A thought occures (re test driving)

[GT69]

Im having a discussion with a friend (see the cruze thread to see how thats going) Anyway, she mentioned taking cars for test drives. And it made me wonder, what percentage of people have/do test drive cars before buying??

I've bought 4 cars in my reasonably short existence (age 25) including 2 brand new fords. I've never test driven a car, at all.

[Melz]

I've always test driven cars even for other people, not just cars I'm going to purchase. You want to know the basics of how the car handles, how it sounds, if it blows smoke, etc. etc. etc.

I think anyone that doesn't test drive is a fool

[Scott]

I test drive the model but not always the exact car. I'm happy to buy online and have done so for my last few.

[GT69]

2 of the cars I've bought weren't road worthy (XB coupe and 4 door cortina) the 2 door cortina i bought when i was 15 (so couldn't drive it) I was sold on the XP ute and the first time i drove it was on the way home. The BA i bought and the first time i drove a new car at all was when i was taking it home. The FG XR was the same, The first time i'd ever been in or driven a turbo falcon was taking it home from the dealership.

Obviously i buy with my heart, not my head.

[Powdered Toast Man]

I've test driven every car I've bought. I'm with Melz, anyone who doesn't test drive is asking for trouble IMO. Unless of course it is a brand new car that has to be pre-ordered, obviously you cant test drive in that case.

[Iggypoppin']

To give a good idea, when shopping for my BA I tested over 25 cars, as I was aware of BA issues and knew that just because paint can look nice, doesn't mean the engine, trans and diff will be the same. Understandably a brand new car is different but 2nd hand?? You're mad not to test. It's a given!

[rancidpunx]

Im also 25 and have bought 2 new fords. Test drove the ranger, but heart was set on a new XR6, didnt test drive it and ended up driving away a turbo.

[sneaky]

i've test driven everything and i think i've had them all (5 or 6 cars, i'm 27) checked by mechanics before buying, even when buying from family/friends.

[torbirdie]

You do have the right to take a new car that you have ordered for a test drive before accepting final delivery.

Personally I recommend anyone go and at least sit in a new car they want to purchase, get in and out of the car etc. Especially if you are 6ft+ or less than 5ft4 etc.

Cant remember, think it was the XF, couldnt get the seat back far enough , I felt I was too close to the windscreen, or other cars where the door openings are low and the seats are high and one has to duck head too much to get in and out.

[MITCHAY]

Didn't test drive my car before I bought. I went for a ride in the passenger seat and that was good enough for me.

[Lukeyson]

Test drove all but the GT i got new, but i had driven many other B series XR8 / GT's and knew thats what i wanted

[GT69]

So it looks like the large majority of people test drive before making up their minds.

Maybe its just me, buying classic's I've always had the thought process of 'I no its gunna be alittle iffy, but im prepared to spend time working on it'. And with new cars, Im a Ford Falcon man, I no their gunna be good (certainly a step up from an XP to a BA thats for sure) and when it came time to buy the XR T, well I was sold on the T before even getting a price, I just wanted one.

Infact, To be honest, with new cars I've never even been offered a test drive, perhaps because i walk into dealers and say, Falcon 'whatever' price, colour and trans options please, sign and done. Call me when its ready to be picked up.

[Gobes32]

Originally Posted by GT69

Infact, To be honest, with new cars I've never even been offered a test drive, perhaps because i walk into dealers and say, Falcon 'whatever' price, colour and trans options please, sign and done. Call me when its ready to be picked up.

You my friend, are the perfect customer...... The dealers must fight amongst themselves to get your business.

[Pinch]

Tried to test drive a new BA XR6 at a few dealers when I was out looking at the time (and did buy).

Most Ford sales people were too busy reading the papers it seems. Made sure I went on a weekday mid morning between work appointments (I know weekends at dealers are very busy) I was well dressed, polite, indictated I was ready to buy and there were demo's there - but the best I got was being referred to the Ford website.

Yeah, already been there and printed most of the stuff off mate...

Just had to wing it and go off driving an XT fleet hack at work and my mates AU XR to get the idea - even though BA changed much of the suspension.

Other than that, yes - always test drive.

[vztrt]

I test drive all the cars I'll buy.

They don't have to offer buy I will ask.

I only test drive if I'm going to buy the car to make sure my decision on the car is correct.

[Auslandau]

Bought cars of ebay without driving them. The BA, I just told the dealer what I wanted and he got it and I drove it for the first time home. When I was looking at G6E's I took a turbo for a drive because I could but still got the non turbo and didnt drive it until I picked it up. The AU ute I bought second hand and did the negotiations over the phone. I did drive a Ranger before I ordered one though as I hadn't been in one before ..... and thats the only reason I drove it around the block. Wheels turned and the indicator worked so I bought it.

When I bought the Landau, it wouldn't start, got a battery when I went to pick it up, got it going and (just) drove it home ..... that was an interesting drive!



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[Smoke Pursuit]

I always test drive 3 - 4... Last time i test drove FG GT, FG F6, G6E T, HSV R8 and ended up with the GT... Alot of it comes down to personal preference therefore test driving i think is an important factor...

The only car i never test drove was a BFII Super Pursuit before i bought mine, and that was a mistake as i didnt like the seats!

[Rodp]

I'm not handing over $50k+ until I'm able to take a spin behind the wheel and make a comparison with other cars I'm considering as a new car purchase.

[Fairlane]

Oh yeah ill test drive them. Some cars no matter how much you research, how good they look on paper, sometimes just dont suit. I tested brand a Fiesta and Mazda 2 immediately changed my mind and learned to love the 2.

With used cars despite there apparent condition and klms, some just dont feel like they should. Some cars Ive driven with 100,000 on them, feel better than cars with 40,000 on them. And others just feel like theyve been in an almighty crash.

[cosmo20btt]

I have found that when it comes to test driving new cars it is a little pointless as it maybe not the car you purchase as there are options that you might want to add & are not available until upon delivery. one case was test driving daughters mazda 2 (which was not even built at the time of test) so it was a demo that I tested and it had a bung clutch,(travel was to high and at point of slipping ). I made a point about it to the salesperson and they promised that it would be tested on arrival and the clutch tested. So it arrives & was pointed out that at delivery that it tested and it was fine, no problems. But I think used cars are a must.

[GTP owner]

I always test them. I was going to get the gte, but the seats sucked - i could not get comfy in them, so i passed on it. I also take them home and do what i would normally do with a car to find the niggles. The gtp did not impress me on a short drive, but after having one for the weekend I knew i had to have one.
The xr6t took 2 minutes to know i liked it, but an ss i brought home told me no way with the ergonomic things that annoyed me (like the huge a pillars).

The only one i did not test drive was my drag coupe!