Pointless Test Drives
Discussion
Had good and bad, mostly good though. When we bought a Honda civic, one dealership had the guy come with us and then this guy tried something on to try get the sale which we didn't find that amusing. Forgotten what it was now though. The next dealership tossed the keys, said take your time. We bought from them.
For the Mazda, always had accompanies drives. But they were decent and long enough to get a good feel. We did shop around for the best value car though, given the dealership experiences were all the same.
We did try an aygo once and it was both good and bad. They let us take one on our own. We drove it all the way home to try it in the garage etc. But I just didn't like the way it drove and didn't like the gearbox. This incensed the salesman, he wouldn't have it that I didn't like something about the car enough that I didn't want to buy one. I left before it broke out into a serious arguement.
For the Mazda, always had accompanies drives. But they were decent and long enough to get a good feel. We did shop around for the best value car though, given the dealership experiences were all the same.
We did try an aygo once and it was both good and bad. They let us take one on our own. We drove it all the way home to try it in the garage etc. But I just didn't like the way it drove and didn't like the gearbox. This incensed the salesman, he wouldn't have it that I didn't like something about the car enough that I didn't want to buy one. I left before it broke out into a serious arguement.
Like most good and bad.
Land Rover don't do overnight test drives but as mine was in for a service, where i tend to leave it overnight, they gave me the exact model I wanted to test. We returned to pick up our car and ordered a new one there and then.
10 years ago a Citroen dealer took me on a test drive in a C6 through contra flow and a traffic jam. I guess that was a real world experience but it was pretty crap.
One Subaru dealer was utter crap and the salesman had to be told to behave himself after he grabbed the steering wheel while my wife was driving. This was in a 30 camera zone in an Outback. She was the car buyer, not me and took it straight back.
The next Subaru dealer was brilliant. Same car, there's the keys take it out, go shopping, try it on your drive, please don't take it off road and we shut at five. We'd have bought from him but we preferred the newer Mazda CX-7. Again the dealer just chucked us the keys.
Slightly off tops but the best dealers who want repeat business are the ones who put you in a good loan car at service time. I already mentioned Land Rover. Mazda did the same with the salesman insisting we booked the car in for a service through him so he could ensure we got something good. We had CX-7s 6 and 3 MPS and RX-8s. Again it worked. After the loan of an MX-5 we returned and bought one off him.
Im also still in touch with two salesmen. Ones a car nut and into classics. At a recent new car launch he invited us to,mew spent a good few minutes on his 'phone looking as his latest potential purchases. The other guy is a chap my family bought new Volvos off for years. He's now quite high up with a manufacturer and last time I was interested in his brand of car he was happy to arrange test drives and deals.
Land Rover don't do overnight test drives but as mine was in for a service, where i tend to leave it overnight, they gave me the exact model I wanted to test. We returned to pick up our car and ordered a new one there and then.
10 years ago a Citroen dealer took me on a test drive in a C6 through contra flow and a traffic jam. I guess that was a real world experience but it was pretty crap.
One Subaru dealer was utter crap and the salesman had to be told to behave himself after he grabbed the steering wheel while my wife was driving. This was in a 30 camera zone in an Outback. She was the car buyer, not me and took it straight back.
The next Subaru dealer was brilliant. Same car, there's the keys take it out, go shopping, try it on your drive, please don't take it off road and we shut at five. We'd have bought from him but we preferred the newer Mazda CX-7. Again the dealer just chucked us the keys.
Slightly off tops but the best dealers who want repeat business are the ones who put you in a good loan car at service time. I already mentioned Land Rover. Mazda did the same with the salesman insisting we booked the car in for a service through him so he could ensure we got something good. We had CX-7s 6 and 3 MPS and RX-8s. Again it worked. After the loan of an MX-5 we returned and bought one off him.
Im also still in touch with two salesmen. Ones a car nut and into classics. At a recent new car launch he invited us to,mew spent a good few minutes on his 'phone looking as his latest potential purchases. The other guy is a chap my family bought new Volvos off for years. He's now quite high up with a manufacturer and last time I was interested in his brand of car he was happy to arrange test drives and deals.
