Getting test drives at dealers
Discussion
RB5 said:
I've heard this from many dealers. The last one said I couldn't test-drive it until I bought it because he didn't want to get it dirty, even though I'd arranged the appointment a week in advance and he knew I'd travelled 130 miles to view it! I didn't buy it.
One dealer even told me I couldn't view the car without putting a deposit down over the phone first!
Seriously?One dealer even told me I couldn't view the car without putting a deposit down over the phone first!
RB5 said:
I've heard this from many dealers. The last one said I couldn't test-drive it until I bought it because he didn't want to get it dirty, even though I'd arranged the appointment a week in advance and he knew I'd travelled 130 miles to view it! I didn't buy it.
One dealer even told me I couldn't view the car without putting a deposit down over the phone first!
They were both used cars though, weren't they?One dealer even told me I couldn't view the car without putting a deposit down over the phone first!
CraigyMc said:
jsg612 said:
The problem is too many time wasters. If you want a test drive, be specific on the exact car you want to try, research it and ask questions about payment options, servicing etc. If you turn up and say I'm interested in a 330, Golf or an A3, all completely different, they think you're just having a day out and 'fancy a go' in them.
The golf and the A3 are basically the same car...jsg612 said:
CraigyMc said:
jsg612 said:
The problem is too many time wasters. If you want a test drive, be specific on the exact car you want to try, research it and ask questions about payment options, servicing etc. If you turn up and say I'm interested in a 330, Golf or an A3, all completely different, they think you're just having a day out and 'fancy a go' in them.
The golf and the A3 are basically the same car...All three of them suited me for my job. The 330 Coupe was on my shortlist along with the TT and the Golf (and a vrs octavia...).
All three of the cars are sporty, all of them are petrol powered, all of them have approx. 210bhp to 260bhp.
They are all roughly similar in real world speed. (The BMW is more powerful, but also heavier)
They even ended up similarly priced when specced up together.
It's not like one of them is a 4x4 and the other is a tiny shopping car.
C
Edited by CraigyMc on Thursday 6th January 18:47
JonnyFive said:
RB5 said:
I've heard this from many dealers. The last one said I couldn't test-drive it until I bought it because he didn't want to get it dirty, even though I'd arranged the appointment a week in advance and he knew I'd travelled 130 miles to view it! I didn't buy it.
One dealer even told me I couldn't view the car without putting a deposit down over the phone first!
Seriously?One dealer even told me I couldn't view the car without putting a deposit down over the phone first!
When I was about 18 I rocked up to a Citroen garage to test drive a VTS that I had zero intention of buying. I took it for 1 hour, hooned it everywhere, had a great time and burned off the dealerships fuel.
When I was 20 I took an Impreza out from the dealership on a 20 min accompanied test drive and, again, had a great time. I was still a student at uni and there was simply no way I could buy it.
When I was 25 I decided I wanted to drive a convertible car so arranged a 30 minute test drive in a S2000. At the end of the drive I made my excuses and left.
At the time each garage probably felt/concluded they had been stiffed.
However, when I was 21 I went back to that exact same Citroen garage and purchased a brand new VTS. I subsequently serviced it at that garage.
When I was 22/23 I bought an Impreza privately and over 2 years of ownership spent a fortune in that exact same Subaru dealership on servicing/repairs.
When I was 26 I bought an S2000 privately....guess where it was serviced/repaired.
I freely admit that I have used garages to assist my decision making over which car(s) I might want to own in the medium to longer term. Occasionally, I have simply satisfied a curiosity. However, every garage that has treated me with respect and dignity has been rewarded with my future business. There is a couple of others on the list that I'll reward as soon as I get the opportunity.
