Test drive idea
Discussion
Hi
I'm just looking to canvas opinions on an idea that I've had to work out how feasible it is:
The premise is that car owners (who and whose vehicles meet a set criteria) use their own vehicles to offer test drives, typically in evenings when dealerships are closed.
The consumer gets picked up at their home / work by the car owner to test drive the vehicle at a convenient time, and have an honest discussion with an existing owner of the car. My feeling is that as a consumer, I would trust the opinion of an existing car owner a lot more than a dealer sales person. The car owner would be paid and would also get to talk about their car which I assume a lot of car enthusiasts like to do.
Let's assume that insurance has been taken care of (that's a separate issue here)
So my questions are:
Car owner
Would you be willing to use your car for test drive purposes?
How much would you expect to be paid per 30 minute test drive?
What else would you look for / what other concerns would you have?
Consumer (looking for a new car)
Would you want this type of service? (I have had to take the afternoon off work today for a test drive as I am away over the next 2 weekends so evenings would be perfect)
How much would you be willing to pay for this?
Any other points?
Really appreciate people taking the time to respond and I will value all feedback I get
Thanks
I'm just looking to canvas opinions on an idea that I've had to work out how feasible it is:
The premise is that car owners (who and whose vehicles meet a set criteria) use their own vehicles to offer test drives, typically in evenings when dealerships are closed.
The consumer gets picked up at their home / work by the car owner to test drive the vehicle at a convenient time, and have an honest discussion with an existing owner of the car. My feeling is that as a consumer, I would trust the opinion of an existing car owner a lot more than a dealer sales person. The car owner would be paid and would also get to talk about their car which I assume a lot of car enthusiasts like to do.
Let's assume that insurance has been taken care of (that's a separate issue here)
So my questions are:
Car owner
Would you be willing to use your car for test drive purposes?
How much would you expect to be paid per 30 minute test drive?
What else would you look for / what other concerns would you have?
Consumer (looking for a new car)
Would you want this type of service? (I have had to take the afternoon off work today for a test drive as I am away over the next 2 weekends so evenings would be perfect)
How much would you be willing to pay for this?
Any other points?
Really appreciate people taking the time to respond and I will value all feedback I get
Thanks
doogz said:
I got this far and had the same answer.
This seems to be the biggest hurdle. What would be the main concerns you have? Don't need the money / not enough time / don't want a stranger in my car?Hoping that there are some people out there who want to earn some extra money and talk about their car.
Maybe not though!
Roo said:
Still wouldn't want some random person driving any of my cars.
There is also a slight flaw in your plan.
This would really only be of any relevance to people who are looking at current/very recent models. Most of these will be company cars so no chance of them allowing this to happen. Those that are privately owned will still be in the "new car" frame of mind - so probably still got no chance.
?There is also a slight flaw in your plan.
This would really only be of any relevance to people who are looking at current/very recent models. Most of these will be company cars so no chance of them allowing this to happen. Those that are privately owned will still be in the "new car" frame of mind - so probably still got no chance.
Ok so you mean the car 'owner' would likely be driving a company car and they wouldn't be allowed to hire it out? (sub letting!) Thanks for the feedback, it all helps!
TJenkos said:
Mareswell just get a free test drive where the car in question is for sale, and do a bit of research on the net like people have been doing for the last 10 years.
Just because one person assumes the car is fantastic might not be the case, in which nothing is highlighted with the specific car you're actually interested in.
But you can't generally get a test drive in evenings?Just because one person assumes the car is fantastic might not be the case, in which nothing is highlighted with the specific car you're actually interested in.
You'd read reviews as standard but also get to drive the car with an owner next to you for any questions you have?
marsred said:
I own a 458 and i've just remembered that as an incredibly rich company director i don't need an extra £400.
Insurance is too big a point to leave aside for now too, how many car owners have "hire and reward" included in their policies?
There would be an insurance policy that over writes the existing policy for the duration of the test drive to cover the 3rd party to drive the car.Insurance is too big a point to leave aside for now too, how many car owners have "hire and reward" included in their policies?
Roo said:
Emperor Blue said:
?
Ok so you mean the car 'owner' would likely be driving a company car and they wouldn't be allowed to hire it out? (sub letting!) Thanks for the feedback, it all helps!
Correct.Ok so you mean the car 'owner' would likely be driving a company car and they wouldn't be allowed to hire it out? (sub letting!) Thanks for the feedback, it all helps!
Emperor Blue said:
But you can't generally get a test drive in evenings?
Unfortunately you'd have to make the effort to sort soemthing else out.toxgobbler said:
How could you be sure that the person whose car you are driving is not a shill? I'm not sure I could trust this if it was a system, word of mouth from someone you know is different from someone who potentially has something to gain.
That's useful thanks. There would be no reward in it for the car owner other than the fixed fee of the test drive so they wouldn't be rewarded for any future sales.There would be reviews of the people giving test drives on the website but realise that initially it may be a barrier
hairykrishna said:
Sorry but that's the daftest idea I've heard today. Potential customers won't want to pay for test drives, owners won't (or can't) let random people test drive their cars and dealers won't want a potential customers perception of a car/brand be dictated by some random offering test drives.
Needs a bit of work then?!Shaw Tarse said:
If you were serious about buying a car wouldn't you find time to test drive it during the day?
Yes but if you had the option to pay let's say £10 or £20 to have someone come to your house when you choose or have to take time off work, eat into your weekend time would you not go for that?hairykrishna said:
Sorry, it just seemed to me to be a solution that nobody involved would want!Car owner can earn some extra money
Consumer gets a test drive at a convenient time with a real owner, not trying to sell to them
Manufacturer knows that the best referrals are word of mouth - nobody could sell their cars better than a happy owner? (and you wouldn't really agree to this if you weren't happy with the car)
Thoughts?
Roo said:
I work long hours so my evenings are precious to me.
I wouldn't give up my evening to drive to someones house, let them drive my car and then bore me to death with inane questions for at least £150.
Ok that's useful. £150 a night where you could do maybe 4 x 30 minute test drives? £35 - £40 a test drive then?I wouldn't give up my evening to drive to someones house, let them drive my car and then bore me to death with inane questions for at least £150.
SV8Predator said:
Of course you can! Most dealerships are open until 7.00pm.
And a keen salesperson will bring the car around to your home after hours if necessary.
If this was Dragons' Den, I think you know what my answer would be.
I've called 6 major dealers in my local area today. None would even consider it. Looks like I need to make more calls!And a keen salesperson will bring the car around to your home after hours if necessary.
If this was Dragons' Den, I think you know what my answer would be.
Shaw Tarse said:
So what cars are you suggesting?
How much time will it take the car owner to drive to the "interested persons "place?
Would be up to the car owner how far they would want to travel - shorter distance the better obviously but would depend on how many owners were on boardHow much time will it take the car owner to drive to the "interested persons "place?
I've currently got 1 guy covering all of the UK (me!)
Roo said:
But you wouldn't get four test drives done in an evening.
If someone has paid for you to bring a car to their house for an evening test drive they are going to expect you to be there all evening.
That's a good point. It would have to be made clear how long the test drive would last for. ThanksIf someone has paid for you to bring a car to their house for an evening test drive they are going to expect you to be there all evening.
Rakoosh said:
I think you are probably coming up with a potential solution to a problem that to most people would not consider a problem.
How many test drives do you think a person needs before buying a car? In general I would say if its to buy a new car, for the average punter, its about 1 to 3.
And dealerships are open late enough in the evening, close to peoples works or open weekends to accomodate this.
If its petrol heads you think your venture would appeal to - then there are lots of options they alreay have (from joining a car club etc).
I can't see the market I have to say.
Thank you. Very rational and sensible feedbackHow many test drives do you think a person needs before buying a car? In general I would say if its to buy a new car, for the average punter, its about 1 to 3.
And dealerships are open late enough in the evening, close to peoples works or open weekends to accomodate this.
If its petrol heads you think your venture would appeal to - then there are lots of options they alreay have (from joining a car club etc).
I can't see the market I have to say.
Shaw Tarse said:
I'm 18 passed my test last week, am thinking of buyin a mclaren could you get sumone to bring me one round to test drive? Quite happy to pay £30
Promise I won't crash it!
I mentioned earlier that - there would be a holding deposit set to stop jokers going for a jolly like this. It's a definite concern thoughPromise I won't crash it!
cptsideways said:
Almost all car manufacturers go to great lengths to train their sales staff to be knowledgeable on their product & how they'd like it branded, with just a few exceptions & the idea generally works.
Punters: Laughably few are knowledgeable enough on the product to then "sell" it someone else.
However I can see this working potentially well for women...
Yes but this is an independent test drive. Similar to driving your mates car to see what you think. This website would just facilitate that.Punters: Laughably few are knowledgeable enough on the product to then "sell" it someone else.
However I can see this working potentially well for women...
The owner doesn't need to be that knowledgeable. The consumer would likely still speak with the dealer for the real nuts and bolts information but this would allow them to speak to an owner and not be sold to for the entire time.
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