How long should a test drive of a new car be?
Discussion
I too have a good story about where dealer A wouldn't even look at me because I was 14/wearing trainers/e-mailed but luckily there was a happy ending because I pretended on the internet that I went to dealer B who threw me the keys and told me to bring the car back in six months time.
As an ex con (sales) "spend lots of time deciding" & "I just wasn't sure about how I felt about the interior and image" smack of time waster. Or to be fair someone that has issues that a salesperson cannot resolve. Sales people get their ass kicked/sacked if they don't hit targets. And said kindred spirits thus have to decide how to invest their time.
Here's my thing: Boxster/996 saved Porsche but, trust me you wouldn't like the quality. Nor would you like the quality of Panamera or Jag XJ switchgear; wouldn't get into a Lego set. And "playstation like performance"? What does that even mean? Have driven a GTR and it is pretty awesome, but again I think you have Porsche/Nissan issues that are not demo related. FWIW I would go used Porsche Turbo. The agony of choice...
Here's my thing: Boxster/996 saved Porsche but, trust me you wouldn't like the quality. Nor would you like the quality of Panamera or Jag XJ switchgear; wouldn't get into a Lego set. And "playstation like performance"? What does that even mean? Have driven a GTR and it is pretty awesome, but again I think you have Porsche/Nissan issues that are not demo related. FWIW I would go used Porsche Turbo. The agony of choice...
DickHerpes said:
I too have a good story about where dealer A wouldn't even look at me because I was 14/wearing trainers/e-mailed but luckily there was a happy ending because I pretended on the internet that I went to dealer B who threw me the keys and told me to bring the car back in six months time.
I'm assuming that this is for some reason in response to my post? I'm not sure why you feel the need to question it? The OP has a similar need for a long test before committing to buying as me, I have practical experience of how it was resolved.For reference:
Dealer who didn't do long drives - Nissan Gloucester.
Dealer who did and subsequently was ordered from - Bridges Nissan Cirencester.
Sales person : Adam (can't remember his last name)
Car ordered - 350Z GT Pack, Rays, Gunmetal Grey.
Is that enough information for the posting police?
I guess it all comes down to how you come across to the dealer. When I was looking at an X-Type estate a number of years ago I visited my local main dealer, got in a conversation with the dealer and spent a while going over specifics with him that I was looking for in the car. We discussed the finance options and then finally I asked him if I could take one they happened to have that was the specification that I was after overnight. Dealer said yes, I took it back the next day and bought the thing there and then.
Had the same thing a couple of years later when I was looking to replace it with an XF estate. This time the X-Type was in for some work so I asked them if they could let me have an XF estate for a couple of days while my X-Type was in. Again they said yes, I had the car for two days and put my order in for one when I returned it.
Both times I was a genuine buyer and yes I was after a freebie for a day or two but it in the end I was happy as I got the car I was after and the dealer was happy as he had a couple of sales plus any and all work that needed doing to either car was carried out there. Plus it pays to be nice to the dealer too - attitude will get you nothing.
Had the same thing a couple of years later when I was looking to replace it with an XF estate. This time the X-Type was in for some work so I asked them if they could let me have an XF estate for a couple of days while my X-Type was in. Again they said yes, I had the car for two days and put my order in for one when I returned it.
Both times I was a genuine buyer and yes I was after a freebie for a day or two but it in the end I was happy as I got the car I was after and the dealer was happy as he had a couple of sales plus any and all work that needed doing to either car was carried out there. Plus it pays to be nice to the dealer too - attitude will get you nothing.
DickHerpes said:
I too have a good story about where dealer A wouldn't even look at me because I was 14/wearing trainers/e-mailed but luckily there was a happy ending because I pretended on the internet that I went to dealer B who threw me the keys and told me to bring the car back in six months time.
After you bought the car from dealer B did you then go back to dealer A with your new car to rub the salesmans nose in it and to see his shocked and disappointed face due to the sale that he threw away?!I've only ever test driven one car - my first Z4. BMW Reading offered it to me for an extended test drive and as a result I ended up ordering one. A good sales move as I wasn't actually looking at the time!
