Car Seller Protocol..Go Easy on Test Drive or Wide Open Throttle?
 

Hey guys - Say you are selling a powerful car privately...potential buyer is an older gent (around 60)..he knows the car is quick and has trick suspension, he prefers that you drive the car, as you built it and are familiar with the power, brakes, suspension etc.

So on the test drive do you drive normally to show that the car can be driven like a "normal car" in rush hour or traffic without overheating and all the ammenities work (with a occasional wide open throttle burst) -or- do you drive it like Aryton Senna dualling with Nigel Mansell in the last lap?

Yasin

well don't give him a heart attack. wouldn't divebomb a street corner but might do some twisties or a parking lot

I would drive in a manner that displays all of the cars characteristics without making you look like an idiot that beats the snot out of his cars.

I just say 'tell me if I should slow down'. Some do, some don't.

I always ask...and try and stay legal.

I sold a LR Defender 90 in 2000. A very nice, young guy flew in from San Fransisco with his girl friend to buy it. We took a nice test drive, me explaining the quirks of the thing. Since I have a farm in a rural area, I headed off road to show him some of the 90's off road characteristics since it didn't have a locking rear diff, etc.

He freaks: "Where are we going!?!"

I'm thinking, relax sport fan...

"I want to show you how it handles off-road..."

"Don't worry about that...I'll never do take this car off road!

Turns out he had never been off a paved road...

So ask. I gave him a whole bunch of spares, showed him how to check the oil, etc. He called four days later...they had a great trip driving the 90 across the country.

Many many years ago when I was buying an early 911, the seller thought it necessary to do about 100mph on public roads near a residential neighborhood. That left a positive impression of the car, and also left the impression that the guy was an idiot douchebag...I bought the car anyway though.

I would suggest prudent judgement - give a quick demo of the car's capabilities without instilling fear of impending death.

It may be the last time you drive the car. Do you want to remember it like you're chauffering around Miss Daisy in the backseat? Something I remember from Skip Barber: a squealing tire is a happy tire.

Yes, drive it mostly normally, with the occasional full throttle at low speeds just to show the capabilities. As stated earlier, don't want to scare the guy to death. When you do the full throttle, make sure it's away from other folks an stuff.

Ask him.

Depends on which one of the 'fleet' your selling,.......and the passenger......:>)

#3, #8 and #9

Karl
88 Targa

I did take a guy on a four gears to red line run in a '77 Targa I was selling and then stabbed the brakes while letting go of the wheel. Yes, it was a strong runner and the brakes were perfectly balanced. He seemed somewhat nervous, but it was all over in seconds.

Then I pulled over and stepped out so he could take a turn at driving. The guy could barely work the clutch and shifter. A complete non driver. I could have taken him grocery shopping and he would have bought the car. No need to hit triples with this fellow.

You just never know. He who said ask is wise. Don't let the prospect take a fast lap though. He may miss a shift and cost you big time. So, if he/she wants to see the car at its limit, it's up to you and only you.

For liability reasons, I'd keep it within modest bursts. Your prospect would sue your ass off if you crashed.

When I bought the Carrera, I got a ride back to the seller's office in traffic. That was it. I handed over the bank check I brought and he gave me the keys. I walked out alone to drive off. That seller was totally done with the car.

I actually had a hard time for the first couple of miles. I'd never driven a G50 with hydraulic linkage. It's different. So, you might take some time with you buyer and show him a bit if he seems to be and stays interested.

Otherwise, let the car and buyer go.

How typical is it to let a prospective buyer drive your car (the 911)? Do most of you guys hand 'em the keys - with you riding along of course? I'm concerned about them crunching gears, etc.

I think the car is best shown by the owner driving because he will be smoother. I have never ridden with anyone in a car unfamiliar to them that was driven well. That in itself can make the deal a little awkward. You want to keep the confidence going to where the dollar amount and method of payment is being discussed before letting someone in the driver's seat.

Otherwise, you may be just dealing with a joyrider or tire kicker.

At the point someone else is going to drive your car, you should see and scan their driver's license. At that point, you might as well let them take the car on their own.

Well guys thanks for the feedback and chiming in! The guy who bought my car (retired engineer from Boeing) had not driven a manual car in about 30 years, he was terrible to be honest and really was hard on the clutch and the transmission (very jerky, not smooth at all)..then as the car sat low he scraped the front spoiler really badly coming out of my driveway...

I cringed at the entire experience, we got around the block and then he realized I was uncomfortable and that he was being tough on the car and then handed me the keys and told me to show it off. I drove the car sensibly with a few 3rd gear wide open bursts and displayed the car's handling on a few on\off ramps.

Karl I sold pretty much all my "fleet", 4 cars in the past year. Making my life simpler and easier to manage...a good thing!
Yasin

When I sold my 944, I let the potential buyer drive first (me in the car), then I drove it second. I guess I did something right because he still bought it.