Edited by wildcat45 on Wednesday 18th January 11:38
Toyota dealership - "you can only take the car 2 miles because of insurance" "But my company insurance covers me fully comp in any car". "But our policy is to limit test drives to 2 miles". "So how do I know what it's going to be like in a dual carriageway or motorway?" "Take it from me, sir, that it will be OK". I walked away.
Same day - Citroen dealership - "Certainly, sir - we'll have a car fulled up Saturday morning if you could bring it back by 9am Monday". I bought the car.
Saab dealership 3 years later - "Certainly sir, which model was it you specifically fancied, so that we can give you the exact car to demo rather than give you the highest spec one". I bought the car.... and another..... and another till GM wrecked Saab forever.
Same day - Citroen dealership - "Certainly, sir - we'll have a car fulled up Saturday morning if you could bring it back by 9am Monday". I bought the car.
Saab dealership 3 years later - "Certainly sir, which model was it you specifically fancied, so that we can give you the exact car to demo rather than give you the highest spec one". I bought the car.... and another..... and another till GM wrecked Saab forever.
problemchild1976 said:
Q - what are people aiming to get from a test drive?
Looks, interior, quality of build, seating position, how the controls feel etc etc all can be done in the dealership!
We all do tonnes and tonnes of research online before so we have 50 reviews of driveability from race drivers to vloggers.
So what does the test drive provide?
Sometimes it's as simple as whether you like the car. That can be a decision you make as soon as you start it. I looked at Subaru's latest offerings last year. I took a Forrester out (accompanied) and by the tim I'd left the forecourt I knew it wasn't the car for me. Looks, interior, quality of build, seating position, how the controls feel etc etc all can be done in the dealership!
We all do tonnes and tonnes of research online before so we have 50 reviews of driveability from race drivers to vloggers.
So what does the test drive provide?
It's tough telling the salesman No, but I just had to be honest. I was helped by the fact that the modern Forresters aren't like the old school ones. I told him I was expecting something a little quicker. He agreed. No hard feelings.
I've refused unaccompanied test drives. The Mazda dealer I mentioned before wanted to flog me a CX-5. They had me in with the intention of giving me one for the day. I had a poke around one in the showroom and just didn't like it. I'd rather not baste people's time.
I can't remember the last time i had a test drive.. the last few I've bought have been ordered pre launch cars and taken launch deliverys,BMW i8,640d and Audi R8 and others have been nearly new so under manufactures warranty which i appreciate is a liitle different but i don't believe a 20 minute or even 24 hour test drive can give the full abilitiys of any car for long term ownership i just perfer to get the keys and enjoy the new experience which I've never been disappointed..
wildcat45 said:
problemchild1976 said:
Q - what are people aiming to get from a test drive?
Looks, interior, quality of build, seating position, how the controls feel etc etc all can be done in the dealership!
We all do tonnes and tonnes of research online before so we have 50 reviews of driveability from race drivers to vloggers.
So what does the test drive provide?
Sometimes it's as simple as whether you like the car. That can be a decision you make as soon as you start it. I looked at Subaru's latest offerings last year. I took a Forrester out (accompanied) and by the tim I'd left the forecourt I knew it wasn't the car for me. Looks, interior, quality of build, seating position, how the controls feel etc etc all can be done in the dealership!
We all do tonnes and tonnes of research online before so we have 50 reviews of driveability from race drivers to vloggers.
So what does the test drive provide?
It's tough telling the salesman No, but I just had to be honest. I was helped by the fact that the modern Forresters aren't like the old school ones. I told him I was expecting something a little quicker. He agreed. No hard feelings.
I've refused unaccompanied test drives. The Mazda dealer I mentioned before wanted to flog me a CX-5. They had me in with the intention of giving me one for the day. I had a poke around one in the showroom and just didn't like it. I'd rather not baste people's time.
