Main dealer test drive

quokula

I've booked in a test drive of a new car at a Nissan dealership next week.

Have never done one of these - what can I expect? Will there be somebody in the car with me the entire time? Will there be a lot of sales pressure? I've no intention of buying, want to compare a few different models on my shortlist before I look at used ones.

Toyotafanboi

Salesmen have a good sense for people who have no interest in buying, it'll likely be a fairly cold experience unless you are a really convincing liar.

Stallingrad

I am sure they high horse brigade will be along shortly to tell you what a bad person you are.

Relax, sales people have seen it all. Yes, if it is a new car the saleperson will ride shotgun.

bazz26

From my experience of buying most of them will want to talk to you first and discuss figures over a coffee to gauge your interest before a test drive is offered. Some will hand you the keys while others will accompany you on the test drive depending on their policy though with a brand new car I'd say they will accompany you. I don't think there is any hard or fast rule but it's their job to pick up on those serious about looking to buy versus those not.

carsfan2

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Salesmen have a good sense for people who have no interest in buying, it'll likely be a fairly cold experience unless you are a really convincing liar.

F

Markcheese

It can depend on Wether you're coming to them looking for a test, or they're chasing you.. My mam was bringing her car in for a service, the sales man was mad keen for my mam to test drive a car..

mgbgt1978

Go on, tell us what Model you want to take for a spin.
......and then we can all tell you why you are completely wrong and should be looking at this particular Toyota, Ford, etc.




Please don't think I'm joking here. When one of us buys a new Car, we all buy a new Car :D:D.

Shefwedfan

Why are you booking in? I just walk in and ask to go for a test drive

Shefwedfan

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

Go on, tell us what Model you want to take for a spin.
......and then we can all tell you why you are completely wrong and should be looking at this particular Toyota, Ford, etc.




Please don't think I'm joking here. When one of us buys a new Car, we all buy a new Car :D:D.

Anyone try’s to buy anything but a Skoda must explain for at least 4-5 pages why they haven’t bought a Skoda of some sort

If you get past that initial test you then have to pass the “buy it in UK” test which will go on for another 3-4 pages

If at the end of that you have the will to love you can buy a new car

This is the boards way

DaveyDave

To be fair, no intention of buying and window shopping are two different things. You're going in with the idea of buying a car so it's fair to sit down, have a chat and go for a good test drive.

It's ok to shop around for different models. If you don't drive them how else will you know which one you like?

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Why are you booking in? I just walk in and ask to go for a test drive

Depending on what dealer it is they could be all busy or the car may not be available. Booking in advance saves them potentially walking in and waiting ages while someone becomes free, saves the hassle really.

Shefwedfan

DaveyDave wrote: »

To be fair, no intention of buying and window shopping are two different things. You're going in with the idea of buying a car so it's fair to sit down, have a chat and go for a good test drive.

Although driving a new one to buy an old one is a bit strange, sometimes a used one in that model/engine/spec isn't always available.

You could drive it, then say the pricing of used ones is more appealing. You're allowed change their mind.



Depending on what dealer it is they could be all busy or the car may not be available. Booking in advance saves them potentially walking in and waiting ages while someone becomes free, saves the hassle really.

It’s a Nissan dealer.....they would want to be a fairly s**t dealer not to have a demo ready for walk in customers

GavMan

Shefwedfan wrote: »

It’s a Nissan dealer.....they would want to be a fairly s**t dealer not to have a demo ready for walk in customers

You'd be surprised. I arranged a test of a Megane Auto as I wanted to try the gearbox specifically never having owned an Renault Auto. Turned up, no Auto there. Had to scratch around for any demo available. Ended up driving the finance person's car. This was Naas. Ended up buying in Belgard who fished out an auto hatchback that they had on the upstairs showroom floor.

Shefwedfan

GavMan wrote: »

You'd be surprised. I arranged a test of a Megane Auto as I wanted to try the gearbox specifically never having owned an Renault Auto. Turned up, no Auto there. Had to scratch around for any demo available. Ended up driving the finance person's car. This was Naas. Ended up buying in Belgard who fished out an auto hatchback that they had on the upstairs showroom floor.

Renault is not a big brand, look in the Dublin area and within the M50 you have a number of large Nissan dealers with an array of cars....if you want a specific car and want to drive the exact one then of course you would ring and ask do they have one available....


But making an appointment, especially when the OP says they have no intention of buyer.....just sounds like a time waster to me.....

DaveyDave

GavMan wrote: »

You'd be surprised. I arranged a test of a Megane Auto as I wanted to try the gearbox specifically never having owned an Renault Auto. Turned up, no Auto there. Had to scratch around for any demo available. Ended up driving the finance person's car. This was Naas. Ended up buying in Belgard who fished out an auto hatchback that they had on the upstairs showroom floor.

It's surprisingly difficult to find automatics for a test drive. Dealers don't have them, best option is to find an independent dealer that might have a used one but that isn't helpful if you're looking at new models or newer engines.

Nissan would be in a good position to have them though considering they only sell 3 models.

Apologies to OP for the off topic automatic discussion.

vectra

Every time I change my car I do it in the same manner.
Go to the dealer,
Tell them I am changing my car in a few months and this model is one on my list of possibilities.
I ask for a test drive before wasting anyone's time going through figures if I decided against it.
Never had a problem and 99% of the time I drive them on my own, it would be very rare a sales person would accompany me.

road_high

When I’ve gone into test drive it was always because of a new company car and wanting to compare models. I’d be frank with them from the start- if nothing else the dealer would and did get the servicing of the car if I found them friendly and helpful which probably worked more profitable for them anyhow

road_high

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Renault is not a big brand, look in the Dublin area and within the M50 you have a number of large Nissan dealers with an array of cars....if you want a specific car and want to drive the exact one then of course you would ring and ask do they have one available....


But making an appointment, especially when the OP says they have no intention of buyer.....just sounds like a time waster to me.....

Yea only number 7 in the sale charts- a bit player so they are!

road_high

quokula wrote: »

I've booked in a test drive of a new car at a Nissan dealership next week.

Have never done one of these - what can I expect? Will there be somebody in the car with me the entire time? Will there be a lot of sales pressure? I've no intention of buying, want to compare a few different models on my shortlist before I look at used ones.

You never know. If they are very keen to do a good deal they may sway you towards a new one