Looking to Buy a Demo Car - Seeking Advice

magical journey on 04/07/2015 - 18:14

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to purchase a first car - preferably a demo as I heard it's a bit cheaper, but not really looking for second hand as I know very little about cars and don't want to get ripped off.

I looked at the choices and quite like the Hyundai i30 or the Toyota Corolla (2014 version hopefully). My budget range is roughly the 20k+, but lower the better.

So you guys know any good deals out there? Like since it's sort of financial year, so wanting to take advantage of any one year older models. Also where should I begin?

Thanks!

Automotive

Comments

  • t_c on 04/07/2015 - 18:24
    +1

    Begin @ carsales.com.au, select the new and demo cars checkbox on the left.

  • Paul Atreides on 04/07/2015 - 18:51

    saw a post where an i30 active x auto was on sale, looks like a good buy at 22k

    also look at the kia cerato s hatch auto, these are 20k

    before negotiations

  • Gotchas on 04/07/2015 - 18:52

    There is some good info here about demo.must watch

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BQctuPp3kjU

    • npc on 04/07/2015 - 19:53
      +1

      Well his videos are good when he talks about spending less money and ugly when he tries to compare different cars.

    • dylanando on 04/07/2015 - 20:00

      If you watch that and still want a demo, you deserve one

  • Logical on 04/07/2015 - 20:41
    +1

    mazda 3 range

  • spackbace on 05/07/2015 - 01:37
    +3

    Car salesman here…

    Demo's come in 2 forms, drive cars and not. Drive cars are what the salesmen use as their daily drive, and only go up to about 3000kms. Any more than 5000kms on the clock and that's a used car pretending to be a demo. Depends on the driver as to how it's kept, but generally we're nice on them, after all we need to sell them too!

    The 'not' drive cars are cars that get licensed purely because the manufacturer says we have to have 'x' demo's. This is where you find cars with under 200kms, sometimes not even with plates on! So these are good value.

    2014 cars will be cheap, but try to haggle a 2015 for close to that price.

    And remember, if a demo is advertised with over 5000kms, it's a used car do treat it as such.

    • spackbace on 05/07/2015 - 01:41

      Seperate to the above, what size car do you need? Brand new Suzuki Swift auto can be had for about $16k (haggled). Bulletproof, reliable, well featured.

      Oh and depreciation is crazy! Expect to only lose like $1k/year! Yes, a 2009 auto would sell for like $9,990! Unheard of for a car in its category

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 05/07/2015 - 15:01

      I remember looking at applying for a loan on a 1997 Toyota starlet model (in 1998), & I recall the Bank manager advising against it, as there was an issue with depreciation & Insurance?
      Hence why we then purchased the then current 1998 model.

      On a side note, I have heard a number of ex-demo cars are sold through certain car dealerships in inner-city Sydney, that have been used by Rugby League players (& relatives) under 5000kms.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 05/07/2015 - 14:54

    Auctions are also a great spot to look at. Look for an ex-government car @40,000 kms & 2 years old. Usually, still has new car warranty(with regular servicing).
    http://www.pickles.com.au/
    http://www.gamers.com.au/

    Quite often, car dealerships buy from auctions, then add on their mark up. In my instance, I purchased a vehicle for $20500, that would sell in the car yard for $29,999. I knew one of the 'spotters' who told me if I bid over 20k on this vehicle, the dealers wouldn't continue bidding.

    Sometimes, vehicles if they don't sell at Auction, may end up at the Car dealerships on consignment & rotated if they don't sell.
    Even doing a google search on the number plates can give you a brief history of where it may have been listed.

    • [Deactivated] on 05/07/2015 - 15:32

      Don't waste your time at the auctions, car's selling at the same price as car dealers most times.

      You can get a bargain but you have to be patient and wait to catch your luck.

      Personally I don't think it's worth it you might have to go to a few of them wasting the whole day to get a good catch

  • magical journey on 06/07/2015 - 08:35

    Thanks everyone for your replies. I've decided to get the i30 active for 22k, as mentioned to be a pretty good deal brand new. How low do you think I can bargain it for? like shave off 2k is that possible?

    • Paul Atreides on 07/07/2015 - 14:39

      i think shave $500 off, and get premium paint, mats, and maybe some other options.

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