[Wyldstyle]

Would you purchase a former loaner vehicle with <5k miles? (Not lease.)

I discussed this a little with BimBimM2 on this thread and decided to start a poll.

The specific MW/CR car that I reference in that thread is a former loaner with ~4k miles on it. It is, of course, at a better price than a new one.

I'm curious to get others' thoughts on whether it is a good, bad, or neutral idea to buy a loaner. My view is that it makes sense for leasing, where any issues are never really your problem (except for potential hassle/shop time), but maybe not so much if you are buying and plan to keep the car for several years.

My concern with buying a loaner is that I have to assume - especially on a sporty car like this - that it has likely been treated roughly/aggressively by many of the customers to whom it was loaned. In particular, it surely didn't get its first ~1000 miles of gentle driving for break-in. I can imagine someone's X5 is being serviced, and they get into this - of course they would want to have some fun with it (who wouldn't?).

[Sportstick]

No

[BEM-S4]

Buy one? Absolutely not? Lease one? For my mother yes, she's driving one right now that I leased her. It's a 330, lightly optioned with the stuff she needs (and knows how to use), white with black leather, and had 3k on it. CRITICALLY important the warranty clock expires AFTER her 36 month lease is done. For someone that doesn't care about cars and is pretty rough on them, it was a compelling option at $420 per month including taxes. She'll drive it, best it up, give it back and we'll lease her something else.
Perfect option for someone like her when a car is a basic appliance.

[4Hockey4]

No - buy used low mileage used 1st CPO

[BrettKA7]

The loaners around here are usually 3-5k on the odometer. I'd buy one at that mileage.

My family has owned several sub-5,000 mile loaner vehicles, some with 25-35% off MSRP, and they have never had any notable issues caused by accelerated wear and tear.

[chattanooga240]

Are you planning on keeping it for life? No.

Do you switch cars like you switch underwear? Absolutely.

[Wyldstyle]

Originally Posted by nvmaddog

Are you planning on keeping it for life? No.

Do you switch cars like you switch underwear? Absolutely.

Difficult question this time around. For life, definitely not. I've leased my last couple cars... so now I can't be sure I won't get bored/frustrated in a few years when I see redesigns & new tech on the market. (But everyone seems to adore their 2 series SO much... maybe I won't get bored.) Maybe 5-6 years...? Probably not more than 6 years. That has me thinking that if it were CPO, maybe it makes sense.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Wyldstyle

Difficult question this time around. For life, definitely not. I've leased my last couple cars... so now I can't be sure I won't get bored/frustrated in a few years when I see redesigns & new tech on the market. (But everyone seems to adore their 2 series SO much... maybe I won't get bored.) Maybe 5-6 years...? Probably not more than 6 years. That has me thinking that if it were CPO, maybe it makes sense.

The CPO rules have changed - it's not as compelling an option as it used to be.

[xtremcarl]

Sure. I bought mine as a loaner. Have had it since the end of 2014. Only 2 maintenance items (other than routine) I have had was an o2 sensor needed to get replaced and my sunroof exploded. No physical damage. Just a defect in the glass from manufacturing or installation at the plant. Other than that car runs amazing.

[Throttlesteer14]

Yes, while there are no absolutes, loaners aren't generally beaten on like rental cars. There will always be exceptions, but I think there's a lot more fear than what's warranted. Also, you know that dealer loaners are not being modified like some of the lease returns. In fact, someone posting on this forum was discussing the addition of a stage 2 tune, catless downpipe, etc... and posting Dragy 1/4 and 0-60 results for their leased car. I would not buy a lease return, but would consider a dealer loaner.

[raddoc]

Most definitely already did! Needed a second car for second home. CPO '18 230i with 16K and BMW warranty to 2023 at 35% off new could not be beat. We were looking at new Minis with less power, comfort and warranty for $10k more. Easy choice.

[IchMagMunchen]

Do you get BMW FS incentives (currently $3000 finance/lease credit + $750 loyalty for the M240i) if you buy a loaner?

