The one question we get asked all the time is: "What do you do with your test cars when you're done with them?" Since we buy every car we test, we can't just simply give the cars back to the manufacturer when we're done, like a typical press loan. Hence, we have to sell them.
We usually find someone among the hundreds of Consumer Reports employees that's interested in buying the retired test car or we might simply trade it in for a new one.
That time has come for several convertibles and for a twist, we thought we'd offer these entertaining roadsters to our readers.
Forget how cold and gray it is in much of the country—spring will be here soon. And when the sun is shining, what's more fun than a drop-top sports car?
If you are interested in one of the low-mileage sports cars listed below, you can save about $10,000 over the price as-new and take delivery at the Consumer Reports test track in East Haddam, Connecticut. We'll even give you a tour of the facilities and a few laps on the handling track in your new car. (Learn how Consumer Reports tests cars.)
Click on the name to see the complete road test (available to online subscribers).
2012 Audi TT 2.0 TFSI quattro S-Tronic (automatic)
Asking price: $36,500
MSRP: $45,300
Approximate miles: 6,600
2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i (manual)
Asking price: $45,000
MSRP: $55,225
Approximate miles: 8,400
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 (manual)
Asking price: $39,500
MSRP: $48,045
Approximate miles: 8,500
2013 Porsche Boxster (manual)
Asking price: $48,000
MSRP: $59,600
Approximate miles: 7,000
The cars have all been well cared for, and, if needed, worn tires have been replaced. The money from the sale of these and all cars purchased for testing goes back into our budget for acquiring future test cars.
Serious buyers may contact us for more information and window stickers at crtestcars (at) gmail.com.