Deposit for test drive - usual?
Discussion
boxsey said:
I can see where Hunter 66 is coming from. In my experience the salesperson expects that a prospective GT Porsche buyer already knows what to expect from the car and doesn't need a test drive to find out if they will like it. I was offered a test drive (GT4) with no strings but I had already made it very clear that I had made up my mind to buy a GT4 and it was now just a case of deciding whether I would buy the one they had in stock or find another one. I think turning up in my current Cayman R also helped show that I was a serious buyer of that sort of car.
Yes boxsey as we are talking about GT products , a 30 min spin around the block in Traffic is of little value . Then Porsche do also have perfect proper test situation in the PEC at Silverstone , if you have never driven a GT car and want to try it out before buying ... just pay for a half day .Only "test" drive I heard of with GT products , was some good mates went to NY look at a pair of CGT's , after much persuasion a test drive was agreed , as long as the workshop head was in the passenger seat. Alas the test driver was a long time Porsche wheelman and the car left the garage sideways in a cloud of smoke ........ they bought both to much relief at the garage .
boxsey said:
I can see where Hunter 66 is coming from. In my experience the salesperson expects that a prospective GT Porsche buyer already knows what to expect from the car and doesn't need a test drive to find out if they will like it. I was offered a test drive (GT4) with no strings but I had already made it very clear that I had made up my mind to buy a GT4 and it was now just a case of deciding whether I would buy the one they had in stock or find another one. I think turning up in my current Cayman R also helped show that I was a serious buyer of that sort of car.
But not every prospective buyer is going to be as certain as you that he wants that specific model of car, especially if he's not familiar with it in the first place and say is looking to step into a GT Porsche for the first time. How is someone like that going to be able to decide he will like a car without being able to drive it? Or is that being deemed unworthy of Porsche ownership as hunter66 seems to be implying?I think it's normal to go to a dealership to try out a 3 seris vs a c class, that sort of thing, but when you're talking a GT3, the dealership is going to want to know that you are serious and proceedable. Fair enough you might not like it but you've got to be willing and able to buy and a deposit screens that and means as a serious buyer you get the attention you deserve rather than them spending time with people who will never buy one
I can see it being annoying but really if you're good to go on a £100k car you should have £5k or £1k or whatever available. As long as it is refundable then what's the issue.
I can see it being annoying but really if you're good to go on a £100k car you should have £5k or £1k or whatever available. As long as it is refundable then what's the issue.
I see no problem with this, it shows you are a serious buyer.
If you already have a relationship with your OPC they must certainly wouldn’t ask for any form
of deposit, I also see no reason why they wouldn’t allow you to test drive our a 24 or 48 hour period. My local OPC has always been very helpful.
If you already have a relationship with your OPC they must certainly wouldn’t ask for any form
of deposit, I also see no reason why they wouldn’t allow you to test drive our a 24 or 48 hour period. My local OPC has always been very helpful.
GT4RS said:
I see no problem with this, it shows you are a serious buyer.
if it's refundable, it shows nothing ! you say this is not the right car for you and ask for the money back, it's just hassle, and can one trust small print these days.RSJ loose my business as they don't do test drives, so I have never bought a car from them, it's up to the sellers I guess.
Edited by Porsche911R on Friday 17th August 14:50
gubsta said:
I think it was more the manner in which the subject of a deposit was broached. If there had been a straightforward and upfront conversation I would feel fine. I don’t mind proving that I’m a serious buyer it’s more the arrogance in assuming that it’s a done deal before a drive.
As for ‘will I buy if it drives as it should’ - well that’s not the point. I’m going to have to adore it to spend the money and I think that’s reasonable in this price bracket - there is lots of choice.
I was very honest about never having driven a GT3 of this vintage and while I’m sure it’s brilliant it’s got to feel right... If I get the James May Fizz then obviously there’s a deal to be done.
Maybe I just didn’t get the right sales guy.
Why would the salesman waste his time and stock letting you out in a £100k+ car that you may not even buy.As for ‘will I buy if it drives as it should’ - well that’s not the point. I’m going to have to adore it to spend the money and I think that’s reasonable in this price bracket - there is lots of choice.
I was very honest about never having driven a GT3 of this vintage and while I’m sure it’s brilliant it’s got to feel right... If I get the James May Fizz then obviously there’s a deal to be done.
Maybe I just didn’t get the right sales guy.
I really don't understand it, the condition of test-drive on acceptance of car is pretty reasonable, or give a deposit to cover damages etc and prove you're not a tyre messer.
