Test driving exclusive models
Discussion
Hi all,
I have a question about supercar test driving. I'm sure people in this forum have had extensive experience in test driving supercars, but what I want to know is... how do people go about test driving very exclusive and low volume vehicles from the likes of Pagani, Koeniggsegg or Gumpert? Surely any dealerships that will sell you one won't just have demonstrator cars on tap. Do you have to have one specially shipped in to drive?
Any experience or stories of test driving low volume or exclusive supercars would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Richard.
I have a question about supercar test driving. I'm sure people in this forum have had extensive experience in test driving supercars, but what I want to know is... how do people go about test driving very exclusive and low volume vehicles from the likes of Pagani, Koeniggsegg or Gumpert? Surely any dealerships that will sell you one won't just have demonstrator cars on tap. Do you have to have one specially shipped in to drive?
Any experience or stories of test driving low volume or exclusive supercars would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Richard.
Aside from the super cars I've actually owned, the only car that I have had a formal test drive for that fits your criteria was a Koenigsegg CCX. If your interested, I was invited to Sweden to meet Christian and drive the car at their factory which if you don't know is a disused Swedish Air Force base! I was naturally very excited, certainly a welcome break from the quarter of an hour you'd get in a Ferrari up the A30.
The UK dealer arranged flights etc and two days before the trip he called saying that the gearbox on the factory demo had exploded. He then arranged for me to drive a customers car they had on SOR in the UK.
I didn't buy. At the time a new CCX was around £670K. I did get close to taking the plunge. I loved the insanity of the car and it's rareness. With Hindsight, glad I didn't, would hate to think what it would be worth now -2 years on. Contrastly, I turned down a Zonda F for £400K about the same time. Bob Forstner's just sold an identical one 2 years on for £850K!!!
The UK dealer arranged flights etc and two days before the trip he called saying that the gearbox on the factory demo had exploded. He then arranged for me to drive a customers car they had on SOR in the UK.
I didn't buy. At the time a new CCX was around £670K. I did get close to taking the plunge. I loved the insanity of the car and it's rareness. With Hindsight, glad I didn't, would hate to think what it would be worth now -2 years on. Contrastly, I turned down a Zonda F for £400K about the same time. Bob Forstner's just sold an identical one 2 years on for £850K!!!
Edited by Lambo FirstBlood on Saturday 29th January 18:40
RoSmith said:
Hi all,
I have a question about supercar test driving. I'm sure people in this forum have had extensive experience in test driving supercars, but what I want to know is... how do people go about test driving very exclusive and low volume vehicles from the likes of Pagani, Koeniggsegg or Gumpert? Surely any dealerships that will sell you one won't just have demonstrator cars on tap. Do you have to have one specially shipped in to drive?
Any experience or stories of test driving low volume or exclusive supercars would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Richard.
People buying those sorts of cars are generally "known" as car buyers/enthusiasts who have the means to purchase. It's fairly rare for someone's first performance car to be a 'Segg or a Zonda. In which case it's often a matter of personal contacts, relationships and being a genuine prospective buyer who has bought before. I'm sure it's possible to "blag" a drive, but it would be very rare. Qualifying genuine buyers is one of the salesman's jobs.I have a question about supercar test driving. I'm sure people in this forum have had extensive experience in test driving supercars, but what I want to know is... how do people go about test driving very exclusive and low volume vehicles from the likes of Pagani, Koeniggsegg or Gumpert? Surely any dealerships that will sell you one won't just have demonstrator cars on tap. Do you have to have one specially shipped in to drive?
Any experience or stories of test driving low volume or exclusive supercars would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Richard.
Often test drives are done at the factory (in the case of Bugatti, Pagani and Koenigsegg), because that's the best place to show the cars off and discuss options, trim, spec etc.
Lambo FirstBlood said:
Aside from the super cars I've actually owned, the only car that I have had a formal test drive for that fits your criteria was a Koenigsegg CCX. If your interested, I was invited to Sweden to meet Christian and drive the car at their factory which if you don't know is a disused Swedish Air Force base! I was naturally very excited, certainly a welcome break from the quarter of an hour you'd get in a Ferrari up the A30.
The UK dealer arranged flights etc and two days before the trip he called saying that the gearbox on the factory demo had exploded. He then arranged for me to drive a customers car they had on SOR in the UK. Did 170MPH in 4th gear down the M4 in the rain with the salesman in the passenger seat and we ran out of petrol 5 minutes in to the test drive.
I didn't buy. At the time a new CCX was around £670K. I did get close to taking the plunge. I loved the insanity of the car and it's rareness. With Hindsight, glad I didn't, would hate to think what it would be worth now -2 years on. Contrastly, I turned down a Zonda F for £400K about the same time. Bob Forstner's just sold an identical one 2 years on for £850K!!!
so should read "did 70mph on M4 in 1st gear" right!!!The UK dealer arranged flights etc and two days before the trip he called saying that the gearbox on the factory demo had exploded. He then arranged for me to drive a customers car they had on SOR in the UK. Did 170MPH in 4th gear down the M4 in the rain with the salesman in the passenger seat and we ran out of petrol 5 minutes in to the test drive.
