Buying A Program Car -

The price was roughly 20% lower than the identical new model sitting nearby.

Since the car was so new, Sarah still had a significant portion of the manufacturer’s warranty left.

Buying a "program car" often feels like finding a hidden middle ground between a brand-new vehicle and a typical used one. The Story: The "Near-New" Gamble buying a program car

Sarah was hesitant. "Is it just a beat-up rental?" she asked. The salesperson pulled the Carfax report , which showed the car had been part of a corporate fleet and followed a strict, documented maintenance schedule. Because it was a current model year, it still had the "new car" smell and the latest tech features that she didn't want to sacrifice. The Benefits Sarah Found:

But the experts say to keep these points in mind: * Verify the car's history: Ask the salesperson for details about the car's use. Buying a Used Car From a Dealer - FTC Consumer Advice The price was roughly 20% lower than the

Her salesperson explained it was a —a vehicle typically used by manufacturer representatives (sometimes called "brass hats" or executive cars) or returned from short-term fleet leases or rentals. Unlike "demo cars," which dealers use for test drives and usually have under 3,000 miles, this program car had about 8,000 miles on the odometer.

Imagine Sarah, who had her heart set on a brand-new SUV but found the sticker price—even after rebates—just out of reach. While browsing the lot, she noticed a model from the current year that looked identical to the new ones but was listed for thousands less. The Story: The "Near-New" Gamble Sarah was hesitant

While some new models had waitlists, this one was ready to drive home that day. Can Buying a Demo Car Save You Money? on Edmunds.com