Test Driving a dealership car?

I don't know where the guy above me sells cars, but many places do allow you to take an 'extended test drive'. Typically this is only done if they are really trying to seal the deal, and not something you're going to be offered right away. Some places allow for a few hours (as you really should drive the vehicle on the highway to determine it's engine performance). I know people who've had the car overnight and even over the weekend. So it is done

Obviously you would need to be a legal driver with a license (that they would likely keep a copy of), so if your wife wants to drive it as well she would need to go with you to the dealership, They'd be less worried if your vehicle sat on their lot while you took out theirs.

I agree with you 100%; this is a huge chuck of money we are paying, and if we are seriously contemplating this vehicle then we should be able to investigate all of it's pros and cons (especially for the used ones). When I'm to the point that I've entered negotiations I will be asking the dealership for this extended drive (I want to take it onto the highway and feel how she merges, brakes at higher speeds, etc, and I also just want to run it on my daily route...turn into my parking space etc and feel how she compares). Any dealership that won't allow me to spend time with my next vehicle prior to purchasing it won't get my business.

At a quick stop to a dealership last week, as I was climbing in for just a quick "around the block" kind of test drive the sales guy offered to let me keep it overnight if I was interested. And I wasn't really, just wanted to get a feel for the thing. So if they know you're serious...they will let you take the car. Couple of warnings though: do not feel obligated to leave a deposit and do not let them run your credit. For insurance or liability reasons, they may want a copy of your lisence. Do them a favor and copy it now, then write across the top "credit check NOT permitted". Then when they ask for your lisence you can give them that. Some places run your credit while you're out driving and if you don't actually purchase said vehicle, then it actually hurts your credit score. In many places this is illegal, but some places do it anyway. If they insist on some form of financial guarentee, write up a contract before taking the car out that you will leave them your credit card (since the charges can be disputed later) for the DRIVE, not a deposit for the purchase. Obviously if you were to bring the car back in dented or altered in some way, you or your insurance could be held liable.

If you've found a vehicle your ready to spend money on, tell the dealership this will be part of the deal. If they are not willing to let you take the vehicle, then walk away and find a dealership that will let you research this major financial decision properly.

Sorry, but no dealer will allow you to take a new car out for a few hours on your own, or with a salesperson. The sales manager will never let a salesman off the lot for that long a time. They are paid to be "on the floor". Not out on an extended test drive.

And they won't let you take it out for a few hours and run up miles on it. The car is brand new. Would you buy a new car that already had 50 or more miles on it? Most people won't. And it hasn't been registered. You could get pulled over for driving a car without any registration and the car will be impounded. The dealer could be heavily fined for allowing the car to be on public roads without a sales rep in it.

As you can see, state laws and dealers' employee rules won't allow for anything more than the standard test drive. You're only hope of driving this car for a while on your own is renting it, if any car rental agency has one.

Beanie is WRONG! NO dealership will allow you to take a car out for hours on your own. They may LOAN it to you but before they do, they have to confirm that you have current full coverage insurance, a valid driver's license and they NEED TO RUN YOUR CREDIT.

Before any dealer will loan a new car out they want to be sure that you can afford the car, can qualify for the loan and that you are a serious buyer. New cars average $30,000. There is a tremendous liability in loaning out a car. Put it this way ... would you loan out YOUR new car to a stranger without doing a proper and thorough background check? Of course not.

It's truly amazing how people who have never worked in auto sales think they know everything about it. After 35 years as a sales manager in many different states, I think I have enough wisedom in how a dealership is run to give you real answers.

If you are 18 and are the one personally buying car then dealer should let you take for an hour or so. If not then person responsible for buying car if has full comp insurance and valid dr. liscence then they could drive. some dealers require other things.Some will let you take over night if you are truly going to buy if car is everthing you require. De-horsing is up to management as who and if they can take car. It is a judgement call on part of dealer.

I know some places are pretty flexible with test drives. They understand that you need to get a good feel for the car. Try calling the dealership to see if it's possible. Each place may vary though.

highly doubtful. unless ur son is 21 and is insured. but either way thats still a long time in the dealers eyes for a $35k car

You are asking the wrong people. Ask the dealer. He can only say no. Then try insisting.

It's all up to the dealership and the insurance they have.