haggling with a used car dealer

fivetide

property.advert wrote: »

Must be some spineless car buyers out there who think they are somehow obliged to buy a car because they had the temerity to request a test drive.

If the numbers are ballpark and within haggling distance, then a test drive lets you know whether you like the driving position, feel of the engine, placement of the pedals etc.

However, if met with a "that's the price so like it or lump it", I'd probably let him lump it whether I wanted the car or not.

Agreed. I've test driven cars and hated the driving position. I'm tall so comfort can be tricky.

If I was sent to one of the glass emporiums down the road, chances are I'd hit them with the price for comparison and do a deal on a car they'd let me drive.

also, apart from testing the brakes before we pull on the main road, I can categorically say I've never kangarooed a test drive or even stalled a car so no need to manfully shrug off any apologies here.

I know the car should (from a dealer) be spot on. I'm driving it to see if I actually like the thing.

There seems to be a few of us here but going on the anecdotes/experience form the dealers here it looks like we are in a minority. That said, this is MSE so what do you expect?

5t.

oneandonlyboy

Hi Flea,

I must of picked a good couple of dealers in the past. One was a main Audi dealer(Southampton)who allowed me the car for an afternoon the other was a smaller independent dealer who i asked if he wanted my current car keys/house keys and stated that in 21 years only one car had came back damaged.

funkycoldribena

I'd never buy a car without a test drive or a good haggle.This thread however has reassured me that I wont be buying a car from sb or colino because I now know they're part of the no test drive,no haggle group.

[Deleted User]

colino wrote: »

As you will probably have only a tiny amount of experience of driving other cars, you will do this.

Speak for yourself.

I've driven hundreds of different vehicles, on some occasions, several in one day.

[Deleted User]

funkycoldribena wrote: »

I'd never buy a car without a test drive or a good haggle.

Me neither.

I've only once bought a car, from a dealer, at the screen price, and that was a battered old Mini (which turned out to be mechanically brilliant) for less than £100, when I was desperate for wheels after an accident.

All other dealer purchases (even the really cheap ones) have had at least a few quid knocked off.

sgun

I think we have gone a bit off topic here but it just goes to show that haggling is a rather complex psychological game. If you have bought and sold alot of cars you get to read the signs, just like the dealers who are trying to get you to buy. Thats when it gets really fun.

Also you could show some breast, accidently of course. It gets them every time although they try to hide it well. Not if you are a man though, I expect that would get you thrown out.

[Deleted User]

sgun wrote: »

Not if you are a man though, I expect that would get you thrown out.

OTOH. if you are a man, and the dealer is woman, you could stuff a rolled up sock down your trousers.

s_b

funkycoldribena wrote: »

I'd never buy a car without a test drive or a good haggle.This thread however has reassured me that I wont be buying a car from sb or colino because I now know they're part of the no test drive,no haggle group.

quite correct
we wouldnt sell you a car
lifes too short to deal with the likes of you im afraid

no offence:) but theres another dealer up the road please bug him instead:)

funkycoldribena

s_b wrote: »

quite correct
we wouldnt sell you a car
lifes too short to deal with the likes of you im afraid

no offence:) but theres another dealer up the road please bug him instead:)

Dont worry,all your bunting would have put me off anyway.:D;)

iltisman

Ebay your car and turn up with a tesco bag with £8.5 K.