What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a test-driver car?

Question

There is a a 2007 subaru outback for sale with 3,500 miles for $18995. I worry a little bit about buying a test car....thoughts?

Answer 1

theres many adv. and disadv. to buying a Demonstrator car

//Advantages//
>Cheaper: the cars come with lower prices, often drive-awy pricing. you can haggle with the dealer over the price too, as many people don't consider a Demo, so they are usually keen to be free of them

>Fault less: a risk with any new car is that they could be a lemon. if the car has done 3500 miles, then you can be fairly sure the car isnt a lemon: whilst it may screw up in the future, it hasnt this far, and thats a good indication the car is solid

>You know what your getting: unlike other near-used cars [IE under 12months old], you can be fairly sure this car hasnt gone to hell and back...it would have only done suburban work near that dealer, so its safe to assume the car is in reasonable shape

>Re-Sale:as the buyer or a non-new car, you will not feel the effects of that massive depreciation-drop new-car buyers get. already the car is chaper, and whilst you will continue to lose money, you will not lose anywhere near enough

//Disadvantages//
>Used: massive disadv. is that the car is in fact used...and along with this are the problems going to evolve from
you don't really know how people ahve treated the car...everyone who tests-drives a car wants to find it's boundaries fairly quickly, and the car may have been thrashed around the block a fair bit, especially a Outback; a car people enjoy for its high-road stance and athletic ability

the car may also appear in good-condition, but seeing as the dealer itself is selling the car, they may have quickly fixed some issues and are now passing it off to you...then again they maye have genuanly fixed any problems (and they are unlikely in a Subaru), so that could be a risk, if your willing to take it

there's a risk with anything, but seeing as how its a Subaru Outback, there is little chance the car is going to turn out to be a nightmare.

good luck wif it all

Answer 2

It's easy to say negotiate, but the real thing is that it's under warranty. Basically negotiating is secondary because most people don't know how to negotiate a great price; otherwise all car dealerships wouldn't be making any money, eh?

If you've looked at the Kelley Blue Book value and also see that it is in good condition (a clean bill of health from Carfax ... the dealer should provide it; if they don't, demand it or leave), buy it.

One thing: ESPECIALLY check out the tires because this is the one thing that most dealers won't replace after the fact no matter how much you beg because those all-wheel drive tires cost a lot. They will even do brake jobs after the fact (up to about 3 months usually), but you'll be on your own if you don't check the pressure in the tires and also make sure they ride smoothly at the ACTUAL operating pressure.

It's under warranty for the next 2.5 years, so the thing is to put it under it's paces while under warranty. Speed, brake, and basically try to break the thing in the first 3 months (just like you should be doing before you take it off the lot). If you don't notice any weird hesitation after accelerating or stopping suddenly, wheel vibrates when slowing down, excessive vbration when driving (in all-wheel drive cars, this is an expensive, and NON-warrantable, problem if not related to the wheels) ... you've got a good car.

Answer 3

Well.. For starters, make sure they dont make you pay freight/pdi or any of those other "NEW CAR" costs.. Dont let them tell you that this is a "new car" because its not

I dont think you have much to worry about... it still hasnt seen its first oil change yet, so its not like the engine wasnt maintained...

There are a 'few' people who REALLY push a car during their 'test' run..... but most people just cruise around and take some turns.... Nothing you wouldnt get from a regular used car

Just treat the deal as a used car and you will be fine.... The moment they start charing you 'new car' prices... walk away

Answer 4

Well check around in your area what a comparable one might cost. Test cars are really not driven that rough anyway and mainteanance is good on them. Check what a brand new one would cost too at the other dealers. And let them know that the other guy has the subaru for $18.995. Play one against the other.

Answer 5

Price seems ok. some people try to see what kind of hard driving the car can handle. I have had good luck with rental return cars from Budget . friend have bought from Hertz. The rental companies hope you will need to rent a car someday, they wholesale lemon cars to smaller used car dealers..

Answer 6

don know
it's covered under warranty, right
ask for at least 15% off the invoice price