"Drive a few before you buy" et al

[LandingSpot]

Considering a new/additional car and wondering how you become sure that one particular car is the best of a few around at a particular price bracket and pretty much sure that the only way is to drive a few and get a feel for a dog and one that is markedly better than the rest.

How does one go to the first seller of the model that you are interested in:

• without seeming like a time waster or a joy-riding test pilot

without telling the seller you are only there to drive with no interest in buying

The answers I expect to at least those questions are:
you have a genuine interest in the model, do not mention trying this or other cars
as first answer

Let's say the car is, as far as you can tell, a good one. Good condition in and out, fsh, drives well, goes, stops no noises etc. How do you disappoint the seller with unfounded excuses after the test drive for not buying the car/placing deposit etc. Does one even need a good reason for not buying???

I can only see saying "I'll have a think after I drive another later."

Any extra answers welcome! No MX-5 etc

Is this a guilt thing where I feel bad for getting the seller's hopes up?
Is ruthlessness called for?
After all, it's my money and a private sale has no come back.
I've only ever had buyer's come from distance who, aside from physically inspecting it are already sold on the car and will only come to make sure it's not fubar and to negotiate on price.

As for buying myself, my first was the only one I could find in that particular colour/spec/mileage etc, came with a 12month warranty was immaclate and for the GT-Four, I'd driven a freind's car with almost identical mods so knew what to expect.

I guess if I'd bought and sold more, I'd know the answers so I open the floor to those with car histories the length of ones arm!!

Cheers!

Edited by LandingSpot on Friday 30th December 20:18

[Urban Sports]

I tend to buy approved used with my own car, too many pitfalls to buy private.

For my Wife's I was going to buy approved used but found a very nice spec one that was on the money. I always know what I want to buy before I view. I always confirm the main points with the seller about the car, via email if I can.

I then go to see the car with the genuine intention of buying / leaving a deposit as long as everything is as it was described and a deal can be done. If it is not as described I walk away and look for another.

Saves wasting everybody's time.

[matthias73]

Never sold or bought a car, but I've sold other stuff. Cars cost a lot, and people don't have a lot of time, so try this if you dont want to feel bad:

"Hi, I've decided to buy a jag S-type. I see you have a well specced model for a decent price. However I've never driven one before, so I'm going to drive a couple to make sure I know how they are meant to feel and respond, and also to decide which one I buy. I won't be buying on first inspection, but I can give you a token amount of money (tenner perhaps) for taking up your time, which you could perhaps refund if I do purchase the car. I'l be trying three or four jags this weekend and I'l let you know before sunday at 1800 hours on my decision"

Its just important not to make people get too hopeful to start with.

[bozmandb9]

LandingSpot said:

Considering a new/additional car and wondering how you become sure that one particular car is the best of a few around at a particular price bracket and pretty much sure that the only way is to drive a few and get a feel for a dog and one that is markedly better than the rest.

How does one go to the first seller of the model that you are interested in:

• without seeming like a time waster or a joy-riding test pilot

without telling the seller you are only there to drive with no interest in buying

The answers I expect to at least those questions are:
you have a genuine interest in the model, do not mention trying this or other cars
as first answer

Let's say the car is, as far as you can tell, a good one. Good condition in and out, fsh, drives well, goes, stops no noises etc. How do you disappoint the seller with unfounded excuses after the test drive for not buying the car/placing deposit etc. Does one even need a good reason for not buying???

I can only see saying "I'll have a think after I drive another later."

Any extra answers welcome! No MX-5 etc

Is this a guilt thing where I feel bad for getting the seller's hopes up?
Is ruthlessness called for?
After all, it's my money and a private sale has no come back.
I've only ever had buyer's come from distance who, aside from physically inspecting it are already sold on the car and will only come to make sure it's not fubar and to negotiate on price.

