Denied a GT86 test drive because I wouldn't commit to buy

[Ved]

Bit of a strange one, this and you'll be bored reading this as much as I was experiencing it so apologies in advance....

I managed to get a couple of hours out from looking after the new nipper today so went for a drive over to Toyota to have a look at a GT86 in the flesh. I've always like these and seeing GFWilliams' TRD encouraged me to see what they're like to drive.

Anyway over to the local dealer I pop where they've got no less that five used ones and a brand new one in the showroom. As this'll be taking the family around on occasions I first checked the rear seats, then the boot space, folded the seats down, had a sit and generally got comfortable - all while a salesman watched and waited just itching to come and say hello. As soon as I got out he pounced and asked when I wanted one. A bit forward but maybe that's his style.

Anyway, I said I was a fan of the car and liked that they'd put something fun to the line up and that I'd already driven the BRZ recently but wanted to see the differences in how they drove as well as the options and equipment. After about 15 mins of taking me around the cars and pointing out a few things that could be added, I asked what the lead-time was on arranging a test drive - expecting a few days. As soon as I mentioned that he steered it back to the 'deal' they had to put in place. Not that I'd talked about money yet, I wanted to know about the product. Again, "when I can see how it compared to the Subaru brother?" No point driving it as I may want a different colour to the ones they have there and they may sell by the time I'm ready to buy... Right.. Ok...

Needless to say I knew I was onto a loser here so thanked him for his time and, for one final attempt at grasping what his potential customer wanted, asked if he minded if I went to look at the TRD one they had on display. Apparently this was code for me going by myself and him sodding off back inside.

A short message to Toyota and they're going to see about a test drive for me. What a faff for such a simple request. If I do get one it won't be from there.

[markmullen]

Serious question. If the test drive was enjoyable would you have bought the car?

[littlebasher]

markmullen said:

Serious question. If the test drive was enjoyable would you have bought the car?

And if he didn't like the way it drove, would that make him a timewaster?

[Ved]

markmullen said:

Serious question. If the test drive was enjoyable would you have bought the car?

And a good question! It would have persuaded me to seriously consider it. I wouldn't have bought it on the spot no, but then I never have after a single test drive. Experiencing a few cars is generally the first thing I do so I know what's realistically on my list, then I can go after the best deals after justifying them via manmaths2014.xls.

To compare this, when I bought my first STI in 2007 they handed me the keys, told me to enjoy myself, avoid the speed cameras and come back to talk further if I liked it. I bought that car a week later.

[markmullen]

littlebasher said:

And if he didn't like the way it drove, would that make him a timewaster?

Not at all.

I am just guessing Toyota dealers are being besieged by time wasters just wanting a smoke around in a GT86 and are as such being picky as to who gets a demo.

[Ved]

markmullen said:

littlebasher said:

And if he didn't like the way it drove, would that make him a timewaster?

Not at all.

I am just guessing Toyota dealers are being besieged by time wasters just wanting a smoke around in a GT86 and are as such being picky as to who gets a demo.

I thought the same but since I'm mid-30s, turning up in a nice car, dressed reasonably well, talking about a new baby, ISOFIX seats, luggage space, warranty, parking sensors, servicing packages and how it'd be a third car I'd have hoped he'd have seen me as less of a risk than a 17 year old with a DriftWorx hoody on

I even had a nice hair cut an hour before too. Can't win with some people

Edited by Ved on Saturday 22 February 23:13

[goneape]

Shhhhhhh... don't tell everyone!

[markmullen]

Ved said:

And a good question! It would have persuaded me to seriously consider it. I wouldn't have bought it on the spot no, but then I never have after a single test drive. Experiencing a few cars is generally the first thing I do so I know what's realistically on my list, then I can go after the best deals after justifying them via manmaths2014.xls.
.

Look at it from the dealers point of view. Do you sound like you're a hot prospect worth investing the company's time, money and effort, bearing in mind they are private entities whose goal is to sell cars, not manufacturer owned test drive centres like MB Brooklands designed to further the brand. Or do you give the impression you just wanted a drive of a new sports car to see if you like it?

Apologies if I'm wrong but the way you wrote it it does sound like you were just out for a drive.

[MitchT]

I was seriously thinking about buying a MKII Toyota MR2 back when they were still in production. I rolled up in a two year old BMW, so they had no reason to think I couldn't afford one, yet the only response I got from the sales guy was "If we've got any they'll be over there" as he pointed toward a collection of nearly new cars parked outside. I decided I was happy enough with my BMW after that.

