Car test drives.

Thomas. PLease.

Thomas. PLease.

Thomas. PLease.

Soldato
Joined
5 Jul 2007
Posts
5,511
Location
London
Hi there.

I'm 19 years old, and haven't really driven much in the way of nice, or exciting cars, however i really would like to. On this forum i hear of a lot of people going down to their dealers and getting test drives on the latest cars.

My question is, is there some sort of policy on who they let test drive their cars. For example, I'm sure most people in this forum would love to drive the new m3, me included. But I'm sure if I turned up (I don't look 19, probably about 21-23) they would probably just say no.

Am I right or will they never refuse a test drive? thanks. tom.
 
when my brother bought his ctr, he was 21 at the time, the garage wouldnt let him test drive it because they thought he just wanted to have a drive around with no intention of buying. In the end i think he had to show a bank statement that showed he had the money to buy the car so he was serious.

Id be very surprised if any garages let you test drive an m3 due to your age. Surely they will ask to see your drivers license anyway and see your only 19
 
Nobody is driving an M3 becuase the UK allocation is sold out and dealers don't have demo models.

It depends on whether the dealer thinks you are likely to be a buyer for the car you are test driving now, or in the future. Turn up at Mercedes and ask to take out an SLK320 after arriving in an N reg Clio, aged under 25 dressed in a hoody, and they'll tell you politely to get lost.

Try the same thing dressed in a smart manner, or after pulling up in a 52 plate E Class, and you'll get a different reaction.
 
whatleytom said:
Hi there.

I'm 19 years old, and haven't really driven much in the way of nice, or exciting cars, however i really would like to. On this forum i hear of a lot of people going down to their dealers and getting test drives on the latest cars.

My question is, is there some sort of policy on who they let test drive their cars. For example, I'm sure most people in this forum would love to drive the new m3, me included. But I'm sure if I turned up (I don't look 19, probably about 21-23) they would probably just say no.

Am I right or will they never refuse a test drive? thanks. tom.
Click to expand...

How old you look compared to how old you are is irrelevant as they'll be looking at your driving licence before you take the car anywhere.

I got a test drive in an M3 CS when I was 22 though.
 
I rolled up to a Audi dealer in a 5 year old 306 and test drove a new 2.0 TFSI A3 without any questions asked. I was given the car for an hour too.
 
Vicious said:
when my brother bought his ctr, he was 21 at the time, the garage wouldnt let him test drive it because they thought he just wanted to have a drive around with no intention of buying. In the end i think he had to show a bank statement that showed he had the money to buy the car so he was serious.

Id be very surprised if any garages let you test drive an m3 due to your age. Surely they will ask to see your drivers license anyway and see your only 19
Click to expand...
LOL crazy,
I would have told them to shove it and bought one online instead.
 
Im 19, and strongly believe its the manner in the way you are.

If you turn up and sa "alrigh' mate, gissa test drive in the A3" then you'll be told where to stick it.

Talk properly and maintain eye contact and have confidence in yourself, explain that you are buying a new car and that are going round to different dealers test driving what you fancy and then going to make a decision on what you'll get, with any luck the dealer will take you and show you the aspects of the car to obviously try and persuade you. If they say are you intending to buy today just say "nope, not until i've tested everything else i fancy"

Talk the talk and walk the walk and there shouldn't be any major reason why you shouldn't get a test drive.

I test drove a 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX today which only had 14k on the clock was immaculate inside and the dealer (after we had warmed it up) said

"I can tell your itching to see what she can do" - I was grinning :D

he directed me down some local backroads and said "keep it in 2nd, and when I tell you to, plant it" and when I did OOOOOF was I smiling, the dealer was loving it lol.
 
Tdh1987 said:
I rolled up to a Audi dealer in a 5 year old 306 and test drove a new 2.0 TFSI A3 without any questions asked. I was given the car for an hour too.
Click to expand...

That seems like a feasible upgrade though - you might have had the 306 to see you through uni and be buying the Audi as your first 'proper car' with the salary from your first job as a graduate.

I'm not sure I agree with intentionally wasting peoples' time if you've absolutely no intention of buying the car though.

What do you think my chances are pulling up in a 56 plate A6 TDI for a test drive in an RS6? ;)
 
Hi there

When I was doing test drives I rang most places before I turned up. I basically rang, told them I had a shortlist of cars and one of the cars or more they had was on the short list.

I made it clear I would not be putting a deposit down or making any decisions there and then until I'd driven all the cars on my shortlist. This seem to win respect from many dealers, also the other big plus point was when they asked what I currently drove. Well when I responded with a 500+ BHP RWD Mustang it was like a case of well Sir what would you like to test drive then. :)

Out of all my test drives Stratstone Derby were the best. I had two excellent long test drives in both a C6 Z51 and C6 Z06. BMW were good as they actually brought the car to me and Audi let me have three no quibble test drives (RS4 Avant, RS4 Saloon and the new S5). Mitsubishi were also very good too, allowing to drive two EVO's for a good 40 mins each. :)
 
I went with my mate to an Aston Martin dealership last week, and he test drove a V8 Vantage and a DB9, with no showing of drivers license as he forgot to take it, and only one phone call in advance to check they had any models in. I suppose pulling up in a 645 helped, but as others have said in here it does seem to be your own confidence and attitude that they'll judge you on.
 
Im seriously considering this. ive got some money put away and i made a thread a while back for recommendations but i aint really done anything about it looking at reviews and pictures on the internet but it doesnt really do anything as far as making me wanting that car goes..
 
I'm considering some test drives myself, i'm looking for another saloon/hatch to replace my mondeo Mk3, cars i'm considering include mondeo ST TDCi, new shape mondeo zetec, Honda accord, BMW 320D/520D, Audi etc, what others should i try and whats't the best way to get an unnacompanied test drive for like an hour because everytime i've test drove a car i've had a salesman with me and i feel uncomfortable with a salesman next to me so cut my drive to 5-10 minutes. I'm 30 but i only look about 21 so that doesn't help.
 
I went round a lot of dealerships today with my parents, they are looking to get an ex-demo but most of the salesmen seemed to be happy to let me test drive as long as they were there with me. I'm 19, all they wanted to know was that i had a full licence.
 
Maybe its different for me because I've never test driven a car I didn't have an intention of buying but there is no way I'd start jumping through hoops to try and get a drive. If they don't want my money then thats their loss. As for showing them a bank statement? As far as I'm concerned that comes through the post with private and confidential on for a reason.

I guess this situation is different though as you have no intention of buying. Pre arranging might be the easiest option and save you a lot of wasted time.
 
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