Extended Test Drives
- Thread starter fastwunz
- Start date
Caporegime
Ring the dealer and tell them your intentions. Never had a problem in the past, so long as you appear to be serious about purchasing.
I usually explain about wanting to judge if a certain car will work with our lifestyle (i.e. I can get everything into it for our usual routines, etc).
Something you simply can't work out with a single 30-60 minute test drive.
I usually explain about wanting to judge if a certain car will work with our lifestyle (i.e. I can get everything into it for our usual routines, etc).
Something you simply can't work out with a single 30-60 minute test drive.
This.
I got a Discovery 4 (after they were called Discovery 4, but before Discovery 5) just for the asking. I went through all the usual stuff, looking round it, going through the numbers etc... Then said as it's obviously a big outlay, I would like to make sure it works for us. As it happened, I had a friends BBQ to go to at the weekend about 150 mile round trip, family in tow, overnight, so would be the perfect opportunity to assess how well it would work for us. As we regularly do this sort of thing, or fire off camping for the weekend or whatever. The sales guy spoke to his manager, and they gave us one of their business managers or whoevers car for the weekend. Sure, it wasn't exact spec or anything, but it was enough.
To be fair, that's really the only time I've had an extended test drive though. But it was surprisingly easy to arrange.
Soldato
Didn't think this would possible due to the amount of potential time wasters who just want a nice car to enjoy for a weekend! I'm impressed people have been allowed weekend test drives, I'll have to remember this!
I've always found test drives an unfair assessment of a car, usually just a quick blast round the block with a salesman with you, it always feels pressured.
I've always found test drives an unfair assessment of a car, usually just a quick blast round the block with a salesman with you, it always feels pressured.
Soldato
I was fortunate with the Subaru. I got a 30min test drive around the area, then one for a full day, then a track day at Mallory Park in one.
However they've told me that no one else has before or since been granted an STi for the full day..
However they've told me that no one else has before or since been granted an STi for the full day..
Soldato
Before I bought my M135i I was given an M235i for 4 days (collect Friday morning, return Monday evening) so that I could see what the real-world fuel economy was like. This was important for me as I do nearly 30,000 miles / year!
Sales people quickly develop a feeling for whether you're serious or not.
When the M135i was in for a service I was given an M4 for the day. They just asked me not to exceed 150 miles that day, and that was the only stipulation.
Sales people quickly develop a feeling for whether you're serious or not.
When the M135i was in for a service I was given an M4 for the day. They just asked me not to exceed 150 miles that day, and that was the only stipulation.
Associate
Had a weekend loan of a new Jag XF when I was interested in buying mine. Didn't seem to be too much a problem for them, I guess they could tell I was serious. Originally wanted an XE, and when I said I was worried about the space they asked if I wanted to take a new XF for the weekend and maybe go for that instead.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
Did you order one?
Probably not - which is why extended test drives are really very difficult to get. They are generally only offered on new cars and only if the salesman believes there is a high prospect you'll order a car. Most people don't ask for or need an extended test drive before buying a car, especially with higher end kit where many will buy without test driving at all.
The test pilot:buyer ratio on extended test drives must be through the roof.
In all fairness, I didn't order one, but I was very close to ordering one. There was a reasonable probability of me putting an order in, which is why I got the extended test drive. As I was seriously considering one, with owning a Range Rover already, and simply needing to test the mpg on a normal driving schedule, coupled with it's ability to swallow all the kids rubbish.
Of course I'm sure it helped that I was driving a £50k rrp motor when looking for an extended test drive of a £55k motor. I'm quite sure if I had been driving a '92 plate Escort my chances would have been slimmer by some margin.
Man of Honour
I dunno, a 92 plate escort might show you're a car enthusiast looking to add to their collection 
Caporegime
I've had a few "extended" test drives without asking as such, an e39 M5 for an afternoon, an f10 520d for a day and was offered an XF for a weekend but didn't take him up on the offer as I wasn't even enquiring about an XF at the time (it was an e38, surprise surprise!) albeit a few years back when my local Jag dealer had a very tidy 750i on their forecourt...
Ultimately, your about to drop thousands, potentially tens of on a new car, whilst I get Fox's point re the ratio being miles out, it frankly surprises me that people don't insist on an extended test drive on something that's going to cost a lot and they'll be using potentially for years...
Instead, 10minutes around the block seems acceptable to the trade for somebody to get an idea if a car suits or not.
Ultimately, your about to drop thousands, potentially tens of on a new car, whilst I get Fox's point re the ratio being miles out, it frankly surprises me that people don't insist on an extended test drive on something that's going to cost a lot and they'll be using potentially for years...
Instead, 10minutes around the block seems acceptable to the trade for somebody to get an idea if a car suits or not.
No. I had a Range Rover at the time (albeit an ancient P38), but it was my £50k 530d I had at the time (rrp), that I was looking to change for the Disco as the 5 series was getting too small for my needs.
In the end, I bought the Alhambra to use as a third car, just to see if I really did need the extra space as the 5 series was a great car. But then ended up swapping the 530d for my more fun Edition 30 as the Alhambra fulfilled the daily duties better, for me, and the 530d wasn't getting used enough to keep it (~5-8k pa). Of course, now the Edition 30 gets much more use than the 5 series was getting (10-12k), but I still do about 15k in the Alhambra per year.
So just so everybody is clear;
* You considered a brand new £55k Discovery and purchased a 10 year old Alhambra
* You considered an Aston Martin and purchased a 10 year old Golf
What are you considering next?
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Caporegime
Another dose of WTF.
Whatever. Old news.
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With the exception of more exclusive cars, you should just walk in/ring up and ask for one. The majority of dealers will be happy to facilitate it, that's what they are there for after all (secondary to signing people up to awful finance deals ).
Pretty much every senior sales guy at a main dealer will be driving some sort of higher-spec demonstrator car, they are there to be given out to potential buyers for extended test drives.
).Pretty much every senior sales guy at a main dealer will be driving some sort of higher-spec demonstrator car, they are there to be given out to potential buyers for extended test drives.