To buy an ex press demonstrator car or not?
Discussion
Probably setting myself up for a public flogging here... but here goes.
Having a brief exchange with Dan Trent on twitter, absolutely the worst place for any kind of meaningful conversation by they way, about the merits of buying an ex press car (at least that was my intent, I assume he may see this).
In my head I used to have an idea that press cars would be maintained and serviced within an inch of their lives, meticulous care and attention so all the journalist would give nothing but the best reviews.
In experience, having nearly bought an ex-demo F-type, which was in the hands of Evo magazine and Chris Harris whilst he worked for PH, they are absolutely shagged. (long story, deposit paid sight unseen, on arrival the car was a wreck).
Dan posted a picture of him doing a dump run to the local recycling centre in the lovely new PH f-type, and I flippantly commented "this is why you should never buy a press car" or something similar. Not so much about the dump run in particular.
My main point being, press cars get treated in a way that most (not all) owners of a shiny new 60-70k coupe wouldn't dream of. Dump runs being case in point.
Likewise, not many would see much track action, where as most press cars would have plenty. Nothing is as fast as someone elses car! (or something to that effect).... Even for those that track their cars regualrly, the prospect of a trip into the gravel in someone elses car, on someone elses insurance (granted, I'm making an assumption about the insurance), is a lot more palatable than the respray costs out of your own pocket.
So, the main question, would you touch an ex press car with a barge pole?
For me, no chance, I tried, failed, never again.
Having a brief exchange with Dan Trent on twitter, absolutely the worst place for any kind of meaningful conversation by they way, about the merits of buying an ex press car (at least that was my intent, I assume he may see this).
In my head I used to have an idea that press cars would be maintained and serviced within an inch of their lives, meticulous care and attention so all the journalist would give nothing but the best reviews.
In experience, having nearly bought an ex-demo F-type, which was in the hands of Evo magazine and Chris Harris whilst he worked for PH, they are absolutely shagged. (long story, deposit paid sight unseen, on arrival the car was a wreck).
Dan posted a picture of him doing a dump run to the local recycling centre in the lovely new PH f-type, and I flippantly commented "this is why you should never buy a press car" or something similar. Not so much about the dump run in particular.
My main point being, press cars get treated in a way that most (not all) owners of a shiny new 60-70k coupe wouldn't dream of. Dump runs being case in point.
Likewise, not many would see much track action, where as most press cars would have plenty. Nothing is as fast as someone elses car! (or something to that effect).... Even for those that track their cars regualrly, the prospect of a trip into the gravel in someone elses car, on someone elses insurance (granted, I'm making an assumption about the insurance), is a lot more palatable than the respray costs out of your own pocket.
So, the main question, would you touch an ex press car with a barge pole?
For me, no chance, I tried, failed, never again.
cj2013 said:
If it was an older rare/classic example.
I'd love to have a rarer example that's in all of the original media photos - not sure if it adds value.
I'm talking 12 month old cars. Done the rounds of the magazines, end up in the main dealer network.I'd love to have a rarer example that's in all of the original media photos - not sure if it adds value.
Granted something a lot older could be different.
I loved the idea of having the f-type that was on the front cover of evo magazine, great provenance!!! The reality was not so great.
Dan Trent said:
You're right, Twitter isn't the medium and I wasn't sure if you were *actually* enraged at the idea of someone doing a tip run in a fancy press car or it was just in jest. FWIW I took a token amount of rubbish to the same dump in a 675LT just for the fun of it, so I guess if anyone ever sees that bright green press car up for sale they have to bear that in mind. And the fact Jenson Button spun it on Top Gear.
Anyway, am guessing this is just a sideline to your main point and one based on less than ideal personal experience.
As someone who uses press cars I'd have to say I wouldn't have a problem with it, on the basis although - yes - they get used harder than the average privately owned car they also get serviced pretty much every time they go out so will have been maintained more like a race car than a road car. I'm talking the more exotic end here - same may not be said for more everyday stuff. This came up previously when we featured the ex press 997.2 GT3. Suffice to say, I would have had no qualms about buying that one, even over an equivalently priced one from a private owner. But then I did especially like the colour.
I think the most sensible point made here is - as always - to buy on condition and the evidence you have before you. I can appreciate that if you later came across pics of your new toy in a 'previous' life seemingly being ragged then it might be a worry. But I'd come back to the sense that it's in a manufacturer's interests to ensure it is in absolutely A1 condition every time it goes out for a loan and any issues with the car will have been addressed. Of course, cough, in some cases that may well extend to 'special' prep and you might get a car in 'ruder' health than a standard one offered to the public but I'm not about to make any accusations there. Didn't go so well for the last chap who did that, though relations seem to have recovered since!
So, at the more exotic end of the spectrum (Harry's Zonda being perhaps the extreme and, yes, I had a run with that in its previous life!) I would have no qualms whatsoever, ditto from the top end of more mainstream manufacturers be that Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche, Audi, BMW, et al...
Cheers,
Dan
Hi Dan,Anyway, am guessing this is just a sideline to your main point and one based on less than ideal personal experience.
As someone who uses press cars I'd have to say I wouldn't have a problem with it, on the basis although - yes - they get used harder than the average privately owned car they also get serviced pretty much every time they go out so will have been maintained more like a race car than a road car. I'm talking the more exotic end here - same may not be said for more everyday stuff. This came up previously when we featured the ex press 997.2 GT3. Suffice to say, I would have had no qualms about buying that one, even over an equivalently priced one from a private owner. But then I did especially like the colour.
I think the most sensible point made here is - as always - to buy on condition and the evidence you have before you. I can appreciate that if you later came across pics of your new toy in a 'previous' life seemingly being ragged then it might be a worry. But I'd come back to the sense that it's in a manufacturer's interests to ensure it is in absolutely A1 condition every time it goes out for a loan and any issues with the car will have been addressed. Of course, cough, in some cases that may well extend to 'special' prep and you might get a car in 'ruder' health than a standard one offered to the public but I'm not about to make any accusations there. Didn't go so well for the last chap who did that, though relations seem to have recovered since!
So, at the more exotic end of the spectrum (Harry's Zonda being perhaps the extreme and, yes, I had a run with that in its previous life!) I would have no qualms whatsoever, ditto from the top end of more mainstream manufacturers be that Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche, Audi, BMW, et al...
Cheers,
Dan
Edited by Dan Trent on Wednesday 26th October 15:33
Apologies if I tweeted like a loony.
You're absolutely right, so what, it's a dump run. It's not like you had leaky sacks of mouldy cabbages in there. (I hope
)For what it's worth I've driven my Ferrari to costco so that's now ruined too.
The point was that they can have hard life, and some pretty much knackered cars do fine their way into the "nearly new" dealership pool. The ex-Evo/Pistonheads F-type V8s was a complete junker when I saw it. so I binned the whole thing off and bought a Porsche instead.
You are of course completely right, there will be some that are absolutely fine too. Buy on condition as always!
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