To buy a Demo or not to buy?

Dealers will say anything to get a sale, but 753 miles is not a lot, look at more longer term problems that affect the cars, like rust,

Steve.

Of course being a demo car would be a slight concern. However, the car is still essentially a new car, with a new car warranty. I bought my '02 MCS a few months ago and haven't had a bit of trouble with it. It runs great, it looks great, and no signs of the so-called "rust problem".

Any car has the potential of being a lemon. In this case, you have the chance to buy the car your wife wants, in the exact color she wants. Most likely at a good price since it's a demo. I would do it.

dauph

Steve68s wrote:

oh now come on, dont talk so wet! its only 750 miles. yes they were probably 750 hard miles, but if it is the colour and spec you wanted, just buy it cheap as its the demo. Perhaps in the deal negotiate an (extra) oil change. The oil that the MINI comes with is slightly thinner to allow for running in. Also it has been said there is more swarf and crap in the oil for the first 1000 miles as the engine loosens up, so it is good practice to remove the oil after 1000 to get the crap out of the block.

RS

Hi,

As already mentioned, with so little mileage on the clock and bearing in mind it's unlikely to have been thrashed - most drivers taken on an escorted demo tend to be on their best behaviour.

One thing I would do though is ask to see the vehicle service and maintenance records - don't phone ahead, ask to see them on the spot. Any glaring problems will either listed or if the sales guy seems cagey, unwilling or plays for time, then there's you cue to leave.

Good luck - Oh, and don't forget to wave to fellow Mini drivers !!

Rats

I bought a demo 05 Cooper last August, it had 4200 miles on it and an original delivery date of February. Didn't get much discount ($500) but the sales person did add 5000 miles to the warranty and free service. I now have 25000 miles on it and have had no problems. I had the same worries especially as it's a manual box, unfounded so far.

Graham. Michigan.

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote:

There is nothing wrong with "Demos" I worked for a dealer for years and had a company car/demo every 3 months, I looked after the car as of it where my own, I often clocked up a minimum of 600 to 700 miles in that time, The other good thing was, that if the car needed any warranty work or recalls, then it was done immediately, Buy it and enjoy your purchase Fitzy

Are you sure Purple Haze is no longer available in a factory order? I know it was still a choice when I purchased my '06 MCS two months ago. (Ordered April 4, it was in my hands May 25 - still only 600 miles on it.)

I know the Mini's still command MSRP "or more" in many markets, and someone WILL buy it. In a seller's market you may not get the consideration a "used" car, should allow. But if it only has 753 miles, how used can it be?

As far as brake-in - it isn't even broken in, yet. I was told 1200 miles. Maybe you should just consider it half broke-in, and you can push it a bit all that much sooner :-) It will be under warranty, in any event.

If you really want that color, and it is not otherwise available, you may regret not snapping it up!

That said, I did once buy a "dealer demo" (Toyota), years ago. My wife and I got a "good deal" on a perfectly good looking car, with several thousand miles on it. "Only driven by the sales manager"... Anyhow, a couple years after we had the car, we noticed the hood oxidized very badly. And we noticed a bit of paint on the rubber... obviously there had been damage to the hood that we didn't notice; It had been repainted. Bummer. The dealer paint it again, for free. There were no mechanical problems whatsoever, but we were left with a bad taste over the deal since no one had mentioned any repairs when we bought the "demo bargain".

All the books say buying "used" makes the most financial sense. As always, Caveat emptor. Do you trust your dealer?

You could even get a new car & find it had been botched up, I used to work in a body repair shop that did work for a Mercedes main dealer, one day 8 new Mercedes' arrived which had been seriously vandalised in the dealers car park, they where all patched up & sent back, I bet your bottom dollar the people buying them where not told they had been repaired :-)

Steve.