Test drives - new vs old

[Durandal]

So my missus is in the position where she's thinking of buying a car as an addition to her motorbike (her commute has changed so as to make it practical), and I've been 'encouraging' (as in I've always wanted one but never been in a position to have one) her to consider an MX5.

Budget probably means a '99-'01. However, we've no idea if she'd get on with an MX5 and I don't particularly want to waste a private sellers time. If we went to a dealer and <cough>took advantage</cough> of their test drive facility, would subsequently getting into an older model be a night-and-day difference?

I took one out for a test drive nearly a decade ago, so I'm as in the dark as she is!

[HeatonNorris]

Well, a new one will be a Mk3, which, in comparison with a Mk1 or Mk2 feel like squidgy barges.

[Durandal]

That's reassuring! I was concerned it might be the other way round, but this we can work with.

[HeatonNorris]

Why is it reassuring?

A Mk1/2 is really agricultural, like driving a car from another era, in comparison with a Mk3, which, to me, feels no more lively than my company barge.

[Durandal]

Sorry, misunderstood you there.

[MaxMX5]

I had set my heart on getting an MX5 but hadnt even driven one so when I was looking to get one, I found a MK 2.5 1.8 at a local garage and went with the pretense of being interested to buy it so he let us take it out for a little ride. Decided that yes I do want one but was no way going to pay what he wanted for it waited until one at the right price and spec came up.

Maybe try and do the same, I reckon there must be a local secondhand dealer/garage near you that will have what you want to try.

I love my MX5, I ended up with a MK2.5 1.8 SVT model and love it to bits. I have not driven in a MK3 so cant give you a comparison.

Edited by MaxMX5 on Sunday 8th July 07:47

Edited by MaxMX5 on Sunday 8th July 07:48

[FELIX_5]

So it's ok to waste a dealers' time, but not a private individuals......???

[Durandal]

Put it this way. If you had a car in the classifieds and I turned up out of the blue and said "I quite fancy one of these, but I've no idea if I'll like it. Mind if I take it out for a quick blat? I've also got a list of motors I'm narrowing down, so I may or may not give you a ring in the future", you'd probably be less than polite with me.

If I turn up to a dealer (as I have done in the past), with the exact same intention, they've been more than understanding. After all, they may well have something in budget, or will be able to bear me in mind if something turns up, or may have some finance options I've not considered. I'm not some 17 year old just passed his test looking to rag something about, but the budget is tight in these austere times and it I am most likely going to be considering a private sale. If nothing else, it's a chance for them to have a go at a sale and to start to build a relationship with a potential customer.

Further, I'm going to a franchise dealer in their standing as a brand representative - I'm genuinely interested in the MX5 and I want to find out more about it. If a dealer is happy to offer a no obligation test-drive, I'm not going to feel guilty taking him up on the offer.

[LukeBird]

HeatonNorris said:

A Mk1/2 is really agricultural, like driving a car from another era, in comparison with a Mk3, which, to me, feels no more lively than my company barge.

I'd disagree with that, yes the Mk3 (or more specifically, the 3.5 I've driven) is certainly more 'grown up' feeling, but it still feels like a sports car. In comparison to the typical modern car, it still feels light on it's toes and fun to drive; it just doesn't feel quite as 'alive' as the earlier cars.

[MX-5 Lazza]

I'd always be happy to waste a dealers time. They wouldn't have any problem relieving me of my cash for a car that is worth nowhere near the money paid. There is always a chance that you will like that particular car so much that you do buy it anyway.

[FELIX_5]

Durandal said:

Put it this way. If you had a car in the classifieds and I turned up out of the blue and said "I quite fancy one of these, but I've no idea if I'll like it. Mind if I take it out for a quick blat? I've also got a list of motors I'm narrowing down, so I may or may not give you a ring in the future", you'd probably be less than polite with me.

If I turn up to a dealer (as I have done in the past), with the exact same intention, they've been more than understanding. After all, they may well have something in budget, or will be able to bear me in mind if something turns up, or may have some finance options I've not considered. I'm not some 17 year old just passed his test looking to rag something about, but the budget is tight in these austere times and it I am most likely going to be considering a private sale. If nothing else, it's a chance for them to have a go at a sale and to start to build a relationship with a potential customer.

Further, I'm going to a franchise dealer in their standing as a brand representative - I'm genuinely interested in the MX5 and I want to find out more about it. If a dealer is happy to offer a no obligation test-drive, I'm not going to feel guilty taking him up on the offer.

I'm sure the salesman will be delighted to waste his/her time and offer you a test drive. It's not like they're trying to earn a living selling cars.

Let's face it, you more than likely won't buy from the franchised dealer anyway, but will gladly use their 'facilities', and then go and buy one privately, once you've decided you like it, saving yourself £££'s in the process.

It doesn't matter if you're 17 or 57 and are a member of your local golf club, and insure with Saga, you're still wasting someones time. Not sure what line of work you're in, but how would you feel if some numpty came and wasted your time....?

I wouldn't order a Pizza from Domino's, and then when the delivery person turns up, take a bite from the pizza, then send him away, saying, thanks but I'm not going to buy it, just wanted to try it, but it's ok, you're a franchised Pizza chain and I might buy one from you in the future...

I think your sarcastic cough say's it all, you have only one intention!

[Durandal]

FELIX_5 said:

I wouldn't order a Pizza from Domino's, and then when the delivery person turns up, take a bite from the pizza, then send him away, saying, thanks but I'm not going to buy it, just wanted to try it, but it's ok, you're a franchised Pizza chain and I might buy one from you in the future...

