Test driving cars with no intention of buying, whats the crack?

[Robin91]

What's the deal with test driving cars if you had no intention of really buying it (although you may tell the salesman otherwise.) Is there certain rules/regulations to say who can test drive what? What's to stop me say going to VW dealership and saying I'm interested in buying an R32 and I'd like to take it out for a test drive?

Don't bother posting if your going to whine about time wasting etc.

[TomMartin]

i was wondering the same thing a couple of years ago and the only thing we could find was that sometimes you have to be over a certain age. Obviously if you walked into BMW looking like a tramp I think they might tell you to leave lol

[Robin91]

i was wondering the same thing a couple of years ago and the only thing we could find was that sometimes you have to be over a certain age. Obviously if you walked into BMW looking like a tramp I think they might tell you to leave lol

Haha well obviously you'd go in looking smart!

[dannyboy2005]

A mates mate who dresses in Tack suite etc asked to test drive a Merc... The garage obv said no..

He said he'll buy it outwirte and they laughed.

Next day, he purchased a BMW, drove into the Merc garage and asked if they like it.

[lakey_xs]

i think its over 21 in most dealers. A mate works for vw and gets to drive any car she wants how ever the novelty wears of lol

[Mochachino]

A mates mate who dresses in Tack suite etc asked to test drive a Merc... The garage obv said no..

He said he'll buy it outwirte and they laughed.

Next day, he purchased a BMW, drove into the Merc garage and asked if they like it.

Haha that made me lol, good on him, id do the same :y:

I know alot of poeple that go to private sellers and test drive their own cars, one mate has done it over ten times and driven some interesting cars.

[Robin91]

A mates mate who dresses in Tack suite etc asked to test drive a Merc... The garage obv said no..

He said he'll buy it outwirte and they laughed.

Next day, he purchased a BMW, drove into the Merc garage and asked if they like it.

Haha bet the look on there face was a picture! Would they ever ask to see proof of earnings etc? Or to take a deposit? I fancy trying out that 2 litre turbo and supercharged Golf!

[wadoryu]

nothings stoping you mate people do it to just give the cars a drive i mean take simo for example just going for a test drive. drove a vtr and without driving a vts bought one, and sold his mondeo. now im booking some test drives:) fun fun fun thats the whole point

[AlexR]

Depends what car it is.

I went out for a test drive in a brand new C2 GT at 18, when they first came out! Been out in various other cars obviously since. Laughably going into some places with intent to buy and they don't let you drive it because you're young and it's a high insurance group(clio 182), then others are more than happy for you to go out and test drive it on your own(skoda)

Needless to say if an 18 year old wanted to drive an R32 i'm pretty certain they'd tell you to jog on. Over 25 for high performance cars and over 21 for most normal cars, due to insurance purposes.

[TomMartin]

A mates mate who dresses in Tack suite etc asked to test drive a Merc... The garage obv said no..

He said he'll buy it outwirte and they laughed.

Next day, he purchased a BMW, drove into the Merc garage and asked if they like it.

haha that is awesome. I know a bloke who did it the other way around - dressed up in decent clothes like he'd just come out of a business meeting then came back and told them he was thinking of something a bit cheaper but thanks anyway lol

[Robin91]

Ah okay, that sucks! May just try various places one day and see what they say..

What's the deal with test driving privately advertised cars? (With insurance etc?) As my current insurance doesn't cover me 3rd party due to my age, so I presume going out in a vehicle even with the owner in the car would be equivalant to driving it without insurance?

[beau_4076]

dealer-

at 18 you would get laughed at, at 21 they will probz let you drive depending on cars.

private cars-

you would need insurance, either way if you only had 3rd party cover you would not be test driving a car i would be selling.

some sellers would let you drive it but thats just stupid, if you crash they are stuck with a crash damaged car which they cant get repaired.

[Mochachino]

Ah okay, that sucks! May just try various places one day and see what they say..

What's the deal with test driving privately advertised cars? (With insurance etc?) As my current insurance doesn't cover me 3rd party due to my age, so I presume going out in a vehicle even with the owner in the car would be equivalant to driving it without insurance?

Correct. But absolutley loads of poeple do it. As long as you aint driving like a cunt when theres alot of cars about you wont get pulled as its a legal car. If you have an accident or someone crashes into you then youll have problems.

Go to some industrial estate for a quick drive, thats what i did with my first car.

[shayne_vtr]

ive test drove a few things now between the age of 18-21 ive test drove a fiesta zetec diesel,fiesta st,corsa vxr,astra vxr,focus zetec diesel,impreza sti,rx8,golf tdi,bora tdi,fiat 500 arbarth,twingo cup,tigra cab,and a grinnall scorpion.. me and my mate just do it for fun wen we get bored, its suprising the lengths sales guys go to get you to buy the car ie. i no a good (private) road this will haandle hundred down easy . . . ;)

[Robin91]

ive test drove a few things now between the age of 18-21 ive test drove a fiesta zetec diesel,fiesta st,corsa vxr,astra vxr,focus zetec diesel,impreza sti,rx8,golf tdi,bora tdi,fiat 500 arbarth,twingo cup,tigra cab,and a grinnall scorpion.. me and my mate just do it for fun wen we get bored, its suprising the lengths sales guys go to get you to buy the car ie. i no a good (private) road this will haandle hundred down easy . . . ;)

Haha, I've just seen with renault you can book test drive's online and it doesn't even ask for your age! so might book a couple of test drives on there, sadly they havn't got a Clio 200 in any of my local dealers :(

dealer-

at 18 you would get laughed at, at 21 they will probz let you drive depending on cars.

private cars-

you would need insurance, either way if you only had 3rd party cover you would not be test driving a car i would be selling.

some sellers would let you drive it but thats just stupid, if you crash they are stuck with a crash damaged car which they cant get repaired.

What other insurance could you have more than third party when test driving another person's vehicle? I thought that's the most insurance companys offered on driving other peoples vehicles?

[Carlvtr88]

what if your a lottery winner ? 8 million in the bank.... walk in to WV dressed in a banana suit...." Alright mate ill take 3 of those R32's, and a scirrocco while your at it" ....
Salesman replies " Are you having a laugh mate"
You reply " Not today ,but i did last night when all 6 numbers came up "... And I laughed all the way here aswell to be honest mate...
"Now.... Fetch" !

[D8N_LL]

what if your a lottery winner ? 8 million in the bank.... walk in to WV dressed in a banana suit...." Alright mate ill take 3 of those R32's, and a scirrocco while your at it" ....
Salesman replies " Are you having a laugh mate"
You reply " Not today ,but i did last night when all 6 numbers came up "... And I laughed all the way here aswell to be honest mate...
"Now.... Fetch" !

thats not as funny as it was in your head :n:

[Robin91]

thats not as funny as it was in your head :n:

I actually thought it was quite funny tbh.

So from experience, which car manafacture is the easiest for test drives? And which let you go out on your own? Do you get a set amount of time if they let you out on your own in the car?

[craig180]

My Ex's dad walked into a Jag dealership quite a few years ago in the middle of summer wearing a pair of shorts and a string vest ( I kid you not ).

Blanked by 2 sales dudes and a third approached him and spoke to him decently, spent a bit of time with him etc.

Went back a week later in his work clobber and one of the dudes that ignored him the previous week literally pounced on him. Ex's dad ignored him and walked straight up to the guy that gave him the time of day first time round and bought an XK8 from him instead!

Just goes to show, you can't judge anyone. This guy that walked in wearing a string vest and shorts is the Executive Chairman of one of the biggest kitchen and bathroom manufacturers in the UK.

The only place you can walk into and not be judged imo is a Land Rover dealership

[AJ_SAXO]

A mates mate who dresses in Tack suite etc asked to test drive a Merc... The garage obv said no..

He said he'll buy it outwirte and they laughed.

Next day, he purchased a BMW, drove into the Merc garage and asked if they like it.

lmao i like it :y:

[SamW]

thats not as funny as it was in your head :n:

It amused me quite abit...

[beau_4076]

What other insurance could you have more than third party when test driving another person's vehicle? I thought that's the most insurance companys offered on driving other peoples vehicles?

well you can get traders policys which cover you in any car fully comp, but not something normal people would have.

im sure you could insure it for 1 day from places.

but many sellers are stupid and just let people drive there cars.

[Robin91]

My Ex's dad walked into a Jag dealership quite a few years ago in the middle of summer wearing a pair of shorts and a string vest ( I kid you not ).

Blanked by 2 sales dudes and a third approached him and spoke to him decently, spent a bit of time with him etc.

