Purchase without a test drive?

[Rroff]

The only thing I noticed, about 18 months later was that the car didn’t have stop/start

Took me several months to notice my pickup was on the wrong tyres unfortunately by then it was impossible to nail down what had happened - it was sold to me on Scorpion ATRs 255 and somewhere along the line ended up on Runway 225s - being in the middle of a house move it took me awhile to find out. I'm fairly sure the dealer's service manager swiped them and swapped out the driver's side floor mat (which was almost brand new condition when I took it in and a few weeks later I noticed it looked far from new and starting to wear through) when I took it back under warranty to have the EGR valve replaced but can't prove it and it could also have happened when I had it in another garage for some work - definitely not a mix up as they are the original alloys.

 

[HoneyBadger]

Took me several months to notice my pickup was on the wrong tyres unfortunately by then it was impossible to nail down what had happened - it was sold to me on Scorpion ATRs 255 and somewhere along the line ended up on Runway 225s - being in the middle of a house move it took me awhile to find out. I'm fairly sure the dealer's service manager swiped them and swapped out the driver's side floor mat (which was almost brand new condition when I took it in and a few weeks later I noticed it looked far from new and starting to wear through) when I took it back under warranty to have the EGR valve replaced but can't prove it and it could also have happened when I had it in another garage for some work - definitely not a mix up as they are the original alloys.

Crazy isn’t it. As you say, after so much time you don’t have a lot of ground to stand on. I had assumed the option for start/stop was in a menu deep down somewhere that I couldn’t see. Obviously the car didn’t stop at lights or anything but I just thought I’d hold off until the service.

You have a Navara don’t you? My uncle has a 13 plate 2.5 Navara Platnium (Or premium, one of the two!) - it’s a decent drive, it feels slower than my Amarok did until you look at the speedo, it hides its speed very well, mainly because of the gearing I think, 1st is very short in comparison to the ‘rok.

Always fancied a go in a Outlaw as I believe they have the 3.0 231BHP - I have a bit of a soft spot for double cab pickups, would love a RHD F150 Raptor!

 

[Rroff]

Crazy isn’t it. As you say, after so much time you don’t have a lot of ground to stand on. I had assumed the option for start/stop was in a menu deep down somewhere that I couldn’t see. Obviously the car didn’t stop at lights or anything but I just thought I’d hold off until the service.

You have a Navara don’t you? My uncle has a 13 plate 2.5 Navara Platnium (Or premium, one of the two!) - it’s a decent drive, it feels slower than my Amarok did until you look at the speedo, it hides its speed very well, mainly because of the gearing I think, 1st is very short in comparison to the ‘rok.

Always fancied a go in a Outlaw as I believe they have the 3.0 231BHP - I have a bit of a soft spot for double cab pickups, would love a RHD F150 Raptor!

The sense of speed with Navaras for some reason is kind of weird both feeling faster and slower than it is - I didn't notice the same with the Amarok - but I think that is partly because the Amarok feels more connected to the road (in a good way).

Yeah I have the 3.0 Outlaw - was a toss up with the Amarok as I'm a V6 junky but couldn't really justify Amarok money - the 3.0 is a completely different engine to the 2.5 - the 3.0 is a bit of weird vehicle though as the engine, transmission and electronics share DNA with the 370Z and not the rest of the D40 line but the chassis, etc. is the D40 - it sort of works most of the time due to the amount of torque it has on tap but at times you realise it is neither a sports car or in the truest sense a pickup.

I honestly didn't think I was a pickup person but I spent a bit of time in a F150 in the US and for some reason connected with the idea - I've always preferred being higher up when driving.

 

[HoneyBadger]

I never knew the Outlaw shared bits with the 370, that’s quite interesting. I bet it goes well with a light load on. I loved the ‘rok, it was a 2014 and we bought it new. At the time there was no V6 variant so this was the 2.0 bi-turbo with 180BHP. I had it remapped, it went ok when you wanted to push on. We got rid at 3 years in favour of an SUV and to save some money as we bought a second property. In a few years I think I’ll have a look at the V6 variant, however MrsHB never liked the fact the hard top had an access window at the bulkhead but the rear glass panel in the ‘rok didn’t. I see the Merc x series does, and the newer Navaras do. They look good in AT32/5 variants.

Not bad for a 80L tank, 2+ tonne 200BHP (With remap) beast

 

[Rroff]

I never knew the Outlaw shared bits with the 370, that’s quite interesting.

Don't think much directly parts wise (other than some bits of the transmission) but when designing the outlaw they borrowed from the 370Z development for some areas rather than tweaking the existing D40 especially the auto transmission and electronics and some interior bits.

The engine (V9X) is a joint venture with Renault and a bit of a one off https://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/02/infiniti3d-20100222.html and is influenced by the 370Z development but not directly from it - unfortunately my dashcam tends to make it sound tractor like but in person it has a much smoother deeper rumble - at idle it is a bit clattery but almost V8 like when you push it.

