test drives
Author
Discussion

richatnort

Original Poster:

3,204 posts

160 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
Is it acceptable to go for a test drive in a car you think you can't afford? I'm thinking of going on Sunday to gauge how much it would cost me and to get a feel for the car. However i don't think i'll be able to afford the car for another year yet.

Is this acceptable?

Dave Hedgehog

16,335 posts

233 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
i only test drive cars that i am seriously interested in buying

richatnort

Original Poster:

3,204 posts

160 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
Dave Hedgehog said:
i only test drive cars that i am seriously interested in buying
I'm serious about buying it but i don't think i'll be able to afford it is all.

TLandCruiser

2,877 posts

227 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
whats the point?, next year you will want something else or be in a different circumstance.

TOYNEG

279 posts

167 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
i test drove a new Vanquish last year and I have no chance of buying that - it was up at £195k - but was well worth it to have a go smile

CYMR0

3,940 posts

229 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
richatnort said:
I'm serious about buying it but i don't think i'll be able to afford it is all.
If you decided you didn't like it today, would you do anything different (e.g., buy something now - whether a car or not) rather than keep saving?

If so then I think it's acceptable to go for the test drive, as long as you explain that you can't buy today but you need to know now what it's like to make a decision.

Don't be surprised if the dealer doesn't have time - it's only fair that they can deal with people who are both serious and able to buy now. A dealer might be willing to spend time with you regardless and that's fine, but do be upfront because if you're not able to buy now then you're not serious from that dealer's perspective.

HumbleJim

29,006 posts

212 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
richatnort said:
Is it acceptable to go for a test drive in a car you think you can't afford? I'm thinking of going on Sunday to gauge how much it would cost me and to get a feel for the car. However i don't think i'll be able to afford the car for another year yet.

Is this acceptable?
Maybe try being upfront and saying "I can't afford that car so won't buy it may I have a demo drive please" and see what happens.

Sunday is a very busy day for most dealerships so try to go on a quieter day. The average salesman is paid on results so would be more ammineable midweek.

mike-r

1,539 posts

220 months

Friday 14th February 2014
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I took a Harley out recently that I had no intention of buying, I just fancied having one for an hour. Certainly can't afford one for a good few years.

Might buy one one day, and when I do I'll be using that dealer.

I'd feel a bit of a knobber going round test driving stuff with absolutely no intention of ever getting it or ever coming close to affording it. Luckily a Rolls dealership would cotton onto this when they saw me anyway.

Riknos

4,701 posts

233 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
/flamesuit on

As long as it's not a private seller, it should be fine wink

HumbleJim

29,006 posts

212 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
Riknos said:
/flamesuit on

As long as it's not a private seller, it should be fine wink
Why?

james_gt3rs

4,816 posts

220 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
Riknos said:
/flamesuit on

As long as it's not a private seller, it should be fine wink
biglaugh

deltashad

6,731 posts

226 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
I took a Toyota GT86 for a test drive when they were launched. I would have had to wait a year before purchasing, the salesman didn't know this. I just wanted to see what they were like. But, with the salesman sitting next to me I didn't get a chance to really explore it.

LovesSweetExile

22,722 posts

263 months

Friday 14th February 2014
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If you're up front and honest with the salesman, there's no reason not to ask.

richatnort

Original Poster:

3,204 posts

160 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice.

Anyone ever got a car for a weekend test drive and not bought? Wondering how much you can push it before they starting wanting you to pay for stuff.

markmullen

15,877 posts

263 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
Next time a genuine buyer isn't allowed a test drive as they get wrongly classed as a timewaster and comes on here to whinge about it I'll point them in the direction of this thread.

Test drives are confirmation that a car you probably want to buy is the one for you, not a free jolly.


HumbleJim

29,006 posts

212 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
richatnort said:
Thanks for the advice.

Anyone ever got a car for a weekend test drive and not bought? Wondering how much you can push it before they starting wanting you to pay for stuff.
Why stop @ the weekend? Be honest say "I have no intention of buying a car but will you lend me one for a fortnight" If they decline you can always negotiate down to a week.

Prizam

2,447 posts

170 months

Friday 14th February 2014
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markmullen said:
Next time a genuine buyer isn't allowed a test drive as they get wrongly classed as a timewaster and comes on here to whinge about it I'll point them in the direction of this thread.

Test drives are confirmation that a car you probably want to buy is the one for you, not a free jolly.
Yup... This. I quite fancy a Maserati Granturismo, but have been put off by reports that it just isn't fast enough (5th Gear). That said, its still not slow and for day to day driving i think it might be about right. When you can push a car to its limit it can be more fun.

This probably warrants a test drive... but i would still feel guilty if i didn't buy the car afterwards.

LouD86

3,290 posts

182 months

Friday 14th February 2014
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markmullen said:
Next time a genuine buyer isn't allowed a test drive as they get wrongly classed as a timewaster and comes on here to whinge about it I'll point them in the direction of this thread.

Test drives are confirmation that a car you probably want to buy is the one for you, not a free jolly.
Here here!!

Your costing someone their livelyhood, your using a companies fuel at their cost, your putting more miles on a car that they still have to sell, its a bit heartless, and a bit rude in my opinion. If your genuinely interested in that type of car, why not speak to an owners club, see if someone can talk to you about them.

Wait until you can afford it, then find the car that ticks your boxes and drive it! Don't waste others time and money!

Shaw Tarse

31,889 posts

232 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
LouD86 said:
markmullen said:
Next time a genuine buyer isn't allowed a test drive as they get wrongly classed as a timewaster and comes on here to whinge about it I'll point them in the direction of this thread.

Test drives are confirmation that a car you probably want to buy is the one for you, not a free jolly.
Here here!!

Your costing someone their livelyhood, your using a companies fuel at their cost, your putting more miles on a car that they still have to sell, its a bit heartless, and a bit rude in my opinion. If your genuinely interested in that type of car, why not speak to an owners club, see if someone can talk to you about them.

Wait until you can afford it, then find the car that ticks your boxes and drive it! Don't waste others time and money!
I've been offered test drives a couple of times when I've told the salesman "I'm not in a position to buy yet" haven't taken them up on it, but returned when I was ready to buy & did.
I have also taken up the manufacturer sponsored free weekend hire in the past redface

R6VED

1,491 posts

169 months

Friday 14th February 2014
quotequote all
richatnort said:
Is it acceptable to go for a test drive in a car you think you can't afford? I'm thinking of going on Sunday to gauge how much it would cost me and to get a feel for the car. However i don't think i'll be able to afford the car for another year yet.

Is this acceptable?
No in a word, you are wasting their time.