Went back a week later in his work clobber and one of the dudes that ignored him the previous week literally pounced on him. Ex's dad ignored him and walked straight up to the guy that gave him the time of day first time round and bought an XK8 from him instead!

Just goes to show, you can't judge anyone. This guy that walked in wearing a string vest and shorts is the Executive Chairman of one of the biggest kitchen and bathroom manufacturers in the UK.

The only place you can walk into and not be judged imo is a Land Rover dealership

Moral of the story, if you want to test drive a car but can't afford decent clothes, test drive a Land Rover? I kid, wonder if the guy who ignored him has changed his attitude!

[Hanuman]

not worth the hassle i did it to check out a few tasty cars.. at 23 with a mondeo st 06 i didnt get any questions asked when i test drove a focus st or r 32 however the hassle you get trying to get away without buying it... orrrr if you go to a MAIN GARAGE they sit you down for like 20 minutes filling out forms ect before you even go test drive and then call ya for weeks

[Hanuman]

p.s test driving a better car then you own is pointless if you have no intention of buying..... waste of your own time... they give you grief +++++ when you get back in your own car you will be depressed

[Carlvtr88]

thats not as funny as it was in your head :n:
Most things typed on here begin life in someones head ?
as opposed to yourself.. where yours Start out in your arse lol.... It was just a joke chill your bean lol

[Jordysport]

i have test driven a Fiat 500 Sport for 24 hours at 17 :D but i was actually interested in buying it. ......... sort of.

[-GG-]

I assume they also judge you by what car you roll up in?

[Robin91]

I assume they also judge you by what car you roll up in?

I'm going to tell them I own another car aswell if they ask, something more powerful.

i have test driven a Fiat 500 Sport for 24 hours at 17 :D but i was actually interested in buying it. ......... sort of.

Really? Was it straight foward to get the test drive, or did you have to pay a deposit etc?

[Jordysport]

I'm going to tell them I own another car aswell if they ask, something more powerful.



Really? Was it straight foward to get the test drive, or did you have to pay a deposit etc?

nah, lol i just walked in had a look about asked a few questions, he offered a test drive (not knowing my age) and i said yes i'd love to. then when he took my DOB his face was a picture. of course he couldn't retract his offer :D

I find the best way to get a good deal is to roll up in a Porsche :)

[Robin91]

nah, lol i just walked in had a look about asked a few questions, he offered a test drive (not knowing my age) and i said yes i'd love to. then when he took my DOB his face was a picture. of course he couldn't retract his offer :D

I find the best way to get a good deal is to roll up in a Porsche :)

Do they give you a tank of petrol? Shame I don't own a porsche!

I've booked a test drive in a Twingo 133 for Tuesday, also did one for either a Golf GTI/GTD/R, not sure if i'll go to that though I think they're going to phone me to arrange it properly, but have a feeling they won't let me!

[Jordysport]

Do they give you a tank of petrol? Shame I don't own a porsche!

I've booked a test drive in a Twingo 133 for Tuesday, also did one for either a Golf GTI/GTD/R, not sure if i'll go to that though I think they're going to phone me to arrange it properly, but have a feeling they won't let me!

Funny you say that i am buying a Twingo GT soon, lol V good car. :y:

[Robin91]

Funny you say that i am buying a Twingo GT soon, lol V good car. :y:

Ah really! Haha. They had one on topgear recently and Clarkson loved it! Hopefully the 133 will be good fun if they do let me drive it, and I hope they don't come out in it with me, wanna give it the beans!

[chris_ph2]

might have to do this soon. 4/5 dealerships right near me on a big industrial estate just by the motorway and some lanes i know well. 23 now, make sure the saxo is clean and looking mint. go with loads of brand names on looking like a dealer. hot hatch upgrade is realistic. clio 197, focus st and astra vxr i reckon

[Tontsy]

my mates dad owns his own company, turn over is around a mill a year! so its big for what they do.
he rang BMW of Plymouth and said his son and work colluege*me* is comming arund for a new company car, explained what company it was and they said not a problem.

so suited and booted we turned up, and had a Z3 for an hour on test drive.

ofcourse no intention to buy

i also took my brothers 09 plate company insignia to MINI, told them i had 22k to spend, and ended up taking out a cooper S for around 45 minutes.

i drive a matte black saxo ffs... its all about appearence and phrasing it ive found.