No experience elsewhere though as I generally buy my cars without a test drive - indeed, mostly I just buy them unseen too!
No experience elsewhere though as I generally buy my cars without a test drive - indeed, mostly I just buy them unseen too!
I have had a few test drives, and on one SEAT gave me an unaccompanied go in a Leon FR with an Ex GF, I was about 26 at the time, in the end went for a DC2 instead.
Second time I went a couple of years later I had sold the DC2 and had a decent wedge looking at a K1 Leon Cupra, they basically didn't want to know, I got the dealer principals daughters car, so obviously they were terrified and I was lucky if I got out of first gear. Trying to sell a 240bhp, hot hatch on a 1 mile round trip not going above 40 didn't tell me much about the car, even if it was comfy, which you can tell after about 30 mins to an hour.
Other one I had was a Toyota GT86, booked in advance, the salesman came with me, got a good 40 minutes, had a hoon and a laugh, and in the end I went with the 350z, which he knew I may be doing in the end I would have been better getting the GT as I t would be £30 a month cheaper and a year less payments, but would have been pcp, so no final ownership, which bothered me).
Bikes I have had almost unrestricted goes, they say take about 45 minutes but if you are an hour or more usually they don't mind as I bought both bikes I had a go of so they know I am not taking the piss.
Its a chance they take, and some will let you go some wont, I don't have an issue with a salesman coming along, its when you can tell they don't want to do the test drive, are quiet all the time as if they see you as below them, just pisses me off, getting a good 40 minutes to an hour will tell you if you like it, and as for seat comfort I have never had a car I didn't fidget in, which I have now found out is quite common.
Best bet is to agree on what you can do with the dealer, and even an extended test drive with a salesman isn't too bad, chat about cars or telly while you are doing it, its just b
ks but at least it relaxes both of you and you can get a longer drive I have found.
best of luck with the purchase if you go ahead, lovely things the GT-R
Second time I went a couple of years later I had sold the DC2 and had a decent wedge looking at a K1 Leon Cupra, they basically didn't want to know, I got the dealer principals daughters car, so obviously they were terrified and I was lucky if I got out of first gear. Trying to sell a 240bhp, hot hatch on a 1 mile round trip not going above 40 didn't tell me much about the car, even if it was comfy, which you can tell after about 30 mins to an hour.
Other one I had was a Toyota GT86, booked in advance, the salesman came with me, got a good 40 minutes, had a hoon and a laugh, and in the end I went with the 350z, which he knew I may be doing in the end I would have been better getting the GT as I t would be £30 a month cheaper and a year less payments, but would have been pcp, so no final ownership, which bothered me).
Bikes I have had almost unrestricted goes, they say take about 45 minutes but if you are an hour or more usually they don't mind as I bought both bikes I had a go of so they know I am not taking the piss.
Its a chance they take, and some will let you go some wont, I don't have an issue with a salesman coming along, its when you can tell they don't want to do the test drive, are quiet all the time as if they see you as below them, just pisses me off, getting a good 40 minutes to an hour will tell you if you like it, and as for seat comfort I have never had a car I didn't fidget in, which I have now found out is quite common.
Best bet is to agree on what you can do with the dealer, and even an extended test drive with a salesman isn't too bad, chat about cars or telly while you are doing it, its just b
ks but at least it relaxes both of you and you can get a longer drive I have found.best of luck with the purchase if you go ahead, lovely things the GT-R
About ten years ago, I was looking to change my car. Options were 350Z, S2000, Evo and WRX STI. Subaru were offering 24hr test drives so I arranged to go along to the dealership. The salesman took me and a mate out in it for 30 mins just to vet me for the full loan (which turned out to be 8hrs, which was a good amount of time to have a play).
The salesman said that (fairly obviously) if my driving had been stupid then they would just make up some excuse as to why I couldn't have the car; like 'insurance' or some other.