Maybe I'm just too much of a council-class scumbag but I wouldn't go into a Porsche dealer and expect to be allowed to take out a GT model car without either being a repeat customer or giving a deposit :-)
woollyjoe said:
We have different perspectives - mine can't be wrong 
Good point, I retract my statement!So a tale of two dealers. I'm soon going to be in a position to buy a GT3 I hope. So that's not certain. But will it be a 996 or a 997.1 which are both in my budget. Talked to 911V, what a lovely place, the best place in fact. Had a visit, felt incredibly special, Tom is fantastic. Nothing is too much trouble, test drives, yes of course, whenever you like.
Today talked to Ashgood. Nothing good about it at all. From the start "I'm interested in your blue GT3, could I come in tomorrow and have a look?" Gruff, brusque, complete arse about even when would be possible. Then "I said could I have a test drive?" Apparently only if I commit to buy beforehand (whatever that means). So I explained, will have some funds, want a GT3, not yet driven a 997.1 so don't know if it's the one for me. Got told to come back when I had money in the bank and was ready to buy. Answer, "no thanks I'll go somewhere else." Hey ho, I assume he's employed because he sells cars, but not to me that's for sure!
Good news for Tom though
Big Brin said:
I think it is an attempt to filter out potential joy riders as has been mentioned and this may be a Porsche thing?
I can't recall ever having an issue personally with any of my cars , in fact Jaguar, Mercedes, Audi and Aston have been 'insistent' that I drive the car. It' the first thing they do.....to completely suck you in. No deposit talked about.....with Porsche it was different. I did have a lengthy telephone conversation with the salesman. Got finance proposals and a walk around video. A few days later, negotiated a deal (p/x involved) and then I did put a £2000 deposit on the car. Two weeks later when the car was available after prep, went and drove it with a cast iron 'if you don't like it, we;ll return your deposit'. That comment wasn't limited to not liking it if it drove as it should the drive....I had concerns about the interior trim and that was my primary point of needing assurance on the deposit. You can't really tell what a full alcantara inside is going to be like until you're in it..... This was at Porsche retail btw.
Thanks good to know it's not just me then!I can't recall ever having an issue personally with any of my cars , in fact Jaguar, Mercedes, Audi and Aston have been 'insistent' that I drive the car. It' the first thing they do.....to completely suck you in. No deposit talked about.....with Porsche it was different. I did have a lengthy telephone conversation with the salesman. Got finance proposals and a walk around video. A few days later, negotiated a deal (p/x involved) and then I did put a £2000 deposit on the car. Two weeks later when the car was available after prep, went and drove it with a cast iron 'if you don't like it, we;ll return your deposit'. That comment wasn't limited to not liking it if it drove as it should the drive....I had concerns about the interior trim and that was my primary point of needing assurance on the deposit. You can't really tell what a full alcantara inside is going to be like until you're in it..... This was at Porsche retail btw.
boxsey said:
I can see where Hunter 66 is coming from. In my experience the salesperson expects that a prospective GT Porsche buyer already knows what to expect from the car and doesn't need a test drive to find out if they will like it. I was offered a test drive (GT4) with no strings but I had already made it very clear that I had made up my mind to buy a GT4 and it was now just a case of deciding whether I would buy the one they had in stock or find another one. I think turning up in my current Cayman R also helped show that I was a serious buyer of that sort of car.
In this particular case it's all about the PDK. If it was a manual car I'd be much happier knowing it would feel involving enough. In the back of my mind moving away from the trusted Porsche indys I have used in the past I thought might set me up for a shot at a new car in future - but having heard of the lengths people go to get a factory (GT-car) order then perhaps that's a pipe dream!I placed a deposit for my 997 GTS without even having seen a photo as I wanted the car and at the time they were like hen’s teeth (manual gearbox). OPC told me that if the car wasn’t to my liking the deposit was fully refundable.
OPC didn’t know me from Adam at the time.
If you’re serious about wanting the car put a deposit down. I think it’s fair enough to be honest given it’s a GT car and if they don’t know you. If the cars been prepped for sale and you take it out and it gets a stone chip in the bonnet that’s £1000 damage which they won’t claim from insurance. Clearly if you bough5 the car they still have to sort the stone chip but it’s a risk for them...hence they like to know there’s a decent chance you’re go8ng to buy it.
OPC didn’t know me from Adam at the time.
If you’re serious about wanting the car put a deposit down. I think it’s fair enough to be honest given it’s a GT car and if they don’t know you. If the cars been prepped for sale and you take it out and it gets a stone chip in the bonnet that’s £1000 damage which they won’t claim from insurance. Clearly if you bough5 the car they still have to sort the stone chip but it’s a risk for them...hence they like to know there’s a decent chance you’re go8ng to buy it.
I expect test drives. I’ve driven and owned all sorts but they all feel different and I like to get a feel for the car. If it’s a second hand model I also want to see if that specific car feels healthy, be it gearbox, clutch, brakes, ride quality and so on. I’m on my 4th GT’esque car and I’ve test driven them all. My current GT3 was with JZM on sale or return; I asked for a test drive, they checked with the owner and off we went. I drove 3 before I landed on that one.
