Been to see two X trails with my wife.Idea being for her to have a spin to see if it really is what she wants and petrol v diesel/and auto v manual.

Both garages we went to gave a load of garbage about seeing how the figures totted up first before going out for a test drive.One chap was even saying 'if I could get you

Excuse me! What is the flipping point of talking money over something you have not even driven!! Might look good but be absolutely rubbish!

Rules out timewasters without having to expend any fuel on them...you've got all the "weekend test pilots" to thank for this...

Rob.

In my experience (admittedly limited), I tend to ask lots of questions on the car so they can see I've done my home work, as well as giving them the opportunity to "sell" all the cars features. I then look suitably impressed and ask if it's possible for them to show me round the car, and then the next logical step is a test drive.

If they push me to talk figures, I'd probably just say that I had a few cars to see that day, and if I wasn't able to test drive their one, I'd move along to the next dealer. Oh, and don't accept any hot drinks or you'll be stuck there all day!

Chris

It'll be a technique they pick up on sales training - pre-qualifying their customers. They're not in business to offer joyrides, but to sell cars. Likewise, you're not in the business of buying a car without a test drive. So some compromise is necessary - either you submit to their pressure and have a chat about money in order to get your test drive, or you have to do what you already did, and look elsewhere.

...you've got all the "weekend test pilots" to thank for this...

Speaking of which, has anyone heard from Mr Gooch recently? :P

okay, so you can say whether or not you're interested in a figure they suggest, but when a colleague was after an s2000, they wouldn't let him in one until he'd signed on the line !!

okay, so you can say whether or not you're interested in a figure they suggest, but when a colleague was after an s2000, they wouldn't let him in one until he'd signed on the line !!

And did he sign? :eek:

Chris

Speaking of which, has anyone heard from Mr Gooch recently? :P

Probably wangled a test flight in the space shuttle

Been to a local Honda dealer. The sales guy was excellent...

us (me and big bro) - 'Looking at a Honda Civic Type R, can we take it for a spin'

him -' take a seat, just need to get a few details'

what follows is a progressively in depth conversation into the car, its predecessors and also quite in depth analysis of why 'horsey girls' are well worth the time and effort.

We came to the conclusion that any girl who doesnt mind getting muddy and has a car to prove it but also a good heritage is well worth a poke.

Next he took my driving license details, shows us to the car and his final words were:

'Take it easy for a few miles to get used to it, then drive it like you stole it'

No mentions of finance, just slipped me his business card and that was that.

If I were interested in a type r (which Im not, but thats a different story) Id give him my custom. Honest, and made me feel relaxed from 'Hi...'

Thats how it should be done. Cars pretty much sell themselves. Sales people too often push people away IMO.

okay, so you can say whether or not you're interested in a figure they suggest, but when a colleague was after an s2000, they wouldn't let him in one until he'd signed on the line !!

Id walk straight away.

A friend was looking at an R32 when they were new, looking at spending

Thats how it should be done. Cars pretty much sell themselves. Sales people too often push people away IMO.

Although you didn't buy the car (you had no intention of buying the car) and now that dealer has to make up the petrol/tyres/servicing/etc somewhere..... probably added onto the price of the next car sold?

Chris

The worst I had was when I was looking at buying a new bike.

They refused to do test drives and said that I'd have to buy it and when it's delivered I could ride it up and down the car park and if I didn't like it I could change the order for a different bike :eek:

Needless to say I went elsewhere and when I asked for a test drive they took my details , gave me the keys and said to bring it back when I'd had enough fun

Fun was had and a purchase made.

Although you didn't buy the car (you had no intention of buying the car) and now that dealer has to make up the petrol/tyres/servicing/etc somewhere..... probably added onto the price of the next car sold?

Chris

lighten up fella.

Honda will carry on selling cars, even if they dont close the deal after a few test drives... Its written into their profit/loss Im sure.

I did have the intention of buying the car, as Im looking (albeit long term) at replacing mine but not now Ive driven one.

He judged me (rightly) as a potential customer and did what I consider the right thing in the situation. He made me feel at home, and if i was to go their way I'd ask for him to do the deal.

Go early on a sunday morning, or sometime when they're bored!

I had a mooch round a SEAT dealer before I got the Fabia. I was looking at the Ibiza, but they didn't have any second hand of the TDI130, but the sales guy said fancy a spin in a demo model to have a go in one anyway? er...yes!

I took a test drive of a lot of cars, when i was looking then had my hand forced anyway.

When taking a friend to buy a car I booked her a test drive in every car of that class and within her price range that I could.

The VW dealer lot out on what was an easy sale not because of a lack of discount on a fox, which IMHO is overpriced, but because he wouldn't throw in a chip stick, or a set of front mats or anything.

At that point it was hello ford dealer over the road, for a much better deal.

If they push me to talk figures, I'd probably just say that I had a few cars to see that day, and if I wasn't able to test drive their one, I'd move along to the next dealer. Oh, and don't accept any hot drinks or you'll be stuck there all day!

