"Careful sir, this is a very powerful car!"
Discussion
When we bought the (old shape) 2 litre petrol Mazda 6 last year, the salesman presented it as a performance vehicle. He drove first and said "now, you're not averse to a bit of speed are you?". He then proceeded to drive normally, but in one gear lower. It tickled me a bit. He did let us have a go though.
markmullen said:
It depends on how confident I am in the ability of the driver as to how much I encourage him to give it, if they obviously know what they're doing and are controlling it well I am happy for them to redline it in every gear. If they're not very good I won't let that happen. It is better to remain alive and healthy and potentially lose a deal than sit there meekly whilst someone with more enthusiasm than talent ploughs you through a field on your roof because they've got carried away.
Every gear? Bloody hell. You must be offering test drives on the Autobahn 
In seriousness, I certainly didn't mean to suggest driving dangerously or antisocially fast on a test drive (which, to be frank, I never do even on my own). But it is always necessary to get a feel for the car's power and sound at high revs (at least if it is a car that is intended to be used properly). I always take a car pretty close to the red line in 2nd gear when test driving it, otherwise I would be buying it blind as to how it sounds when stretched and how well it will deliver power for overtaking, etc.
McSam said:
So it propagates and all these silly sods going around in normal hatchbacks think they've got some ballistic missile that only their careful right foot (or a load of "traction control" and "dynamic stability") can keep under control. If they see or hear from the owner of a really serious car, they think they can relate and that it's not really going to be any quicker than what they drive now. "Not in the real world, not in this gear or that gear, so it's no better."
I quite agree. My FIL let me have a go in his BMW F30 320d when he got it. During the drive I gave it a slight prod of acceleration.- "Noticed you put your foot down a bit"
- "Yes it goes well doesn't it"
- "Comparable to yours, would you say?" (referring to my 550i)
- "Yee-errrmm....No."
I've never been told this. I was refused a test drive in a car (Fiesta 1.6) that a female friend was buying as I would 'joyride' it despite turning up in a Clio 182 but that's the only such experience (and the bloke was a total cocksocket from the moment we arrived).
On the other hand I've been let out unaccompanied in many cars, a Mazda MX5, Mk5 Golf GTI, Landcruiser HDJ80 4.2td and many more besides which surprised me (I wouldn't allow unaccompanied test drives in my cars). I've also never been told to slow down or take it easy or scared the salesman on a test drive despite giving it some beans. I'm sure most salesmen don't mind some revs or some speed but most people are incapable of doing this without their passengers fearing for their safety.
On the other hand I've been let out unaccompanied in many cars, a Mazda MX5, Mk5 Golf GTI, Landcruiser HDJ80 4.2td and many more besides which surprised me (I wouldn't allow unaccompanied test drives in my cars). I've also never been told to slow down or take it easy or scared the salesman on a test drive despite giving it some beans. I'm sure most salesmen don't mind some revs or some speed but most people are incapable of doing this without their passengers fearing for their safety.
Yeah, I've had this too.
The Mrs wanted to test drive a Vauxhall Adam (don't ask), and she wanted me to do the driving for the first part.
This was a year ago and their gutless N/A engine range only went up to 100bhp (in a surprisingly heavy car - felt nowt like, say, a Panda 100hp). I said we'd want that model as an absolute minimum.
He asked me what I drove and his expression didn't change when I said 'a Forester'. So, like a dick, I added, 'the 2.5 turbo model?' He still didn't blink.
He clearly didn't have the 100hp model in, and said: 'I won't tell you which one you're driving - people tend to be pleasantly surprised and find there's enough power.'
I know my car is a bit of a sleeper but you hope people in the trade will have a bit of a clue. We didn't buy the Adam, thank f
k. I mean, I have to drive her car sometimes.
The Mrs wanted to test drive a Vauxhall Adam (don't ask), and she wanted me to do the driving for the first part.
This was a year ago and their gutless N/A engine range only went up to 100bhp (in a surprisingly heavy car - felt nowt like, say, a Panda 100hp). I said we'd want that model as an absolute minimum.
He asked me what I drove and his expression didn't change when I said 'a Forester'. So, like a dick, I added, 'the 2.5 turbo model?' He still didn't blink.
He clearly didn't have the 100hp model in, and said: 'I won't tell you which one you're driving - people tend to be pleasantly surprised and find there's enough power.'
I know my car is a bit of a sleeper but you hope people in the trade will have a bit of a clue. We didn't buy the Adam, thank f
k. I mean, I have to drive her car sometimes.cheesesliceking said:
This is not the right website for the truth, this is the right website for b0llocks.
