bellyboyau

Well, after a good year of reading (and to a lesser extent) posting on this forum, the cash has materialised, and I'm in buying mode!

My question is, searching the forum, I've read that early in the year has been a good time to buy in previous years with the next year's models arriving at dealerships. Will this still be the case in 2006? Other than the temptation to go white, there's no real advantage to me in the 2006 specs I've seen. What drive away price would you call a "good" result for a 2005 model? I.e. after some good dealing and no real rush to jump in the car (after all, I've waited this long!).

My other question relates to demonstrators/company cars. Is it dangerous buying these? Do they really get pummelled by testers and mazda staff? Do some dealerships take better care then others?

Anyway, I'm in Sydney and would prefer obviously to buy local. Any help would be appreciated. There has never been a more researched car than the one I'm about to purchase!

Cheers

astro

Seriously, I never considered getting an RX8. It was perhaps the bottom of the choices I had when I made a trip to the Mazda dealership to see what this RX8 is all about.

What it comes down to is that you are happy with the car. It doesn't matter who tells you what or which car to get. You are buying... and I am sure you'll be far more happier if you take a test drive and base your decision on whether it is the car for you.

Buying a demonstrator model should be a no risk affair. Perhaps it's a good buy since all minor complaints have been addressed such as rattles... as an example. Japanese cars are very reliable... and as you know, some ppl here are very active in tracking their cars without much mechanical problems. The way I see it, if thing break down... it can be fixed under warranty. I bought a demonstrator once... saved plenty of $$$$ and never had a problem.

Reading about or researching a car is like playing computer games. You need to feel what this car is about. So go ahead, test drive the RX8 and come back to tell us what decision you have made.

If it tickles your fancy... we might see you in the RX8 National in October.

Goodluck!

EZZY

here's my quick .02

1. there's always bargain in buying a previous model, especially if you dont care about minor upgrade for newer models. shop around and bargain. (im sure someone will give you better lessons on that)

2. if i were you, i wouldnt touch the ex-demo and dealer company cars.... have heard too many horror stories about it, especially with the performance cars.

3. my mate Colin Tse is a salesman @ Rockdale Madza, give him a buzz and let him know i sent you. (again, shop around for the best deal)

timbo

FYI, there have been reports of people paying low $56ks for leather pack + sun roof...OTR and not demos. Those have mostly been Brisbane prices, but you ought to be able to come close in Sydney. Go for it, but keep your emotions in check...and avoid the accessories chick

Revolver

I can only offer my own experience.

Although I respect Eric's view on demo's, I bought one and haven't had any problems that couldn't be fixed easily.

For example, I had to get a driver's seat squeak fixed but plenty of new car buyers copped that too. The silver ring around the top of the shift **** had also been scratched by no doubt dozens of wedding rings but I've replaced the **** with an Auto-Exe titanium number, which I prefer anyways (of course the dealer might also offer to replace 'worn' items of trim, etc to secure the sale).

For me, the difference between the demo price and the new car price was owning an 8. Simply, the budget didn't stretch to brand new. That made my decision extra easy and saved me from a Cooper S .

As to those people who fear the demo car's had the crap revved out of it, umm, this thing is built to rev and I doubt any tester caned it more than I have since purchase.

You need to consider your own finances. If you can afford a 'new' '05 model then you might prefer that to any risk associated with demo cars. However, if you really want to save so you can use the extra cash for mods, buy a demo. 3 years is a long time for any warranty issues to arise.

Rotor Convert

With all due respect to opinions of others I bought a demo as well. It had 1,500 kms on the clock when I drove it away 3 weeks ago and have had no problems at all. The dealer principle drove the car and it's a fairly strict delaership....I wouldn't have bought one otherwise when it came down to $$.

I guess it matters what you think and what you want. I got a really good deal with mine...considerably less than prices quoted here for an 05 so am happy.

Went on my first cruise last night....was fun and made me realise that the 8 corners like the road has rails.....awesome fun.

Good luck anyway there are plenty of people here who will help you.

Cheers

RC

FishoftheWeek

Hey RC, did you end up catching up with the SA Rotors guys? Where did you guys go to? Disappointed I couldn't make it... damn study commitments

Thought I'd throw my two cents in on the demo.

Got one. Couldn't be happier.

(Of course it only had 49km on it, so probably not the best example)

One thing I was concerned about was the run in period on a demo... I know I gave the demo's a good run when I drove them... if you have nothing but that for the first 1,000k's who know's what condition it will be in. Of course it will be covered under warranty. And I honestly can't preach about run in procedures; I've been somewhat less than restrained.

Revolver

Run in is a whole debate of its own.

Some will say the motor has already been run in by the factory.

Others treat their cars like silkworms and won't rev them over 3K, etc, etc.

Yet others say the motor should be revved to various levels in different gears during the first 1,000 kms.

I've often thought published run in procedures are counsel of perfection stuff and was more important in older cars (hence the guys who often preach strict run in driving are older blokes).

Otherwise, if every demo car is thrashed, why haven't more demo purchasers reported mechanical problems?

EZZY

i wasnt saying all demo/ex-dealership cars are a no-no.....
when i read the first post, i thought of Stu and his troublesome 8 straight away.... and remembered back in my younger days.... i used to go "test drive" cars from dealerships where my friends works/worked (both dealership demo, and trade-in cars).... and to be honest, the way most ppl drives/thrashes those cars, i wouldnt be touching them especially performance cars
just my .02

bellyboyau

...I have had a test drive, not overly long, but a little while ago now. I will definitely have another, possibly this weekend. Delay in purchase was due to working in a start up and having bonuses based on getting funded, which always takes longer than imagined! Anyway, the time has finally come.

Thanks very much for all the replies, and anyone else with specific experiences with demos (or company cars, are they one in the same??) is definitely welcome to share their story. Sounds like on balance, most are happy with their demo purchases. I'm not big on mods, so a few little tidy ups wouldn't bother me at all.

The test drive confirmed all I'd read about the 8 on here: smooth smooth motor, lovely tight gearbox, etc, etc. Had to make sure there was enough room for a 6'2" person (which of course there is!). Not in the least worried about fuel or oil consumption, after all, I'm buying it to enjoy driving, not to save on the petrol bill.

The only other cars I considered were an Audi A3 or A4 (only small consideration) and a Golf GTI (large consideration but dealership salesman were total ******).
And of course I liked the 350Z until I saw the RX8. Never tested the Nissan...

EZZY

awesome stuff belly!
you wont be disappointed with an 8.
let me know if you have decided to wonder over to the Audi side, i have a mate working as a salesman too.
with the VW GTi, they are able to play hard to get, because the waiting list atm (from what i have gathered) is a minimum 6 months....(to your personalised spec)

timbo

...as I found out when I tried to arrange a test drive from Lennock Motors here in Canberra. Really dumb strategy, IMO, as it affects the prospective customer's whole perception of the dealer. Considering I would have to deal with Lennock for either VW or Nissan...they're off my shopping list ...

Revolver

This kind of thing happens everywhere Timbo - customer service is often heavily dependent on supply and demand.

However, you make a good point. Very shortsighted.

I've got a couple of tradesmen in mind who I'm hoping will suffer when the building boom continues to die.

xxup

Me tooo.....