Buying Loaner — Car From Dealership

"I’m interested in that loaner, but before I come in, can you text me a copy of its service history and the inspection checklist? I also want to confirm if it’s eligible for the program for that extra warranty coverage." Option 4: Clarifying Warranty Start Date

Use this if you are looking for a deal on a nearly new car but don't see one specifically listed.

When buying a dealer loaner car, using text messages can be a powerful negotiation tool. Texting allows you to bridge the knowledge gap between yourself and experienced salespeople by giving you time to research their claims and consult others before responding.

"Hi [Salesperson Name], I’m looking at the [Year/Model] loaner. Given it has [Number] miles on it and the factory warranty started on its in-service date, I’m looking for a total discount of $[Amount] off the MSRP to make the deal work. If you can hit that number, I’m ready to come in today."

Loaners typically come with a "courtesy discount" off the original MSRP that increases based on mileage and time in service.

"Hi [Salesperson Name], I’m in the market for a [Model] and was curious if you have any retired service loaners or demonstrators coming up for sale soon. I’m looking for the 'used price' on a nearly new vehicle. Let me know if there's anything available I could come see."

It is critical to verify the vehicle's condition since multiple service customers have driven it.

Below are text templates for different stages of purchasing a retired service loaner.