If the car in question had been used extensively by a carmagazine. It has been around Europe but has been serviced by the manufacturer on return and well taken care of. It's seen more track action than I have but has every extra going and is a good price.

Very interested in opinions.

Which car? Apparently it's the initial press cars you need to watch, like the bloke who bought an E39 M5 with less than 7k on it and needed to replace the clutch...

From what I know, this was a long term car from the beginning of it's life. I'm not sure if that makes it a press car or not?

Condition is everything if it looks and drives ok, why not :yes:

I agree with blue, I would... bear in mind if something breaks they fix it with a new part...

On the same mentality I would buy an ex police car, yes, they are hammered to death sometimes, but everything is replaced (they have dedicated mechanics like with do with the ambulances) and repaired properly with new stuff...

an ex police octy with 100k, probaby has a gearbox 6 months old, new suspension, a replacement engine , ect ect...

if its broke, its been replaced

Long term test car is better than a review car, to be honest. More "normal" driving done, an would have been meticulously maintained!

if the price is right.....

Problem is, how do you know which parts have been replaced? I'd have to ask for detailed servicing docs on everything that's been replaced.

@Babs - 'Normal' driving for this car means it's been round Spa, The Ring and Silverstone...

The price is good but I'm going to need a thorough mechanical check somehow. Does the service the AA provide cover an extreme mechanical check? Clutch, brakes, CV joints etc

True... but it's not spent its life on the redline has it? Like a press demo car would!

I'm thinking of using this service AA Comprehensive Mechnical Check. Pricey but very conclusive I think.

If anything, a long term test car could be a bit more 'suspect' than a normal manufacturer press car lent out for short term reviews. From my experience, the normal press fleet cars get special checks before they leave the factory to ensure they are well within all the norms, and they are then run in for several hundred miles by manufacturer staff before the press get their hands on them. They are then lent out on short term loans, and after each loan given a full check in the manufacturer's dedicated workshop, and anything even slightly suspect is replaced. The last thing a manufacturer wants is to have a press car break down while out on loan to a journalist.

Long term test cars are often bought through the normal supply chain, so that the magazine can report on the buying process. Therefore they miss out on the special checks at the factory, and do not get the careful running in. They see more track action than the average customer's car ever sees (not hard!), but of course the magazine's budget won't let them replace parts after every outing. The magazines normally report on running costs, so you know they haven't been replacing things. The car will probably also have been lent out to a large number of different people at the magazine for them to appraise, and their idea of appraisal is not normally pottering along an A road at 40 mph. You've all seen road tests on TV and on video; it's not normal driving.

I used to work for a manufacturer.

Give us a clue, what car and who has had it?

Renault Megane 250 and used by CarMagazine from 350 to 17,000 miles.

Most Megane forum owners say they won't touch it for the simple reason they don't know which parts have been 'hammered' and could be on the verge of breaking down.

I was thinking an AA inspection, warranty, service history, proper docs etc would cover me a little.

I can't see it getting much more abuse than a normal hot hatch owner would give it.