No idea what you mean.It was only last week that I rocked up to a BMW dealership last week to test drive a 116i. I turned up in my Ferrari F50, with Kelly Brook in the passenger seat. The salesman told me I couldn't drive the 116i as it's "an animal" so I promptly bought the entire dealership after my butler (in an Apache helicopter) delivered me several suitcases of gold bullion. Having bought the dealership I didn't sack the salesman; his new job role is removing the clingons from my bum hair after I've had a heavy night on the champagne and caviar.
JVaughan said:
I traded up from a 306 DTurbo to the TVR .. salesman didnt bat an eye lid when I first test drive the Lotus Omega and then sat in the 308 GTB... when I was in the TVR, all the salesman kept telling me was "change down and hold it in the gear longer" .. "go on .... rev it" ...
45 minutes later, signed the deal, insurance sorted and claimed 3 points off Hampshire police for speeding
My experience was much the same from my (Mole Valley) TVR dealer. Turned up rather freshly faced (at 23 years old) one Saturday morning in an MX-5. Took a Tuscan out for a test drive, and after letting it warm up for the first few miles was positively encouraged to let it rev out and get a feel for it!45 minutes later, signed the deal, insurance sorted and claimed 3 points off Hampshire police for speeding
essIII said:
No idea what you mean.
It was only last week that I rocked up to a BMW dealership last week to test drive a 116i. I turned up in my Ferrari F50, with Kelly Brook in the passenger seat. The salesman told me I couldn't drive the 116i as it's "an animal" so I promptly bought the entire dealership after my butler (in an Apache helicopter) delivered me several suitcases of gold bullion. Having bought the dealership I didn't sack the salesman; his new job role is removing the clingons from my bum hair after I've had a heavy night on the champagne and caviar.
It was only last week that I rocked up to a BMW dealership last week to test drive a 116i. I turned up in my Ferrari F50, with Kelly Brook in the passenger seat. The salesman told me I couldn't drive the 116i as it's "an animal" so I promptly bought the entire dealership after my butler (in an Apache helicopter) delivered me several suitcases of gold bullion. Having bought the dealership I didn't sack the salesman; his new job role is removing the clingons from my bum hair after I've had a heavy night on the champagne and caviar.
Not far from some of the stories that get trotted out on here.Turned up to a dealership to look at a 3ltr z4 coupe, was prepared to be told I was too young or some other nonsense so just asked to start it up on their forecourt. Sat inside for a couple of minutes looking around then the salesman ducks his head in and asks if I wanted to take it for a run 
Was chuffed when he gave me directions to a good b road to test it out.
He sounded like a proper petrolhead aswell.
Was driving a swift sport at the time.
Was chuffed when he gave me directions to a good b road to test it out. He sounded like a proper petrolhead aswell.
Was driving a swift sport at the time.
I had some trouble even being allowed to drive a new Astra VXR when I was 19. I walked away from 2 dealers local to me because they kicked up such a fuss, and refused to let me drive. I was restricted to a pootle around town with a salesman who kept banging on about the performance. Show me it then! The third dealership were more accomodating and I ordered one as soon as I returned from the test drive. They seemed a little upset I didn't want finance though..
I went to test drive an E46 M3 last year and rocked up in my sisters "Limited Edition" 1.2 Corsa, and was thrown the keys and told to come back in half hour as he was dealing with another customer and no one else was working that day! I had a great time, but ultimately a change in circumstances meant I never bought the car.
I went to test drive an E46 M3 last year and rocked up in my sisters "Limited Edition" 1.2 Corsa, and was thrown the keys and told to come back in half hour as he was dealing with another customer and no one else was working that day! I had a great time, but ultimately a change in circumstances meant I never bought the car.
Speed and how fast a car feels is relative and subjective ultimately.
My wife's 197BHP Jetta takes off like a scolded cat and keeps going whereas my old 360bhp S8 is equally quick but hides it well. If I had to put money down on which was faster overall I'd go with the Jetta, despite spec and figures suggesting otherwise. It just feels like a fast car.
Having said that, a friend from Lotus turned up in a supercharged Exige a a few years ago and then I knew what a fast car was. I don't mind admitting I did scream once or twice and clung on for dear life.
My wife's 197BHP Jetta takes off like a scolded cat and keeps going whereas my old 360bhp S8 is equally quick but hides it well. If I had to put money down on which was faster overall I'd go with the Jetta, despite spec and figures suggesting otherwise. It just feels like a fast car.
