Refused for test drive :-(

I've never quite got how a dealer weighs up a prospective test drive candidate....

I've turned up for test drives in all states of attire, quite literally looking like I've lived in a truck all week - dirty clothes, messy hair, beard, bad smell, the lot! :o :D yet I've had countless test drives over the years having pulled up at the dealers in my truck....

I've explained that I'm just looking, clearly I'm working, away from home,the last thing on my mind is buying a car - yet its not stopped me trying out all sorts of stuff over the years....

I can't recall ever being refused a test drive, come back later, sure, but never an outright refusal.
 
[TW]Fox;21081372 said:
How on earth can you make sure you are buying the best car if you've only ever test driven two of them in your life?!
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should have mentioned, I'm talking about dealers here.
 
pepsilol said:
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.
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Calling this one. No way they force an 18 year old into a test drive unless you are excluding information like you were with your dad a well known millionaire....?
 
[TW]Fox;21081476 said:
I know. I'm not talking about the car you eventually buy, I mean pre-purchase research. Driving all the potential candidates is essential. How do you do it? Do you just buy stuff randomly?
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No, with something like the Monaro, I bought it with my heart, I knew I wanted one, couldn't give a stuff about anything else. Astra I drove that and Focus ST. I prefered the mental power delivery of the Astra because I was young and stupid and just wanted power.
 
I never had trouble with test drives, but when I did get them I had the bloody dealer next to me watching like a hawk.

When I start test driving this summer, if i'm not allowed to take the car out for a good decent lengthy test drive, they lose my money. I'm not taking it half a bloody mile only to be told to turn around.
 
[TW]Fox;21081476 said:
I know. I'm not talking about the car you eventually buy, I mean pre-purchase research. Driving all the potential candidates is essential. How do you do it? Do you just buy stuff randomly?
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The slk I bought was the only one i test drove at the time. Then again, I know a great deal when I see one. She was in excellent condition, had a full service history and at a very reasonable price.
 
CaptainRAVE said:
The slk I bought was the only one i test drove at the time. Then again, I know a great deal when I see one. She was in excellent condition, had a full service history and at a very reasonable price.
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I guess that explains why you bought the SLK if you didnt bother to check out the competition first, therefore having no frame of reference for comparison :p
 
Just different dealers. I had one Jag dealer only allow me out with a salesman while another threw me the keys to a brand new 3.0 D Portfolio XJ and told me to come back before they closed. I've had BMW dealers ignore me entirely or stand on my heals and not give me room to move. The worst was an Audi dealer who told me I couldnt afford the car I asked to test drive so rather than bring what I asked for, 3.0 TDI DSG a5 Sportback, he bought a 2.0 TDI manual coupe to say I was not impressed was an understatement but watching my Mrs go balastic was brilliant.
 
J1nxy said:
The worst was an Audi dealer who told me I couldnt afford the car I asked to test drive so rather than bring what I asked for, 3.0 TDI DSG a5 Sportback, he bought a 2.0 TDI manual coupe to say I was not impressed was an understatement but watching my Mrs go balastic was brilliant.
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That must have been hugely irritating. The irony being if you were in the market for a new A5, you almost certainly earn far more than him anyway! What is it with them being so snobbish about a product they likely couldnt buy themselves?
 
Your now speculating at what a sales person could earn, granted this one sounds like he's in the wrong profession. A good sales exec would be able to afford it,at least mine do.
 
Had a similar experience at Nissan. Had been trying cayman S, Z4Ms and wanted to try a 350 and 370Z. Phoned up to book in advanced, turned up and no one seemed to know what was happening or that I was there for a test drive. I was given a 10 minute drive through 30mph roads, then on a 50mph average speed camera dual carriage way with heavy traffic and back the the garage. The guy didn't even try to sell me the car afterwards. Real waste of time for all concerned.

Porsche and BMW couldn't have been more willing to make time for test drives despite me turning up in jeans and a diesel focus :p. If they are rude, then they don't deserve your money.
 
Is this common these days? I remember when car salesmen were the pushiest of all salespeople, but I have read many similar stories to this one on here over the last year or so...
 
PikeyPriest said:
Had a similar experience at Nissan. Had been trying cayman S, Z4Ms and wanted to try a 350 and 370Z. Phoned up to book in advanced, turned up and no one seemed to know what was happening or that I was there for a test drive. I was given a 10 minute drive through 30mph roads, then on a 50mph average speed camera dual carriage way with heavy traffic and back the the garage. The guy didn't even try to sell me the car afterwards. Real waste of time for all concerned.

Porsche and BMW couldn't have been more willing to make time for test drives despite me turning up in jeans and a diesel focus :p. If they are rude, then they don't deserve your money.
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Funny you should say that, I went with my mate to test drive a Juke (he works at nissan so gets silly discount) In the end I ended up driving the thing. The dealer drove us to a quiet road and then proceed to give me directions. I drove in a 40mph limit a 30mph limit and turned 3 90 degree corners the whole test drive. He told me they use the same route for 350-370z and the 30mph often has a camera van. The dealers is on a dual carriage way with 4 decent roundabouts. Took a Type R out on same road with the dealer in tow and he was telling me to give it the beans etc. Nissan seem to suck.

Never had a problem getting a test drive yet but then I've never asked to test drive anything special.
 
ZG002 said:
Funny you should say that, I went with my mate to test drive a Juke (he works at nissan so gets silly discount) In the end I ended up driving the thing. The dealer drove us to a quiet road and then proceed to give me directions. I drove in a 40mph limit a 30mph limit and turned 3 90 degree corners the whole test drive. He told me they use the same route for 350-370z and the 30mph often has a camera van. The dealers is on a dual carriage way with 4 decent roundabouts. Took a Type R out on same road with the dealer in tow and he was telling me to give it the beans etc. Nissan seem to suck.

Never had a problem getting a test drive yet but then I've never asked to test drive anything special.
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Tbh I think its about the products you sell. If you believe in the product then you want the customer to get the proper experience :)
 
Every time I have been to honda for test drives (CR-Z & CTR) they have let me go out alone. All the VAG drives have been with a salesmen, SEAT were more encouraging when pressing on, asking me to give it beans etc. Mazda were good also, I had a good experience with Alfa too. I would definitely say VW were the worst though.
 
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