Would you buy a demo? Plus winter storage question.

[ZionsWrath]

Buying a demo for big discount, OK sure.

But you are LEASING a demo, wut?

If the cash won't hurt you, I'd buy new on a performance vehicle like this, especially if it is manual.

[protpibe]

I would check the tread depth compared to a new one. If it's way out, stay away. if it's almost identical, I think it's a good deal. An FR-S demo was probably driven by someone fairly high up the food chain at the dealership, and I would guess that they saw it nothing more than an automotive appliance that looks good. "Drift King" salespeople typically would not be given something like an FR-S to drive as a demo, for obvious reasons.

Just a heads up about demos.... Typically they are "written down" every month, decreasing their inventory cost below other brand new vehicles. This comes from whoever driving the car being charged a taxable benefit for use of a company car. I would estimate the $4.5k in savings is only the write down amount, and there is still a fair amount of mark-up left to play around with. Some dealers chose not to apply the taxable benefit to the demo vehicle that's being driven, and instead chose to "blow the car out" at cost and move the write down amount elsewhere. This is fine, however, if the unit has been around for a while and is a bit of a tough sell, they will sell it below cost knowing that they have some money elsewhere to offset.

For peace of mind, I would probably have them include an extended warranty as part of the purchase. In Canada, there is about $800 of markup in an extended warranty so be cautious when they tell you they're giving you a "$2,000 warranty for free!!!" when in reality, it's only costing them about $1,200. With that being said, there's nothing shady about that since there is $2,000 of value in a warranty.

[FJ/BRZ]

Originally Posted by protpibe

I would check the tread depth compared to a new one. If it's way out, stay away. if it's almost identical, I think it's a good deal. An FR-S demo was probably driven by someone fairly high up the food chain at the dealership, and I would guess that they saw it nothing more than an automotive appliance that looks good. "Drift King" salespeople typically would not be given something like an FR-S to drive as a demo, for obvious reasons.

Just a heads up about demos.... Typically they are "written down" every month, decreasing their inventory cost below other brand new vehicles. This comes from whoever driving the car being charged a taxable benefit for use of a company car. I would estimate the $4.5k in savings is all only the write down amount, and there is still a fair amount of mark-up left to play around with. Some dealers chose not to apply the taxable benefit to the demo vehicle that's being driven, and instead chose to "blow the car out" at cost and move the write down amount elsewhere. This is fine, however, if the unit has been around for a while and is a bit of a tough sell, they will sell it below cost knowing that they have some money elsewhere to offset.

For peace of mind, I would probably have them include an extended warranty as part of the purchase. In Canada, there is about $800 of markup in an extended warranty so be cautious when they tell you they're giving you a "$2,000 warranty for free!!!" when in reality, it's only costing them about $1,200. With that being said, there's nothing shady about that since there is $2,000 of value in a warranty.

Good advice, thank you.

[FJ/BRZ]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

Buying a demo for big discount, OK sure.

But you are LEASING a demo, wut?

If the cash won't hurt you, I'd buy new on a performance vehicle like this, especially if it is manual.

Yes I was looking to Lease a demo, with the discount it would have a very low monthly payment. Plus if their was anything wrong I could hand them back the keys after the lease was up. And yes it's a manual.

[ZionsWrath]

Originally Posted by FJ/BRZ

Yes I was looking to Lease a demo, with the discount it would have a very low monthly payment. Plus if their was anything wrong I could hand them back the keys after the lease was up. And yes it's a manual.

If you aren't looking to buy it after, it is probably a good deal for you. If you are considering buying it after the lease I think you should just buy a new car instead.

[gt8613]

If money was tight and new brz does not fit my budget... then yes. Otherwise I do not want a potentially used & abused car.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

[Kuri]

Nope. I felt like I got burned with my "Demo" WRX. I had so many issues....

Fortunately no engine failure, just Transmission issues

[daiheadjai]

I've seen how lot boys/car jockeys drive at the dealerships (I briefly worked at one in my HS days).

Never getting a demo.

[poundsand]

Originally Posted by daiheadjai

I've seen how lot boys/car jockeys drive at the dealerships (I briefly worked at one in my HS days).

Never getting a demo.

ha, yeah. i learned to drive stick as a lot boy. and by learned, i mean i taught myself with no input from anyone else.

[daiheadjai]

Originally Posted by poundsand

ha, yeah. i learned to drive stick as a lot boy. and by learned, i mean i taught myself with no input from anyone else.

I guess I should chime in that I did learn stick at lunch using an old Corolla we had sitting around....
So mea culpa.

[BRZfan]

Buy it, if you have to, as if it is a USED car with the appropriate mileage and warranty taken into consideration. Also, I would check the law in your state or province if there is anything related to the definition of a "demo".

Originally Posted by FJ/BRZ

I have the opportunity to pick up a demo for about 4.5k$ off MSRP. (Haven't negotiated a final price yet so I'm sure it can be less). Making the lease payment option quite attractive. I would lease with intention to buy. Car has 9000Kms (5500ish miles). If I were to purchase instead of lease, I'd have to sell my current vehicle which I'm not sure I'm willing to do. 2007 FJ Cruiser which I'd rather keep as a winter car. Winters here are just awful and I'm not sure I want to be driving a BRZ in 30 inches of snow lol. I figure buying demo is like buying used? What do you guys think?

One problem is I plan on storing the subaru in the winter outdoors as my house doesn't have a Garage, and since winter is already upon us, it's too cold to set up a car shelter. Any recommendations? The car comes with winter tires... So I could technically drive it for this winter alone, then be better prepared for next year. I'll have my FJ for bad snow days....dunno

[chenshuo]

Buying a demo with that much milage on it is worse than buying a used car. At least for used cars there's a chance that the owner took care of it in the beginning, but for a demo, you know that thing has been beaten on since day one.

[993Fan]

Never buy a used "sports car"...

[Brzetto]

No. I will not ever buy a demo just like I do not buy sunglasses from the store where random people have put their finger prints all over them.