Would you buy a new car without driving it?

[GGibbo]

I've recently made enquiries with my local Audi dealer about a new s4. The chap was very courteous and helpful, and despite not having a demonstrator on the premises (I understand they can only have certain demos in stock)said he'd contact Audi uk to arrange one. He just called back to say that he couldn't get hold of one anywhere in the Audi uk network.

I'm not ranting about this, but it seems a bit strange. Do they expect people to buy one of the more 'special ' models in a given range without seeing/driving it? I'm interested in the car, but want to drive it along with 335i Etc before I make a decision.

So what would the ph masses do? Buy on the strength of reviews alone? Or pretend to want to buy a used one and test drive that...?

[Thankyou4calling]

GGibbo said:

I've recently made enquiries with my local Audi dealer about a new s4. The chap was very courteous and helpful, and despite not having a demonstrator on the premises (I understand they can only have certain demos in stock)said he'd contact Audi uk to arrange one. He just called back to say that he couldn't get hold of one anywhere in the Audi uk network.

I'm not ranting about this, but it seems a bit strange. Do they expect people to buy one of the more 'special ' models in a given range without seeing/driving it? I'm interested in the car, but want to drive it along with 335i Etc before I make a decision.

So what would the ph masses do? Buy on the strength of reviews alone? Or pretend to want to buy a used one and test drive that...?

Most cars I've bought I haven't test driven and often haven't even sat in that type of car. It's not unusual at all.

[Buff Mchugelarge]

Drive a Golf. They're the same.

[sjg]

I remember reading that the majority of new Audis sold in the UK are done without a test drive. People want an Audi, they choose one that's the right size, they spec it up, it arrives however many weeks later.

But yes, I bought my current car (M135i) without driving one. It was a cheap lease, it looked fine in the reviews, I didn't actually get around to trying one out between order and delivery.

[750turbo]

Thankyou4calling said:

Most cars I've bought I haven't test driven and often haven't even sat in that type of car. It's not unusual at all.

An S4 is not your usual run of the mill Generic VAG though...

[bp1000]

I can't imagine buying any car without driving it.

It is all about how it drives, couldn't care less if it looks like a pudding, if it drives great then I will buy it.

I guess some people who buy without trying are more interested in other things.

[Riley Blue]

I only buy used cars, there's always a demonstrator available.

[Thankyou4calling]

750turbo said:

An S4 is not your usual run of the mill Generic VAG though...

Bought my 360 spider having never sat in one and I don't mean paid a deposit to secure
Bought a W12 Phaeton
A Mercedes SLK
An E Class (brand new)
And a 911 Turbo without a drive.

So they weren't run of the mill cars.

[DonkeyApple]

You definitely need to test drive a car but it doesn't need to be a new one. In fact it would make more sense to test drive a used one.

All you want to do is check that the position and drive is good and there are no weird features that would annoy you. Driving a used one gives the added information in what creaks or wears after time.

[cib24]

I bought a car, it wasn't new, without driving it. However, my intention was to rebuild the engine and upgrade the brakes and suspension so I was only worried about the overall condition of the car aside from the engine.

[golfer19]

I bought my Z4M convertible without a test drive.
First drive was out of the dealership after paying for it.
A bit nervous at first but brilliant.

[Jasandjules]

No. I find different cars of the same make/model feel different when you drive them.

[David A]

Thankyou4calling said:

Bought my 360 spider having never sat in one and I don't mean paid a deposit to secure
Bought a W12 Phaeton
A Mercedes SLK
An E Class (brand new)
And a 911 Turbo without a drive.

So they weren't run of the mill cars.

2 maseratis and a porsche turbo s cab. Don't recall driving the ones i bought rather other examples that I didn't quite like.

[EK993]

Bought the F Type without having driven, sat in, or even seen one in the flesh before.

[007 VXR]

Bought my Monaro within 20secs of sitting in it and revving it, did not test drive it

[GGibbo]

So, in conclusion- some people do, some don't...

I get it if you want something very particular (f type, 911 turbo s), but I'd hate to end up with something that was underwhelming/hurt my back/was generally a bit cr*p having not test driven it. Which is pretty much what happened when I traded an e46 m3 for a 350z cab!

[Alucidnation]

If i was spending that kind of money i would always insist on a test drive.

I must admit, its very odd that you can't get a test drive of an S4 somewhere?

[whoami]

No.

[ViperDave]

Mine wasn't even from a dealer in the uk. A couple of phone calls, some emails, a paypal deposit, lot of money in an international transfer for a week, two months later a boat arrived in Chatham with my car. First time i had seen it, sat in it and i was still not really allowed to drive it for another month when the IVA was done, then it snowed and winter set in, so it was another 5 months before I could even drive it properly.

[truck71]

I once ticked the A4 box on the company car list without driving one, regretted it for four years. Get a test drive in a used one.