How long should a test drive of a new car be?
Discussion
Engineer1 said:
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.
You are of course right. (Not the fashion bit - the RR is still the ultimate SUV and a vehicle with no peers). High earning and high net worth individuals can spend 100k far more easily than a lot of people can spend 10k so the decision making process is easier for those folks.
Engineer1 said:
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.I've never had a 24 hour test drive, but I am doing a shorter extended drive on Saturday coming. It probably wont be a deal breaker, but in truth it would be good to know if for example the headlights are any good which I can't find out during the day.
In reality the test drive is going to be partially about whether my wife's next daily driver is the giggle we hope it's going to be. Mostly though it's about seeing whether the price of the giggle-factor is worth the compromise on ride quality and the general low speed drive with this model being a lot firmer than the rest of the range.
I'll make a call on the day either way, but had I been offered a 24 hour drive I'd have appreciated it. I suspect it's more likely to result in a negative outcome than a quick hoon around some local roads though, which isn't good for the dealer but is something I'd rather know before spending than after.
In reality the test drive is going to be partially about whether my wife's next daily driver is the giggle we hope it's going to be. Mostly though it's about seeing whether the price of the giggle-factor is worth the compromise on ride quality and the general low speed drive with this model being a lot firmer than the rest of the range.
I'll make a call on the day either way, but had I been offered a 24 hour drive I'd have appreciated it. I suspect it's more likely to result in a negative outcome than a quick hoon around some local roads though, which isn't good for the dealer but is something I'd rather know before spending than after.
unrepentant said:
Engineer1 said:
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.You are of course right. (Not the fashion bit - the RR is still the ultimate SUV and a vehicle with no peers). High earning and high net worth individuals can spend 100k far more easily than a lot of people can spend 10k so the decision making process is easier for those folks.
Fast Bug said:
When I sold Porsche the only people that got unaccompanied test drives and extended demo's were long standing customers. Someone that's just walked in off the sreet? No chance.
Would you lend £80k to someone you've never met for 24 hours?
Depends on the dealer to some extent - I did exactly that when I bought my Boxster. Walked in without any form of appointment to pick up a brochure, had a chat with the salesman and 48 hrs later I had a Boxster for a day to myself. No, I didn't quite believe it either when it was offered. Even sent me down to the Porsche Silverstone facility just so I could drive a manual version. Utterly brilliant buying experience.Would you lend £80k to someone you've never met for 24 hours?
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".
Because proportionally its likely to be a larger amount of money to them. If you are buying £100k Range Rovers it is almost certain your financial situation is 'exceptionally comfortable'. It's probably not going to suck and if it does it's not exactly the end of the world. Besides, a Range Rover is the best car of its type money can be. What is a test drive of a new going to tell you? That it's even more unbelievably awesome than you thought it was? Whereas deciding between Golf, Focus, Ceed or a used A3 is probably more difficult. All have pros and cons. Whereas the Range Rover is just.. the best.Additionally, many people buying £5-10k cars will be spending *all* the savings they have on it, or perhaps even more than they actually have if adding finance. It's a massive amount of money and a huge decision, they really don't want to get it wrong as they've only got one shot at it and the loss from reselling 2 months down the line would be a significant amount of money to them.
Maybe look at a cheaper GT-R and then take it here:
http://www.litchfieldimports.co.uk/Nissan-GTR/niss...
http://www.litchfieldimports.co.uk/Nissan-GTR/niss...
TimLambert7 said:
How do test drives work on really high end stuff?
I'm thinking F12s, 12Cs etc etc
I'd never spend >£200k on a car without having at least a day with it, but obviously the risk for the dealer is enormous.
The majority of my customers spending £200k+ never even see the car let alone drive it before they buy it. I'm thinking F12s, 12Cs etc etc
I'd never spend >£200k on a car without having at least a day with it, but obviously the risk for the dealer is enormous.
TimLambert7 said:
How do test drives work on really high end stuff?
I'm thinking F12s, 12Cs etc etc
I'd never spend >£200k on a car without having at least a day with it, but obviously the risk for the dealer is enormous.
You wouldn't? Really? I bet they had a meeting in Woking and said "shall we target the 12C at buyers of old 5 grand Mazda's"? And somebody said "nah, let's not, they'll want to drive it all day". They missed your business, bummer.I'm thinking F12s, 12Cs etc etc
I'd never spend >£200k on a car without having at least a day with it, but obviously the risk for the dealer is enormous.
Like a few others, I have bought four of my last cars without driving them. A 15 minute test drive will tell you nothing, and I am not sure what extra I could glean from a few hours. How fast is it when I put my foot down? What's the radio like?
I think it takes more than that to feel comfortable with a car - I hated one of them for a couple of weeks as after I bought it, and then didn't. I think there are enough resources out there to do loads of research as to the likelihood of the car suiting you- and whether it connects to your phone etc.
I think dealers on the whole are correct in not offering extended test drives to all but their most valued regular customers. As we see on this website more than a few times - there are a lot of time wasters and dreamers out there.
Edited to add: remembered: I did test drive one a couple of years ago with no intention of buying, so I include myself in the tyre kicker bracket.
I think it takes more than that to feel comfortable with a car - I hated one of them for a couple of weeks as after I bought it, and then didn't. I think there are enough resources out there to do loads of research as to the likelihood of the car suiting you- and whether it connects to your phone etc.
I think dealers on the whole are correct in not offering extended test drives to all but their most valued regular customers. As we see on this website more than a few times - there are a lot of time wasters and dreamers out there.
Edited to add: remembered: I did test drive one a couple of years ago with no intention of buying, so I include myself in the tyre kicker bracket.
Edited by limpsfield on Wednesday 23 April 03:06
markmullen said:
TimLambert7 said:
How do test drives work on really high end stuff?
I'm thinking F12s, 12Cs etc etc
I'd never spend >£200k on a car without having at least a day with it, but obviously the risk for the dealer is enormous.
The majority of my customers spending £200k+ never even see the car let alone drive it before they buy it. I'm thinking F12s, 12Cs etc etc
I'd never spend >£200k on a car without having at least a day with it, but obviously the risk for the dealer is enormous.
I know of someone who owns an F12, he didn't get around to driving it until over three months after it was delivered.
TOYNEG said:
had the same thing with the new Golf R, not only was the drive accompanied, I was also only allowed 20 mins in it, during rush hour!! i asked them to let me have the car for even just an hour on my own but they wouldn't budge so I just told them to leave it.
What couldn't you gauge on an accompanied demo that you could on your own?TOYNEG said:
had the same thing with the new Golf R, not only was the drive accompanied, I was also only allowed 20 mins in it, during rush hour!! i asked them to let me have the car for even just an hour on my own but they wouldn't budge so I just told them to leave it.
Perhaps you should have arranged a test drive for a midday or weekend; when there is less traffic?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff