Test driving a car before deciding to buy
Discussion
So I'm thinking of replacing my car with something totally different, but am a bit wary of getting rid of something I know and love and potentially not liking its replacement.
How do I experience the driving feel of another car before actually committing to buying it? I don't want to be the test pilot timewaster who turns up and takes a seller's P&J for a spin under the guise of being interested, especially if I decide it's not right for me. Likewise, I don't want to flog my car only to be disappointed with its replacement.
The simple answer is, I suppose, to own both at the same time, but that's not really an option at the moment.
Of course I could just say 'screw it' and go for it, you only live once after all...
How do I experience the driving feel of another car before actually committing to buying it? I don't want to be the test pilot timewaster who turns up and takes a seller's P&J for a spin under the guise of being interested, especially if I decide it's not right for me. Likewise, I don't want to flog my car only to be disappointed with its replacement.
The simple answer is, I suppose, to own both at the same time, but that's not really an option at the moment.
Of course I could just say 'screw it' and go for it, you only live once after all...
Get onto an OC or even in the right section on here and say what you're looking for, somone might be willing to give you a lift in one to get some idea.
Other than that, look for one at a dealer, make the right noises and most are more than happy to let you have a test drive. You're not wasting anyones time then, after all if you like it enough you may well buy it!
Fortunately whenever I've test driven dealers cars they've been good enough to get an impression of what the car is like but had either some glaring lie in the advert or some major fault makin them easy to turn down and walk away, then go and buy a good one privately.
Other than that, look for one at a dealer, make the right noises and most are more than happy to let you have a test drive. You're not wasting anyones time then, after all if you like it enough you may well buy it!
Fortunately whenever I've test driven dealers cars they've been good enough to get an impression of what the car is like but had either some glaring lie in the advert or some major fault makin them easy to turn down and walk away, then go and buy a good one privately.
You can't help but love the MX-5, but thats coming from an MX-5 (Eunos) owner, albeit a Mk 1, guess you are going for a Mk 3 perhaps?
I would say take one for a good 20 mile drive, check everything works, try & get some roof down action check you are happy (you will be) then drive home in your current car and do the comparison then.
Then obviously phone the owner back and tell him you will have the '5!
I would say take one for a good 20 mile drive, check everything works, try & get some roof down action check you are happy (you will be) then drive home in your current car and do the comparison then.
Then obviously phone the owner back and tell him you will have the '5!
WeirdNeville said:
Get onto an OC or even in the right section on here and say what you're looking for, somone might be willing to give you a lift in one to get some idea.
Other than that, look for one at a dealer, make the right noises and most are more than happy to let you have a test drive. You're not wasting anyones time then, after all if you like it enough you may well buy it!
Fortunately whenever I've test driven dealers cars they've been good enough to get an impression of what the car is like but had either some glaring lie in the advert or some major fault makin them easy to turn down and walk away, then go and buy a good one privately.
This. Do the dealer thing if you can (I was lucky to find a mk1 mx5 at a dealer near me, that was rotton as a turkey but I only wanted to see what an mx5 was like to drive).. I was so impressed I almost bought the damn thing! But common sense finally talked me out of it and I went and test drove a mk2 at a dealers and another mk1 before deciding the mk1 was definitely the one I wanted, then I started approaching private sellers with a look to buy rather than test drive cars..Other than that, look for one at a dealer, make the right noises and most are more than happy to let you have a test drive. You're not wasting anyones time then, after all if you like it enough you may well buy it!
Fortunately whenever I've test driven dealers cars they've been good enough to get an impression of what the car is like but had either some glaring lie in the advert or some major fault makin them easy to turn down and walk away, then go and buy a good one privately.
If you're near to me you can have a go in mine
When looking to buy a new car i will set a day aside and go through the online dealer network to highlight some of the cars that interest me. Then i would plan a visit to a number of garages in one day and test them back to back. Its often a good idea to ring the garage first so that they know you are coming and that you want to test drive the car on that day. I have chosen most of my cars this way and have come away with some great cars that i have loved. Make sure its a full test drive you get though and not a quick spin around the block, its not worth your time otherwise. You are spending your hard earned and the dealers should work hard to earn it from you in return.
I cant be the only person that does this.............. can I?????
I cant be the only person that does this.............. can I?????
I've never quite understood this 'no timewasters' malarky.