All that said, the real test is my next purchase. My short (long?) list is:
VXR8
E60 M5
E90 M3
E60 535d
E55 AMG
E90 335d
E90 335i
Audi RS4
Audi S4
God knows how I'm going to decide between that lot without driving them all. M5/RS4/M3 would all be standalone cars. The rest would be accompanied by £10k track/weekend car. I simply have no clue which direction I want to go in and absolutely no idea what will float my boat more out of a VXR8/335i/535d/E55 AMG/RS4. I might just love the V8 in the VXR8, or the torque in a remapped 535d, or the smaller 335i, of the sure-footedness of the RS4. There is just no way for me to know unless and until I drive them all. Believe me, I've read everything you can on the internet about them all.
When I was 20 I took an Impreza out from the dealership on a 20 min accompanied test drive and, again, had a great time. I was still a student at uni and there was simply no way I could buy it.
When I was 25 I decided I wanted to drive a convertible car so arranged a 30 minute test drive in a S2000. At the end of the drive I made my excuses and left.
At the time each garage probably felt/concluded they had been stiffed.
However, when I was 21 I went back to that exact same Citroen garage and purchased a brand new VTS. I subsequently serviced it at that garage.
When I was 22/23 I bought an Impreza privately and over 2 years of ownership spent a fortune in that exact same Subaru dealership on servicing/repairs.
When I was 26 I bought an S2000 privately....guess where it was serviced/repaired.
I freely admit that I have used garages to assist my decision making over which car(s) I might want to own in the medium to longer term. Occasionally, I have simply satisfied a curiosity. However, every garage that has treated me with respect and dignity has been rewarded with my future business. There is a couple of others on the list that I'll reward as soon as I get the opportunity.
All that said, the real test is my next purchase. My short (long?) list is:
VXR8
E60 M5
E90 M3
E60 535d
E55 AMG
E90 335d
E90 335i
Audi RS4
Audi S4
God knows how I'm going to decide between that lot without driving them all. M5/RS4/M3 would all be standalone cars. The rest would be accompanied by £10k track/weekend car. I simply have no clue which direction I want to go in and absolutely no idea what will float my boat more out of a VXR8/335i/535d/E55 AMG/RS4. I might just love the V8 in the VXR8, or the torque in a remapped 535d, or the smaller 335i, of the sure-footedness of the RS4. There is just no way for me to know unless and until I drive them all. Believe me, I've read everything you can on the internet about them all.
I have been told by a dealer that they do not do test drives, but their cars come with warranties if there were any problems. Amazing, I walked straight out.
I must say I have never been that lucky with test drives but then I've never actually bought from a dealer. All my cars have come privately.
I presume the fact is the petrol costs. If a dealer lets 10 cars out per day and the potential buyer uses say £5 of fuel. The dealer is spending £50 a day just letting people drive cars. If they have to accompany them then thats a salesmans day almost done.
Also. There has to be the safety aspect for the salesman. I knew a dealer of a smalltime car yard in cardiff who was selling a TVR, apparently for a friend. A chap came to view and test the car and they headed off for a drive. On the way back to the yard the costomer boots it from some traffic lights, lights up the tyres, spins out and hits a tree. The dealer was thrown from the car and unfortunately died. It was very sad and i remember speaking to another dealer about it who was saying it's very hard when a young lad comes to test drive a fast car and they have to jump in the passenger seat and pretend there not s
tting themselves.
So theres a number of reasons they are iffy about test drives. But I would imagine if you come accross as a serious buyer and relatively sensible, you should do ok.
I must say I have never been that lucky with test drives but then I've never actually bought from a dealer. All my cars have come privately.
I presume the fact is the petrol costs. If a dealer lets 10 cars out per day and the potential buyer uses say £5 of fuel. The dealer is spending £50 a day just letting people drive cars. If they have to accompany them then thats a salesmans day almost done.
Also. There has to be the safety aspect for the salesman. I knew a dealer of a smalltime car yard in cardiff who was selling a TVR, apparently for a friend. A chap came to view and test the car and they headed off for a drive. On the way back to the yard the costomer boots it from some traffic lights, lights up the tyres, spins out and hits a tree. The dealer was thrown from the car and unfortunately died. It was very sad and i remember speaking to another dealer about it who was saying it's very hard when a young lad comes to test drive a fast car and they have to jump in the passenger seat and pretend there not s
tting themselves.So theres a number of reasons they are iffy about test drives. But I would imagine if you come accross as a serious buyer and relatively sensible, you should do ok.
