Refused for test drive :-(

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Soldato
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So I booked a test drive a few days ago for an XF 3.0D.

The gentleman said fine and asked how old I was, I told him 25 and he said that's OK.

So off I trot to the dealership and the man on the phone was ill today I spoke to someone else to ask for a test drive and they said no and that I had to he 27 :confused:

Very annoyed!

Anyway rant over, has this happened to others a lot?
 
Why didn't you kick up a fuss? If you've got the cash to drop on an XF, regardless of age then surely they want the commission? Did you walk in wearing a pair of Reebok classics and step out of a Ford Escort?
 
If you were really interested in buying the car I'm sure you would have persuaded the salesman to let you test drive it.
 
I popped into a Jaguar dealership once just to look and have a feel of their cars as I have never really seen one properly.

I was quite literally forced to have a test drive of an XK, I said no as I wasn't looking to buy anything, and again was really pushed for a test drive. I eventually left without a test drive but plenty of reading material...

I was 18 at the time.
 
This is well stupid. Jag obviously don't need the extra business.

Whenever I have asked for test drives the staff have always been more than happy to help.

Dressing in skinny jeans, tee with long hair I'm not exactly a Accountant or director!
 
I think the whole 'what you wear' idea is just rubbish.

I'm fairly certain that dealers have more intelligent ways of being able to tell who is a serious buyer and who just wants to drive about in a flash car than just looking at what people wear. Things like what you say, how you say it, who you say it too, what you know or don't know about the car, etc.

To dismiss people for walking in wearing trainers is as stupid as assuming anyone who walks in in a suite has £1m to spend...
 
Whilst judging a book by its cover is the act of idiots, one has to question the impression you gave? Did the sales person ask you any questions, sit you down and disucss your needs or simply say 'computer says no'. The age things is crap, its been crap for years. I know 21 year olds who test drive GT2's, IT'S CRAP.
 
I went in outlined exactly what I was after, colour spec and all sorts.
Mentioned that the car I wanted was few k out of my price range and that I could stretch if need ve!

I should have been more alpha I suppose, but it's really annoying
 
Housey said:
The age things is crap, its been crap for years. I know 21 year olds who test drive GT2's, IT'S CRAP.
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I dunno, at the Renault World Series they were refusing test drives of any RenaultSport cars to anyone under 30.

Kinda missing their target market a bit, I think.
 
Would have stood infront of him, called the next closest dealer with the car, asked if you could have a test drive and explain the very problem you were having at the moment, loudly.

Can almost guarantee you the age would have dropped back down magically, at which point id have told him to ram it and go buy from someone helpful. If you've got the cash to be buying that kind of car don't take any nonsense whatsoever from these guys, their job is to sell cars full stop.
 
Skeeter said:
To dismiss people for walking in wearing trainers is as stupid as assuming anyone who walks in in a suite has £1m to spend...
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I have a friend in his 50s, covered in tattoos (the children learn about the birds and bees from his arms and legs :) ) long hair down to his harris - an aged stoner if you will.

He attempted to give a guy in an Aston Martin directions, getting onto the subject of cars my friend said something like nice Aston I have a Ferrari and the Aston driver just laughed and drove off. Although he hates it, he does have a Ferrari :)
 
If the age things was really an issue they would have offered to take you out for a drive as a passenger.

Go spend your money at another dealer.
 
I've driven all sorts of serious cars, despite looking young (22 now).

At 19 I drove the following: Focus ST, Golf GTi, Mini Cooper S, Honda Civic Type R.

At 20 I was allowed a test drive in a LHD Ford Mustang 4.6l from a dealer.

At 21 I drove the following: 335i, 330i, Porsche Boxster S, BMW Z4 3.0 (wasn't a Z4M available local enough).

It will 100% have been down to the sales bloke thinking you were a joy rider, little things make a big impression and unfortunately at some dealers you have to do the annoying bit of turning up and looking interested to get a test drive.

A lot is down to the car you turn up in. Turn up in an F reg Fiesta with flip flops and board shorts on and you'll struggle to get a test drive in anything.

Sadly it's the reason why when me and the OH go shopping this year to replace her 54 plate Polo TDi that's in horrible condition, we will arrive in my car for the test drives (MX-5, Audi A3 etc....) - even though the Polo will be traded in.
 
EddScott said:
I have a friend in his 50s, covered in tattoos (the children learn about the birds and bees from his arms and legs :) ) long hair down to his harris - an aged stoner if you will.

He attempted to give a guy in an Aston Martin directions, getting onto the subject of cars my friend said something like nice Aston I have a Ferrari and the Aston driver just laughed and drove off. Although he hates it, he does have a Ferrari :)
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It works the opposite way also. I have a few friends that drive around in flash cars (911 for example), have expensive cloths and flash rented flats.

They don't actually have much money behind them but it looks like they do. They make ok money, borrow even more and save nothing.
 
Peerzy said:
A lot is down to the car you turn up in. Turn up in an F reg Fiesta with flip flops and board shorts on and you'll struggle to get a test drive in anything.
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unfortunately I only have my Peugeot to drive around in. Nothing special, just your run of the mill hatchback.

oh well, still on the lookout for an XF
 
NathWraith said:
This is well stupid. Jag obviously don't need the extra business.

Whenever I have asked for test drives the staff have always been more than happy to help.

Dressing in skinny jeans, tee with long hair I'm not exactly a Accountant or director!
Click to expand...

They probably think you're Russell Brand.
 
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