Factory Demo

My dealer called yesterday and said they’re getting a 2022 factory demo in about a week. Not a dealer demo but a factory demo, used by a regional (?) rep. I’ve been waiting since March for a 1794 and this truck has everything I want (and more) except tow mirrors, which I’m willing to forgo just to get a 1794. He said his sales manager told him to offer the truck to me at MSRP since I am next on the list for a new truck and I’ve been waiting so long. It does have 5k miles on it but the dealer said it will not be sold as used, but sold as a new truck. I asked about a discount since it’s a demo and has a bit of mileage and he said they can sell it for more than MSRP if I don’t want it, so no deals. I told him I am interested and will look it over when they get it. Questions I hope someone can answer follow.

1. Can they legally sell this as a new vehicle with 5k miles on it and it’s a 2022, not 2023?
2. Should I fight to get them to lower the price since it is ‘used?’
3. Should I pass on it since it’s a demo and they want MSRP?
4. I thought about asking them to throw in the bumper to bumper 100k warranty to close the deal since they’re asking MSRP, thoughts?

Any and all advice is appreciated!

 

According to Federal Trade Commission a "used vehicle" includes all vehicles that have been "driven more than the limited use necessary in moving or road testing a new vehicle prior to delivery to a consumer." This definition, therefore, includes demonstrators and company cars. However, a vehicle sold as scrap or for its parts and not as an operating vehicle is specifically excluded from the definition of used vehicle, if the dealer surrenders any title documents to the appropriate state authority and obtains a salvage certification.[ Section 455.1(d)(2); 16 CFR Part 455 Trade Regulation Rule; Sale of Used Motor Vehicles]. Sounds like a snow job to me. I would steer clear.

 

I just went through a very similar situation, I was able to negotiate some money off and they gave me a 100,000 mile warranty. The deal is that they never registered and drove around on dealer tags, so it will appear as you are the 1st owner. It was worth it me as this was a fairly similar truck and it actually was on the lot, as opposed to the other one.

 

Call it what you want. It is still a used truck. I would ask for everything. No doubt the dealer is playing a game with you...your next on the list, offering it to you first, etc.

 

Each state is going to be different in terms of what defines a vehicle as 'used'. As an example, for us, a 'used' vehicle would be any vehicle that has been previously registered.

With that being said, I'd tell them to pound sand!

There is no way in hell a factory or other demo has been properly 'broke in' prior to having its engine and other pertinent components put under stress. You know that everyone that sat in and drove that vehicle wanted to know what the HP/TrQ of the new engine/motor felt like, and they hammered the pedal. Even if someone went through a proper break-in procedure w/the vehicle, do you really want to pay full price for a vehicle a hundred other people put their butts in and drove hard, tested or whatever you want to call it.

Personally, I wouldn't do it!! But, that's just my opinion

 

It will be title as a new truck. Warranty will start with you. Chances are that the 5k miles were under “not my car, don’t care” and you will find cosmetics issues with the truck down the line. I bough a car under a similar scenario and I spent 3 days doing a complete interior and exterior detailing. I found all kinds of small trash and what not. I did get a heavy discount from msrp but this was in 2013. Plenty of new 1794 at msrp
Now.

 

The only reason I buy new is to control the break in process and those crucial first 1k miles.
For the same reason I wouldn't buy a lowileage rental car, I wouldn't buy a regional demo truck.
If I was the guy who had 5k free miles on a new truck, I'd be driving it like there was no tomorrow

 

Hell No, with 5 k miles, tell them to to shove it where the sun don't shine. Any vehicle sold as new should have no more than 6 miles on it at best. Mine had 1 lap around the dealership,no more be patient your truck will come around.

 

This


They are selling you a used truck with 5k miles at new MSRP
Same way they'll sell a new 1794 for $5k above MSRP !


They are throwing the sucker bait out in the water and you're on the hook, get out before your dinner!

You will find what you are looking for (New 1794 + tow mirrors) at MSRP if you walk away from that pathetic dealership.

 

Well, I wouldn't call it new, but maybe all the kinks are worked out! It would have been worth a few miles to me not to have to keep taking my truck in for problems. In saying that, it is my opinion the dealer is trying to take advantage of you.

 

Heck no

 

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. Some of it I didn't consider but now that I'm better informed I'm letting the dealer know I'm no longer interested in this used (and abused like a rental?) 1794 and will wait for a new one.

 

Waiting sucks... But, if you are not in a crisis for a vehicle, I think passing on that truck is the best decision. Plus, as they get through the production of more units, hopefully more and more of the bugs get worked out, and your vehicle gets to you with less issues and you get more trouble free enjoyment out of your purchase.

Something else to consider is that as time goes, more MODS become available for the Gen 3s, and you'll get to reap the benefits of the trials and errors as aftermarket upgrades work themselves out as well. Other than the wait, seems like a win/win!!!!

Good luck, and I hope you don't have to wait too long.

 

Stunning (or not) what they try to get away with. When I was looking around last year for one of the last of the 21s there was a local dealer with two trucks equipped almost exactly the way I wanted, both factory demo's, both being sold as used (with the Toyota certified used warranty) and both well above MSRP. One had 1600 miles on it, the other right around 10,000. They wouldn't haggle at all, hell, they didn't even bother to call me back when I asked for a value on my possible trade-in (with no trade-in the cost was another $2K). I waited, and managed to put a deposit down on one of the last ones allotted to another dealer, at MSRP. The wait was worth it.

 

Again, thanks to everyone for the advice. After discussing the negative aspects of this deal with my wife she stated that being a member of this forum probably just saved us not only money but also some heartache down the road that could come with buying the demo that who knows has driven and possibly abused like a rental car. The biggest concern someone mentioned was the break-in period and that probably was never a thought in anyone’s mind that drove the truck. And I just watched a video this afternoon where Toyota’s production has improved by 30% even though there’s still some parts shortages. I’m thankful my 2007 Tacoma is still running strong with over 200k miles on it and it’ll get me through the long wait for my 1794.

 

If you are in Facebook look for a group called “no mark up Toyota.” Sales folk post there from all over the country.

 

This board has had plenty of tales of woe & sorrow regarding problems, issues and other irregularities in the first 5,000 miles of their new gen. 3 truck ownership. This "demo" one might very well have had every single little dingleberry of a problem already trued up. Just sayin'.....

 

Ultimately, no way to know how that truck would fare after 200k miles without buying it.

But probabilities matter and the probability that the demo was abused more than OP would in thr first 5k miles is very high. What that matters long term is a crapshoot.

I'd take a truck with 20k miles from a loving owner who followed a gentle break in and varied rpms than a 5k truck driven with no regard.

 

He's a bit raunchy but makes good points about a demo vehicle; especially the lack of warranty for demo abuse.

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

 

Great video! That makes me feel even better after turning down the demo. This forum rocks!

 

Not a demo but a senior executive's car. LOL