The salesman said that (fairly obviously) if my driving had been stupid then they would just make up some excuse as to why I couldn't have the car; like 'insurance' or some other.
cuda440 said:
As an ex con (sales) "spend lots of time deciding" & "I just wasn't sure about how I felt about the interior and image" smack of time waster. Or to be fair someone that has issues that a salesperson cannot resolve. Sales people get their ass kicked/sacked if they don't hit targets. And said kindred spirits thus have to decide how to invest their time.
The OP's posts do read like he wants an extended test drive to convince himself that a GTR is not the car for him.What can you learn about a car in a day that you can't in 45 mins to an hour? Whether a passenger is present or not should be immaterial - unless you want to drive like a lunatic of course, in someone else's expensive bit of stock in trade...
If you want a day or more, unaccompanied, rent it. Possibly agree with the dealer unwilling to provide a car for daily free hire that in the event you do decide to buy one, would they cover the cost of the hire in the subsequent deal? I've done that before in these circumstances and it works well.
Quite often the dealer's insurance does not cover people to test drive vehicles unaccompanied at all, so where they may permit it, they may reasonably request you to arrange fully comprehensive cover for the duration. Where a car is a used car and to be driven on trade plates, the rules (which I will admit are often bent and broken) state that a dealer employee must be present on test drive.
In an hour you can drive 40-50 miles over just about every sort of road you're likely to encounter, the look of the car won't change, the interior design won't change with an exposure of a few more hours. Most of the time a person can tell within 5 minutes if a car is right for them or not. Some people don't even test drive at all, from bread and butter shopping hatches to very high end vehicles.
If you want a day or more, unaccompanied, rent it. Possibly agree with the dealer unwilling to provide a car for daily free hire that in the event you do decide to buy one, would they cover the cost of the hire in the subsequent deal? I've done that before in these circumstances and it works well.
Quite often the dealer's insurance does not cover people to test drive vehicles unaccompanied at all, so where they may permit it, they may reasonably request you to arrange fully comprehensive cover for the duration. Where a car is a used car and to be driven on trade plates, the rules (which I will admit are often bent and broken) state that a dealer employee must be present on test drive.
In an hour you can drive 40-50 miles over just about every sort of road you're likely to encounter, the look of the car won't change, the interior design won't change with an exposure of a few more hours. Most of the time a person can tell within 5 minutes if a car is right for them or not. Some people don't even test drive at all, from bread and butter shopping hatches to very high end vehicles.
Rick_1138 said:
I have had a few test drives, and on one SEAT gave me an unaccompanied go in a Leon FR with an Ex GF, I was about 26 at the time, in the end went for a DC2 instead.
Second time I went a couple of years later I had sold the DC2 and had a decent wedge looking at a K1 Leon Cupra, they basically didn't want to know, I got the dealer principals daughters car
Hardly surprising then; unaccompanied demo, didn't buy, next time why bother? Standard accompanied round the block demo. Second time I went a couple of years later I had sold the DC2 and had a decent wedge looking at a K1 Leon Cupra, they basically didn't want to know, I got the dealer principals daughters car
I wouldn't expect a day long test drive anywhere.
The internet and subsequent forums on it have more than enough info about your potential car that I'd research it,check out any known issues with that model, if it's all cool on that test drive and I like the way it drives I'd buy it.
Also think it's your image aswell, I walked into a vw dealership in Glasgow today to see the new golf R ( I have one on order)
Left from work so had my dirty work gear on and I'm only 21 so don't think I am a typical person to own a new car like that.
Salesman pointed me the end of the car park and left me, didn't bother unlocking it or asking if I was interested, left 10 mins later. Don't blame the guy as I probably looked like some young test pilot in his lunch break wanting a shot.
The internet and subsequent forums on it have more than enough info about your potential car that I'd research it,check out any known issues with that model, if it's all cool on that test drive and I like the way it drives I'd buy it.
Also think it's your image aswell, I walked into a vw dealership in Glasgow today to see the new golf R ( I have one on order)
Left from work so had my dirty work gear on and I'm only 21 so don't think I am a typical person to own a new car like that.
Salesman pointed me the end of the car park and left me, didn't bother unlocking it or asking if I was interested, left 10 mins later. Don't blame the guy as I probably looked like some young test pilot in his lunch break wanting a shot.