Chris

That happend at a VW dealer couple of years ago, all they wanted to is take your personal details- so asked them had they a Polo to test drive - no we dont have one to test drive, so asked if I could book a test drive - no because we dont have one to test drive ( Even though there was plenty in the dealer's yard. Walked away.

and here are the other experiences :

Renault dealer - the test drive was booked online. Sunday Morning went to the desk- hello Ive booked a test drive via your website, Mr Salesman - Im going for a cig break (dealer had just opended up) 10 mins later - asked if they had my online booking - sorry dont know how to use the computer system - Walked away

Ford dealer:

Have you one (Fiesta) to test drive - No

I can i book a test drive: No

Skoda dealer

Booked online - next day - dealer phoned to ask what date and time I would a test drive, arranged one for the following week. Went down and the model I was interested in was there ready. Had a good 2 hours chat with the salesperson, who not only had a chat about the model plus also talked about the history of Skoda too.

See why I brought a Skoda

And did he sign? :eek:

Chris

not a chance - he bought an RX-8 instead.

I had a very poor experience with two SEAT dealers. One I went to with my Fabia to test drive a PD130 Ibiza FR. He was saying "you need to be extremely careful, it's really very quick" so I pointed out my Fabia, while looking quite standard, was probably quicker. He then gave me a lecture on how modding is bad practice and how I've got no idea what I'm doing, I'll break the gearbox etc. etc. :eek: Still got the FR to myself for half an hour though.

Another SEAT dealer, went to test drive an Ibiza Cupra TDi, which had all been arranged over the phone. Nobody to be seen in the dealership, finally found them in the rest room and I actually had to knock on the door to get their attention! They looked at each other as if to say "I can't be bothered, you do it". Eventually got someone to do the test drive, wouldn't let me drive for the first half, the car was still wrapped up in plastic and foam, the bumpstops hadn't been taken off the suspension or anything. When I got behind the wheel I had perhaps 10 mins before he directed me back to the showroom, despite my objections which he responded to with "I finish in 15 minutes". Very poor. :thumbdwn:

I test drove the Fabia vRS, then went and test drove the Polo GTI.

Guy from Skoda was pleasant, had a follow up call, I said I was still looking and that was it. Guy from Cardiff VW would not stop phoning me! He was quite aggressive, and was trying to pressure me into a sale.

I can't think of a time where I've ever been refused or pressured before a test drive. :confused:

You all must look even more like pikeys than I do

Was in the market for a new motor and after narrowing down my shortlist decided to test drive Civic Type R , Golf Gti & Octavia VRS.

Honda:

Nice friendly and accomodatiing just popped in to look at car & arrange a test drive. They had a demonstrator in and after some discussions about availablilty let me take the car out on my own for an hour to get a good idea of the car, only downside was that they insisted on looking at my car with a view to giving me a trade in value despite me saying I was going to sell the car private. Other than that wer pretty good.

VW:

Where do i start tried 2 local dealers both said they did not have a car for test drive and gave me the impression they were doing me a favour spending time talking to me :thumbdwn::thumbdwn:. I had actualy driven Gti previously but that was about 10 months ago but to be honest it made up my mind not buy it.

Skoda:

Took 2 test drives both arranged same day over the phone. One was accompanied in a VRS estate and one on my own in a Hatch. Dealers were very accomodating and knowledgeable and car was pretty good too. I know have a new VRS on order .

I wouldnt say that the dealer experiance was the only major factor in choosing my car, but it was an important one. After all if dealers cant be bothered to be interested when you have got 20K in your pocket to shell out on one of their cars, what will they be like if you have any warranty issues with it !!!

Never had a bad experiance with Skoda, one dealer insisted on an acompinied drive but my usual dealer generally justs throws keys Once got given a fiver to put some fuel in as well , BMW I had to book the test drive which was accompinied and they were'nt too happy when i deviated from their route and kept going for about 1 1/2 hours :lol:

a while back we were thining of getting a 1.6 Leon. We went to the local dealer to see about a test drive. They had to say no, because the only Leon demonstrator they had was a Diesel FR, and it was broken , but would we perhaps like them to get in touch when it was fixed, to arrange a drive anyway ?

I can't think of a time where I've ever been refused or pressured before a test drive. :confused:

You all must look even more like pikeys than I do

I agree

Seems to be a lot of hassle with VW dealers in particular... I dealt with three when buying my Passat and they were all more than accomodating - chucking the keys and saying keep it all day. And the one who didn't have the trim level I wanted offered to try and get one in for a test.

Handy hint. Take the wife and kids with you. Borrow some if you don't have any of your own. Salesmen don't like sitting in cars with screaming kids

I can't think of a time where I've ever been refused or pressured before a test drive. :confused:

You all must look even more like pikeys than I do

must run in the family bro ,tho are general appearance is probably not the thing they are looking at its attitude . My top tip is talk down to the dealer like they are lower class than you and make them think you are rich.No need to do this with skoda they even lent us a furby vrs to check how much quicker the chipped one was.