH Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 3rd June 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 4,176	I think it also depends on how long you plan to keep it. If you know you will be selling before the end of the warranty it is a different situation compared to if you plan to keep it for 5 years.

13th April 2008, 06:36	#12 (permalink)
robbo51 Type S GT Civinfo guru Join Date: 1st July 2007 Location: Bingley, W.Yorks Posts: 2,197	I would have bought a demo if there had been one..Just make sure the price is right

13th April 2008, 10:09	#13 (permalink)
Robbieee Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 27th September 2007 Location: Glasvegas Posts: 297	Thanks everyone! The guy apparenty searched the whole of the UK used stock and couldnt find a 2.2 milano s gt! I had my heart set on milano red so I might hold off for that...

13th April 2008, 10:25	#14 (permalink)
RobSp8 Valve Cap Join Date: 12th February 2008 Location: Bridgend, UK Posts: 34	Mine was, according to the dealer, a ex-honda owned car which was used by the manager of another dealership. I'm sure at some point it must have been used as a demo. Imagine it- someone comes in interested in the EX & there's mine just sat there. It was in perfect condition & I paid significantly less than the price Parkers car guide quoted for one with 10k miles on the clock, mine only had 4600 miles on it & leather interior. Go for it!

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13th April 2008, 11:05	#16 (permalink)
slick Supporter Wheelnut Join Date: 14th December 2007 Location: Ipswich, UK Posts: 51	i got an ex demo car, 2.2 type S GT. it had 1800 on the clock 8 months old and i only paid £14, 500. they seem to be asking quite a lot for your higher milage lower spec car.

13th April 2008, 13:25	#17 (permalink)
ASH Wheelnut Join Date: 29th September 2007 Location: London Posts: 84	It makes much more sense than buying an import (e.g. from Cyprus) IMO. AA coverage, 90,000mile warranty, and most of all, no need to hesitate to contact the dealer. That's how I feel.

13th April 2008, 13:45	#18 (permalink)
leodis41 Supporter Valve Cap Join Date: 22nd October 2006 Location: Leeds Posts: 48	This is my second Honda ex demo, last one was the last gen 3 door. No unusual problems with either if them.

13th April 2008, 13:45	#19 (permalink)
Dawson Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 7th December 2006 Location: Turriff Posts: 193	I'd never buy an ex demo car. I know how I drive them myself.

13th April 2008, 14:50	#20 (permalink)
terry Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 24th September 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 306	Mine was an ex-demo and no problems other than rattles and recall stuff which is nothing to do with how it is driven. I didn't really want to buy a car so new, but at the time there were no used ones of around a year old, so the choice was new or ex-demo.For me the saving was worth not having to wait. It will still have the balance of 3-years warranty, so you have peace of mind. I suspect Dawson is in a minority, most people when driving a car that is new to them, such as on test drive, will be fairly careful as they will not "know" the car. Cheers, Terry.