Extended Test Drives
Discussion
I was offered a 24hr test drive for an A45. The timings I could get it for were so limited though I didn't take it and made do with a drive around with the salesman because I wanted to order sooner rather than later. To be honest it was enough to get me even more hooked (I'd driven a friends to be fair).
I'd have liked it for longer with my family though so they could see what it was like. Just a silly example, but the rear doors are quite small and to put a child in you have to be quite careful not to knock their head each time because of the roofline (you don't want to take a child on a small test drive). I mean it wouldn't have stopped me but all those little things once the shines worn off come to light.
Probably why most places wont give you an extended test drive incase you realise you don't need a shiny new toy.
Although I have to say a longer test drive would have encouraged me more in the Mercs instance as I have found other things that make me very happy over time.
I guess the dealer can't win whether they do or they don't offer one.
I'd have liked it for longer with my family though so they could see what it was like. Just a silly example, but the rear doors are quite small and to put a child in you have to be quite careful not to knock their head each time because of the roofline (you don't want to take a child on a small test drive). I mean it wouldn't have stopped me but all those little things once the shines worn off come to light.
Probably why most places wont give you an extended test drive incase you realise you don't need a shiny new toy.
Although I have to say a longer test drive would have encouraged me more in the Mercs instance as I have found other things that make me very happy over time.
I guess the dealer can't win whether they do or they don't offer one.
M-SportMatt said:
Integroo said:
I might wander into Currys at the weekend, point at a two grand television, and ask if I can have it for the weekend to see if I like it. You know, in case the remote is a bit heavy or something.
That's what you get for shopping at CurrysMy local Audio specialist has frequently lent me Hi-fi and TV equipment to try for a few days at home as you can't tell what it sounds like until its in the room it will be used in.
But then he knows i'm a serious buyer....
I deserved that for picking an example in an area I know little about!
M-SportMatt said:
Thanks for the sensible replies, not the usual dullards.
Living with a car for a normal weekend will show up much more what its like to live with than two hours on a saturday where i can expect in my location to be roundly stuck in traffic for at least 50% and just tootling round in heavy traffic for the rest.
I want to see if the kids like it, I want to see how my elderly parents can get in and out of it, I want to try my commute and i want to see if its engaging on a more fun route. I haven't enjoyed a DSG before but the last one I drove was a 2006 diesel so hopefully its better.
As for the absolute rodder who declared 'its less dull than a 320d' I know that, i mentioned it in the OP....
Speaking as a salesman...if the above points are so important simply take the kids and parents with you to see the car either at the showroom or during your 2 hour drive. It would be rare to find a dealer accommodating enough to allow someone take what is their highest performance car out for a couple of days with no real commitment from you. 2 hours is more than enough time to do a mixture of driving on a mixture of roads.Living with a car for a normal weekend will show up much more what its like to live with than two hours on a saturday where i can expect in my location to be roundly stuck in traffic for at least 50% and just tootling round in heavy traffic for the rest.
I want to see if the kids like it, I want to see how my elderly parents can get in and out of it, I want to try my commute and i want to see if its engaging on a more fun route. I haven't enjoyed a DSG before but the last one I drove was a 2006 diesel so hopefully its better.
As for the absolute rodder who declared 'its less dull than a 320d' I know that, i mentioned it in the OP....
ConnorW said:
Speaking as a salesman...if the above points are so important simply take the kids and parents with you to see the car either at the showroom or during your 2 hour drive. It would be rare to find a dealer accommodating enough to allow someone take what is their highest performance car out for a couple of days with no real commitment from you. 2 hours is more than enough time to do a mixture of driving on a mixture of roads.
If a lack of commitment is the issue then why isn't there an option to have a longer test drive for a fee? As mentioned in a previous post, I'd happily stump up some money to make sure the car is right for me but I've never seen this offered.. ConnorW said:
M-SportMatt said:
Thanks for the sensible replies, not the usual dullards.
Living with a car for a normal weekend will show up much more what its like to live with than two hours on a saturday where i can expect in my location to be roundly stuck in traffic for at least 50% and just tootling round in heavy traffic for the rest.
I want to see if the kids like it, I want to see how my elderly parents can get in and out of it, I want to try my commute and i want to see if its engaging on a more fun route. I haven't enjoyed a DSG before but the last one I drove was a 2006 diesel so hopefully its better.
As for the absolute rodder who declared 'its less dull than a 320d' I know that, i mentioned it in the OP....
Speaking as a salesman...if the above points are so important simply take the kids and parents with you to see the car either at the showroom or during your 2 hour drive. It would be rare to find a dealer accommodating enough to allow someone take what is their highest performance car out for a couple of days with no real commitment from you. 2 hours is more than enough time to do a mixture of driving on a mixture of roads.Living with a car for a normal weekend will show up much more what its like to live with than two hours on a saturday where i can expect in my location to be roundly stuck in traffic for at least 50% and just tootling round in heavy traffic for the rest.
I want to see if the kids like it, I want to see how my elderly parents can get in and out of it, I want to try my commute and i want to see if its engaging on a more fun route. I haven't enjoyed a DSG before but the last one I drove was a 2006 diesel so hopefully its better.