[deltashad]

My local dealership were fine about me taking a test drive, albeit with the salesman sitting next to me, I dont think this put me off the toyota as the lotus I test drove and bought had a very nervous owner next to me. I was very respectful.
Sounds like they played it wrong though, its not like its a Ferrari and they shouldn't be putting off future potential customers.

[poing]

markmullen said:

Look at it from the dealers point of view. Do you sound like you're a hot prospect worth investing the company's time, money and effort, bearing in mind they are private entities whose goal is to sell cars, not manufacturer owned test drive centres like MB Brooklands designed to further the brand. Or do you give the impression you just wanted a drive of a new sports car to see if you like it?

Apologies if I'm wrong but the way you wrote it it does sound like you were just out for a drive.

Surely there is very little money, time or effort needed though? I'm guessing cars are not insured on a per test drive basis so there will be the same annual/monthly cost that won't change if 10 people or 100 people drive the car. There will be some cost for petrol, but that's likely to fairly low.

In terms of time, the dealer can either go with them or deal with the queue of customers so it's optional unless they have an insurance policy that requires them to go on the test drive. If that's the case then the sales guy can suggest a date/time that's suitable for a test drive.

I imagine they sell most Toyota cars without people needing test drives, they are pretty much the dictionary definition of white goods cars but if Toyota make a sporty drivers car then they should really expect people to want to test it first.

[markmullen]

poing said:

Surely there is very little money, time or effort needed though? I'm guessing cars are not insured on a per test drive basis so there will be the same annual/monthly cost that won't change if 10 people or 100 people drive the car. There will be some cost for petrol, but that's likely to fairly low.

In terms of time, the dealer can either go with them or deal with the queue of customers so it's optional unless they have an insurance policy that requires them to go on the test drive. If that's the case then the sales guy can suggest a date/time that's suitable for a test drive.

Dealer's busiest day is Saturday, salesman could well miss a customer who will buy. Most trade insurance has huge excess for unaccompanied demo, think £10-15k. Fuel isn't free, as is depreciation.

Poing said:

I imagine they sell most Toyota cars without people needing test drives, they are pretty much the dictionary definition of white goods cars but if Toyota make a sporty drivers car then they should really expect people to want to test it first.

You imagine wrong, very few people but cars without demos, even white goods type cars.

I'm sure had the OP been wanting to but a car he'd have got a demo. As it is I would suggest the salesman qualified that he was, as he appears, just interested and as he admitted, not going to buy in any short term, so declined to demo him.

Read the OP back and imagine you were selling your car privately. If he came to see your car would you let him drive it?

[Seeker UK]

markmullen said:

Read the OP back and imagine you were selling your car privately. If he came to see your car would you let him drive it?

If you're referring to:

"No point driving it as I may want a different colour to the ones they have there and they may sell by the time I'm ready to buy... Right.. Ok..."

I suspect that's what the dealer said to the OP.

[FRA53R]

When the GT86 first came out I went into a dealership, just to have a look around, as any interested petrol head would.

I was taken in by the young salesman who sat me down and said: 'you'll need a test drive first' I immediately accepted his kind offer which related to a long run at high speed and nearly a sale, apart from the fact that I couldn't quite afford it. Still feel bad for taking advantage of the fella but he offered so I took.

This is probably why you have ended up in this situation, because many like me took advantage of an overly lenient test drive situation.

[poing]

markmullen said:

Dealer's busiest day is Saturday, salesman could well miss a customer who will buy. Most trade insurance has huge excess for unaccompanied demo, think £10-15k. Fuel isn't free, as is depreciation.

I covered the dealer taking time out to go on the test drive by asking the customer to arrange a more suitable time. I could be wrong but this option didn't seem to be offered to the OP.

We know fuel isn't free, and depreciation happens anyway. If you are talking about adding a few miles then that's why dealer have demonstrators. If they don't have one then they can explain that.

Lets not forget that the profit built in should cover all these things, if it doesn't then it's purely bad business practice. All businesses have to have sufficient profits to cover operating costs.

markmullen said:

You imagine wrong, very few people but cars without demos, even white goods type cars.

I'm sure had the OP been wanting to but a car he'd have got a demo. As it is I would suggest the salesman qualified that he was, as he appears, just interested and as he admitted, not going to buy in any short term, so declined to demo him.

Read the OP back and imagine you were selling your car privately. If he came to see your car would you let him drive it?

Then given what both the OP and many many people say here the dealer won't be selling many cars.

If the salesman made a judgement call then that's fine but it's a risky way to run things. I guess they work the law of averages and hope that they are a good judge but they often aren't in my experience. I've refused to buy cars when dealers have been awkward about letting me drive the car, in every case I have then gone on to buy a car at another dealership very soon after. Those sales guys made a bad call and lost the sale, this has happened a few times with me now so it's not a one off thing.

