Do main dealers offer test drives?
Discussion
I totally understand the need to keep mileages low, time wasters and wanting to keep cars in “showroom clean” for sale, so is it possible to get a test drive in a Cali T at a main dealer ?
I am a serious buyer having had 5 Porsches over the past 15 years, but now looking for a 4 seat convertible for some European trips (back seats mainly for the wife’s small dog 🥴) and always fancied a Ferrari. Only other option is 911 cab but the Ferrari seems better value. But I’ve never driven one.
I’m not really interested in pay first then, if you don’t want to buy, we refund you, feels too pressured. I want to try one, digest the experience and make a decision at my leisure.
Anyone know how to approach this ?
I am a serious buyer having had 5 Porsches over the past 15 years, but now looking for a 4 seat convertible for some European trips (back seats mainly for the wife’s small dog 🥴) and always fancied a Ferrari. Only other option is 911 cab but the Ferrari seems better value. But I’ve never driven one.
I’m not really interested in pay first then, if you don’t want to buy, we refund you, feels too pressured. I want to try one, digest the experience and make a decision at my leisure.
Anyone know how to approach this ?
I've found that with any dealership, any make, that don't give test drives, if you're really serious, the words 'I plan to buy this car in the next 20 mins, but won't without a test drive' works.
But mean what you say, only do when you plan to buy. However, if it disappoints, you of course don't proceed and be honest why.
It's normally followed by a response 'I'll get the keys'.
But mean what you say, only do when you plan to buy. However, if it disappoints, you of course don't proceed and be honest why.
It's normally followed by a response 'I'll get the keys'.
I looked at 2 355's from independent garages and when I phoned up to arrange appointments yo see the cars both said don't forget to bring your licence so you can drive it.
Ironically I looked at a Golf R for the wife and even after arranging an appointment to see one at out local VW dealer they wouldn't allow a test drive. Bought a 355 and have never considered a VW since!
Ironically I looked at a Golf R for the wife and even after arranging an appointment to see one at out local VW dealer they wouldn't allow a test drive. Bought a 355 and have never considered a VW since!
Must say I’ve test driven a large number of cars over the years and if a dealer refused me a test drive on any car regardless of its cost/value I wouldn’t buy it, I’ve never ever bought a car unseen or without it be driven.
It’s a bit like when you see a private advert (usually for a Ford cossie or something) where the owner refuses to allow a test drive saying “I’ll be doing the driving” on that basis I wouldn’t waste my time even calling up about the car, it’s actually helpful they write that on the advert as it speeds up the process of whether to bother enquiring!
I’ve always called the dealer with the car I’m interested in, and made it very clear I’d want to drive the car and asked for it to be ready to see and drive on arrival especially if I’m travelling a distance.
Imagine walking into a shoe or clothing store and being told sorry sir you can’t try those on you must buy them or leave.
I think your expectations for a test drive are absolutely perfectly reasonable, any sales person or dealer who thinks that’s unreasonable shouldn’t be selling cars.
Good luck and hope the car ticks all the boxes.
It’s a bit like when you see a private advert (usually for a Ford cossie or something) where the owner refuses to allow a test drive saying “I’ll be doing the driving” on that basis I wouldn’t waste my time even calling up about the car, it’s actually helpful they write that on the advert as it speeds up the process of whether to bother enquiring!
I’ve always called the dealer with the car I’m interested in, and made it very clear I’d want to drive the car and asked for it to be ready to see and drive on arrival especially if I’m travelling a distance.
Imagine walking into a shoe or clothing store and being told sorry sir you can’t try those on you must buy them or leave.
I think your expectations for a test drive are absolutely perfectly reasonable, any sales person or dealer who thinks that’s unreasonable shouldn’t be selling cars.
Good luck and hope the car ticks all the boxes.
Just ask.
I’d never buy a car without one.
I don’t get the whole “you can’t drive it” mentality. I had this from a dealer last year when I went looking for an F12. Took my money and spent it elsewhere.
At the end of the day it’s a shop, if they don’t want your money there will be others that do.
It’s probably a massive generalisation but main dealers don’t care about the cars, to them it’s just a bit of metal with a bonus attached, pure meat. I’ve seen them treat cars in a way you’d never as an owner.
I’d never buy a car without one.
I don’t get the whole “you can’t drive it” mentality. I had this from a dealer last year when I went looking for an F12. Took my money and spent it elsewhere.
At the end of the day it’s a shop, if they don’t want your money there will be others that do.
It’s probably a massive generalisation but main dealers don’t care about the cars, to them it’s just a bit of metal with a bonus attached, pure meat. I’ve seen them treat cars in a way you’d never as an owner.
Ferrari Exeter and HR Owen let me test drive, as did the independent Furlonger. I bought the Furlonger car as it had a better warranty.
Now I own a Ferrari I get lots of invitations from Ferrari to drive ones I can t afford .
If you are interested BCA have a low mileage Cali T at the moment, but obviously no test drive.