Hmmm. I have gone back for second drives, and still bought the car despite it being wrong. What I mean is this;- a test drive can be on empty roads, no clutch pumping in heavy traffic. I've got a hip injury that makes constant clutching a nightmare. So I'm selling my manual car and buying an auto. Admittedly the auto is plush and a nice place to be, but I resent selling the manual, but Sod's law, I got hit by a Volvo and it's made driving hell. If I test drove a manual, it would be ok for 20 mins but would be hell within an hour,
Again, some interesting replies.
But just because you can make your mind up on a short test drive doesn't mean everyone else can, and when you are talking about an £80k purchase I find it interesting that so many would just buy it relatively untested. But each to their own I guess.
Again being brutally honest, I drove a GTR when they first came out and while I liked the giant killing power it just didn't grab me, (on a 25 min test drive). However, the 2015 car has been upgraded (both in terms of power and interior) and so I felt it was worth looking at again. I would love a 911 turbo, but at £150k its a bit too much for me. Others must have looked at the GTR too and realised its a fantastic car for the money, but could I like with it day to day? So, I needed some time to get to grips with its power (and delivery, it's very playstation like). I didn't get what I wanted from the short drive, however I see a few on here feel they would have done, but it is my money and I didn't.
I guess I won't buy a Nissan, £80k on a car that I might regret buying is too much of a risk for me. Maybe I will just save a bit longer and go for that 911 turbo after all....
But just because you can make your mind up on a short test drive doesn't mean everyone else can, and when you are talking about an £80k purchase I find it interesting that so many would just buy it relatively untested. But each to their own I guess.
Again being brutally honest, I drove a GTR when they first came out and while I liked the giant killing power it just didn't grab me, (on a 25 min test drive). However, the 2015 car has been upgraded (both in terms of power and interior) and so I felt it was worth looking at again. I would love a 911 turbo, but at £150k its a bit too much for me. Others must have looked at the GTR too and realised its a fantastic car for the money, but could I like with it day to day? So, I needed some time to get to grips with its power (and delivery, it's very playstation like). I didn't get what I wanted from the short drive, however I see a few on here feel they would have done, but it is my money and I didn't.
I guess I won't buy a Nissan, £80k on a car that I might regret buying is too much of a risk for me. Maybe I will just save a bit longer and go for that 911 turbo after all....
In my experience it's the people at the lower end who have more trouble making decisions. We've sold most of our new Range Rovers with no test drive at all out of necessity and it's rare that the standard test drive is insufficient for a Jag customer. The 100k cheque strokers are used to making decisions and have no trouble doing so. It's the lower tier buyers who often seem to need to have a second drive or a "think".
unrepentant said:
In my experience it's the people at the lower end who have more trouble making decisions. We've sold most of our new Range Rovers with no test drive at all out of necessity and it's rare that the standard test drive is insufficient for a Jag customer. The 100k cheque strokers are used to making decisions and have no trouble doing so. It's the lower tier buyers who often seem to need to have a second drive or a "think".
Yes, because they can't afford to buy an unsuitable car.valiant said:
Your problem is whilst you're genuine and have every intention of buying the car should it pass muster, a hundred other chancers are saying the same thing simply to blag a day's free hire of a supercar(ish).
Nissan are more cautious than say Porsche perhaps because they are normally used to shifting Qashqai's and the like and are used to seeing people happy with a 20 minute test drive.
Or aren't set up like Porsche to be able to screen out test pilots or absorb issues that are caused. Nissan are more cautious than say Porsche perhaps because they are normally used to shifting Qashqai's and the like and are used to seeing people happy with a 20 minute test drive.
HertsBiker said:
unrepentant said:
In my experience it's the people at the lower end who have more trouble making decisions. We've sold most of our new Range Rovers with no test drive at all out of necessity and it's rare that the standard test drive is insufficient for a Jag customer. The 100k cheque strokers are used to making decisions and have no trouble doing so. It's the lower tier buyers who often seem to need to have a second drive or a "think".
Yes, because they can't afford to buy an unsuitable car.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff