Dealer leased Demo car as New any recourse?

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21

Nah man, I disagree. If the dealers were douche bags about it, that is they intentionally hid the fact that it was a demo (we all know it happens) then they need to pay (figuratively - or literally :smiley: )

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22

If the car has 100 miles at time of delivery, you should ask the questions right then, before you wave goodbye and peel out of the dealerā€™s lot.

If you drive it home with 100 miles and then later on feel a little weird about it, then thatā€™s between you and your therapist.

Letā€™s not lose sight of the fact we are talking 100 miles here. Thatā€™s one dayā€™s commute for some folks. Itā€™s nothing. In 3 months it totally wonā€™t matter, when the car has 4k miles.

This person doesnā€™t have any real problems, Iā€™m guessing. Cause this, this also ainā€™t a real problem.

23

Look, first your friend needs to establish if he signed ANYTHING that says he car was a demo. If he did, then he is screwed. He should have read what he signed.

If he finds that he did NOT sign anything to that effect, have him call the dealer and lay down the facts. He is not going to get a ā€œsuper demo dealā€ after the fact. If that is what he wanted, he should have gone for a demo from the get go. He may however, get a few bucks.

If he is really butt hurt about it (and again, he determines and can prove they straight up lied to him or negotiated in bad faith) then he can get out of the deal. For me, no amount of money would fix it if I was that bummed about it. Then he can get a real new one like he wants.

IMHO of course.

If he wants to go away quietly have them extend the warranty until his lease is up.

24

If this is all on paper, and does not physically affect car performance, resell, etc, then said friend should buck up and move on. He will win on the next one.

If this affects terms of your warranty then I would be concerned, and would expect the dealership to make it right.

25

I went through all his paperwork with him and on the lease agreement there are 3 boxes for car condition (Used, Demo, New) and the New box was checked. There was no paperwork remotely implying it was a demo.

I believe this is auto fraud and definitely bad faith on the dealer side, but I told him heā€™s not gonna get much even if he pursue it without a lawyer and most lawyers wouldnā€™t take this case.

Itā€™s up to him what he wants to do now.

26

I think people are losing site of the fact that there is a difference between new and demo (or getting too focused on the 100 miles). If it is determined that they intentionally obscured the fact that it was a demo, then he should seek to get a new one. If it is not that big of a deal as people are suggesting the the dealer also should not have hidden the fact that it was a demo (i.e. they should have put their selling shoes on and disclosed it).

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27

I can see the other side, sure. But it should not make any difference since the car is technically new (just sat on the lot for 7 months like any other un-punched ones), unless his real issue is that he wants to:

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28

Itā€™s 100 miles. Mileage so low that he bought the car, presumably test drove it and then drove it home, without questioning it. I like the idea of asking for a free hat. That seems about right for any pain and suffering caused here

29

Agreed on this. Iā€™d also have an issue with the dealer doing this, simply because of the possible ramifications down the road. The small amount of mileage isnā€™t the issue but rather the warranty and possible equity.

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30

Agree. I had 2 new cars with 85 and 90 miles on them because they were dealer trade. It did not make any difference for me - I got the cars I wanted.

31

The car in question is a $125k m6 if it matters to anyone. This would also explain the rage my friend is in.

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32

I think the issue is settled. The rest of the comments I think are just going to be a back and forth of ā€œit does matterā€ or ā€œit doesnā€™t matter.ā€

Have your friend call the GM directly (right now). And post the updates here.

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33

On a 125K car I can see being a little upset, but RAGE?!?!?! I donā€™t know why he is being told he is the second owner? The car would then be a used car. And why did they send him this letter in the first place? Seems odd. Has He even spoke to the dealer?

34

Bit more than he can chew? :smirk:

35

But what are the damages. What is he expecting the dealer to do? Take the car and give him a new one?

A damaged egoā€¦ thatā€™s all I can see

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36

I love internet people and their assumptions. Just because you canā€™t afford it, doesnā€™t mean others canā€™t. My friend is a 50 yr doctor so he has no problem affording the car. Heā€™s just mad that the salesperson tried to pull a fast one on him and heā€™s not going to let him get away.

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37

Yea, I can see what you are saying. But letā€™s go back to the moment he is buying the car. If they pulled up two identical cars for him, one has 100 miles and is a demo and one has 100 miles and is not a demo (iā€™ts new). Which would he take? Which would YOU take?

I think that is the point. If they would have told him up front he would have taken the new car (or asked for a discount). I think we all would have. If they lied to him the dealer is on the hook.

But you are also right, in the end, if nothing happens all he has is a damaged ego (assuming he doesnā€™t intend to buy it at lease end and his lease is for a shorter term than the remaining warranty). He really has no loss.

38

I wouldnā€™t care, someone drove it 100 miles either way. demo is just a fancy word for saying the dealership drove it, they drove the other new car 100 miles.

39

He was filing for a bmwcca rebate and there were issues with the paperwork so he got in contact with bmw resulting in this discovery. I donā€™t think he has spoken with dealership.

40

Did he call the dealer yet? The longer he waits the harder it will be. Remember, have him call the GM directly. Those dudes always have to save face.

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