I've generally never had problems with test drives. Some given the keys and told to reappear at some point in the future with it, others have been accompanied around a set route.
Worst test drive though was the car I currently have, 5 minutes accompanied around an industrial estate. Not exactly a chance to see how the car handles, however I'd already chosen to buy it and the test drive was more confirmation of that decision as opposed to fact-finding.
Worst test drive though was the car I currently have, 5 minutes accompanied around an industrial estate. Not exactly a chance to see how the car handles, however I'd already chosen to buy it and the test drive was more confirmation of that decision as opposed to fact-finding.
unrepentant said:
Steven_RW said:
Selling my E46 M3. Chaps arrive up from Newcastle and we head out for a test drive with potential buyer at the wheel. Off the roundabout on to the motorway sliproad, 2nd gear 8,000 rpm, 3rd gear 8,000 rpm, 4th gear 8,000 rpm... we are now at 140mph on the speedo as he engages 5th and presses the throttle to WOT again..
With all due respect you're crazy to allow that.Just before that he was going round the long motorway roundabout, yanking on the wheel to see how it turned in and applying power. The car was on standard everything bar a Tuner Motorsport rear bush limiting kit. Before sale it had been on In-trax with aggressive geo and other such stuff. If he had yanked the wheel in the same manner he would have been pointing backwards in an instant.
To save typing the essay and explaining the other factors I felt he knew how to handle a car and I knew the car was safe. But yes, on reflection it was a bit more exciting that desired. Bought it in cash and left.
RW
SuperchargedVR6 said:
Those quick 15-30 min test drives are pointless anyway. What can you possibly glean from a car's character in 30 minutes on chosen roads? I'd want it for at least a day, especially when spending a goodly amount on one!
I don't entirely agree.I had owned the E46 M3 as per my other post. I then test drove a Z4M. I knew the engine and the general character. I drove the car and before we had even gone a mile, I could see that it was much more focussed and engaging than my E92 M3 that was my last car and I knew that I wanted it. 15 mins more, a few country twists and I knew it was for me.
I tend to have a general understanding of what car I am going up to drive and as long as it meets my expectations 30 actual minutes behind the wheel tells you tonnes. I can't work out what else you really get from much longer? Other than more fun. Or.. I guess if you are not actively test driving it, are you just living with it and seeing if it grows on you?
Cargiant in White City always have a short test route around an industrial estate of a few minutes just enough to get the feel of the vehicle. they did explain why surrounding main roads are too busy and the cars for sale are running on fumes , however I did buy a 18month old Mk5 Astra from them as it was such good value for money.
I found Volvo and Volkswagen very helpful as they let me drive 2 combinations of the cars I wanted one of the actual vehicle and then a different model but with the engine combination I wanted, it did lead to me buying a new Scirocco from VW .
I have had unaccompanied test drives of a Toyota Corolla and a Pug 307 I was younger and naïve and a bit shocked they would let me take the cars out unaccompanied.
always driven cars for about 20-30 mins with no problems if I wasn't happy and didn't get on with the car I was honest. I always wanted a Saxo VTR back in the day but I wanted to like it but simply couldn't get on with it the peddles were so close together the salesman was fine when I told them, but they sold thousands anyway , I settled for a Pug 206 Gti instead
I found Volvo and Volkswagen very helpful as they let me drive 2 combinations of the cars I wanted one of the actual vehicle and then a different model but with the engine combination I wanted, it did lead to me buying a new Scirocco from VW .
I have had unaccompanied test drives of a Toyota Corolla and a Pug 307 I was younger and naïve and a bit shocked they would let me take the cars out unaccompanied.
always driven cars for about 20-30 mins with no problems if I wasn't happy and didn't get on with the car I was honest. I always wanted a Saxo VTR back in the day but I wanted to like it but simply couldn't get on with it the peddles were so close together the salesman was fine when I told them, but they sold thousands anyway , I settled for a Pug 206 Gti instead
I work as a salesman at jaguar. I always ask people 'is there any particular driving you would like to do? Motorway, country etc?' The customer almost always says, no where ever really. I then take them on my test drive route which takes about 20 minutes and is mostly on country roads with a chance to open up the car on a faster, wider road. Most dealers tend to be in busy areas, as this is where the customers are. I often have to queue for a while before going onto clearer roads.
