Have you ever bought a car without test driving it?

[white_goodman]

I've never been in the position to own something so exclusive that I haven't had the opportunity to test drive it first and even though "white goods" cars drive much the same these days, I still have to test drive all the options to be happy in my own mind that I am getting the best car for my money. I'm surprised in how many threads other PHers have mentioned that they have just ordered a new FRS, BMW M2, Cayman GT4, 911 GT3 etc, presumably without a test drive.

My wife's uncle has just ordered a new F-Pace for June delivery and I assume that there aren't any demonstrators in showrooms yet, as I haven't read any reviews on them. No doubt it will be a fantastic car and live up to his expectations but I'm not sure if I could pull the trigger on a 50k car without driving one first.



On the flip side, when I was selling VWs, I was staggered by the number of people who would buy a new Golf without a test drive, even though we had demonstrators and they were offered one purely based on having owned a mk2 Golf or something in the past and having liked it. That's either a huge compliment or a bit of an insult to the engineers who have moved things on massively. I wonder how many mk1 Focuses were sold based on previous experience with Escorts. Not many I expect or were die-hard Escort fans dissatisfied with how well it drove compared to the Escort?!

So, just out of interest, have you ever bought a car without driving it first and what was your decision based on? Good experience with previous vehicles of that type from the same manufacturer, good magazine reviews or you just really wanted one and took a leap of faith? Did the car live up to your expectations?

There must be lots of exclusive cars where it's going to be virtually impossible to get a test drive before buying (Ferrari 488/458 Speciale, Lamborghini Hurracan, Alfa 4C, Porsche 911 GT3 RS etc), so I guess one just has to assume that the reality will live up to the dream, trust the manufacturer to do the business and get in line.

[Truckosaurus]

Yes, in fact ordered (leased) cars without having ever seen them in the flesh or visited a dealer.

One was a Volvo V60 that had only just been launched, probably could have lied my way into a test drive but what would it have told me? I knew it would drive competently well and was more than big enough for my needs.

The other was my current Nismo Juke, probably wouldn't have found one to test drive anyway (no point driving a lesser model Juke).

I'm confident in my own lack of ability that I couldn't spot any handling flaws etc on a short test drive anyway.

Edited by Truckosaurus on Wednesday 24th February 15:22

[RegMolehusband]

Last year I purchased a £8000 Honda S2000 from the other side of the country based on the dealer's description. He sent it on a low loader.

[Frixturbo]

Yes , twice

[Dr Interceptor]

Oh yes...

2004 MINI Cooper Convertible, picked the car up having never driven one, and I ordered the Golf R without driving it.

With all three classics (Jensen, Stag and Beetle), I did test drive them, but travelled hundreds of miles to go and purchase without ever having driven one of the respective cars before. The Stag I spent 7 hours on the train going to Dalton in Furness, having never driven a Stag before!

[TiminYorkshire]

Yes, a ten year old Skoda Octavie 1.8T, not only without a test drive but unseen!

[Pixelpeep7r]

ordered a Golf R on a lease without evening seeing one in the flesh.

More than happy with it although got to say i spent a good few months researching it on various sites and forums.

[Monkeylegend]

Bought my current Merc as a used approved from my local Merc franchise. I paid for it, did all the paperwork, got in and drove it for the first time.

Edited by Monkeylegend on Wednesday 24th February 15:29

[PenelopaPitstop]

I never got a car without a test drive. Even if I had the same/similar model before, I would still go on a test drive. Car might be the same but my point of view could be different. Cars I drove in the meantime could change my expectations and habits. I drove certain car model for 3 years and enjoyed it but I think now, I would view it as a bit poor spec and prefer nicer interior.

[smithyithy]

All of my older cars that I bought cash private or from small dealers I test drove beforehand.

My series of company cars I didn't drive any, I don't think anyone did to be honest as the company were quite reluctant to get us testers. They were all basic diesel things anyway so nothing really between them.

My current Mini which I ordered new I test drove a few times in different trims before buying, as well as a couple of other car options.

Bikes are the only thing I've bought without test drives / rides, as each time I've bought one before passing the required test rather than waiting until after - impatience!

[TurboHatchback]

Once, a Mercedes 560 SEC at 22 because I couldn't get temporary insurance (private seller). I got the seller to take it for a drive and put it through its paces with me as a passenger though.

I would never consider buying a car without test driving it first now.

[Vitorio]

A €350 fiat cinquecento with a leaky headgasket (and as later turned out, bad ignition lead)

ended up driving a whole 100m with it, from the delivery trailer into the workshop, where i proceeded to first fix the engine and then decide getting it tested was going to be too costly after all and stripped it for parts.

learned a lot from it though, i took every single bit of that car apart

[generationx]

Yes, in 1996 I bought my 3dr Cosworth without even sitting in it. I bought it from the bloke I´d bought my previous car from (RS Turbo) and knew him well enough that he´d spent time finding a good one before moving it on.

[shirt]

yes, all cars in my current fleet were bought without driving them. the two track cars were started/run at the seller's location as it was out of trackday season both times. the elise wasn't covered by any insurance at the time so the seller wouldn't let me have a go. he took me out in it and i had a full inspection done before buying it. to be fair though, all 3 are so far to come across where i live that i knew i would buy them as soon as i clapped eyes.

[Thankyou4calling]

Evie bought lots of cars without test driving them, in fact I've bought lots without even sitting in that model of car to see if I fit.

I set my heart on a Ferrari 360 spider. I did plenty of research on the market but had never do much as sat in one when I did the deed.

I wanted one do much it wouldn't have mattered how it felt to drive, just had to have one.

Same with a 996 TT and my Mercedes Cabriolet. No test drive just piled in.

[0000]

Just a 1995 Ford Escort when it was about 10 years old which a garage had taken in part ex and had intended to auction.

Small chance I might consider it on a Tesla Model 3 if that seems any good.

[S10GTA]

At least 4 times. Waiting for one to arrive as I type.

405 MI16 from Scotland - trailered down - rust bucket
Xantia Activa from up north - trailered down
Volvo XC70 from Chippenham - Didn't drive it, exchanged money and drove home
C5 Estate from Burnley - coming down this week

I think there might have been others too. Maybe another Activa. Took a train to Ipswich for an XM, but did drive it round the carpark I think.

[Monkeylegend]

Surprising isn't it, we all know what we should do before buying a new to us car, but so many of us don't.

[white_goodman]

RegMolehusband said:

Last year I purchased a £8000 Honda S2000 from the other side of the country based on the dealer's description. He sent it on a low loader.

Fair enough. Had you driven an S2000 before though?

[caelite]

TurboHatchback said:

Once, a Mercedes 560 SEC at 22 because I couldn't get temporary insurance (private seller). I got the seller to take it for a drive and put it through its paces with me as a passenger though.

I would never consider buying a car without test driving it first now.

I did this selling my last car. Seller was 18, I took him a blast over my local B-roads. He didnt even look at the paperwork, haggles £100 off my asking price paid me cash then left me with the keys and car, came back the day after with his insurance sorted. I wouldve slapped the kid for being so stupid if he wasnt handing me over £3k. Although his dad came with him when he was picking up the car and did not seem happy with him for handing me the cash without any receipt with only a V5 slip in his possesion, So I hope atleast his dad taught him a lesson since I certainly didnt (it was a good car, wish I never sold it now).

EDIT: I also had a dealer tell me he couldnt let me test drive a used (and pretty old) car because I was under 25 and his insurance wouldnt cover it. Needless to say I walked immediatly.

Edited by caelite on Wednesday 24th February 16:18