As it happens, today I was test driving a couple of Lotus cars. I’ve never owned a Lotus and quite fancy the idea of something light, nimble and feelsome without being too fast. The nice chaps at Bell & Colvill filled the tank, handed me the keys, suggested a route if I needed one, told me to take as long as I liked and waved me off. I came back an hour later and they gave me the next set of keys. That’s the spirit.
The sales folk do need to qualify buyers, but by the time you’ve had a chat over the phone in advance, then another when you arrive at the dealer that’s usually all fine. In my mind that’s all fair enough and no discussion of handing over some readies!
As it happens, today I was test driving a couple of Lotus cars. I’ve never owned a Lotus and quite fancy the idea of something light, nimble and feelsome without being too fast. The nice chaps at Bell & Colvill filled the tank, handed me the keys, suggested a route if I needed one, told me to take as long as I liked and waved me off. I came back an hour later and they gave me the next set of keys. That’s the spirit.
The sales folk do need to qualify buyers, but by the time you’ve had a chat over the phone in advance, then another when you arrive at the dealer that’s usually all fine. In my mind that’s all fair enough and no discussion of handing over some readies!
Big Brin said:
I think it is an attempt to filter out potential joy riders as has been mentioned and this may be a Porsche thing?
I can't recall ever having an issue personally with any of my cars , in fact Jaguar, Mercedes, Audi and Aston have been 'insistent' that I drive the car. It' the first thing they do.....to completely suck you in. No deposit talked about.....with Porsche it was different. I did have a lengthy telephone conversation with the salesman. Got finance proposals and a walk around video. A few days later, negotiated a deal (p/x involved) and then I did put a £2000 deposit on the car. Two weeks later when the car was available after prep, went and drove it with a cast iron 'if you don't like it, we;ll return your deposit'. That comment wasn't limited to not liking it if it drove as it should the drive....I had concerns about the interior trim and that was my primary point of needing assurance on the deposit. You can't really tell what a full alcantara inside is going to be like until you're in it..... This was at Porsche retail btw.
Mercedes Coventry 20 years ago: "Oh no sir, nobody test drives the SL, they just know if they want to buy one." I walked.I can't recall ever having an issue personally with any of my cars , in fact Jaguar, Mercedes, Audi and Aston have been 'insistent' that I drive the car. It' the first thing they do.....to completely suck you in. No deposit talked about.....with Porsche it was different. I did have a lengthy telephone conversation with the salesman. Got finance proposals and a walk around video. A few days later, negotiated a deal (p/x involved) and then I did put a £2000 deposit on the car. Two weeks later when the car was available after prep, went and drove it with a cast iron 'if you don't like it, we;ll return your deposit'. That comment wasn't limited to not liking it if it drove as it should the drive....I had concerns about the interior trim and that was my primary point of needing assurance on the deposit. You can't really tell what a full alcantara inside is going to be like until you're in it..... This was at Porsche retail btw.
Robinsons Mercedes Cambridge 2015. Booked test drive appointment: "Right sir, have a seat and we'll find you a car to buy first."
"Erm... I need to drive it first to see if I like it?"
"Oh no sir, we don't do it like that. We find the right car for you first, then if you like the one we've found, we go for the test drive." I walked.
hunter 66 said:
Never had a test drive with any Porsche I have bought in the last 25 years , road and race if you feel you do then you maybe are not really a Porsche buyer .
Comments like that would make me think you’re still in v reg vectra.I’ve never not had test drive on any of the 12 Porsche’s I’ve owned/own
And you wonder why people think porsche drivers are pompous.......
boxsey said:
I can see where Hunter 66 is coming from. In my experience the salesperson expects that a prospective GT Porsche buyer already knows what to expect from the car and doesn't need a test drive to find out if they will like it. I was offered a test drive (GT4) with no strings but I had already made it very clear that I had made up my mind to buy a GT4 and it was now just a case of deciding whether I would buy the one they had in stock or find another one. I think turning up in my current Cayman R also helped show that I was a serious buyer of that sort of car.
You had also been out in a number of GT4s on the road and track with very capable drivers so you weren’t going in blind.In addition you had been out with a ham fisted, lead footed, unskilled numpty in a worthless red one with no sat nav so you knew what to avoid.
Test drives are imperative if you’re undecided on which make/ model of car is going to be ‘the one’. If you have never driven a Gt3, R8, lambo, etc then it’s only natural to want to try each variant to narrow the search. Does that mean one is expected to put a deposit down on every car that is in the mix? Not everybody just ‘knows’ which marque they want, you need to cross off the ones that don’t tick all the boxes. It’s up to the dealer to make the judgement on whether they think the buyer is legit or not.
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