Is a test drive too much to ask these days?
Discussion
I am perplexed!
Yesterday, I took a precious half day of annual leave to look at a couple of classics - I won't be too specific about what they were or it would be too easy to work out who I am talking about. Both the cars are at well known independent specialists not too far from each but a 4 hour round trip from me. I had spoken to both the dealers mid last week and made appointments to view the cars.
So, I turned up at dealer one at the allotted time and, while he was happy for me to look around the car and check the paperwork, he clearly didn't want me to drive it. TBH, I wasn't really that enamored with the car so I wasn't too bothered.
On to dealer two. I arrive at the allotted time. The car that I had come to see was buried way at the back of the show room and clearly wasn't going anywhere (I did ask!). In fact, it couldn't have been any more diffcult to get out even if you'd planned it that way. It looked to be a fine car and the paperwork suggested a pampered life. In short, if I'd been able to drive it (and liked it - i've never driven one of these before), I would likely have bought it on the spot. But I have never bought a car I haven't driven first. And I don't want to start now.
So, given the circumstances, is it unreasonable to expect to be able to test drive cars these days? Do dealers not expect that you would want to do that or is it just me?
Yesterday, I took a precious half day of annual leave to look at a couple of classics - I won't be too specific about what they were or it would be too easy to work out who I am talking about. Both the cars are at well known independent specialists not too far from each but a 4 hour round trip from me. I had spoken to both the dealers mid last week and made appointments to view the cars.
So, I turned up at dealer one at the allotted time and, while he was happy for me to look around the car and check the paperwork, he clearly didn't want me to drive it. TBH, I wasn't really that enamored with the car so I wasn't too bothered.
On to dealer two. I arrive at the allotted time. The car that I had come to see was buried way at the back of the show room and clearly wasn't going anywhere (I did ask!). In fact, it couldn't have been any more diffcult to get out even if you'd planned it that way. It looked to be a fine car and the paperwork suggested a pampered life. In short, if I'd been able to drive it (and liked it - i've never driven one of these before), I would likely have bought it on the spot. But I have never bought a car I haven't driven first. And I don't want to start now.
So, given the circumstances, is it unreasonable to expect to be able to test drive cars these days? Do dealers not expect that you would want to do that or is it just me?
stuarte said:
So, given the circumstances, is it unreasonable to expect to be able to test drive cars these days? Do dealers not expect that you would want to do that or is it just me?
Unfortunately it seems a lot of dealers deem a lot of people as time wasters/test pilots. I can understand them not wanting to put miles on, but if you're a serious buyer there's no quicker way to lose business.Arnold Clark told me I could only test drive if I bought the car...
With a classic - I would say test driving one is even more important than driving a modern car so that is a bit perplexing (with some exceptions of course - where the classic itself is worth so much , etc etc). That said, often people have done a lot of homework going into seeing a classic so test driving one is more a case of does it work, etc.
Not sure what people do when they think they like the idea of a classic and want to see what it drives like, in those cases I would suggest meeting someone who has one and getting taken around and speaking to them will give a much better idea than a 5/10 min test drive. Or perhaps renting one for a weekend (this is all generic thoughts btw as it depends on the 'classic' in question!).
In the phone calls arranging the appointment did you say you wanted to test drive the cars? Did they suggest another time to test drive or that they would be able to arrange that when you arrived?
Not sure what people do when they think they like the idea of a classic and want to see what it drives like, in those cases I would suggest meeting someone who has one and getting taken around and speaking to them will give a much better idea than a 5/10 min test drive. Or perhaps renting one for a weekend (this is all generic thoughts btw as it depends on the 'classic' in question!).
In the phone calls arranging the appointment did you say you wanted to test drive the cars? Did they suggest another time to test drive or that they would be able to arrange that when you arrived?
My last experience of a test drive was in a £35k new demonstrator at a dealer. Basically tossed me the keys and said "bring it back later in one piece".
In fact, the time before that, I was only inquiring about a £30k+ used car parked on the forecourt before the salesman was running off to get the trade plates for a test-drive, I hadn't even asked for one.
Maybe it's because it's a classic? Maybe they know it will sell to someone who will pay full asking over the phone or 'net if it is rare?
In fact, the time before that, I was only inquiring about a £30k+ used car parked on the forecourt before the salesman was running off to get the trade plates for a test-drive, I hadn't even asked for one.
Maybe it's because it's a classic? Maybe they know it will sell to someone who will pay full asking over the phone or 'net if it is rare?
Edited by SSBB on Wednesday 29th February 10:23
Don't know about test drives yet, (we haven't decided which vehicle to buy yet) but just getting a salesman to acknowledge our presence or get the cars opened up seems to be like pulling teeth. At the moment a kia is in the front running as the 12 yr old sales-boy at least seemed keen to do business rather than the 5 audi sales-persons who were too interested in surfing the web than even just saying "hello" while we spent quite some time poking around the Q5 and Q7.
Edited by ViperDave on Wednesday 29th February 10:59
No, I didn't specifically mention a test drive when I arranged to view the cars. TBH, I didn't know I'd need to but maybe that's my mistake. The cars in question are not particularly valuable (just sub £10k) so i don't think that is a reason but they are quite rare and specialist so there really isn't that many to choose from. I don't know anyone with one either so I don't have the option of driving another. I asked the 2nd guy (who seems a very decent chap and has a good rep) if I could go back later this week to drive it and we have arranged for that to happen but I would rather not have had to do that.