I wanted us to buy a Volvo S60 D5 Geartronic but the missus, who would be the main driver, thought it was too big. So I asked the salesman at Squire Furneaux Beaconsfield if she could borrow a demonstrator for a few days for her to get used to it doing her normal drives, shopping trips etc.
3 days later, she loved the car, we bought it and have still got it now 5 years later, it's on 85k and we plan to keep it long term.
A 3 day test drive resulted in a sale. It was also the cheapest UK deal for that model at the time and was the right colour/interior we wanted.
It was a shame that the Squire Furneaux Beaconsfield salesman didn't want to entertain any other back-up or enquiries after making the sale, his attitude was - "I've sold you you the car, so now eff off"
3 days later, she loved the car, we bought it and have still got it now 5 years later, it's on 85k and we plan to keep it long term.
A 3 day test drive resulted in a sale. It was also the cheapest UK deal for that model at the time and was the right colour/interior we wanted.
It was a shame that the Squire Furneaux Beaconsfield salesman didn't want to entertain any other back-up or enquiries after making the sale, his attitude was - "I've sold you you the car, so now eff off"
As others have said with a phone call in advance and talking about part-exs/finance you will usually get a test drive fairly easily.
Bike dealers I've found much more variable from no demo bike, couldn't even be bothered to look at my part ex (a certain London Triumph dealer) to "here are the keys, sign this to say any speeding fines while it's in your possession are your lookout, see you in an hour or so," with a second hand Blackbird from a midlands dealer.
I bought the latter. Same with Benelli. The dealer said take it out for a good scratch and I won't have to say anything, you'll buy it. I hate that attitude, it sounds so trite. But when I got back he came up a bit on my part-ex, chucked in an alarm/immobilser and I placed the order.
I think when you're buying performance machinery so long as you look and sound serious and don't just speculatively turn up you won't have a problem. Anyone that is iffy about arranging a test drive always puts me off at the outset.
Bike dealers I've found much more variable from no demo bike, couldn't even be bothered to look at my part ex (a certain London Triumph dealer) to "here are the keys, sign this to say any speeding fines while it's in your possession are your lookout, see you in an hour or so," with a second hand Blackbird from a midlands dealer.
I bought the latter. Same with Benelli. The dealer said take it out for a good scratch and I won't have to say anything, you'll buy it. I hate that attitude, it sounds so trite. But when I got back he came up a bit on my part-ex, chucked in an alarm/immobilser and I placed the order.
I think when you're buying performance machinery so long as you look and sound serious and don't just speculatively turn up you won't have a problem. Anyone that is iffy about arranging a test drive always puts me off at the outset.
CraigyMc said:
Jasper3.0 said:
Went to an Audi dealer in the South West between Christmas and new year to look at an A4.
After a one hour test drive and figure's discussion, I asked politely for a go in the R8 V10.
Haven't stopped grinning yet!
They let you out in it? Marvellous!After a one hour test drive and figure's discussion, I asked politely for a go in the R8 V10.
Haven't stopped grinning yet!
I've test driven a few things lately mostly down to being curious and also because I am considering a new car in a few months.
My local Skoda dealer rang me up to tell me the new Fabia vRS was in and I could have a go. Get on great with them and know I like VAG cars. This test drive was accompanied and the salesman didn't mind us driving spiritedly. Hadd a god chat about the car afterwards and was in no real pressure to buy it.
After this I though what else could I have a go in. Since my cousin has raved about the Clio 172 he had a few years ago I thought I'd try out the new 200. Had a look at the car in the showroom, asked the dealer a few questions about it, said what I liked and disliked about it then asked if they did test drives. He grabbed the keys to a grey Clio 200 with the cup chassis, stuck £10 in it and told me to come back when I was ready. That was an awesome test drive! Couldn't believe that a FWD car could handle that well.
