Safe to buy a dealer's ex-demo car ???

[Luca Brazzi]

Can anyone offer any thoughts on the matter?

The Tuscan I've seen (and put a deposit on, at Mole Valley), started life as one of Christopher Neil's demonstrator cars, before being sold to someone. It has just under 3000 miles on it, and is 11 months old.

Question: What's the likelihood that the dealer would allow potential customers to mistreat the car (ie. giving it more revs than recommended during its running in period) when out on a test drive in order to show them what the car is capable of? Or would they insist it is driven with due care and attention...?

Any thoughts gratefully received

Steve


>>> Edited by Luca Brazzi on Monday 6th May 22:31

[Luca Brazzi]

Thanks Quinny for the quick reply...

I'm just looking for a little re-assurance before parting with the cash. Obviously, its the luck of the draw, but I ought to try and gather as much info as possible...

Any other thoughts anyone ?
S

[flasher]

Luca

I bought the TMS demo Tamora. I seem to have had fewer problems than anyone else.... I know that when I test drove it I was asked not to go go beyond 3500 revs and I didn't....I think the widely held view that people thrash cars on test drives is a myth. Also, usually they tend to get niggles sorted immediatley on demo cars as it doesn't help sell them if they have problems on the test drive..... You should be OK..

[Luca Brazzi]

Thanks Flasher, that's helped a lot...I hadn't considered the fact that the dealer would get problems with it fixed asap...obvious really.

Very grateful.
Luca (Steve)

[pbrettle]

Luca (Steve),

Recently took the demonstrator from Castle out (Tuscan) and they insisted that it was warmed up first before doing anything. They did this and cos the Tuscan has an oil temp gauge they could double check it too.... I think that the dealers are more than aware of this and it hurts them to have a knackered demo car. So would have thought that it would be OK.

Make sure it comes with a waranty and that it can be extended. Then you are covered in both instances and shouldnt be a problem anyway.

Hope this helps

Cheers,

Paul

[yum]

I bought a chimaera from Harrogate Horseless Carriages which had been a demo car, and had had another owner since.

With 24000 on the clock when purchaed, now approaching 43000, I have had no problems.

R

>> Edited by yum on Tuesday 7th May 11:52

[pbrettle]

Actually just remembered that my Chimaera is an ex-demo from Broughtons! Ok, so the ECU has blown, but other than that the history has not indicated any major problems...

Cheers,

Paul

[Luca Brazzi]

Reading what you've all been writing is filling me with confidence...Looks like the will soon be growing out of all proportion....

Steve

[ianl]

Can't remember where I heard it (may have been from Tony at HHC) but I thought the rev limiter was mapped against coolant temperature on the Speed 6 engine, thus preventing excessive speed (if not load) until the engine is warm.

[rthierry]

I am another one. My car started its live as a demo for Kerridges, before being purchased by another person. Bought the car 5 months ago with 11.5k on the clock. 6.5k later there's been no issue - some niggles had to get fixed though.