Invalid analogy is invalid. Your analogy is me ordering a factory-fresh car solely to try it out and then returning it after 500 miles and expecting not to pay for it.

A more accurate pizza analogy would be me going to the shop and asking if I can taste their demo pizza, as I'm currently undecided between italian and chinese, and would like to have a taste because at some point you have to actually physically taste the meal before you decide to buy it or something like it, especially as the meal is going to cost a few thousand pounds.

Edited by Durandal on Sunday 8th July 12:57

[Durandal]

LukeBird said:

I'd disagree with that, yes the Mk3 (or more specifically, the 3.5 I've driven) is certainly more 'grown up' feeling, but it still feels like a sports car. In comparison to the typical modern car, it still feels light on it's toes and fun to drive; it just doesn't feel quite as 'alive' as the earlier cars.

So there's no danger of getting into the Mk1/2 after the Mk3 and thinking "ooh, this is a bit pants by comparison?" (trim levels and the usual new v used car differences notwithstanding!)

[FELIX_5]

Durandal said:

Invalid analogy is invalid. Your analogy is me ordering a factory-fresh car solely to try it out and then returning it after 500 miles and expecting not to pay for it.

A more accurate pizza analogy would be me going to the shop and asking if I can taste their demo pizza, as I'm currently undecided between italian and chinese, and would like to have a taste because at some point you have to actually physically taste the meal before you decide to buy it, especially as the meal is going to cost a few thousand pounds.

That makes no sense, especially when you start with a double negative! I don't know of any pizza establishment that has a 'demo' pizza, therefor, my analogy makes much more sense. You're trying something you have no intention of buying!

Anyway, getting back on topic, you're a time waster! Simple.

[LukeBird]

Durandal said:

LukeBird said:

I'd disagree with that, yes the Mk3 (or more specifically, the 3.5 I've driven) is certainly more 'grown up' feeling, but it still feels like a sports car. In comparison to the typical modern car, it still feels light on it's toes and fun to drive; it just doesn't feel quite as 'alive' as the earlier cars.

So there's no danger of getting into the Mk1/2 after the Mk3 and thinking "ooh, this is a bit pants by comparison?" (trim levels and the usual new v used car differences notwithstanding!)

As long as you're in the mindset that it's an older car (there isn't much difference between them, bar a tidier interior from Mk1 to Mk2, so it's a car designed in the 80s) then you'll be fine.
I love the feel of mine, but I can perfectly see why my dad wanted something a little more comfortable, bigger and with a more plush interior.

[g40steve]

A mk3 that has had the align/geo sorted will drive past a Mk 1 -2.5

[MX-5 Lazza]

FELIX_5 said:

Durandal said:

Invalid analogy is invalid. Your analogy is me ordering a factory-fresh car solely to try it out and then returning it after 500 miles and expecting not to pay for it.

A more accurate pizza analogy would be me going to the shop and asking if I can taste their demo pizza, as I'm currently undecided between italian and chinese, and would like to have a taste because at some point you have to actually physically taste the meal before you decide to buy it, especially as the meal is going to cost a few thousand pounds.

That makes no sense, especially when you start with a double negative! I don't know of any pizza establishment that has a 'demo' pizza, therefor, my analogy makes much more sense. You're trying something you have no intention of buying!

Anyway, getting back on topic, you're a time waster! Simple.

Try again with olives. If you go to an olive stall at the market they will offer you olives to try. You don't have to buy olives from them - they would like it if you did and the offer of a test-olive is an incentive to make you buy but they wouldn't consider you a time-waster if you didn't.
Same applies to a dealer. Their job is to get people to buy cars and one way to do that is to get them to take a car for a test drive and while they have you cornered to try a hard sell on you. If they fail to make you buy the car they wouldn't consider you a time waster, they would just consider it a lost sales opportunity.

Back to the cars.

A Mk3 will feel like a much newer car. It will have more grip. It will be faster. It will be more comfortable. The spec is likely to be higher. The quality of the materials will be higher. The roof works better. There will be less rattles/noises.
An earlier car will feel more "alive" but much of that is down to a certain amount of "rawness". The older you go, the less refinement you will have and the more raw it will feel. Each iteration (Mk1, Mk1.5, Mk2, Mk2.5, Mk3, Mk3.5) has made the car more capable but also losing some intimacy with each step. What you want from a car is down to you.

[Durandal]

LukeBird said:

As long as you're in the mindset that it's an older car (there isn't much difference between them, bar a tidier interior from Mk1 to Mk2, so it's a car designed in the 80s) then you'll be fine.
I love the feel of mine, but I can perfectly see why my dad wanted something a little more comfortable, bigger and with a more plush interior.

Helpful stuff, thanks! I've been looking at various ads on the internet and the interior doesn't seem too dated - are there any particular items or layout that make it a car of its time, or does it just feel like it in comparison to newer/higher specced cars? My recent motoring experience has been limited to bikes, and my last car was an R reg polo, back in 2001, so it'll probably be like I've never left!

[gd49]

Durandal said:

Budget probably means a '99-'01. However, we've no idea if she'd get on with an MX5 and I don't particularly want to waste a private sellers time. If we went to a dealer and <cough>took advantage</cough> of their test drive facility, would subsequently getting into an older model be a night-and-day difference?

When I was buying a car of a slightly newer vintage - my budget was 03-04 age - I had few problems test driving cars from local independent dealers. One wanted me to put a deposit down first but the others were no problem taking the cars out, had to deal with a few follow-up calls afterwards but otherwise was a good way to try out the cars.

[CaptainSlow]

mmm...I seem to really want a plate of olives now.