Buying — A Demo Car

To make a demo car a "good" deal, the price needs to reflect its history. A common rule of thumb is to look for a discount of at least 20 to 40 cents for every mile on the odometer, on top of the standard "new car" negotiations. You should also insist that the dealership "punches" the warranty on your purchase date or provides an extended service plan to compensate for the lost time. The Verdict

Buying a demo car is the ultimate "middle ground" for savvy car shoppers—it’s the sweet spot between the pristine nature of a brand-new vehicle and the steep discounts of a used one. While it offers a tempting way to drive a current model year for less, it requires a careful balance of enthusiasm and skepticism. The Appeal: New Car Smell, Used Car Price buying a demo car

The trade-off for that discount is the uncertainty of those initial miles. Unlike a single-owner car, a demo has likely seen dozens of different drivers. Test drivers aren't always gentle; they may have tested the 0–60 acceleration on a cold engine or braked hard to feel the rotors. Furthermore, the warranty clock often starts when the car is put into service as a demo, not when you buy it, meaning you might lose six months or a year of coverage right off the bat. Navigating the Deal To make a demo car a "good" deal,