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Ex-Demonstrators - Good or Bad Buys

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Old 26 August 2000, 02:29 PM
  #1  
IanF
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There is a dealer near me and I often see one of their salesmen driving home of an evening.

Invariably he is in a Turbo and he drives it, let's say enthusiastically. I assume they are demo cars, as they change regularly.

I just wonder whether buying ex demo cars is a bit of a risk. Any thoughts?

Incidentally, when I went to the dealer for a test drive, apparently the demo car had blown a valve. Not surprising I thought.

Regards
IanF
Old 26 August 2000, 03:05 PM
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James Neill
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Ian - You're not buying again are you????

You know where to come if you want a scooby!!!!

James
Old 27 August 2000, 10:51 AM
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andymac
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I bought a demo car (Terzo) becasue at the time waiting lists were bobbins and the original dealer couldn't guarentee an RB5 by the date originally requested.

Anyhow...

So far so good. I've had no problems with it other than the overboost shutoff thing that a few people have had. The car's now done 45K miles and apart from the usual rattles and creaks (and a new seat back for me being Lardy) it's been fine including a 2 week 3.5K trip around Europe and a 1.5K trip around the west coast of Scotland.

And I've had freebie stuff from the dealer (new stereo /6CD), spare full size 17" speedline and £1000 off the original price.

All in all, a good deal as far as I was concerned.

cheers
Andy
Old 28 August 2000, 09:29 PM
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GCollier
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Personally, I wouldn't touch an exo-demo car with a barge pole. From the treatment I have seem them receive, I can't help but think their longevity and reliability must be compromised. Particular examples I have witnessed include:

* Impreza turbo prodrive with well under 1000 miles on the clock thrashed (ie. redlined in 1st, 2nd gears), barely 400 yards out of the garage.
* Impreza turbo with _20_ miles on the clock given similar abuse.
* Porsche Boxster with 200 miles, started from cold (1st test drive of the day), and floored out of the showroom entrance down a dual carriageway.

Gary.
Old 28 August 2000, 10:10 PM
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sonu
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Guys,

even brand new cars can be thrashed during the 'delivary miles'. Buying a demonstrator should'nt be a problem because you have a 3 year warranty.

thanks

Sonu
Old 28 August 2000, 10:33 PM
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sickboy
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yeah but thrashing for 6 miles is not going to be as bad as thrashing for 1000!

Any thrashing is not good if it ends up costing you!
Old 29 August 2000, 07:28 AM
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dowser
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I bought a demonstrator and have had no problems after 40'000km's.

Undoubtably it was caned mercilessly for the first 4'000km's of its life - but it came with a 3 year warranty & was also 17.5% off list price!!!

Happy Chappy, Richard
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