WRX STi Test Drive Q...
Discussion
My mum had an invitation to test drive the new 2011 WRX STi saloon (no longer Impreza apparently, wrist slap from the salesman on that one 
).
She wants me to go with her, and asked the salesman if I could try it too which he confirmed without asking age. What's the likelihood that they'll turn me down on the day as I'm 19? Anyone work for a Subaru dealer?
Cheers, Adam
).She wants me to go with her, and asked the salesman if I could try it too which he confirmed without asking age. What's the likelihood that they'll turn me down on the day as I'm 19? Anyone work for a Subaru dealer?
Cheers, Adam
I'm not really expecting anything as I would have thought they would have an age limit on test drives in performance cars.
On the other hand I've been under the impression from other dealers that they aren't generally limited on insurance but by their timewaster radars, ie 19yr old isn't likely to be buying a WRX STI. However if they felt it could secure a sale with my mum (currently on her 2nd Impreza from this dealer) they may be more tempted to let me have a go
On the other hand I've been under the impression from other dealers that they aren't generally limited on insurance but by their timewaster radars, ie 19yr old isn't likely to be buying a WRX STI. However if they felt it could secure a sale with my mum (currently on her 2nd Impreza from this dealer) they may be more tempted to let me have a go
I don't know. I've went along with a mate when he was looking for a Type R. Dealer had no issues, didn't ask for licence, didn't really ask anything.. Was more than happy to let him put it through the gears. He was only 18/19 at the time.
In this case though where you're not looking to buy, more that they're looking you (or your mum) to buy they may be more cautious.
I know a girl who went to a Land Rover dealer not long after passing her test, told the salesman that her parents were looking at a RRS but they wanted her to look at it first (or some garbage like that), he was happy enough to take her out for a test drive. It mustve been a slow day.
In this case though where you're not looking to buy, more that they're looking you (or your mum) to buy they may be more cautious.
I know a girl who went to a Land Rover dealer not long after passing her test, told the salesman that her parents were looking at a RRS but they wanted her to look at it first (or some garbage like that), he was happy enough to take her out for a test drive. It mustve been a slow day.
I remember being in a Citroen dealer, yes it was painful, just after I turned 16 with my Dad who was in sorting the details of a new van he was buying. They had just got a new saxo demonstrator and I was mooching round it when the sales lady came out with the keys and passed them to me asking if I wanted to take it for a drive. I was tempted for a few seconds.
Most dealers policies provide insurance for anyone to drive anything as long as they are a) authorised b) it's in connection with the motortrade.
This is because the excess is whopping and footed by the dealership. (£25k plus)
So any dealers who have a minimum age simply say that because that is the general managers policy or the dealership groups policy or they have simply decided you're a tyre kicker.
That at least is my experience from working for some of the big dealership groups and Mfr's in the uk.
This is because the excess is whopping and footed by the dealership. (£25k plus)
So any dealers who have a minimum age simply say that because that is the general managers policy or the dealership groups policy or they have simply decided you're a tyre kicker.
That at least is my experience from working for some of the big dealership groups and Mfr's in the uk.
Adam205 said:
Well... I got a go!
'If you got a license... hop in!' were his words.
to be fair, im not at all suprised.'If you got a license... hop in!' were his words.
when i bought my 1st subaru sti a few years back (i think i was about 26, but i do look young
), i went to test drive one at a dealer in preston.he just threw me the keys (after seeing my licence) and said bring it back in an hour.
mrmr96 said:
Adam205 said:
Well... I got a go!
'If you got a license... hop in!' were his words.
Well done you.'If you got a license... hop in!' were his words.
Now do a writeup/review?
LongLiveTazio said:
I once went to a Mazda dealers to try a 6, he said that he was too busy to let me have a test drive and that I needed to book an appointment for the week after.
This was an invite only pre booked test drive for previous customers. The only other new car I've test driven was a 500, the salesman got a set of keys and said 'i think this is the black one...'. Popular cars for test driving...LongLiveTazio said:
I once went to a Mazda dealers to try a 6, he said that he was too busy to let me have a test drive and that I needed to book an appointment for the week after.
If you're able to get some time in during the week - early morning especially - I think you stand a better chance of an "arrive and drive" IME.vryes said:
I wouldn't hold your breath, a few years ago i used to work for a Honda dealer and their policy was anyone under 25 had to organize their own insurance to test drive a type-r or s2000
I had a test drive at 21 , without a salesman in the car, think it depends on the dealershipPints said:
LongLiveTazio said:
I once went to a Mazda dealers to try a 6, he said that he was too busy to let me have a test drive and that I needed to book an appointment for the week after.
If you're able to get some time in during the week - early morning especially - I think you stand a better chance of an "arrive and drive" IME.Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff