“Trying out” potential cars
Discussion
What’s the etiquette for going to view cars that you don’t know if you’re going to like?
I’m in the market for new weekend car, and there are a few different options/models I’m considering. All of which are 10+ years old and generally outside of main dealers.
Until I go and sit in one and drive one, I don’t know if I’ll like it. But then I don’t particularly want to waste people’s time either. Having recently sold a car myself, it’s a total ballache.
I’ve looked at 2 different models which I wasn’t a fan of for various reasons. Both at independent dealers, who got very arsey when I said I wouldn’t be buying the car. It was the first time I’d driven either model.
Just don’t worry about it?
I’m in the market for new weekend car, and there are a few different options/models I’m considering. All of which are 10+ years old and generally outside of main dealers.
Until I go and sit in one and drive one, I don’t know if I’ll like it. But then I don’t particularly want to waste people’s time either. Having recently sold a car myself, it’s a total ballache.
I’ve looked at 2 different models which I wasn’t a fan of for various reasons. Both at independent dealers, who got very arsey when I said I wouldn’t be buying the car. It was the first time I’d driven either model.
Just don’t worry about it?
T_S_M said:
What’s the etiquette for going to view cars that you don’t know if you’re going to like?
I’m in the market for new weekend car, and there are a few different options/models I’m considering. All of which are 10+ years old and generally outside of main dealers.
Until I go and sit in one and drive one, I don’t know if I’ll like it. But then I don’t particularly want to waste people’s time either. Having recently sold a car myself, it’s a total ballache.
I’ve looked at 2 different models which I wasn’t a fan of for various reasons. Both at independent dealers, who got very arsey when I said I wouldn’t be buying the car. It was the first time I’d driven either model.
Just don’t worry about it?
Yeah don’t worry about it. Just don’t mess people about.I’m in the market for new weekend car, and there are a few different options/models I’m considering. All of which are 10+ years old and generally outside of main dealers.
Until I go and sit in one and drive one, I don’t know if I’ll like it. But then I don’t particularly want to waste people’s time either. Having recently sold a car myself, it’s a total ballache.
I’ve looked at 2 different models which I wasn’t a fan of for various reasons. Both at independent dealers, who got very arsey when I said I wouldn’t be buying the car. It was the first time I’d driven either model.
Just don’t worry about it?
If you are genuinely interested but the car isn’t right, that’s fair game.
Get on marque specific forums... find a local member who'll take you out in it, talk you round it. With no pressure of buying.
Or again, get on forums and look for cars for sale owned by enthusiasts. If you're up front with your uncertainties about what car is right for you you won't be wasting anyone's time if they allow you to view anyway.
Or again, get on forums and look for cars for sale owned by enthusiasts. If you're up front with your uncertainties about what car is right for you you won't be wasting anyone's time if they allow you to view anyway.
If it's a car you are interested in I don't think it's unreasonable to want a trader to let you drive one. After all you don't know until you try one. But having sold cars privately I wouldn't want to do that to a private seller!
When I was thinking of buying a BMW Z4 I went to view one advertised locally by a trader. Loved the car, but it wasn't a good example with run-flat tyres on the front but non-runflats on the rear, and generally unloved. Found a much better example advertised privately for £2K less that had been given some TLC and bought that.
I had already found z4forum and used that for some research on potential issues and advice before I started looking, and more than 10 years later I've had a couple of other local forum members have a look around mine. Took the last one for a drive in it (me, not him) and a week or so later he had one.
I've also looked at a couple on sale locally for people miles away.
So finding somewhere marque specific is definitely a good idea.
When I was thinking of buying a BMW Z4 I went to view one advertised locally by a trader. Loved the car, but it wasn't a good example with run-flat tyres on the front but non-runflats on the rear, and generally unloved. Found a much better example advertised privately for £2K less that had been given some TLC and bought that.
I had already found z4forum and used that for some research on potential issues and advice before I started looking, and more than 10 years later I've had a couple of other local forum members have a look around mine. Took the last one for a drive in it (me, not him) and a week or so later he had one.
I've also looked at a couple on sale locally for people miles away.
So finding somewhere marque specific is definitely a good idea.
I wondered this, as I was in a real quandary about what to replace the M6 with. I had the added displeasure of having to travel to look at anything interesting, so it took a fair few weekends of searching. Interesting cars at decent prices are getting very thin on the ground now.
As per usual, total honesty and politeness is the only way to be. If you don't like the car, they just thank them for their time, but sadly this isn't the right car for you.
