[BrianFellows]

I have been inquiring about First Edition models I have seen listed in inventory online. Most dealerships have told me that they are their test drive models and they can't actually sell them yet. But one dealer (3.5 hours away from me, so it'd be a chore to get there) told me they could sell it and quoted me a decent OTD price for it. Before I make arrangements to head that way, has anyone else been able to buy the test drive/demo vehicle off a lot?

 

[Enzo589]

One wasn’t a demo, but a few dealerships around me had their demos for sale when I purchased mine. I think they were selling for something like $43,500.

 

[Tinman]

What general area of the country are you in?

 

[BrianFellows]

Mid Atlantic Area

 

[Don]

While searching for my car, I found several for sale. Most are listed as 'Used' and I asked about the Federal $7,500 rebate on a couple of them and they said it was gone . . . . and the asking price for cars with 2,500 to 3,500 miles on them was only about $2K to $2,500 off the MSRP price. Unless someone really wanted an FE and wasn't in a position tax wise to claim the rebate, those asking prices just didn't make sense to me - Actually, even then it doesn't make sense. The dealer got the $7,500 and is keeping it and not passing any of it on to the buyer - They're making more selling those used cars than selling new ones. Buy a new Pro S and get the $7,500 back makes more sense . . . . unless you've just fallen in love with that white steering wheel

Don

 

[billatq]

While searching for my car, I found several for sale. Most are listed as 'Used' and I asked about the Federal $7,500 rebate on a couple of them and they said it was gone . . . . and the asking price for cars with 2,500 to 3,500 miles on them was only about $2K to $2,500 off the MSRP price. Unless someone really wanted an FE and wasn't in a position tax wise to claim the rebate, those asking prices just didn't make sense to me - Actually, even then it doesn't make sense. The dealer got the $7,500 and is keeping it and not passing any of it on to the buyer - They're making more selling those used cars than selling new ones. Buy a new Pro S and get the $7,500 back makes more sense . . . . unless you've just fallen in love with that white steering wheel

Don

I'm no tax professional, but it sure sounds like it would be eligible as long as you're the first one to receive title to it: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/30D

I realize that these definitions are from a different part of the US Code, but: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/7550

The law also says you can't claim the tax credit if you intend to resell it. You could always pull the carfax and see if there was a previous owner.

 

[Huey52]

Yes, first Title-ing is the point of distinction for ownership and thereby Fed/State tax incentive. Demo's are often un-titled, sold as new but at reduced price given accrued mileage.

I'm no tax professional, but it sure sounds like it would be eligible as long as you're the first one to receive title to it: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/30D

I realize that these definitions are from a different part of the US Code, but: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/7550

The law also says you can't claim the tax credit if you intend to resell it. You could always pull the carfax and see if there was a previous owner.

 

[genux]

I have been inquiring about First Edition models I have seen listed in inventory online. Most dealerships have told me that they are their test drive models and they can't actually sell them yet. But one dealer (3.5 hours away from me, so it'd be a chore to get there) told me they could sell it and quoted me a decent OTD price for it. Before I make arrangements to head that way, has anyone else been able to buy the test drive/demo vehicle off a lot?

That's how I ended up with my First Edition. It already had about 250 miles on it, so they knocked off an $1,500 which I didn't expect but was a nice touch. I'm in the Northern California area.

My dealer told me that VWoA has given them "permission" to sell their FEs. But it's up to the dealer to do so, as some may not have many demo vehicles at hand for customers to try.

Best case: call/email EVERYWHERE you see one. If you've already test-driven it before, I'm sure the dealer would be more than happy to deliver the vehicle to you if need be.

 

[billatq]

If you've already test-driven it before, I'm sure the dealer would be more than happy to deliver the vehicle to you if need be.

That depends upon your distance. Some dealers will have a runner bring you a vehicle, but if you're far enough, you're on the hook to drive/ship it. I ran into this problem when I bought a Fiat 500e in the SF Bay Area that I wanted delivered to Seattle.

 

[d287]

Spoke to my dealer today in Summit, NJ and they say they cannot sell their demo.

 

[ddx]

Not an FE, but I was texting with a dealer with only 1 Pro S Gradient model on their lot, they did not clarify (no answer) when I asked if it is a demo car. They said VW told them not to sell the last ID4 on the lot (which I assume should be the demo car), but they are allowed to sell it after 3 months, even if they don't have another ID4 on the lot.

 

[hilld]

When we were ID.4 shopping, the dealer told me that they got permission to sell their FE with 2k miles on it. I was thinking ok a discount of a buck/mile, but was floored when they said, nope MSRP only. Needless to say, we didn't but that one and ended up at a different dealer.

 

[MikeQBF]

Our local dealer (VW of Marion, IL) just sold their FE demo, which was still on the lot awaiting final detailing. So, yes, this is another confirmation they are selling their demos. I was there today to test drive the remaining in-stock ID.4 Pro S (I think it was an S), but here I am next to the FE:

 

[Trekkie]

the one in Raleigh, NC offered to sell me the one they had at the other lot for at retail with 4k miles on it, I don't want the car that bad and pretty sure they 'bought' the car so you don't get the $7500 from the feds.

 

[wtatun]

the one in Raleigh, NC offered to sell me the one they had at the other lot for at retail with 4k miles on it, I don't want the car that bad and pretty sure they 'bought' the car so you don't get the $7500 from the feds.

Probably not - they don’t need to “buy” the demo car. Anyway, as long as the car was not titled (most likely wasn’t since dealers can do test drives w/o titling), one would be eligible for the tax credit. If they could get a good deal off the car with some demo mileage, it may be a good deal.

 

[Huey52]

Correct, most demo's are untitled so they may be sold as new (with a discount for accrued mileage).

Probably not - they don’t need to “buy” the demo car. Anyway, as long as the car was not titled (most likely wasn’t since dealers can do test drives w/o titling), one would be eligible for the tax credit. If they could get a good deal off the car with some demo mileage, it may be a good deal.