It's a while since I've owned a classic so maybe I am just not used to the way things are done now. Live and learn...
It's a while since I've owned a classic so maybe I am just not used to the way things are done now. Live and learn...
When you arranged to view it did you say I am travelling a long way and so you'll want to drive it if you like it to make sure?
I know that you shouldn't have to do this but I've found (in the past) that if you say this then most of the time they do actually have the car in a position to drive (I have had an exception where the guy wouldn't even move the car into daylight for me to look at - shockingly I walked!).
I know that you shouldn't have to do this but I've found (in the past) that if you say this then most of the time they do actually have the car in a position to drive (I have had an exception where the guy wouldn't even move the car into daylight for me to look at - shockingly I walked!).
Jasandjules said:
When you arranged to view it did you say I am travelling a long way and so you'll want to drive it if you like it to make sure?
I know that you shouldn't have to do this but I've found (in the past) that if you say this then most of the time they do actually have the car in a position to drive (I have had an exception where the guy wouldn't even move the car into daylight for me to look at - shockingly I walked!).
They new where i was coming from but i didn't specifically say that I would want to drive it - I thought that was implied! Obviously I was wrong about that. Oh yes, I didn't get to see the 2nd one in daylight either.I know that you shouldn't have to do this but I've found (in the past) that if you say this then most of the time they do actually have the car in a position to drive (I have had an exception where the guy wouldn't even move the car into daylight for me to look at - shockingly I walked!).
OK, so perhaps not a 'true' classic, but when I bought the TVR I was given the keys to a number of cars and told to go off for a 20/30 min unaccompanied drive with my Mrs. Others who have bought there have had the same experience so it wasn't a one-off.
Of course you have to show a bit of intent beforehand, but once that's sorted you're away. Needless to say I bought on the day and they continue to get my service business too.
Of course you have to show a bit of intent beforehand, but once that's sorted you're away. Needless to say I bought on the day and they continue to get my service business too.
I always expect a test drive no more what, even if I am 50% thinking of buying one a test drive can change my mind, if someone says no I dont waste my time either, its my money and if I want to make sure i spend it on something i like then thats my choice. BMW do this worse than any other garage in my experience. they wany me to sit down and write out my financial history about what i will finance it, well technically its none of your dam business how i finance it. if I like it ill buy it, it tends to be the more arrogant you are with them the nicer they are with you, strangly enough. I have to say the best best garage i went to was a subaru garage in eaglesham near glasgow. the best saleman I ever met in my life, no bulls
t, no acting as if you were an idiot, test drove a car, told him honestly i wasnt keen on it and sat me down and asked exactly what i was looking for, taking all my details, he called me 2 MONTHS later with my ideal car, remembered everything about when i met him. he had a car brought up from england just for me to test drive and needless to say it was great, took me out, i bought it. top bloke, if there was more people like him in dealerships id probably change my car mroe often!!!
t, no acting as if you were an idiot, test drove a car, told him honestly i wasnt keen on it and sat me down and asked exactly what i was looking for, taking all my details, he called me 2 MONTHS later with my ideal car, remembered everything about when i met him. he had a car brought up from england just for me to test drive and needless to say it was great, took me out, i bought it. top bloke, if there was more people like him in dealerships id probably change my car mroe often!!! Several times I have shown interest in cars, asked if it is driveable as I dont want to waste my time travelling to see it if I cant test drive it, and told 'Yes, of course you can have a test.' When I get there the car is at the back of the garage, not MOT, flat battery and in one case 2 flat WHEELS!
Safe to say I turned around and walked away.
What is the point in having a machine for sale without it being in working order and available for a test. Its like buying a CD without hearing any of the songs on it. Crazy
Safe to say I turned around and walked away.
What is the point in having a machine for sale without it being in working order and available for a test. Its like buying a CD without hearing any of the songs on it. Crazy
On the past two occasions:
1. Honda (~18k) - car was at the back of the showroom. When asked for a test drive three of the salesmen spent the next five minutes moving several cars out of the way. I was then given the keys and left to my own devices.
2. BMW (25k) - car was ready and waiting when I got there. Salesman came along (mainly because I didn't know the roads very well).
I do recall back to when I was looking at a Volvo - they wouldn't even discuss trade-in until I'd signed a piece of paper or something.
1. Honda (~18k) - car was at the back of the showroom. When asked for a test drive three of the salesmen spent the next five minutes moving several cars out of the way. I was then given the keys and left to my own devices.
2. BMW (25k) - car was ready and waiting when I got there. Salesman came along (mainly because I didn't know the roads very well).
I do recall back to when I was looking at a Volvo - they wouldn't even discuss trade-in until I'd signed a piece of paper or something.
Garlick said:
Of course you have to show a bit of intent beforehand, but once that's sorted you're away.
I can see that they might not want to let me out in it if they thought I wasn't a serious buyer but even if i'd pushed the money at them, they wouldn't have been able to get the car out from that position!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff