Would you buy a car without taking a test drive?
Even if they ultimately bought there, just about everyone has a story about pressure tactics and broken promises after shopping at a car dealership.
Shopping for a new car is painful. You have to be on your guard at at all times, it's tough to always know what’s true and what’s an exaggeration, and there’s always a significant amount of money at play.
It's all very intimidating. So much so that some potential buyers are skipping the test drive altogether. According to a survey from Maritz Research, roughly 11.4% of consumers who purchased 2012 models didn’t bother to take the vehicle out for a spin before closing the deal.
But, in the United States at least, help is at hand.
Seattle startup Tred aims to ease the angst of shopping by bringing cars to customers’ homes or offices, possibly saving them time and money -- and certainly putting a more mild-mannered spin on car buying.
If you’re in the market for a new car, but can't or don't want to visit a dealer, a salaried Tred employee will set you up with the vehicle of your choice for $19. They show up at your door and you get to take it for a test drive -- all without salespeople looking over your shoulder.
Tred employees pick up cars from participating dealers, and after you've kicked the tires they present the dealer’s supposed best price on the vehicle.
“People ask me if we’re helping dealers selling cars or consumers buying cars, and the answer is both,” Feek maintains. “We make buying a car easy for customers and our early experience is that consumers who use the service buy the car 40% of the time, a very good closing rate for dealers.”
Would you consider using such a service? What's your approach when it comes to buying cars?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: Get Serious | Jun 26, 2021 3:33:18 PM
If anyone is in the market to buy a new car, but don't want to visit a dealer... then maybe they're LAZY and shouldn't buy a car PERIOD. Take the bus !!! As for those you supposedly "can't" visit a dealer... WHAT ?!?... do they work 24/7 ? Are they physically or mentally handicapped ? Then maybe they don't need or shouldn't drive a car !! Would they do that when buying a house or renting an apartment ? Guess these people wouldn't want to try out their new couch or mattress either. IDIOTS !!! They need to get their azzes away from the computer and internet !!
Posted by: Dr. Jack Lindon | Jun 26, 2021 6:53:54 PM
I bought a 2004 Mustang SVT Cobra brand new without ever seeing it (except for a small picture) and of course never test drove it. I paid cash for it. When I received it, I was so happy. What a fantastic car. I still drive it and will never sell it. I enjoy it so much. I drive many other cars (and I mean MANY) when I am on business trips and cannot stand anything but my Mustang. I also drive a 1966 Mustang convertible, which I have had for 40 years.
Posted by: John | Jun 26, 2021 6:54:38 PM
@Get Serious.. you are an asshole!
Posted by: Ray | Jun 27, 2021 6:02:31 PM
When I was selected for a tour behind the Iron Curtain I bought a car from a dealer in Germany via mail. I had a VW Bug, then the 1600 VW Station Wagon and the one I bought directly without even looking at it was the 1700 VW Stationwagon, one of the best cars I ever had. Just bought a new truck two years ago, I was happy with the 03 F-150 and wanted to stick with the brand so I bought an '11 model. I looked at it and measured it up to make sure it would fitter under my carport but did not test drive it.
Posted by: Troy Jollimore | Jun 30, 2021 8:35:42 AM
To a lot of people, the test drive means nothing. My wife drove the cars I selected back in 2004, some of which were VASTLY different feeling and handling, and she indicated she couldn't tell any difference between them at all. Even the majority of BMW drivers (a car that stands out for it's balance and feel because of RWD) don't know or care if their car is RWD or FWD... So if all people are looking for is an appliance that takes them from A to B, why test drive? It's new, and comes with a warranty, so why would they care?