Now I own a Ferrari I get lots of invitations from Ferrari to drive ones I can t afford .
If you are interested BCA have a low mileage Cali T at the moment, but obviously no test drive.
Edited by blueg33 on Thursday 7th May 03:15
andyman_2006 said:
Must say I ve test driven a large number of cars over the years and if a dealer refused me a test drive on any car regardless of its cost/value I wouldn t buy it, I ve never ever bought a car unseen or without it be driven.
Same. Imagine buying a Stoffa jacket without first being allowed to try it.
SpyderMatt said:
Well I spoke to a very well known dealership and very nice sales guy.
Upshot - no test drives until car is paid for when I guess you can walk away but that s pretty pressurised let s face it.
Cars are fully prepped for sale and can t be used for test drives
walk away nowUpshot - no test drives until car is paid for when I guess you can walk away but that s pretty pressurised let s face it.
Cars are fully prepped for sale and can t be used for test drives
andrew said:
SpyderMatt said:
Well I spoke to a very well known dealership and very nice sales guy.
Upshot - no test drives until car is paid for when I guess you can walk away but that s pretty pressurised let s face it.
Cars are fully prepped for sale and can t be used for test drives
walk away nowUpshot - no test drives until car is paid for when I guess you can walk away but that s pretty pressurised let s face it.
Cars are fully prepped for sale and can t be used for test drives
andrew said:
SpyderMatt said:
Well I spoke to a very well known dealership and very nice sales guy.
Upshot - no test drives until car is paid for when I guess you can walk away but that s pretty pressurised let s face it.
Cars are fully prepped for sale and can t be used for test drives
walk away nowUpshot - no test drives until car is paid for when I guess you can walk away but that s pretty pressurised let s face it.
Cars are fully prepped for sale and can t be used for test drives
Not likely to sell easily, but...
SpyderMatt said:
Well I spoke to a very well known dealership and very nice sales guy.
Upshot - no test drives until car is paid for when I guess you can walk away but that s pretty pressurised let s face it.
Cars are fully prepped for sale and can t be used for test drives
Jesus… shocking business practices.Upshot - no test drives until car is paid for when I guess you can walk away but that s pretty pressurised let s face it.
Cars are fully prepped for sale and can t be used for test drives
Time to walk away, a Cali T is not an ultra rare uber valuable car (sorry not being disrespectful) but it’s not a F50 or 288 GTO worth millions, although even it it were I’d still expect to drive the damn thing!
I wouldn’t entertain that attitude and find another car to go look at.
They will only learn if folk don’t entertain this sort of practice.
andyman_2006 said:
SpyderMatt said:
Well I spoke to a very well known dealership and very nice sales guy.
Upshot - no test drives until car is paid for when I guess you can walk away but that s pretty pressurised let s face it.
Cars are fully prepped for sale and can t be used for test drives
Jesus shocking business practices.Upshot - no test drives until car is paid for when I guess you can walk away but that s pretty pressurised let s face it.
Cars are fully prepped for sale and can t be used for test drives
Time to walk away, a Cali T is not an ultra rare uber valuable car (sorry not being disrespectful) but it s not a F50 or 288 GTO worth millions, although even it it were I d still expect to drive the damn thing!
I wouldn t entertain that attitude and find another car to go look at.
They will only learn if folk don t entertain this sort of practice.
No, a Cali T isn't an ultra rare/uber valuable car, by the same token, it's not a £15K Mondeo - You're still talking about £70K + cars that the dealers don't want being used as free Ferrari experience cars by time wasters week in/week out.
Think of it this way: If you ran a Ferrari dealership (Authorised or independent), would you happily be giving road tests to everyone who asked for one? - Or would you only want to give test drives to genuine buyers?
If it's only the genuine buyers - Ho are you going to work out if they're genuine buyers?
4rephill said:
andyman_2006 said:
SpyderMatt said:
Well I spoke to a very well known dealership and very nice sales guy.
Upshot - no test drives until car is paid for when I guess you can walk away but that s pretty pressurised let s face it.
Cars are fully prepped for sale and can t be used for test drives
Jesus shocking business practices.Upshot - no test drives until car is paid for when I guess you can walk away but that s pretty pressurised let s face it.
Cars are fully prepped for sale and can t be used for test drives
Time to walk away, a Cali T is not an ultra rare uber valuable car (sorry not being disrespectful) but it s not a F50 or 288 GTO worth millions, although even it it were I d still expect to drive the damn thing!
I wouldn t entertain that attitude and find another car to go look at.
They will only learn if folk don t entertain this sort of practice.
No, a Cali T isn't an ultra rare/uber valuable car, by the same token, it's not a £15K Mondeo - You're still talking about £70K + cars that the dealers don't want being used as free Ferrari experience cars by time wasters week in/week out.
Think of it this way: If you ran a Ferrari dealership (Authorised or independent), would you happily be giving road tests to everyone who asked for one? - Or would you only want to give test drives to genuine buyers?
If it's only the genuine buyers - Ho are you going to work out if they're genuine buyers?
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