Ok, if you want an extended test drive, offer to pay for the fuel. Otherwise you aren't obligated to buy the car you're testing. Obviously if you have absolutely no intention of buying said car you're being a bit out of order, but for gods sake don't buy a heap of scrap just because the owner gets mardy about you having 'wasted' half an hour of his precious time.
If I went to look at a car and it wasn't up to scratch (or if I felt I hadn't looked at enougn alternatives), and the seller had a go at me I'd probably laugh! (goatee dependant obviously).
Ok, if you want an extended test drive, offer to pay for the fuel. Otherwise you aren't obligated to buy the car you're testing. Obviously if you have absolutely no intention of buying said car you're being a bit out of order, but for gods sake don't buy a heap of scrap just because the owner gets mardy about you having 'wasted' half an hour of his precious time.
If I went to look at a car and it wasn't up to scratch (or if I felt I hadn't looked at enougn alternatives), and the seller had a go at me I'd probably laugh! (goatee dependant obviously).
Evil.soup said:
When looking to buy a new car i will set a day aside and go through the online dealer network to highlight some of the cars that interest me. Then i would plan a visit to a number of garages in one day and test them back to back. Its often a good idea to ring the garage first so that they know you are coming and that you want to test drive the car on that day. I have chosen most of my cars this way and have come away with some great cars that i have loved. Make sure its a full test drive you get though and not a quick spin around the block, its not worth your time otherwise. You are spending your hard earned and the dealers should work hard to earn it from you in return.
I cant be the only person that does this.............. can I?????
I do pretty much the opposite. I will go through the online dealer network until I find the ONE, good price, low milage, good condition etc. I will then buy that exact car. Never had a problem with this method.I cant be the only person that does this.............. can I?????
Epic Winning said:
Ever heard of car magazines/reviews? Yes you don't get to try it in real life but it gives you a pretty good indication of what a car is like.
They give you the opinion of the tester - and in some cases, the opinion of someone who has never driven the car, but written a review based on other reviews they've read....A good example for me is the MkII Focus - magazine reviewers raved about it, I absolutely hated it and didn't feel it was anything like what had been written in the reviews.
Same for the BMW 320d - great for saving money on your tax bill, but I found the one I tested was unrefined, and incredibly badly equipped - yet the magazine reviewers love them.
Try a few MX5s and don't be scared to wind them round the rev counter. Also the Geometry on these is very important. Tried one car that felt really numb, put me off them as it was the first I tried. Then gave the one I bought a go and it was completely different.
Unfortunately, having had a spring replaced the geo's out on mine now and it feels rubbish compared to what it once was. Getting it done soon though!
Unfortunately, having had a spring replaced the geo's out on mine now and it feels rubbish compared to what it once was. Getting it done soon though!
-Z- said:
Evil.soup said:
When looking to buy a new car i will set a day aside and go through the online dealer network to highlight some of the cars that interest me. Then i would plan a visit to a number of garages in one day and test them back to back. Its often a good idea to ring the garage first so that they know you are coming and that you want to test drive the car on that day. I have chosen most of my cars this way and have come away with some great cars that i have loved. Make sure its a full test drive you get though and not a quick spin around the block, its not worth your time otherwise. You are spending your hard earned and the dealers should work hard to earn it from you in return.
I cant be the only person that does this.............. can I?????
I do pretty much the opposite. I will go through the online dealer network until I find the ONE, good price, low milage, good condition etc. I will then buy that exact car. Never had a problem with this method.I cant be the only person that does this.............. can I?????
I found the above method to be the best way when you have a number of potential models in your mind plus it can be a bit of fun if you enjoy car shopping as i do!
Thanks for the input, all. I'm going to have a look at a Eunos tomorrow, though I suspect I'll end up with a UK model as it'll be cheaper to insure. Hopefully I'll get around to seeing some more at the weekend.
I'm probably going to miss the practicality of the Impreza as I've got the estate which makes chucking a mountain bike in the back a piece of cake. Not so in a two-seater soft top...
I'm probably going to miss the practicality of the Impreza as I've got the estate which makes chucking a mountain bike in the back a piece of cake. Not so in a two-seater soft top...
TriumphVitesse said:
You can't help but love the MX-5, but thats coming from an MX-5 (Eunos) owner, albeit a Mk 1, guess you are going for a Mk 3 perhaps?
Nope, looking for Mk1s as they're in the same ballpark price-wise as the Impreza.Forums | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff