i was just wondering if anyone had purchased a mini that the dealer was using for test drives.

if so, did you get some $$$ off the "new" price? i would think so, since imo the car isn't new.

the dealer assured me that they don't allow test drivers to whup up on the car, and that there were less than 500 miles on it, but they specifically said they would be selling it as "new".

i see benefits since most cars that are going to fail do so very early in ownership, but i wanted to check with the experts to see if any of you had a similar experience.

anyone?

 

mikihasa,

I don't think a dealer taking someone on a test drive can control the drivers foot - I would imagine the car has been pushed a bit - isn't that why people want to test drive them? If the car isn't $1000 or more off, I'd go for a new one.

GROSS67 :smile:

 

i originally went for a test drive at a different dealer and the first part was where the sales rep drives. they had a big empty parking lot behind the dealership that they had turned it into a makeshift race course.

it was a white knuckle, seatbelt testing, tire screeching experience. i don't know if they planned on selling that car but if so whoever got it could count on the fact that it was put together correctly.

again, the dealer where i am getting the car indicated that they do not allow the same thing, and i have no reason not to believe them. i just like to hear from folks with experience in this situation if there are any.

there are other circumstances. the demo is a fully loaded cooper s and since those are apparently in high demand the sales rep has indicated that they could easily sell it for the new price. i believe them (although i wonder why it is still around if that is the case), but if i do not have to pay full price then that is better for me.

if i can not get a concession, then i will just take one of the non-s models off the lot (the demo is the only s they have).

thanks for responding.

 

I bought a demo, a totally decked out Cooper S with 1200 miles on it...I received an extra 7,000 miles (in writing) from the dealership extending my warranty to 55,000 miles. Incidentally, before they sold me the car, they checked to be sure another S was coming in soon...to be sure they would have another demo..I didn't want to wait, there was a waiting list, and I'm loving the car.

 

thank you for that response.

this will be a lease so the warranty extension probably will not be offered.

maybe i can get them to waive (or pay) the down payment.

as long as i can get my monthly payment i will probably take it.

 

can anyone tell me what the odometer on a special order mini should read. How many miles are put on it to test the car, and how do you know if your dealer has allowed your car to be test driven by other perspective owners?undefined

 

The car I bought of the lot had a few tenths..I test drove it and that was it
I think 3 or 5 when I picked it up...I was the first test drive though and bought it.

 

>>I bought a demo, a totally decked out Cooper S with 1200 miles on it...I received an extra 7,000 miles (in writing) from the dealership extending my warranty to 55,000 miles. >>>>>>

The original MINI warranty is 4yrs/ 50,000 miles, so maybe you only got 5,000 extra miles instead of 7,000?


My odometer had 5 miles on it. A mechanic took my car out for a short spin immediately before I took him home (I saw him). My dealer does this to make sure there are no problems. I'm glad they did it.

 

I got mine MCS with 5 miles and a few 10ths. I think there is a required length for the test drive once it arrives at the dealer.

 

I think you should ask for some concession in buying a "demo", presuming it's truly the dealer's demonstrator model i.e. the car they are having prospective buyers routinely drive. A demo would typically have hundreds, if not thousands of miles on it from a multitude of people driving it and there's certainly bound to be some wear and tear. I would presume the dealer would have the car inspected though and certainly, all warranties still apply. Technically a demo is still a "new" car as the status of new/used doesn't change until a car has been registered. Once registered to any buyer (regardless of any other consideration) it is then a used car. If a car just has a few miles, it's typically been driven by a mechanic or perhaps a previous interested buyer, if it's a car "on the floor" for sale. A specially ordered car should have a few miles at most from being tested by a mechanic and just being moved around. Other prospective customers should not be 'testing' specially ordered cars.

 

greatgro,

the mini they are wanting to sell me as a demo is exactly like yours i think (based on the description in your sig line). it even has the blue lapis.