Overhaulin'

I bought a brand new car that had around 550 miles on it. Is that normal or did I get ripped off?

Since I've always shopped for used cars, I thought having several hundred miles on a brand new one is not a big deal, but a friend of mine told me that they were supposed to discount the price for the mileage. I still think I got a good deal - I paid almost $2000 below invoice for a 2007 model, but I feel a little uncomfortable with the deal I got because of the mileage. What do you think?

Public Comments

1. The mileage is a little higher than expected for a new car; perhaps it was a demonstrator? At any rate, since it is still a new vehicle and you paid two thousand less than the invoice, I think you did pretty well. Enjoy your new car. Good luck!
2. As "not nice" as this sounds, you've already bought the car and the paperwork is signed. Being uncomfortable with the deal is something you'll have to work out on your own because I can pretty much gaurentee that the dealership couldn't care less at this point. I would have expected less than 550 miles on a new car, but unless those were some really hard miles I would think you have nothing to worry about other than your personal perception of the deal. My recommendation? Forget about it and enjoy the car.
3. Happens all the time. Sometimes the cars are demo cars or "program" cars driven by managers. Or the car could have been driven from another dealer in a distant city but the customer decided they didn't want it. Anyway, a car that has never been titled is considered a new car, regardless of mileage. Unless there are signs of wear, damage, or abuse it's not a big problem, especially if you got a good discount. Make sure the dealer cleans it up good.
4. I had one with 500 on it, the car was fine. You friend is just a bit envious of your new car perhaps?
5. chill and enjoy your brand new ride. you paid a good price and those are just factory test miles. all new cars have those.
6. Some staff member has been driving the car around, and it probably wasn't hurt much at all. You did a good deal, and it's warranted, so don't worry about it.
7. Did you test drive it? Did others test drive it? Cars aren't like lipsticks. You go to the store, look at the tester, and by a sealed one from behind the counter. Well, dealers do have demonstrators, but, If want the blue one with the buckets instead of the red one with the bench seat, I am test driving the blue one. It is impossible to buy a car with zero miles on it. Even driving it out of the plant to the lot, from the lot to the truck, and the truck to the dealer compound puts something on it. The practical difference between 550 and zero on a new car is zero.
8. no not really if the car dealer is at a place where a lot of traffic or people can see the car then they would want to test drive it, and if you live in a big city thats kind of normal but a town maybe not just depends where the dealer is located