As for the absolute rodder who declared 'its less dull than a 320d' I know that, i mentioned it in the OP....
egomeister said:
ConnorW said:
Speaking as a salesman...if the above points are so important simply take the kids and parents with you to see the car either at the showroom or during your 2 hour drive. It would be rare to find a dealer accommodating enough to allow someone take what is their highest performance car out for a couple of days with no real commitment from you. 2 hours is more than enough time to do a mixture of driving on a mixture of roads.
If a lack of commitment is the issue then why isn't there an option to have a longer test drive for a fee? As mentioned in a previous post, I'd happily stump up some money to make sure the car is right for me but I've never seen this offered.. Not really sure what peoples problem is with the OP.
At least my BMW offered me a weekend with one of their cars (ironically I bought that very car in the end - despite saying over that weekend that it would not be that car).
What I found so "good" about having it for that time period it gave us an opportunity to properly try the car out doing the "mundane" shopping, going and seeing family and friends as well as taking it for a sedate hoon (despite being diesel and an auto).
2 hours is IMO not long enough, but then there are a number of people that buy without test driving these days and then usually regret it.
I am useless at buying cars and it takes months and plenty of spreadsheets. The particular car in question took 8 months before purchase.
At least my BMW offered me a weekend with one of their cars (ironically I bought that very car in the end - despite saying over that weekend that it would not be that car).
What I found so "good" about having it for that time period it gave us an opportunity to properly try the car out doing the "mundane" shopping, going and seeing family and friends as well as taking it for a sedate hoon (despite being diesel and an auto).
2 hours is IMO not long enough, but then there are a number of people that buy without test driving these days and then usually regret it.
I am useless at buying cars and it takes months and plenty of spreadsheets. The particular car in question took 8 months before purchase.
Not a hot hatch but when we bought my wifes car new in 2014 we had/were offered 48 hour test drives in 4 cars, RR Evoque, MINI Countryman JCW thingy, Volvo V40XC and the Merc GLA 220.
We went to the dealers, a few times, had standard test drives of between 30 mins and an hour (unaccompanied for the Evoque, with a salesperson for the other 3).
Like the OP we wanted to see how each car fared in terms of a typical weekend, long drives, shopping, parking, driveability etc – we were potentially spending over 40k (we were purchasing not leasing) so don’t think it was unreasonable.
RR were first and were happy to offer a 48 hour test, we then arranged the others telling them that RR had offered and why we were doing so, each garage agreeing to help quite happily – this was after a couple of visits to the same salesperson and having gone through first drive, spec etc and confirming we were in a position to purchase, essentially building that rapport.
The MINI we returned after 2 hours, it was horrendous and we thought it a total waste of our time and the dealers to keep it any longer and we were honest about it, though they were quite surprised. The RR after a weekend my wife fell in love with – we then cancelled the extended drives in the Merc and Volvo as her mind was made up. Without having lived with it for that weekend I’m pretty certain she wouldn’t have gone for it as it was top of our budget and she really wasn’t sure after the initial 1 hour – it takes a while to feel at home in a car.
You need to ask but as mentioned establish that trust with the dealer or maybe approach the manufacturer head office instead. Another possible option would be to offer to hire one (if they have any) for a weekend, the cost refunded should you go ahead with purchase.
We went to the dealers, a few times, had standard test drives of between 30 mins and an hour (unaccompanied for the Evoque, with a salesperson for the other 3).
Like the OP we wanted to see how each car fared in terms of a typical weekend, long drives, shopping, parking, driveability etc – we were potentially spending over 40k (we were purchasing not leasing) so don’t think it was unreasonable.
RR were first and were happy to offer a 48 hour test, we then arranged the others telling them that RR had offered and why we were doing so, each garage agreeing to help quite happily – this was after a couple of visits to the same salesperson and having gone through first drive, spec etc and confirming we were in a position to purchase, essentially building that rapport.
The MINI we returned after 2 hours, it was horrendous and we thought it a total waste of our time and the dealers to keep it any longer and we were honest about it, though they were quite surprised. The RR after a weekend my wife fell in love with – we then cancelled the extended drives in the Merc and Volvo as her mind was made up. Without having lived with it for that weekend I’m pretty certain she wouldn’t have gone for it as it was top of our budget and she really wasn’t sure after the initial 1 hour – it takes a while to feel at home in a car.
You need to ask but as mentioned establish that trust with the dealer or maybe approach the manufacturer head office instead. Another possible option would be to offer to hire one (if they have any) for a weekend, the cost refunded should you go ahead with purchase.
Edited by Zippee on Thursday 13th July 11:48
I've had 24/48hrs in quite a few cars I ve ended up buying. Porsche / BMW / Mercedes . Sometimes cars are dropped to my house on a Friday and picked up on a Monday. Generally no real issues.
The only time it couldn't be arranged was recently with an I8, despite lots of promises to the contrary, Bmw couldn't physically find me a car apparently .