Having said that, a friend from Lotus turned up in a supercharged Exige a a few years ago and then I knew what a fast car was. I don't mind admitting I did scream once or twice and clung on for dear life.
ORD said:
Buy an M3 without having taken it up to the redline? Are you kidding? That would be like driving a diesel car without checking its actual MPG.
If you don't get to hear and feel the car's main selling point, what is the point of the test drive?
If you don't stretch the legs on an M3, you are pretty much learning "Oh, its a petrol 3 series".
When I test drove the E92 M3 back in Feb 2008 the salesman was really understanding as he knew I had a TVR with similar power and he was happy for me to open the M3 up which I thought was fair play...it didn't stop my mrs from saying after she test drove it though "its only like a normal 3 series!"If you don't get to hear and feel the car's main selling point, what is the point of the test drive?
If you don't stretch the legs on an M3, you are pretty much learning "Oh, its a petrol 3 series".
In fact we had a laugh about her comment the other day and she was bob on to be fair because when I eventually bought one in Jan 2013 I ended up thinking it was only a 3 series with a big engine under the bonnet as well...so I should have listened to her in the first place!!
I was very impressed when my girlfriend turned up at Northway Porsche in a battered mk1 MX5 and asked to test drive a £20k 996 C2. They didn't bat an eyelid! Needless to say she bought it, and still takes it there for servicing three years later. In contrast, it took a lot of persuasion for a salesman at another dealership when she wanted to test drive a fairly boring SLK350, which turned out to be rubbish.
essIII said:
No idea what you mean.
It was only last week that I rocked up to a BMW dealership last week to test drive a 116i. I turned up in my Ferrari F50, with Kelly Brook in the passenger seat. The salesman told me I couldn't drive the 116i as it's "an animal" so I promptly bought the entire dealership after my butler (in an Apache helicopter) delivered me several suitcases of gold bullion. Having bought the dealership I didn't sack the salesman; his new job role is removing the clingons from my bum hair after I've had a heavy night on the champagne and caviar.
Did she punch you in the face too?It was only last week that I rocked up to a BMW dealership last week to test drive a 116i. I turned up in my Ferrari F50, with Kelly Brook in the passenger seat. The salesman told me I couldn't drive the 116i as it's "an animal" so I promptly bought the entire dealership after my butler (in an Apache helicopter) delivered me several suitcases of gold bullion. Having bought the dealership I didn't sack the salesman; his new job role is removing the clingons from my bum hair after I've had a heavy night on the champagne and caviar.
McSam said:
ORD said:
I don't know what is the funniest part - the bullst kerb weight (it isn't a kilo under 1350kg and, I was told when driving one, more like 1400kg).
He's close - BMW quote 1370kg for the three-door, which is including 75kg driver and 90% fuel, so unoccupied it's more or less the 1290kg mentioned. "Weight" is so stunningly unqualified that it's easy to play around with.t kerb weight (it isn't a kilo under 1350kg and, I was told when driving one, more like 1400kg).Which BMW do, with the actual mass of any one of their models being considerably higher than quoted. For a base-spec 116i, the real kerbweight with driver and 90% fuel would be around 1430kg.
This was taken with me in it (I weigh about 85Kg including shoes etc).
The car had about 3/4 of a tank of diesel in it.
This is what's written on the V5C. I was astounded to find it's pretty much on the button.
Also for the record, the car isn't a "cloth seats and electric nothing" BMW - it's got lots of options fitted, which are presumably heavier than the standard bits in most cases. Here's the list:
Vehicle specification:
BMW 3 Series E90 4DR SALOON
320d 4DR SALOON 2.0 EFFICIENT DYNAMICS
Colour: Black Sapphire Metallic
Trim: Black Dakota Leather
Factory Options:
ZP3 Media - Professional
ZV3 Visibility Package M+431
LC Dakota Leather Upholstery
Metallic Body Paint
4UA Electric Seat Adjustment-Part FrtSts
255 3 Spoke Sports Leather Steering Whl
320 Model Designation Deletion
322 Comfort Access System
358 Climate Comfort Windscreen
418 Extended Luggage Features
430 Rear View Mirror/Ext Mirrs Auto Dmmn
441 Smokers Package Deletion
465 Split Folding Rear Seat
481 Sports Seats Front
488 Lumbar Support - Front Seats
493 Extended Storage
494 Seat Heating- Front
508 PDC - Front + Rear
540 Cruise Control
5DC Folding Rear-Seat Headrests
688 Harman/Kardon Loudspeaker System
6FL USB Audio Interface
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