Is it normal to buy a new car with 300 miles on it?

Question

I purchased a sedan today that had 300 miles on the ododmeter. They said that they had to get it from a dealer up in Mass. (I like in CT) about 200 miles away as I had requested a PZEV which CT does not sell. Did I get ripped off? Is that a lot of miles? And for how long should I keep the car off the highway (I hear that you are supposed to ease them in)?

Many thanks...

Answer 1

It's not too uncommon. Dealers trade vehicles all the time and in a variety of ways. Your new vehicle shouldn't have that many more miles on it before I would want something else however. High end sports cars are usually transported by 18 wheelers, local dealer trades are conducted by the salesperson, a retired gentleman or woman, or sometimes any available dealer employee by driving a car from there lot to another. Some dealers will trailer a vehicle if it is there best interest to do the deal. In your case, it sounds like a little produced car and availabilty is few and either your dealer had one (or  a few more) and sold it or they never got one. Typicially the smaller dealers usually won't get one or if that  dealer doesn't do particularly do well with certain models.

Answer 2

All I have to say is if the car has 300 miles on it then I would say that  it is not a brand new car..

they should have found a way to haul it instead of driving it.

I bet that person that drove the car had a hay day with it..

  I  worked at a dealer ship and they did not drive the cars that  far,,,,, They always had them transported on a truck so

the customer would get what there looking for ,,, a new car...

But, if that is what you want then keep it and enjoy it...b.Jerry

Answer 3

It happens.  Cars get moved from lot to lot and such, and they aren't always going to use a truck to do it.  

You didn't necessarily get ripped off.  I'd be worried if it were a performance car and the break-in period hadn't been observed, though.

Answer 4

This is normal. Usually the sales rep will retrieve the vehicle from another dealer and sometimes they're far away. The question you have to ask yourself how long will it take for you to drive 300 miles?  You didn't get "ripped off". You had to ease vehicles in the 1990's. It is not a requirement now. I wouldn't do 100 miles an hour in the first month though.