We can't compare buying private to buying from a dealer.

[carinaman]

The vendor skipped the foreplay?

Was he closing the deal before getting 'buying signals' or had already made his mind up about the prospect (the OP)?

The colour doesn't effect the test drive does it? Two responses to that one:

1. 'You've a new one here, and five used ones outside. I want to test drive one to see how it compares to the Subaru. I've done some research and the magazines say they drive differently. I've driven the Subaru and as I'll be keeping the car for a while and it's a sizeable chunk of money given I have a mortgage and little one to keep in nappies I'd like to take one for a drive to help me decide which version of this car would suit me better.'

Or

2. 'I've heard some really good things about Toyota, especially about the way they dealt with the recalls, but I am seriously impressed that you're prepared to order in a car in the exact specification I may be interested in just for a test drive.'

Was it a busy Saturday? The OP said the chap was loitering waiting to pounce.

People buy people. The Toyota salesman was selling a car or a test drive?

[rich888]

markmullen said:

Serious question. If the test drive was enjoyable would you have bought the car?

Don't worry, you are not alone with this scenario and begs the question as to why you want a test drive in the first place - to find out if you like it or not??? - it's not rocket science!

Back in 2009 I was looking to buy a Toyota IQ, so visited several Toyota dealers and asked each of them for a quote, and guess what, they all quoted the same price to the penny, so I purchased from the dealer closest to me.

And when the 3 year lease ran out and I was looking for another Toyota the same sales rep refused me a test drive because I didn't have my driving license to hand. Unfortunately for Toyota we drove over to the local Fiat dealership in the meantime who let me test-drive a Fiat 500, at which point I realised just how well thought-out the Fiat 500 was compared to the Toyota IQ in every way. And to anyone considering buying a Toyota IQ, do yourself a favour and test drive a Fiat 500, the IQ is good, but the 500 is a lot better.

Though it's not only Toyota salesmen that are rather dim-witted, we hit the same problem a few years ago when my girlfriend an I were about to test drive a Merc SLK from Mercedes Mansfield when the sales manager dashed out and banned us from driving the car together because he didn't know us from Adam, and insisted each of us be accompanied by the sales rep (though I had booked the test drive well in advance), whilst sitting in the showroom listening to him droning on about the SLK he arrogantly went on to say that he didn't have to offer a test drive to us because the cars sold themselves - well at this point he lost the sale, and both myself and my girlfriend climbed back into my Range Rover in total disgust over the behaviour of such an arrogant prat. Needless to say Mansfield Mercedes is no longer trading.

Now at this point I need to mention the excellent attitude adopted by the Lincoln Mercedes dealer who we visited a few weeks later and the sales rep who we dealt with who was fantastic, and not only dropped a car off on Friday for us to test drive over the weekend, but also collected it on Monday evening. On that particular occasion I didn't purchase the car, but if ever I decide to buy a Merc in the future they will be the first dealer I visit with a view to a buy. So 10 out of 10 for Lincoln Mercedes dealership.

Actually, there are plenty other more modern cars just as capable as the Toyota GT86. Perhaps try out a classic like an old school petrolhead 5 litre V8 monster like the Porsche 928 S4 - better to be quick because values are rising. Contact Paul Anderson in Stroud for further advice.

[gaz1234]

which dealer?

[redtwin]

I was refused a test drive of a Mondeo. It was a Titanium 2 litre diesel, not an ST so they couldn't possibly think I was after a joy ride.

Maybe I didn't strike them as a serious buyer and I was only there to kill some time by looking at diesel Mondeos.

Maybe my mistake was telling them that I was looking to buy that week or next and that I wanted to try the Mondeo to compare it to the other cars I was thinking of such as Saab 93, VW Golf, Volvo S60 etc. The sales manager said that I could get a test drive when I decided that the Mondeo was the car I wanted to buy.

I should have asked how would I know I wanted the Mondeo having not been allowed a test drive in it, but by that point I was hacked off with them and wanted to leave.

[Clivey]

markmullen said:

Read the OP back and imagine you were selling your car privately. If he came to see your car would you let him drive it?

Whilst I appreciate the point you're trying to make, it's not exactly the same thing. - What if he'd driven one of the pre-reg examples then gone back in a week or a month and either bought another (I have done this) or ordered a brand new one on the back of the test drive? Would that still be a waste of your time?

I build and sell bespoke computers and get people coming back to buy weeks, sometimes months after I've spent time going through things with them, giving them demos etc. etc. - I don't do the "hard sell" or act pushy like some salespeople as it wouldn't do our reputation any good but most of the people that ask about new systems end-up buying from us.