Test drives!

86JR

86JR

86JR

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I really fancy test driving some cars. I dont plan to buy any, well atleast not in the immediate future. The ones I want to test drive so far

alfa GT COUPE V6
alfa BRERA V6
Golf mk5 R32

Is it as simple as turning up and taking them out at their respective dealers ?

What happens when come the end they try and sell you one ? I presume dealerships talk to each other, perhaps even blacklist you !?

Also, im 23 next month, does this age make much difference, ie am i too young to get insured on test drives ?

Thanks.
 
VW isn't that difficult, I had an R32 and a GTI back to back. Vospers have the Alfa franchise, they were useless, even when I actually wanted to buy a Mondeo ST220 from them a test drive was not forthcoming.
 
you might have a hard time with the alfa GT v6 as its not in production any more - but when it comes to the sell be polite with them and tell them that your exploring the options for the time being and will be in touch when you have a better idea :)
 
[TW]Fox;14333044 said:
Also turn up in something respectable that gives credibility to the idea you wish to buy from them.
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Turned up in my battered old Fiesta and they gave gave me a test drive in a Mk5 R32 and Scirocco and I have a test drive in the new Mk6 GTI when it arrives. Also had test drives of Volvo's, Fords and BMW's without them batting an eyelid at my 2k part exchange for if I bought new.:D Just took my driving license with me and off I went.
 
Princey said:
I turned up in my VXR to test the RS and they wouldn't let me.
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That's asking for it: Fox said turn up in something respectable ;):p

[Edit] To add something constructive, I've walked to a dealership before and arranged test drives for S2ks etc - It's probably easier to phone ahead and book a time rather than just 'arrive and drive'. They cant really refuse a pre-booked appointment!
 
I went for a test drive in the MK6 golf GTI last week, i booked it via the dealers website, he gave me a ring back the next day to confirm everything and it was all fine, was out about 30-35mins, very nice call all in all.

I'm only 23 aswell and i let that slip at the end of the test drive and he did say i wasn't really suppose to drive it if im under 25... but it was too late by then! haha!

The dealer didnt pester me to buy anything, as previously said say you're looking at all your options

Honda was a different story thought... did the same thing, booked via the website but they phoned me back straight away quizing me about my age and just flat out refused to let me drive the Civic Type-R :-(

I've also had a drive in an ST220 when i just turned up at the local ford dealer no questions asked... so its just a lot of pot luck imo
 
I can understand the reasoning behind it in some ways, but at the same time it is a bit stupid.

I think if you really looked like you might buy the car they would let you take it out.
 
I've had no trouble with test drives at all over the past few weeks.

I've had a Civic Type-S, Focus 1.8, Bravo 1.4TJet 150, and a Fabia vRS on test drives. Only slight problem was the Bravo, salesman said it wasn't policy to let under-25s drive their "hot hatches". :/ But he buckled in the end anyway. Admittedly none are that fast, but I expected to at least get some questions.

I have a feeling the Golf is going to be a challenge though, I don't believe in getting dressed up for dealerships (if they want my money they'll let me test drive, and it's not been a problem so far) but the way that every time I go down to look around, the salesmen only approach people with suits on fills me with dread. :o
 
At age 18 I test drove a civic type r rx8 prodrive focus st , and fastest of all, an elise 111R, only with 1 dealership did my age ever come into it! I did have a group 16 Mondeo st at the time and have always looked older than I am, but quite easy really!
 
I've test drove 3 s2000's now, but I do make the effort to look relatively smart, I don't just turn up in jeans and a t shirt.
 
PiKe said:
I've test drove 3 s2000's now, but I do make the effort to look relatively smart, I don't just turn up in jeans and a t shirt.
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why? why try and pretend, it sometimes easier to see through that, I bet housemaster for example doesnt wear a suit to go and test drive a new porsche, i bet his standard weekend attire of jeans and trainers (i imagine) will suffice, who are you trying to impress/ Ive never dressed up beyond trainers jeans a tee shirt for a test drive, its about how you come across when spoken to not about wearing a suit. Ask the right questions that someone actually looking to buy a car would ask, like about trim levels and special editions etc, how much room there is in the boot etc rather than "omg let me drive it lolz"
 
PiKe said:
I've test drove 3 s2000's now, but I do make the effort to look relatively smart, I don't just turn up in jeans and a t shirt.
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I turned up to test drive my S2 in scraggy jeans and a t-shirt.

Dealer insurance required I was accompanied by someone over 25 (I'm 23) but I had no issues.

I mailed the dealer ahead of time saying I was interested in a S2 and wanted to test one.

Helps if you pre-arrange, removes that air of "Random Joe off the street looking to rag a motor about"
 
rG-tom said:
why? why try and pretend, it sometimes easier to see through that, I bet housemaster for example doesnt wear a suit to go and test drive a new porsche, i bet his standard weekend attire of jeans and trainers (i imagine) will suffice, who are you trying to impress/ Ive never dressed up beyond trainers jeans a tee shirt for a test drive, its about how you come across when spoken to not about wearing a suit. Ask the right questions that someone actually looking to buy a car would ask, like about trim levels and special editions etc, how much room there is in the boot etc rather than "omg let me drive it lolz"
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Father once told me about an old friend of his about 10 years ago who went to a BMW dealership in t-shirt and some old jeans, and the dealers didn't even approach him when he walked in with around £25k to spend after just selling his business, but as soon as someone in a suit did they were all over the guy.
As a result he went down the road and bought a brand new Toyota Supra in cash :D

Sad fact is some dealerships will look down on people if they don't look like the sterotype person would who can afford the car.
 
I have never, ever had a problem with test driving anything, not that I have asked for a test drive in any super-car exotica (I could, I have several dealerships quite close to me) though ...my advice is, look serious, sound serious and know something about the car you want to test.
 
I was just wearing a t-shirt and jeans and I got a test drive in a used 911 no problems.
Think the salesman was a tad nervous after I took the driving seat and he asked me if I had ever driven a 911 and I said no.
 
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