How long should a test drive of a new car be?
Discussion
So, (for a fleeting moment), I thought about possibly replacing my 911 with a GTR and so rang and spoke to my local GTR dealer about a test drive. Whenever seriously consider a new car I always want at least a whole day unaccompanied test drive, to help me figure out if it suits my lifestyle, (as generally it will be my only daily driver). However, Nissan it seems don't like to give you a GTR unless it is accompanied by a salesman.
This got me thinking, there have been a few times over the years where various dealers have refused to give me a car for an extended period. Has anyone else had experience of this? Do you think it would stop you buying a car from a dealer?
I think that if you are looking at any car over £30k it is not unreasonable to expect an unaccompanied test drive for at least a day. For me the GTR was ultimately a no go but I was surprised at the dealers attitude. Yes they want me to spend £80k, but no, I can't have a long test drive in it.....
This got me thinking, there have been a few times over the years where various dealers have refused to give me a car for an extended period. Has anyone else had experience of this? Do you think it would stop you buying a car from a dealer?
I think that if you are looking at any car over £30k it is not unreasonable to expect an unaccompanied test drive for at least a day. For me the GTR was ultimately a no go but I was surprised at the dealers attitude. Yes they want me to spend £80k, but no, I can't have a long test drive in it.....
OK I can see your point, let me swap that question around; if Nissan want me to spend £80k why not let me have one for as long as I like? Why should I need to hire one to know if it's what I want? But it's not quite like a hire car, is it?
For me the ownership question with Nissan GTR is harder than with any other brand. Sure its a powerhouse, but with its limited interior quality and the driving style (playstation like performance), can I live with it? Should I pay to find that out? Maybe the answer is yes, but if you want to drive an R8 or 911 (for around the same money), those brands are more than happy to give you a car and leave you to it...
Oh and in the 20 odd years I have been buying cars, I have never had to pay (deposit etc) to test drive any of them.
For me the ownership question with Nissan GTR is harder than with any other brand. Sure its a powerhouse, but with its limited interior quality and the driving style (playstation like performance), can I live with it? Should I pay to find that out? Maybe the answer is yes, but if you want to drive an R8 or 911 (for around the same money), those brands are more than happy to give you a car and leave you to it...
Oh and in the 20 odd years I have been buying cars, I have never had to pay (deposit etc) to test drive any of them.
Edited by findtomdotcom on Saturday 19th April 17:57
It is really interesting reading the various comments and views.
I too have bought cars that I had a 50 min test drive in, loved on the test drive and hated to own (C63 anyone)? A proper test drive would have given me the chance to play with the tech, (and discover half of it didn't work with iPhone), and truly understand what the car is like to live with as an everyday driver.
I love cars and spend lots of time deciding which ones I want to spend my, (time and) money on. I would go as far as saying it is my hobby (and I buy the one I like).
I understand what some of you say about just handing a car over to a stranger and agree you should build a relationship with dealers (most of which I have as I have bought a car from them at one point or another). But, as a dealer if you had a guy you don't know turn up in a 911 looking to buy a GTR, he is well spoken, in his forties and obviously a professional, knows cars and knows what he is looking at, would you really deny him an extended test drive?
The truth is I called the dealer, discussed the car and drive on the phone, traveled the 60 miles to the dealership to see the car. Had a 20 min test drive with the dealer, decided that I just wasn't sure about how I felt about the interior and image. So I asked (again), for a day with the car (happy to leave my 911 with them) but again was told it just wasn't possible. Would having the car for longer have helped? For me I think it would, I buy with my heart so I need to feel it does what I want it to do (and that is complex to explain). I guess everyone is different aren't they.....
I too have bought cars that I had a 50 min test drive in, loved on the test drive and hated to own (C63 anyone)? A proper test drive would have given me the chance to play with the tech, (and discover half of it didn't work with iPhone), and truly understand what the car is like to live with as an everyday driver.
I love cars and spend lots of time deciding which ones I want to spend my, (time and) money on. I would go as far as saying it is my hobby (and I buy the one I like).
I understand what some of you say about just handing a car over to a stranger and agree you should build a relationship with dealers (most of which I have as I have bought a car from them at one point or another). But, as a dealer if you had a guy you don't know turn up in a 911 looking to buy a GTR, he is well spoken, in his forties and obviously a professional, knows cars and knows what he is looking at, would you really deny him an extended test drive?
The truth is I called the dealer, discussed the car and drive on the phone, traveled the 60 miles to the dealership to see the car. Had a 20 min test drive with the dealer, decided that I just wasn't sure about how I felt about the interior and image. So I asked (again), for a day with the car (happy to leave my 911 with them) but again was told it just wasn't possible. Would having the car for longer have helped? For me I think it would, I buy with my heart so I need to feel it does what I want it to do (and that is complex to explain). I guess everyone is different aren't they.....
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....
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