If you wont buy the car without a test drive which encompasses everything then tell the sales person. If you don't tell them then its your own silly fault. I sometimes go on 5 test drives a day. If they were all one hour drives then that is a huge part of my day taken up and then i would have people complaining they couldn't get an appointment or that i hadn't called them etc. If you have criteria which must be met in order to buy the car then tell the sales person otherwise they will just treat you the same as every other customer.
If you wont buy the car without a test drive which encompasses everything then tell the sales person. If you don't tell them then its your own silly fault. I sometimes go on 5 test drives a day. If they were all one hour drives then that is a huge part of my day taken up and then i would have people complaining they couldn't get an appointment or that i hadn't called them etc. If you have criteria which must be met in order to buy the car then tell the sales person otherwise they will just treat you the same as every other customer.
culpz said:
HTP99 said:
What did you buy?
None, unfortunately. My financial circumstances changed shortly afterwards, meaning that i couldn't afford any of the prices they were asking for each.I ended up keeping the Scirocco a bit longer and then got an Audi A4, much to my disappointment.
I find test drives very hit and miss. Sometimes it's unaccompanied - which doesn't waste the salesmans time - sometimes its accompanied.
The last three cars I've actually purchased involved 15 minute test drives each time but given I then bought the cars I guess the salesman judged the test drive just right. I guess its because generally I now know exactly what car I want and any contact with a dealer is as a result of finding they have a car I'm interested in and ringing up to negotiate a deal - the test drive is almost a formality at handover to make sure the car isn't screwed.
I bought a 335i once after an up the road, round the roundabout and back test drive. If only he'd have let me out unaccompanied for a few hours, I could have avoided the mistake of purchasing it
The last three cars I've actually purchased involved 15 minute test drives each time but given I then bought the cars I guess the salesman judged the test drive just right. I guess its because generally I now know exactly what car I want and any contact with a dealer is as a result of finding they have a car I'm interested in and ringing up to negotiate a deal - the test drive is almost a formality at handover to make sure the car isn't screwed.
I bought a 335i once after an up the road, round the roundabout and back test drive. If only he'd have let me out unaccompanied for a few hours, I could have avoided the mistake of purchasing it
Toyota, Watford - a 1mile tour of an industrial estate with mini-roundabouts and speed bumps.vikingaero said:
Car Giants test drives are basically up the road of the industrial estate and back again. I'm sure it's longer to drive around their main entrance and park up again.
Yeah, I bought 2 cars from cargiant. Boring test drive, apart from once when i nearly bought a 2011 C350 Edition and the salesman told me to floor it (I kid you not!) and it was fantastic, in all it's wheelspinning glory. Nearly crashed very irresponsibly in to a test driven Galaxy but it was awesome!Back in the early/ mid '90s, one of my friends was interested in a TVR 450SE, and had seen one advertised at an independent in Surrey close to the A3. We were both then (and still are) TVR owners, so we rocked up at this dealer one Saturday in my friends 390SE. The car was right at the back of the showroom, so they had to shuffle a few cars to extract it. The noise of the exhaust bouncing of the wall in the showroom when he started it was epic. It was a beautiful silver car, with a full olive green leather interior and an aubergine coloured roof - which might all sound a bit weird, but it did work. He let it warm up a bit on the forecourt, told us it was low on petrol, so gave us a fiver and told us where the nearest petrol station was. We took the roof off, and my friend offered to let me drive first after fuelling. How could I refuse, and so five minutes after leaving the petrol station, we're doing 130 down the A3 accompanied by the the glorious howl of a V8. Didn't buy the car, but have never forgotten it, although the car has never been seen or heard of again, which is unusual considering it was one of only 35 built.
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