If a trader is annoyed at that and gets arsy, then you will have confidence that you did the right thing in not buying a car from them. Imagine how difficult they will be when you find the problem they where trying to hide from you?
As per usual, total honesty and politeness is the only way to be. If you don't like the car, they just thank them for their time, but sadly this isn't the right car for you.
If a trader is annoyed at that and gets arsy, then you will have confidence that you did the right thing in not buying a car from them. Imagine how difficult they will be when you find the problem they where trying to hide from you?
This is where the car sales market is ridiculous, a salesman should expect punters to not be sure if they want a car and then actual 'sell' the car or something similar they have in stock.
You can't expect everyone to just turn up and sign on the dotted line (especially if it is an rarer car.)
But, the buyer does need to know what they want from the car and you need to only test drive one that you'd buy if it was right, not turn around and say 'very nice, but I want one in red' etc.
And if you just need to see if you fit inside or can get your golf clubs/pushchair/dog in the boot then say that up front and walk out straight away if they don't, rather than drag out a test drive just because you are there.
You can't expect everyone to just turn up and sign on the dotted line (especially if it is an rarer car.)
But, the buyer does need to know what they want from the car and you need to only test drive one that you'd buy if it was right, not turn around and say 'very nice, but I want one in red' etc.
And if you just need to see if you fit inside or can get your golf clubs/pushchair/dog in the boot then say that up front and walk out straight away if they don't, rather than drag out a test drive just because you are there.
I have always found that main dealers, or one of their partnership brands are absolutely fine with test drives and I have never been pressured into buying the car. Although it was always a pre planned route they use it was enough to get a feel of the car etc.
The best one was one of these used car supermarket places where they sell anything (even if it's f**ked) was quickly thrown the keys and told to enjoy. I didn't buy that car as it became clear that they were a bunch of cowboys.
I would pick a big used car supermarket like cinch, car giant, big motoring world etc
The best one was one of these used car supermarket places where they sell anything (even if it's f**ked) was quickly thrown the keys and told to enjoy. I didn't buy that car as it became clear that they were a bunch of cowboys.
I would pick a big used car supermarket like cinch, car giant, big motoring world etc
I had this issue when I bought my M2. I went to a specialist dealership (prestige and high performance specialist) explained the fact I loved the M2 on paper but hadn’t driven one and I was somewhat on the fence about whether I wanted to trade my beloved W204 C63 in for one.
After two hours of agreeing a potential deal we did a really short crap test drive and I was left unsure.
So I said I wanted to reflect on the deal and drive before committing. They were far less than professional over this.
So much so I told them I wouldn’t be proceeding and started looking for a different one which I did and bought.
If the first dealer had of just let me make my own decision and not them make it for me, I’d of bought that car.
Surely a good sales tactic is to let the buyer be happy in their decision and not feel like they have been forced into making a big purchase purely out of politeness!
After two hours of agreeing a potential deal we did a really short crap test drive and I was left unsure.
So I said I wanted to reflect on the deal and drive before committing. They were far less than professional over this.
So much so I told them I wouldn’t be proceeding and started looking for a different one which I did and bought.
If the first dealer had of just let me make my own decision and not them make it for me, I’d of bought that car.
Surely a good sales tactic is to let the buyer be happy in their decision and not feel like they have been forced into making a big purchase purely out of politeness!
It's much more profitable to create a relationship with a customer who may return, but also recommended others, then to pressure someone into a sale they did not want.
However, I also think that dealers often respond to to the crap they get, and I suspect they have to deal with entitled and arrogant individuals all the time. It must wear thin.
However, I also think that dealers often respond to to the crap they get, and I suspect they have to deal with entitled and arrogant individuals all the time. It must wear thin.
I had no intention of buying my Alpine as I had only just bought a brand new Abarth 695. I was off one day and having read/watched a lot about them and never having seen one in the flesh, I dropped into a dealership.
The lone salesman treated me like a mate and we drank coffee and talked cars for about 2 hours. I sat in a model as well.
I asked if he knew anywhere I could hire one but he arranged a test drive the next week.
Probably an hour and a bit but he took me to good roads and encouraged me to play.
No pressure when we returned and I left saying that I'd think about it.
More research and then I called asking about p/x for my car.
A bit of toing and growing and once a satisfactory deal was made, I bought a car off him.
Good salesman.