EDIT: This is someone's with a 3" dump pipe but much better representation of the engine/exhaust sound

Not bad for a 80L tank, 2+ tonne 200BHP (With remap) beast

I've had mine up to 30 MPG (around 450+ mile range) with 70L tank - but doesn't take much to drop that back. In reality it will probably do a shade under 500 miles on a full tank though - probably due partly to the computer being a little conservative - I've done 450 before and still had around 30 miles estimated left.

EDIT: I'd have probably upgraded to one of the newer Navaras though if they did a V6 in my price range - the Merc X I'd struggle to afford and doesn't really do it for me.

 

[im4gine3]

Typically when buying a car new or second hand i would always test drive before purchase, however my most recent purchase of a 2016 BMW 435i MSport+, i didn't let alone actually view the car in person.

I had doubts of doing this (i was abroad at the time) and seemed too good to be true for the price... not only that, seemed BMW were flying out the garage's - at the specs i wanted obviously, so didn't want to wait. I put my trust in an authorised BMW dealer, and made the purchase.

Transaction went smoothly, and there were constant communication back and forth, together with them offering to deliver the car to me (with a full tank of petrol) 200+ miles away since i had to self isolate for 14days upon returning to the UK. Took the car to a local BMW dealer for a full inspection check with me hanging around making sure all was ok, and they didn't skimp on anything, and well, glad to say everything checked out.

 

[Mike9000]

Haha, no I didn't, didn't even get to start the engine or even sit in the car so yes, unfortunate, however I took a copy of the AT advert and the only part of the car that there wasn't a picture of was the N/S where the issues would have been apparent. Very deceptive of a main dealer. Its the messing about with DVLA which is really annoying - at least if I don't have the increase in owners sorted I'll have both old and new V5's in my name.

Managed to get this sorted via the after sales manager and the general manager of the dealership after an email was sent to an email address listed under negative Google reviews. Had to don my deerstalker after the sales person didn't reply, which is disappointingly normal post-sale. To be fair, the general manager has been pretty quick sorting out the issue and apologies. The car is back up for sale.

Its kind of put me off the brand in question and the VW Group as a whole, we've had a few VW's and whilst the cars have generally been OK, our local dealer hasn't always been perfect over the years although generally OK in sorted the issues. Hopefully its just a one off - the sale falling through has me looking at different options again, which is half of the fun

 

[pastymuncher]

Normally I would insist on a test drive but last year we were looking for a new car and in September I found a very nice 2017 Ford B-Max Zetec Navigator 125 in Race Red from a indie seller in Inverness, some 60 odd miles away. I did my homework on the dealership and heard good things about him. I did a check on the car and it came back good. I contacted the seller and from the outset got the impression that he was a stright up chap. We agreed a price and a day to come and view the car and to have a test drive. It had a MOT just three months before and passed with no advisories so hopefully there shouldn't have been anything major wrong with it. The day came and we caught the bus to Elgin and then the train to Inverness. Sod's law the heavens opened as soon as the train pulled in. Luckily I had my beastie two person umbrella so we walked the mile to the dealership (he did offer the day before to pick us up but I don't like putting people out and said thanks but we will make our own way to you). On getting there he invited us into his office gave us tea and bicuits and showed us the paperwork for the car. As it turned out I actually knew more about the car than him as he thought it was a 100hp standard Zetec which probably explains why it was quite a bit under the book price. He explained that he had just put it through the MOT again so I would have a full 12 months cover and had also had it serviced. it had stopped raining by now so he gave us the keys and left us to look at the car. I had a good look around, in and under it and it was immaculate. it had been well looked after and still had that new car smell. I started the engine and it was so quiet I didn't think it had started. He came across to us and asked if I wanted to take it out for a test drive? I don't like driving in Inverness at all and was completely unfamiliar with the area we were in so as the car looked so good decided to forego the test drive. he asked if I was sure and I said yes. We went in signed the paperwork and paid for the car and the dealer said that should anything pop up on the way home give him a call and he would sort it and if we had any problems at all to call him. The drive home was great and the car was so comfortable. The higher seating position was brilliant for my back and we had zero problems. After having the car a week the chap phoned me to see if everything was fine and how we were getting on with it. he did the same again at one month and told us that any problems at all call him and he would get it sorted. That was the best car purchase I have ever had and he was a thoroughly pleasant chap who didn't pressure us at any point. I would certainly buy from him again.

At the end of the day I did my homework on the dealership and the car and to a certain extent was very lucky but normally I would advise anyone to go for a test drive before agreeing anything.

 

[ristac]

Just bumping this up as I’m considering using Cazoo or Carzam, any further feedback good or bad?

 

[Cadder]

I didn't know about places like Carzam until today when I asked to book a test drive. They informed me I just have to buy the car and they offer 14 days change of mind.

Not sure I want to spring a load of cash on a 14 day test drive. Clearly the business model works as there are other similar companies, but I just don't understand it.