leonski

Is there any advantages or disadvantages of buying an ex demonstrator? Car is an 05 wrx and has had 2 owners since the demo.
Thanks

Flaps

iTrader: (1)

Well I know how I drove the demo car!
Thing is though you don't know how the other owners have used it since either. It's always a gamble with any second hand vehicle.

stilover

I'd buy something else if I was you.

Being an Ex demo means that from the off it's had a hard life. When I was looking to buy my STI a dealer simply handed me the keys to their Demo STI and off I went. As you can imagine, I used the full performance for most of the Demo run. Times that by X number of other test drives and the car will be pretty abused.

2 Owners on a 05 car does'nt sound too bad. Afterall they're not cheap cars to run so 1 or both owners could have sold after learning just how expansive it was to run.

leonski

The car does look mint though and is under warranty till december (its a 55).
Its crystal grey and a good price with 32k. What you all reckon?

stilover

How much is it up for?

Flaps

iTrader: (1)

Parkers say a good private sale price would be £10,500 or £11,050 from a dealer.
You can get a 55 plate, one owner 17k wrx for £10,999 on Auto Trader from a non-Subaru dealer.
If it has had esentially three owners and the first one ragged it then I'd be looking to pay under £10k.

wrx300scooby

HEY!!! shouldn't you be working

leonski

its £9700 and crystal grey. Finding one in blue black or silver would be a lot easier.

Flaps

iTrader: (1)

Says!
You been up to look at my brakes yet?

£9700 seems a fair price to me. I would be a little worried that it's had a hard life but an AA check would clear that up.

Mikkel

You're going for the best colour

As stated I'd be a bit dubious about a demo car as they do get thrashed, but on the other hand they do get serviced well... or you would expect they do.

leonski

it has full subaru service history, new tyres, pads etc. Whats an aa check?

leonski

bit worried now. Anyone ever bought a demo and had problems?

Flaps

iTrader: (1)

By AA check I mean the AA come out and look at the car for you to see if there's any possible problems. There's a cost involved though.

stilover

As it is Ex Demo, I wouldn't pay anything over £9000.

Ex Demo, 2 other owners. Tell the guy you're doing him a favour by taking it off him.

Personaly though, try finding another one.

SPG

Chances are it's absoloutly fine, don't let people worry if you think you've found the right car.

If it had been abused there would normally be tell tale signs, who's to say the dealer did'nt do un-accompanied test drives and warmed it up properly etc.

For all you know it could have been sold after a 100 miles anyway.

These cars generally can take abuse, the boxer is a strong engine so even if it had been 'tested' again i'm sure it'll be fine.

Just give the car a good checkover, and look at the history, you are alway's going to have these worry's with a used car but if you think you've found a nice one for the price, buy it and more importantly enjoy it.

leonski

Thanks mate. Its a good 2 hrs drive away but i think ill have a proper look over it tomorrow. Ive been looking for a crystal grey for a couple of months now and not found one that i like enough. It has the sti rear spoiler which im happy about and ive been assured that it is in perfect condition with no dents or scatches so we will see.

leonski

would the fact that it has 6 months subaru warranty left on it help? Surely if there is a problem under lying then thats enough time to tell?

SPG

Bearing in mind you could also extend the Subaru warranty left on the car if that puts your mind at rest. It's costly but at least it'll stop you worrying and you can enjoy it.

Hope it's a nice one for you.

Flaps

iTrader: (1)

The warrenty extension will be about £600 though for 12 months!

I think you'll make up your mind as soon as you get in it tomorrow pal. Good luck and let us know how you get on (also try and get the price down too )

DaveBeck

iTrader: (12)

If its mint and you like it. tell him your have it but only if he throws an extra years subaru warranty on it. seems a good price.

Yes its been abused a few times thats a banker but i bet almost every car on here has had a few hard sessions in their lives. mine has its what we buy them for.

get a check done. AA or RAC. if your a member your get it cheaper :nod:

good luck

Coffin Dodger

No chance. During its demo days it will have been thrashed from cold by all and sundry. Bet all the mechanics that work there will have all taken it out for several good thrashes to, after all most of them do it to customer cars so a demo vehicle would be treated with even greater disdain.

leonski

the extra years warranty sounds good but its not a subaru dealer so i dont know how that would go. I tried getting him down a bit today but he wasnt having it(not giving up though) If i do like it and i want to buy it then ill have a good go at him about the ex demo thing and see what i can get off it.

53

iTrader: (41)

If its not from a suby dealer I wouldn't personally.

leonski

from a subaru dealer though it would probably be up for 11995. They do seem to be a lot dearer than general trade and it makes no difference to the history of the car. I did buy my current car from subaru though.

DaveBeck

iTrader: (12)

didnt realise it wasnt from subaru dealers, i woulnt but its not my money

leonski

so is that the general opinion? Whats the big deal about subaru dealers?

jeromelo

I would shop around. HAve looked on autotrader and there are plenty of crystal grey ones about (maybe have to be prepared to travel a little, but if its for the right car, why not?!)

Here are some I found which are low mileage and around the same price that you are looking at:

Auto Trader UK - SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0 WRX AWD TURBO 4DR

Auto Trader UK - SUBARU Impreza 2.0 WRX STi

I like this one with the heated leather seats
Auto Trader UK - SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0 WRX AWD Turbo SL 4dr Saloon

jeromelo

I think it's just for peace of mind, expecially if its an ex demo.

leonski

for some reason i cant click on them links. Its a 2hr drive to go and see this one so i dont mind travelling if needs be. Would really like one with the sti spoiler.

leonski

I found it on piston heads by the way. Click on imprezas then trade only and i think its on page 3 or 4 now. Have a look