As for buying myself, my first was the only one I could find in that particular colour/spec/mileage etc, came with a 12month warranty was immaclate and for the GT-Four, I'd driven a freind's car with almost identical mods so knew what to expect.

I guess if I'd bought and sold more, I'd know the answers so I open the floor to those with car histories the length of ones arm!!

Cheers!

Edited by LandingSpot on Friday 30th December 20:18

I don't see why you'd be going to see/ drive a car you have no interest in buying. If it's just that you won't be deciding until you've driven a few, then it's fine. If it's out of your budget then don't do it. I'd say only go to see/ drive a car which you might possibly buy, even if you will be wanting to drive a few/ shop around.

Test driving a car is not something to be taken lightly. You're taking somebody's time up, and unless you arrange specific fully comp cover on your policy for the vehicle, you're putting it at risk by driving with just third party cover under your own insurance.

I'd say if you just want to get a feel for a car, go to a dealer, I'm not saying it's OK to waste a dealers time, but at least they are there doing a job, and insurance isn't an issue, and if they're a good sales person then anybody is a potential prospect either now or at some stage in the future!

[joebongo]

I say upfront that I'm looking at a couple before I choose one and have never much of a problem. Once a railway arch dealer (literally) couldn't be arsed getting the car out for a test drive but that was fine, that's his choice and so I didn't buy his one as it couldn't be factored into consideration. It may have been the best one but what the hell - onto the next one.

[thinfourth2]

Nothing to stop you from driving car A and the driving car B before returning to buy car A.

Be 100% honest with the owner of the car that you are going to look at another but don't know which one you are wanting.

If they tell you to bog off then they have saved you the hassle of buying off a tosser

[Risotto]

LandingSpot said:

Let's say the car is, as far as you can tell, a good one. Good condition in and out, fsh, drives well, goes, stops no noises etc. How do you disappoint the seller with unfounded excuses after the test drive for not buying the car/placing deposit etc. Does one even need a good reason for not buying???

But if you can't think of a reason not to buy it, surely you should consider buying it!

Personally, I tend to do most of the legwork before going to see any cars. The result is that 95% of the time, I only go to see cars I'm prepared to buy. It's surprising how much of a feel you can get for the market and for particular cars simply by closely monitoring the classifieds and by asking pertinent questions of the seller. You'll get to know which cars are crappy examples at low prices and which are good examples for silly money. In the middle there will be a few good cars at fair prices. Of those adverts, you can start discarding the worst colours and specs, etc. With any luck, the first car you see will be suitable. Note I said suitable - not perfect. You need to maintain a degree of flexibility. If your 'must have' list is too detailed, you'll never find the right car.

LandingSpot said:

I can only see saying "I'll have a think after I drive another later."

On the odd occasion I've been to see a car that didn't live up to expectations, I've either offered an amount so low the car would still represent great value if the seller were silly enough to accept, or I've said I've another viewing lined up and will let them know (and out of politeness I do ring them back).

Edited by Risotto on Friday 30th December 22:06

[Dave Hedgehog]

joebongo said:

I say upfront that I'm looking at a couple before I choose one and have never much of a problem. Once a railway arch dealer (literally) couldn't be arsed getting the car out for a test drive but that was fine, that's his choice and so I didn't buy his one as it couldn't be factored into consideration. It may have been the best one but what the hell - onto the next one.

i do it at dealers and tell them up front what i am looking for and that i have narrowed it down to a couple of cars, its fun watching them actually trying to work and go into full sales mode

it actually works in your favor as well as you are for more likely to get a deal from them

[LandingSpot]

matthias73 said:

Never sold or bought a car, but I've sold other stuff. Cars cost a lot, and people don't have a lot of time, so try this if you dont want to feel bad:

"Hi, I've decided to buy a jag S-type. I see you have a well specced model for a decent price. However I've never driven one before, so I'm going to drive a couple to make sure I know how they are meant to feel and respond, and also to decide which one I buy. I won't be buying on first inspection, but I can give you a token amount of money (tenner perhaps) for taking up your time, which you could perhaps refund if I do purchase the car. I'l be trying three or four jags this weekend and I'l let you know before sunday at 1800 hours on my decision"

Its just important not to make people get too hopeful to start with.