I was in the mood for a 1299 Ducati last year and one dealer I approached said I had to essentially buy the bike before I was allowed a test ride ......after laughing at him I took my leave. .....ridiculous stance to take. I kept hold of my r1 so probably did me a favour tbh.
Alucidnation said:
Looks like the op has a special occasion on the weekend and wants to show up in something shiney and new to impress the crowd.
I'm convinced a lot of people do try that, even if the OP isn't one of them.I even know of one person, who blagged a large estate, simply to collect some family from the airport.
But, even if he has such a popular vehicle spare, how is the salesman supposed to know who is genuine and who could be depriving a truly genuine person from a test drive at the same time.
OP, Hire a car for a week.
https://www.avisprestige.com/vw-golf-r-i-69.php
egomeister said:
If a lack of commitment is the issue then why isn't there an option to have a longer test drive for a fee? As mentioned in a previous post, I'd happily stump up some money to make sure the car is right for me but I've never seen this offered..
Enterprise, Avis, Hertz etc etc...Ninja59 said:
What I found so "good" about having it for that time period it gave us an opportunity to properly try the car out doing the "mundane" shopping, going and seeing family and friends as well as taking it for a sedate hoon (despite being diesel and an auto).
I struggle to understand how you can't try these simulated things during that 2 hours. Go for a pretend shop (or actually do the shopping), etc. What on Earth does "going and seeing family and friends" prove exactly? Wondering what your kids / elderly relatives will think of it? Show it to them during the 2 hours, or take them to the dealer forecourt, or show them photos / videos.
What's it like during the commute? What's the difference between any car during the commute besides aircon, what toys it has, seat comfort, stop/start activity (which again you don't need a traffic jam to test), etc?
A lot of what has been said as reasons for needing a day/weekend long test drive sounds awfully contrived to be honest. It's hard to argue that in this day and age of YouTube that you really can't get a sense of things without actually physically needing the car to be parked on your drive overnight.
2 hours unsupervised sounds more than generous to me.
Years ago, I was interested in a Citroen Xantia (Had a Volvo at the time). Guy arranged for me to collect it 9am on a Saturday, filled with diesel, and he asked me to return it, without fuel refill, by 9am Monday. Liked the car so much I bought one!.
More recently, looked at a second hand Honda CRV. Dealer let me take it home 40 mile away overnight. Liked it so much, I bought it and have stuck with Honda ever since.
More recently, looked at a second hand Honda CRV. Dealer let me take it home 40 mile away overnight. Liked it so much, I bought it and have stuck with Honda ever since.
Durzel said:
Ninja59 said:
What I found so "good" about having it for that time period it gave us an opportunity to properly try the car out doing the "mundane" shopping, going and seeing family and friends as well as taking it for a sedate hoon (despite being diesel and an auto).
I struggle to understand how you can't try these simulated things during that 2 hours. Go for a pretend shop (or actually do the shopping), etc. What on Earth does "going and seeing family and friends" prove exactly? Wondering what your kids / elderly relatives will think of it? Show it to them during the 2 hours, or take them to the dealer forecourt, or show them photos / videos.
What's it like during the commute? What's the difference between any car during the commute besides aircon, what toys it has, seat comfort, stop/start activity (which again you don't need a traffic jam to test), etc?
A lot of what has been said as reasons for needing a day/weekend long test drive sounds awfully contrived to be honest. It's hard to argue that in this day and age of YouTube that you really can't get a sense of things without actually physically needing the car to be parked on your drive overnight.
2 hours unsupervised sounds more than generous to me.
By the time i've driven to their house on a saturday from the dealer in heavy traffic there is is little time for anything else. im not sure why the idea of an extended test is so alien to you.
yes I could borrow a boggo golf from the dealer one day and an R another day but i have to arrange things twice, I could rent one but why should I, if they are selling that well then fair play to the dealer but IMO the dealer should try to sell me a car, not obstruct the decision. I am happy to leave a substantial depost/damage waiver so i'm not sure what the issue is, especially as they have the vehicle as a demonstrator.
Still a used 335i is tempting....and a taxi fund for the parents lol
If you do test a Golf R test it with the kids over speed bumps, it is harsh even by M-Sport standards. It is also so fidgity on the motorway it makes my mother and better half feel sick. So as someone who got one without test driving I would recommend an extended test drive as the R may not be the golden goose so many think it is.
Richard-390a0 said:
egomeister said:
If a lack of commitment is the issue then why isn't there an option to have a longer test drive for a fee? As mentioned in a previous post, I'd happily stump up some money to make sure the car is right for me but I've never seen this offered..
Enterprise, Avis, Hertz etc etc...the_stoat said:
If you do test a Golf R test it with the kids over speed bumps, it is harsh even by M-Sport standards. It is also so fidgity on the motorway it makes my mother and better half feel sick. So as someone who got one without test driving I would recommend an extended test drive as the R may not be the golden goose so many think it is.
Exactly the kind of thing I was going to do. Cheers I guess a lot of the posters on here buy with their dick rather than actually find out what a car is like before they buy it by the sounds of it.
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