[Evorilium]

Ive done it plenty of times, i just said i had the cash waiting and i was comparing brands.

[CampDavid]

It helps to be old. I went into a Lotus dealer over the Christmas period to see if me and Helen fitted in an Elise. Without asking for a test drive I was asked if I wanted to take an Elise SC out to see if I fancied extending my budget. Helen veto'd this and it was icey as hell. I'm about first week of Feb so we're heading over then instead.

Oddly, the only place that's ever treated me with contempt is a Honda dealer in Bedford. I was thinking that a Jazz represented good value for Helen (something small, needs to carry a piano) and I was pretty much dismissed when I said I didn't want finance.

Test driving without buying is a bit gay. Why bother? Test drives, in my experience, are just a bit tedious and you rarely seem to get out of town.

[Jazz]

If you're a young guy who turns up in trackies and in a cheap car and ask to test out the newest R32 Golf, the salesman can instantly tell you're just a thrill seeking test pilot and you probably will get the elbow.

I've turned up to dealerships without any real intention to buy, but simply to drive various models to see what they're like- I just turn up in my current car which is quite presentable and I've always gone smartly dressed, so when I say im in the market they have no reason to think otherwise- even though I'm quite young. Best one was at a subaru dealership to test out a WRX 260, the salesman was so keen to sell me the car that we went to some awesome country roads and really drove that thing hard. He even did a 0-100mph test to demonstrate the performance. Good driving experience and didn't cost a penny.

[coleman258]

My mums partner got a letter through the post from lotus a few months ago, it said in the letter that he was invited up to lotus to test dive the new Evora and look around the factory which he did and thought it was amazing, even though he had no intention of buying the car,

Apparently they didnt even try and sell the car it was just a good day out, he then found out the only reason he got this letter was because he was getting insurance quotes for a porsche, so i suppose it all comes down to your job title, earnings and appearance.

[CampDavid]

My mums partner got a letter through the post from lotus a few months ago, it said in the letter that he was invited up to lotus to test dive the new Evora and look around the factory which he did and thought it was amazing, even though he had no intention of buying the car,

Apparently they didnt even try and sell the car it was just a good day out, he then found out the only reason he got this letter was because he was getting insurance quotes for a porsche, so i suppose it all comes down to your job title, earnings and appearance.

Lotus are quite big on the whole idea of getting new buyers, I was walking through the city and one of the dealers had a couple of Evoras on show.

They actually seemed genuinely interested in what passers by thought of the car and were encouraging people to get in it, have a poke about, see what they thought. I made it perfectly clear that the purchase price was a years salary and thus, not up for popping in an order however I was still offered a chance to drive one. Probably should have gone for it but I'd only be wasting someones time

[Elliott]

Ive done it a few times
We got contry roads to take the cars out on with no speed cameras so you can just nail it

I will admit though they hassle you like hell for weeks after
I took out a fiesta ST and the bloke didnt stop calling me!

[Predator_R32]

You had an insurance quote on an R32 yet??

[benhunt22]

ha ha interesting thread.

[sminotVTR]

my boss does this everytime porsche etc bring out a new car, its his weekend hobby.

[Chuffy]

I've done it at a Subaru garage and they kept phoning me untill I said I just wanted a test drive. Guy didn't sound too pleased so I took his name and boshed a quick letter to customer care.

Even added in a few gems like "After the call from salesman ... I would be more inclined to give a donation to the Labour party than spend money in your garage, and that's saying something."

Got a letter of apology. It was a slow month and I had some time on my hands...

:smoke:

[furio09]

this is actually rather amusing

[Jamie]

Vauxhall pwned me. I was dead on buying a Corsa or Astra VXR when i was in the market.

Dealer in Harlow wouldnt allow me to test drive either, went to Loughton nearby and they let me take the corsa out. I said i like it and want it (went there in my 206 Gti 180 grp 17 insurance) the guy never called me back after, so i bought a Focus ST3 in orange and parked outside the showroom the guy came out and the look on his face (just 21) with an even better car.

