It was from a dealer, and no, I didn't give nor offer any money.
I've had two e39's, a 528i SE and a 530i Sport.
Had the e38 first, a 728i.
Last edited:
Do you ever test drive a car before you buy ?
- Thread starter chaparral
- Start date
I've had two e39's, a 528i SE and a 530i Sport.
Had the e38 first, a 728i.
Awesome. Lovely car. 
(took me about 2 mimutes to post this from my phone because of the "improved" forum software... Couldnt for the life of me get it to type underneath the quote either... Joys.)
(took me about 2 mimutes to post this from my phone because of the "improved" forum software... Couldnt for the life of me get it to type underneath the quote either... Joys.)It was from a dealer, and no, I didn't give nor offer any money.
I've had two e39's, a 528i SE and a 530i Sport.
Had the e38 first, a 728i.
Had some fun & games getting my head around the new forum too!Awesome. Lovely car.
Yes, the e38 was lovely, best car I've owned by a long way, I dearly want another but good ones are rare or extortionately priced!
Incidentally having got the e38, I went to Taunton in Somerset, found an e39 M5 at a dealer and had it for the afternoon (and about £30 of my cash in fuel) for an extended test drive, had no interest in trading the e38, over the years I had it it helped no end I think in getting me quite a few test drives of cars far more pricey than it was.
Soldato
- Joined
- 30 Oct 2008
- Posts
- 3,148
- Location
- South
I've only ever bought cheaper second hand cars so i want to know it at least starts and drives before handing over my money 
I'll try and remember to check things like does the heater / ac work and the radio / electric windows and mirrors etc things like that while driving it too or at least while the engine is running. Best to drive it as you can see how the clutch / gears are too.
I'll try and remember to check things like does the heater / ac work and the radio / electric windows and mirrors etc things like that while driving it too or at least while the engine is running. Best to drive it as you can see how the clutch / gears are too.
Man of Honour
- Joined
- 21 Nov 2004
- Posts
- 47,250
Ever since selling a car that doesn't work to webuyanycar and them buying it without testing, yep...
Soldato
- Joined
- 19 Oct 2008
- Posts
- 6,066
Depends what it is and where I'm buying from. If it's not from a main dealer then definitely. If it's from a main dealer and is a car model I have test driven elsewhere then possibly not depending on how far away it is. If it's from a main dealer and just a better model of a car I already own then again it depends on how far away it is. If it's a model I have not driven before then definitely - even if I have to test one locally before then buying one the right spec further away.
Ideally would like to test drive all cars I buy because even if something fairly minor needs fixing it can still be a PITA these days getting the work done due to time.
Ideally would like to test drive all cars I buy because even if something fairly minor needs fixing it can still be a PITA these days getting the work done due to time.
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 2,612
- Location
- Florida/UK
There are many cars that you are simply unable to test drive, and ironically it's not always the exotics.
I was able to drive my McLaren and Ferrari's before buying, but the Nissan GTR or the Shelby GT350? They wouldn't let me near them. I had to buy those without a test drive.
The GT4 I didn't test drive either, because I just didn't need to, I knew it would be awesome!
I forgot about this part of the car market. Small segment compared to the masses, but like you say you can sometimes find it tricky to get near these cars. I can understand the salesman's point of view here, as a lot of people will try their luck and be a test pilot. Especially cars like the GTR, use launch control, etc.