I then though about test driving a Mk6 Golf GTI and since a mate of mine (who can't drive yet) loves Golfs I took him with me to have a look at one. Same story as the Clio. Had a good look around the car, asked a few questions, asked about offers and finance deals then asked for a test drive. This was accompanied but was still very fun. It was a white 5 door with DSG. Very nice.
After that I took out a Suzuki Swift Sport, Corsa VXR, Mazda 3 MPS (unaccompanied and a lot of fun! It's a rocket!) and a new Civic Type-R. Still waiting to test a Leon Cupra and a Ibiza Bocanegra.
If you are over 21 and have a bit of confidence you should easily get a test drive. Just say you're in the market for a hot hatch, driven X, Y and Z and want to drive what they have. You're hoping to buy in the next few months and you just want to do all the reserach now.
DO NOT try and get test drives at car supermarkets! I can't speak for them all but certain ones assume that once you've driven the car you HAVE to buy it. My parents were looking for a new car, wanting to part ex and pay cash. Test drove several Astra's, Focuses and a Mazda and not really liking any of them for different reasons decided to look elsewhere. The salesmen tried to bully them into buying something. They just walked out. Car supermarkets are not worth the hassle if you just want a test drive of something.
My local Skoda dealer rang me up to tell me the new Fabia vRS was in and I could have a go. Get on great with them and know I like VAG cars. This test drive was accompanied and the salesman didn't mind us driving spiritedly. Hadd a god chat about the car afterwards and was in no real pressure to buy it.
After this I though what else could I have a go in. Since my cousin has raved about the Clio 172 he had a few years ago I thought I'd try out the new 200. Had a look at the car in the showroom, asked the dealer a few questions about it, said what I liked and disliked about it then asked if they did test drives. He grabbed the keys to a grey Clio 200 with the cup chassis, stuck £10 in it and told me to come back when I was ready. That was an awesome test drive! Couldn't believe that a FWD car could handle that well.
I then though about test driving a Mk6 Golf GTI and since a mate of mine (who can't drive yet) loves Golfs I took him with me to have a look at one. Same story as the Clio. Had a good look around the car, asked a few questions, asked about offers and finance deals then asked for a test drive. This was accompanied but was still very fun. It was a white 5 door with DSG. Very nice.
After that I took out a Suzuki Swift Sport, Corsa VXR, Mazda 3 MPS (unaccompanied and a lot of fun! It's a rocket!) and a new Civic Type-R. Still waiting to test a Leon Cupra and a Ibiza Bocanegra.
If you are over 21 and have a bit of confidence you should easily get a test drive. Just say you're in the market for a hot hatch, driven X, Y and Z and want to drive what they have. You're hoping to buy in the next few months and you just want to do all the reserach now.
DO NOT try and get test drives at car supermarkets! I can't speak for them all but certain ones assume that once you've driven the car you HAVE to buy it. My parents were looking for a new car, wanting to part ex and pay cash. Test drove several Astra's, Focuses and a Mazda and not really liking any of them for different reasons decided to look elsewhere. The salesmen tried to bully them into buying something. They just walked out. Car supermarkets are not worth the hassle if you just want a test drive of something.
JonnyFive said:
So just wasting their time?
Not really. Out all I drove I liked The GTI, MPS, Clio 200 and Fabia vRS. The rest were either too slow, too uncomfortable or too expensive. Realistically at the moment I couldn't afford to run the MPS so that's out. That leaves me with Golf GTI (used one), Fabia vRS or Clio 200. All nice cars and all have good points and bad points. I'm leaning more towards the VAG cars mainly because I still can't justify buying a French car. Always known them to fall apart. Used Golf GTI's are getting down to decent money but the vRS is the bargain at about 14k for the estate which I'd need for my kayak.
As others have said testing a car at a young age leaves an impression and in the future if the situation allows you may be able to get one.
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