I felt the powahz

[eoey]

same story about a millionaire builder around my area went into a merc dealership about a s-class they were dissmisve and unwelcoming due to him being in mucky clothes etc etc drove in the next day in his ferrari 360 brand new at the time asking did he leave his measuring tape in there the day before....

would have loved to see the look on the sales man's face

[LSOfreak]

i was just having a nose about an r8 in an audi dealer once, when a woman comes upto me and asks if she can help. thought i play along just for lols. 20 minutes later i left with a load of business cards and brochures full of optional extras, stocklists etc lol wtf

[karm]

Went to a BMW dealership when i was 18 with my dad to test drive a 3 series when we went out he handed the keys to my dad and he just replied no mate its my son thats interested in buying it. His face was priceless. He let me and i bought it afterwards though.

[Easty]

Peugeot are the worst in my experience. Went in to buy a GTI 180 and the guy told me I couldn't afford the insurance or the car, and that i'de be better off with a used normal GTI. Hadn't even spoken to the guy, proper twat tbh and lost himself a sale ! Should have driven the VXR through his shop window.

[tobomoto]

when i turned up to test a vtr i arrived on my bike. i thought they would be really bad, watching me consantly ect. was very surprised when they said 'theres the keys son, bring it back in an hour'.

[Aly]

My Ex's dad walked into a Jag dealership quite a few years ago in the middle of summer wearing a pair of shorts and a string vest ( I kid you not ).

Blanked by 2 sales dudes and a third approached him and spoke to him decently, spent a bit of time with him etc.

Went back a week later in his work clobber and one of the dudes that ignored him the previous week literally pounced on him. Ex's dad ignored him and walked straight up to the guy that gave him the time of day first time round and bought an XK8 from him instead!

Just goes to show, you can't judge anyone. This guy that walked in wearing a string vest and shorts is the Executive Chairman of one of the biggest kitchen and bathroom manufacturers in the UK.

The only place you can walk into and not be judged imo is a Land Rover dealership

My mate Craig told me a very similar story. Cant remember the jisst of it completely but was buying an Aston Martin.

The salesmen questioned the guy if he could buy it from what he was wearing. Maybe wrighty89 on here might know the story better I think he heard it.

Funny when you've got the money to be able to do things like this. :y:

[lizza]

my dad went into the jag garage a few years ago in his work clothes(hes a steal erector) so he was minging, the bloke walked up to him and said "sory sir i dont think we have anything in your price range" :O... cheeky git soon changed his tune when he told him he'd be paying cash LMAO,
my dad went to another salesman, the other blokes face was priceless...

[gazwhittle]

omg im not alone ive done this quite a few times on regular basis..

usually ap-cole but i aint done it since i test drove a corsa and the brakes didnt work (ask wigansaxo :P )

but yeah vauxhall is by far the worse place. i wanted the new style corsa before i got the c2 i went in to look at the vxr along with the base models i requested a test drive for the vxr and the sxi and was told i could no where near afford to buy the car or insure it....

the funny thing was it was during there free insurance scheme!!!

i told him i had 1k for a deposit and after a test drive was certain to take out finance on it there and then and has he went to apoligies i told him to fuck off and went into citroen which i test drove the c2,c5 and a c4 loeb!!!

[Marcos]

i was going to do this when the new scirocco came out but thought it would make me want one even more so thought best not

[djmartin]

Moral of the story, if you want to test drive a car but can't afford decent clothes, test drive a Land Rover? !

THAT! almost sounds like a sentance jeremy clarkson would say :clapping::clapping:

anyways back on topic.

A mate of mine drivers around with a suit in his car ready for if he drives past a dealership and likes the look of a car (i.e lambo etc) he will park up find a toilet get into his suit. then walk to the dealership and he always gets away with it. only time he does not is when they state to him he needs to book a test drive appointment first!


also consider this.

if you roll upto a ferrari dealerhip in a ford focus more then likly they wont let you test drive a car as they will think HMM 05 focus..man wants to test drive a ferrari..he must be having a laught lol.

so as mentiioned you cant judge people for its not just what they wear its also what they drive when they approch the dealership.

its the same with the servicing and parts departments to I walked into Nissan to get some green coolant. got blanked by 2 members of staff. an old guy had to walk from the other end of the show room to the parts section to serve me he then asked what car it was and I said what it was and I then had the two lads who originally ignored me nearly climbing over the table to ask me questions about the dam thing! I just gave them stupid answers and said to the old guy thanks so much for YOUR customer service I wish other people in this showroom was as good as you. should have seen the look on the lads faces!!!!!