I had a similar experience when I wondered into a Porsche showroom back in 2004
Prior to buying my Abarth, I tested various cars in order to see what I wanted next. Some dealers would constantly contact me afterwards to ask if I was buying. It's their job after all.
I always ask if they know somewhere that hires out the model I'm interested in but to be honest it's usually a rare thing to be on a hire fleet. But it makes you appear more genuine.
I would prefer that as if I had had the Abarth for a week, I wouldn't have bought one as I found that the seating position just didn't work. Not likely to come to light after an hour.
I have test ridden loads of motorcycles prior to deciding which I want.
Surprises me that bike dealers let you on their £20,000 pride and joy, sometimes for a day, yet in a car you become a chauffeur for the salesman for an hour
The lone salesman treated me like a mate and we drank coffee and talked cars for about 2 hours. I sat in a model as well.
I asked if he knew anywhere I could hire one but he arranged a test drive the next week.
Probably an hour and a bit but he took me to good roads and encouraged me to play.
No pressure when we returned and I left saying that I'd think about it.
More research and then I called asking about p/x for my car.
A bit of toing and growing and once a satisfactory deal was made, I bought a car off him.
Good salesman.
I had a similar experience when I wondered into a Porsche showroom back in 2004
Prior to buying my Abarth, I tested various cars in order to see what I wanted next. Some dealers would constantly contact me afterwards to ask if I was buying. It's their job after all.
I always ask if they know somewhere that hires out the model I'm interested in but to be honest it's usually a rare thing to be on a hire fleet. But it makes you appear more genuine.
I would prefer that as if I had had the Abarth for a week, I wouldn't have bought one as I found that the seating position just didn't work. Not likely to come to light after an hour.
I have test ridden loads of motorcycles prior to deciding which I want.
Surprises me that bike dealers let you on their £20,000 pride and joy, sometimes for a day, yet in a car you become a chauffeur for the salesman for an hour
Salesman are only human and have to live with fixed outgoings like mortgage but not fixed income due to the commission element of their pay. It is understandable that they don't always welcome test pilots, especially if the car is in the show room and will need to be cleaned in between test drives
As noted above being open with them at the start will manage expectations. I have found that if I tell them that I am interested in buying their exact car *if* I like the model, then they are willing to commit the time. What they will object to is giving test drives for research purposes only.
Private sellers are another option for trying out cars but you'll need to confirm you are insured to drive yourself.
As noted above being open with them at the start will manage expectations. I have found that if I tell them that I am interested in buying their exact car *if* I like the model, then they are willing to commit the time. What they will object to is giving test drives for research purposes only.
Private sellers are another option for trying out cars but you'll need to confirm you are insured to drive yourself.
Go to a clothes store and you're going to want to try the item on to see how it fits before buying. Go to a main dealer and it's usually accepted that a test drive is part of the decision making process.
Go to a charity shop and you're still going to try on an item before buying. Go to Bobs Bangers and Bob will be expecting you to want a test drive before handing over cash.
Go to an independent high end sports and prestige dealer and they will often make a test drive as difficult as possible. Many times I've turned up at the agreed time to find the prospective purchase several rows back in their premises, making viewing difficult let alone a test drive. They lost a sale on every occasion. Yes, there are plenty of timewasters just wanting a drive of something nice, but I'd expect a good dealer to be able to establish whether a buyer is serious or not.
My recommendation is to do your homework on makes/models that appeal, which will soon likely reduce your shortlist to maybe two or three models. Only view cars that tick all your shortlist boxes, so you're not wasting either parties time. Make it clear the car needs to be available to drive before going to view.
I don't think it fair to expect a private seller to let you drive their car just to see if you like it. They are not in the retail business.
Go to a charity shop and you're still going to try on an item before buying. Go to Bobs Bangers and Bob will be expecting you to want a test drive before handing over cash.
Go to an independent high end sports and prestige dealer and they will often make a test drive as difficult as possible. Many times I've turned up at the agreed time to find the prospective purchase several rows back in their premises, making viewing difficult let alone a test drive. They lost a sale on every occasion. Yes, there are plenty of timewasters just wanting a drive of something nice, but I'd expect a good dealer to be able to establish whether a buyer is serious or not.
My recommendation is to do your homework on makes/models that appeal, which will soon likely reduce your shortlist to maybe two or three models. Only view cars that tick all your shortlist boxes, so you're not wasting either parties time. Make it clear the car needs to be available to drive before going to view.
I don't think it fair to expect a private seller to let you drive their car just to see if you like it. They are not in the retail business.
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