I didn't buy. At the time a new CCX was around £670K. I did get close to taking the plunge. I loved the insanity of the car and it's rareness. With Hindsight, glad I didn't, would hate to think what it would be worth now -2 years on. Contrastly, I turned down a Zonda F for £400K about the same time. Bob Forstner's just sold an identical one 2 years on for £850K!!!
ArranAshman said:
Why on earth would you put someones life in danger by doing 170MPH. ...............I have no respect for peope like you .............moan moan........ I despise people like you.......moan moan ......jonny big dick .......meow meow meow..........IDIOT>>>
Don't hold back - say how you feel.Besides, maybe the salesman encouraged a potential buyer to "open it up". If conditions permit and the car is warm, why not go for it. Lots of cars can get to 170 and back to 70 in a fairly short space.
I think it was more foolish to mention it and therefore upset those who don't have all the details but still moan like you ran over their gran.
ArranAshman said:
Its not the speed that matters its the conditions doing it with a salesman next to you.
I think it is more matters who's behind the wheel 
I would feel myself safer in passenger seat with Damon Hill or Michael Schumacher driving at excessive speeds in adverse weather conditions then with Mr Car Salesman driving at 100 mph on clear dry road. Just because of the fact that irregular driving of few super cars at 70 mph max doesn't make Mr Salesman a good driver, despite he's done 185 mph once in his life ArranAshman said:
For the record I have done over 170 in the Ferrari and over 185 on a bike but I was on my own in as safe conditions as it could be. Also with my job, yes you may have gathered I am a salesman, I have to test drive clients in supercars ranging from 599,s to Astons, to Porsche turbos, so I think I have enough credentials to comment. There is nothing worse than taking someone out in a car for him to scare you silly when there is no need. We all know these cars do over 150MPH so do it on your own is all I am saying when you own the car and its only you in danger....
/quote]
/quote]
ArranAshman said:
Why on earth would you put someones life in danger by doing 170MPH. I have no respect for peope like you, and let me tell you I know all about things like this as I work in the industry of supercars and have owned a Ferrari. When I had a test drive in a ferrari I didnt need to go to such stupid speeds to know if the car was right for me. I despise people like you who think they are Jonny Big Dick who shows off at how fast he can go in a straight line. Do it when you buy the car, not with a poor salesman next to you who probably has a family at home. IDIOT>>>
At first I thought - don't reply. this guy doesn't' want a debate, he wants a fight, then I thought I would PM you and arrange to meet up to discuss face to face as it's easy to call someone you've never met an idiot on the internet right? because there are no consequences for giving it the biggun! As others have commented that you might be mistaken on the circumstances surrounding it (amazing- I know!) I thought I would let everyone know that whilst sitting at a steady 100 in 6th, the 'poor salesman' said drop 3 gears and don't take your foot off the gas until you hit the rev limiter then change up and do it again. Alas, he had bigger balls than me because I lifted before he wanted me to.
Stick to opinions son and tone down the slagging off.
I wonder whether everyone else on the road at the time was so cavalier as the salesman and your goodself. Somehow I doubt it. You see that`s the thing, you`re not only putting you and said sales pup at risk..... people do the strangest things when you blow past at 170mph.
I`m all for stretching a cars legs but a car that was an unknown quantity to you...... That said nothing untoward happened so no harm done.
I`m all for stretching a cars legs but a car that was an unknown quantity to you...... That said nothing untoward happened so no harm done.
Lambo FirstBlood said:
At first I thought - don't reply. this guy doesn't' want a debate, he wants a fight, then I thought I would PM you and arrange to meet up to discuss face to face as it's easy to call someone you've never met an idiot on the internet right? because there are no consequences for giving it the biggun!
As others have commented that you might be mistaken on the circumstances surrounding it (amazing- I know!) I thought I would let everyone know that whilst sitting at a steady 100 in 6th, the 'poor salesman' said drop 3 gears and don't take your foot off the gas until you hit the rev limiter then change up and do it again. Alas, he had bigger balls than me because I lifted before he wanted me to.
Stick to opinions son and tone down the slagging off.
PH is a chat forum where people talk about cars they own or would like to own. As others have commented that you might be mistaken on the circumstances surrounding it (amazing- I know!) I thought I would let everyone know that whilst sitting at a steady 100 in 6th, the 'poor salesman' said drop 3 gears and don't take your foot off the gas until you hit the rev limiter then change up and do it again. Alas, he had bigger balls than me because I lifted before he wanted me to.
Stick to opinions son and tone down the slagging off.
So whats the crack with the face to face meet???
What if ArranAshman is an expert in Karate and 19st?
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