[Wyldstyle]

Originally Posted by IchMagMunchen

Do you get BMW FS incentives (currently $3000 finance/lease credit + $750 loyalty for the M240i) if you buy a loaner?

Yep. And the 0.9% financing.

[BimBimM2]

Hey OP, I remember this conversation. I think one of the posters above said it best: buy? NO. Lease? Maybe, because it depends on the car. I am NOT leasing a sport/performance oriented car; I want to break it in myself... you just never marry a loaner you just don't.

okay, fine, as I was typing the above I realized I should state the REAL reason I don't buy pre-owned cars, and never have: HYGIENE! People fart in these fucking cars!

[Throttlesteer14]

Originally Posted by BimBimM2

Hey OP, I remember this conversation. I think one of the posters above said it best: buy? NO. Lease? Maybe, because it depends on the car. I am NOT leasing a sport/performance oriented car; I want to break it in myself... you just never marry a loaner you just don't.

okay, fine, as I was typing the above I realized I should state the REAL reason I don't buy pre-owned cars, and never have: HYGIENE! People fart in these fucking cars!

Yeah, like you haven't sat on thousands of seats with trapped beer farts. Forget COVID, your pants are like a bee carrying fart pollen. Get over it.

[IchMagMunchen]

I voted "Maybe, if the price were too good to pass up", but the price would have to be really good. For me it is almost a no.

But leasing is another story. I don't think I'll have a problem leasing one to save a not insignificant amount of money as long as the factory warranty is in effect, which at 48 months or 50k miles I assume would cover the lease term.

[FCBuff]

I agree that the price is kind of a key factor. Can you be more specific?

[AleksanderSuave]

Originally Posted by Wyldstyle

.

My concern with buying a loaner is that I have to assume - especially on a sporty car like this - that it has likely been treated roughly/aggressively by many of the customers to whom it was loaned. In particular, it surely didn't get its first ~1000 miles of gentle driving for break-in. I can imagine someone's X5 is being serviced, and they get into this - of course they would want to have some fun with it (who wouldn't?).

What guarantee do you have that any other cpo vehicle you buy was at all properly broken in?

As others have mentioned..there’s people in here bragging about leasing vehicles and tuning and modding them.

I’d say a nice loaner is exactly the type of vehicle I would want. The dealerships don’t typically give NICE cars as loaners, they give out cheaper models that nobody hoons anyway.

The FEW nicer loaners are usually reserved for higher end clientele anyway, who likely wouldn’t be driving the car like your average VW golf owner.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by AleksanderSuave

The FEW nicer loaners are usually reserved for higher end clientele anyway, who likely wouldn’t be driving the car like your average VW golf owner.

I drive the loaners and rental cars the same way as our VW Golf R - use all the power, braking and cornering the car has where appropriate.

[Throttlesteer14]

Originally Posted by aerobod

I drive the loaners and rental cars the same way as our VW Golf R - use all the power, braking and cornering the car has where appropriate.

That's because your a cat or ham guy

[Hap]

Originally Posted by nvmaddog

Are you planning on keeping it for life? No.

Do you switch cars like you switch underwear? Absolutely.

That's my problem....And I don't have a lot of underwear.

[chattanooga240]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

The CPO rules have changed - it's not as compelling an option as it used to be.

Yep, this ^^^

Originally Posted by Wyldstyle

Difficult question this time around. For life, definitely not. I've leased my last couple cars... so now I can't be sure I won't get bored/frustrated in a few years when I see redesigns & new tech on the market. (But everyone seems to adore their 2 series SO much... maybe I won't get bored.) Maybe 5-6 years...? Probably not more than 6 years. That has me thinking that if it were CPO, maybe it makes sense.

After month 3, I am already bored of them and moving on, so I'm not the best person to ask.

Originally Posted by AleksanderSuave

What guarantee do you have that any other cpo vehicle you buy was at all properly broken in?

This ^^^

Originally Posted by Hap

That's my problem....And I don't have a lot of underwear.

I'm running low as well...