That's a nice gesture I hadn't thought of that

bozmandb9 said:

I don't see why you'd be going to see/ drive a car you have no interest in buying. If it's just that you won't be deciding until you've driven a few, then it's fine. If it's out of your budget then don't do it. I'd say only go to see/ drive a car which you might possibly buy, even if you will be wanting to drive a few/ shop around.

Test driving a car is not something to be taken lightly. You're taking somebody's time up, and unless you arrange specific fully comp cover on your policy for the vehicle, you're putting it at risk by driving with just third party cover under your own insurance.

I'd say if you just want to get a feel for a car, go to a dealer, I'm not saying it's OK to waste a dealers time, but at least they are there doing a job, and insurance isn't an issue, and if they're a good sales person then anybody is a potential prospect either now or at some stage in the future!

I would never go and see/drive a car that I wasn't interested in and never one outside of the budget. However, if the car is a model that isn't available in a dealer network/rare/only available privately then you are forced to take up someone's time with the possible result of nothing further happening for them. Like a house viewing, that's your time spent showing the prospect around etc, plenty of people go to viewings just for a nose around. I see your point regarding insurance and for the appropriate car I would organise FC cover.

thinfourth2 said:

Nothing to stop you from driving car A and the driving car B before returning to buy car A.

Be 100% honest with the owner of the car that you are going to look at another but don't know which one you are wanting.

If they tell you to bog off then they have saved you the hassle of buying off a tosser

I kind of think that the seller has to expect that potential buyers will come, drive, occupy your time etc and that should be taken with the fact that you are offering something for sale that is not unique and is naturally compared to other examples available. IMO sellers should be prepared to waste time.

Risotto said:

LandingSpot said:

Let's say the car is, as far as you can tell, a good one. Good condition in and out, fsh, drives well, goes, stops no noises etc. How do you disappoint the seller with unfounded excuses after the test drive for not buying the car/placing deposit etc. Does one even need a good reason for not buying???

But if you can't think of a reason not to buy it, surely you should consider buying it!

Perhaps this is the first one you've ever driven, maybe not any idea of what to expect regarding handling, power delivery, "noises" etc and you have no frame of reference to measure it on.

Risotto said:

Personally, I tend to do most of the legwork before going to see any cars. The result is that 95% of the time, I only go to see cars I'm prepared to buy. It's surprising how much of a feel you can get for the market and for particular cars simply by closely monitoring the classifieds and by asking pertinent questions of the seller. You'll get to know which cars are crappy examples at low prices and which are good examples for silly money. In the middle there will be a few good cars at fair prices. Of those adverts, you can start discarding the worst colours and specs, etc. With any luck, the first car you see will be suitable. Note I said suitable - not perfect. You need to maintain a degree of flexibility. If your 'must have' list is too detailed, you'll never find the right car.

Indeed, I looked for four months for the GT Four and then flew across the country for it.

Risotto said:

LandingSpot said:

I can only see saying "I'll have a think after I drive another later."

On the odd occasion I've been to see a car that didn't live up to expectations, I've either offered an amount so low the car would still represent great value if the seller were silly enough to accept, or I've said I've another viewing lined up and will let them know (and out of politeness I do ring them back).

Yes politeness is something I value in others and maintain myself, I'm not out to hack anyone off.

Edited by LandingSpot on Friday 30th December 23:29

[shovelheadrob]

Go for the "first to see will buy" one it must be the best!
Seriously though as said just be honest, I usually say that I have a couple more to look at but will call you by **** time & let you know either way, I always call, it is just common courtesy even though I wouldn't expect them to keep the car until then without a deposit, if someone has beaten me to it well that's unfortunate.