A Reasonable Length for a Test Drive?

GordonR on 24/05/2019 - 16:02

So almost any "new car buyer's advice" starts off with the recommendation to take a long leisurely test drive, making sure you cover a variety of different road types (freeway, congested road, narrow lane) and gradients (uphill, downhill, flat) ensuring that you encounter both free driving and congestion. They follow up by saying that anyone who will be using the car (kids, grandparents etc) should make sure it is easy to get in and get out and that there is enough rear legroom.

But, I usually get 15 minutes in the quiet flat neighbourhood around the dealership with a salesman talking non-stop.

What is it reasonable to ask for?

(I have heard that luxury car makers like BMW will offer 24-hour test drives to their most likely prospects, but I'm more in the RAV4/Tucson/CX5/Sportage bracket)

Automotive

Comments

  • thebadmachine on 24/05/2019 - 16:07
    +5

    Looking forward to the 2-year test drives, so you can get a feel of what it’s like to live with the vehicle.

  • Nugs on 24/05/2019 - 16:07
    +2

    if you short list the car after the 15 minute test, ask for a longer one?
    .

    • JimmyF on 24/05/2019 - 19:38

      Yep, done this many times…..Just keep going back and asking for test drives as you're still not sure yet. Never had one say no.

  • srsparky on 24/05/2019 - 16:14

    Indian Motorcycles give you a weekend test ride :)

  • cille745 on 24/05/2019 - 16:36

    I've always gone for half an hour. Typically if you go for a test drive in a used one they're less likely to accompany you

  • npc on 24/05/2019 - 16:41
    +5

    Consider renting a similar make/model for a day or two. It will give you a much better understanding of a car, without the annoyance of a salesperson. As a benefit, you'll see how this car holds up after some abuse (or maybe help you to decide to buy a used car). The downside is that you'll have to pay for that.

    • Euphemistic on 24/05/2019 - 17:37

      You might end up renting a car and get the wrong model though. Quite a few times I’ve rocked up and been told I’ve got an upgrade, or ‘equivalent’ model.

      • npc on 24/05/2019 - 17:40
        +2

        There is an "offline" old-style way of renting cars too:) You can always give them a call, ask what's available and rent a very specific vehicle if you are ready to pick it up asap.

  • spackbace on 24/05/2019 - 16:44

    When you have it narrowed down to 2 models, ask to have it overnight. Most will be willing to honour that request, but only when you're at the pointy end of your decision. If you're still months away, or looking at multiple cars, they won't just loan you a car.

    but I'm more in the RAV4/Tucson/CX5/Sportage bracket

    Oh hai ;)

    • Samsungnote10 on 24/05/2019 - 16:49

      Have never thought about asking for that, but I'm sure you'd still get a lot of tyre kickers especiallly if its a sports or performance car

      • spackbace on 24/05/2019 - 16:54

        Have to be very selective of who it is and what car. I've never seen sporty cars offered overnight, and Landcruisers depend on the individual.

        Typically the trade gets left with us, and we loan them the car. So a) we have a loan car form to cover accidents/speeding fines, and b) we have some minor collateral (not that we have ownership over it). So far the worse I've encountered was speeding fines (touch wood).

        The idea is that the customer takes it home, puts it in the garage and takes ownership of the car. Also a good way of having the car away from the salesperson's chat etc.

  • elgrande on 24/05/2019 - 16:48

    A holden dealer once offered me to take it home over night and test that it fitted in the garage.

    • cypher67 on 24/05/2019 - 16:59
      +2

      And did it fitted?

      • Euphemistic on 24/05/2019 - 17:39

        Only happened once and overnight. I suspect it didn’t fit.

  • AdosHouse on 24/05/2019 - 16:52

    When I test drove both a Hyundai and a Kia, both dealerships took my licence details, handed me the keys and said see ya. Hyundai I took for a good 25 minutes (got stuck in traffic for a bit) and they didn't even bat an eye.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/05/2019 - 16:58

    I take it for a very aggressive hour long drive. I only test cars as a confirmation process, not elimination.

    Ie. This car suits all my criteria and I've done all my homework. I can pull the trigger today.

  • altomic on 24/05/2019 - 17:14

    7kms

  • l005e on 24/05/2019 - 17:43

    You can easily get a week test drive from Porsche

    • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2019 - 22:35

      I didn't know you could get a whole week . I've only ever been offered a weekend with a full tank. To be fair, I've never really asked for longer.

      • l005e on 26/05/2019 - 19:03

        Just ask for it. We got a cayenne hybrid with 400kms on it for a week. Amazing vehicle.

        • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2019 - 19:05

          Did you end up buying it?

          • l005e on 26/05/2019 - 19:06

            @[Deactivated]: Nope :D

            • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2019 - 19:11

              @l005e: What did you get instead?

              • l005e on 26/05/2019 - 19:12
                +1

                @[Deactivated]: 911 GTS :)

                • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2019 - 19:18

                  @l005e: Why would you even test drive an SUV, if you were in the market for a coupe? Do you even have kids?😕

                  • l005e on 26/05/2019 - 19:20
                    +1

                    @[Deactivated]: We were looking for numerous vehicles. Yes we have kids.

                    • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2019 - 19:23
                      +1

                      @l005e: I got the Macan S because of the kids. I like it a lot but it's not quite the 911 though. Do you get to drive it much?

  • Randxyz123 on 24/05/2019 - 18:25
    +1

    I’m sure many dealers will let you have one overnight.

    Do it on a weekday though eg Tuesday - Wednesday as they’ll want the car for weekend test drives.

  • dogboy on 24/05/2019 - 20:46

    CX5 best in that lot imo although I don't have any experience with the Sportage.

    • GordonR on 24/05/2019 - 21:40

      CX5 has many good points, but falls down on rear legroom and luggage space, which are priorities for us as kids keep growing bigger.

      Also wife doesn’t like the over-exaggerated aggressive nose-styling of the new (current) model…

      • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2019 - 22:36

        kids keep growing bigger.

        That's what kids do.

        Also wife doesn’t like the over-exaggerated aggressive nose-styling

        How about a lexus?

        /Jk

  • thebadmachine on 25/05/2019 - 00:51
    +3

    “I live my life a quarter mile at a time.” -Vin Diesel 2001

    • wordplay on 25/05/2019 - 21:43

      RIP paul walker

  • HeWhoKnows on 25/05/2019 - 11:11

    Its reasonable to tell the salesman to SHUT UP and drive as far as you like!

    This is one of the major purchases in your life so take your time and get to know the car

    • wordplay on 25/05/2019 - 21:44

      and then get a good deal on price after telling the salesman to shut it.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2019 - 22:28
    +1

    My wife and I both bought a new car in the same month. She spent weeks researching the kind of car she wanted: reading reviews and making lists of pros and cons for each one. She then called several local dealerships to negotiate the best price she could get.By the time she went in for a test-drive ,she already knew which car she was getting and from where. A 15 minutes test-drive was all she needed. She is really happy with her purchase.

    I, on the other hand, was given the keys to a car that I didn't really need nor want. I came back 24hrs later to return the keys but instead handed over all my money.

    Morale of the story : I'm the wrong person to ask for car advice ( or any sort of financial or bargaining advice, really). I'm just here for the lolz.

  • Waltervp on 26/05/2019 - 00:20

    When I was young a second hand car salesman immediately offered me to take this 2yr old Toyota Celica for the entire weekend! Bring it back on monday hé said. Well …. after a weekend in the nicest car id ever been in I was sold. But of course I didn't have the $$$$, but as a sleek 2nd hand salesman that was sorted easily. Just before the end of the 3 months warranty I had a comprehensive end of warranty check ($200!) done by a state motoring authority …. came back with $10k with of possible comments/repairs (some even I thought were quite unreasonable to expect to get fixed)…. anyway, I went to the dealership and they said no problem with a smile, that's what it is all about, we wil fix. Took almost a week, but it was worth it! I asked how they make money. They told me they budget for it with all cars but almost noone ever comes back for the warranty if the car seems fine.

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