Anyone bought their car without test driving?

To me, the only real reasons to ask for test drive is:

1) you want to check it mechanically

2) you want to see if you can live with it's weaknesses

3) you want to know if you'll fit in it.

I'm small so I know I'll fit. I can imagine if you're over 6'3", you may want to see if you can fit in a Dino or a 308/328 and use the shifter, clutch, etc. Some may not want to put up with it.

And, some may not want to put up with poor AC on older models and other creature comforts we expect now adays.

Driving to see if you like the driving experience is not required. If you like Ferrari, you'll like the car. They drive like no other car I know of. Unless you like cushy-ness in your vehicle, you'll buy the car.

 

Same, I had never even sat in a Ferrari before I bought my 348, sight unseen (though I did get a PPI and plenty of photo's) and then waited 4 months waiting for it to be shipped in from O/S and then complied in a different city from where I live, before finally seeing it rolling off the back of a truck....the irony was the battery was dead so it was a little longer before I actually got my first drive....loved it then, love it now!!

 

Just did it again (456 GT), this time I will have to wait 7 months to get a drive!!

 

without a test drive.
993 RS (new)
MG K3
Bentley S3 Flying Spur.
Range Rover Vogue (new)

 

I test drove the F430 spider and 16M in the East coast only and bought the 16M from West coast thru a reputable dealer there, I did send a Ferrari mechanic who lives there to go inspect the car through a friend of mine. the car turns out great and I have been happily driving it for 6 weeks now

DL

 

I bought a 308 QV back in 2003 without seeing or driving the car. It had a salvage title too, The PO sent me lots of pictures and I discussed the car with some other FCA members who lived in the South where the car came from. I relied on the honesty of the seller and I was not wrong at all. I had the car shipped to PA and I found it to be a great car with no troubles during the 8 years I owned it. I recently sold it and bought a 348 which I did test drive and had a PPI done. I think I was lucky but figured that other FCA members would be straight up about the 308.
Mike in PA

 

Before I bought my 308 GTB I had driven a 348, a 328, a 308 GT4 Dino and two 308 GTBs (one for a PPI). This helped in going for the right (for me) type.

One other thing: just a test sit in a showroom doesn't tell everything about how comfortable you'll be behind the wheel. A test drive will show that you'll sit and move quite differently during driving compared to when standing still. I made that mistake with my daily driver.

 

I did test drive the car I bought, but only after the seller insisted on it. I was good to go with the sale prior to the test drive. That said, I would definitely recommend a test drive for anyone contemplating a F1 transmission purchase. I drove one of those that a friend had, and besides giving the owner great heartburn, I did not really enjoy the F1 compared to a traditional stick shift. I was smiling the whole time, and laughing about half the time during that drive!

BT

 

I have never driven any of my 5 owned Ferrari's prior to purchase through the years and never have been disappointed. They consisted of 246,308,Boxer BBi, Testa. and finally current 360 F1 Modena.
Docf

 

There was only one (2004 575M) that I did not test drive, out of the 5 Ferraris that I have owned.

 

I purchased my 1999 F355 Berlinetta 6-Speed without a test drive just on April 7 2011, and without a PPI. I flew to Chicago to pick it up, and I drove it home to Detroit the LONG WAY, stopping and visiting friends in Illinois, Indiana, and the west side of the state of Michigan...I made a 4-day weekend out of it. I'd put 740 miles on it by the time I pulled into the garage. 6000 miles later, and I love it more with each passing day.

 

Never test drove any car I've ever owned including past and current Ferrari's.... 328GTS, 86TR, 599GTB, 430 Scuderia, 599 GTO.

 

I have bought a car before it was even built (ordered from factory), but I sat in a similar model with the same interior dimensions, seats, etc. beforehand.

 

I looked for a 360 for about 2.5 years (which seems to be my magic number to find a car) and test drove around 2 dozen. Ironically, the one I bought I did not see in person before I bought it. Same for my 348. I did do a PPI on both cars and on only considered car with a fully traceable service history. Turned out the 360 I bought was far superior (in terms of how clean it was, ware and tare, how cared for etc) than the 2 dozen I had driven.

 

I went to look at a low miles 360 CS with F1 shift at the dealer, and was unpleasantly surprised at the seat's overly narrow shape. It hurt to sit in it, which I find with many of the rigid Recaro-type seats. I'm 5' 10", and I couldn't see very well out over the front either.
They had a 360 Spider stick shift (daytona seats) as well, and when I sat in it, perfection! With the added bonus of roofless cruising, and there's nothing like the involvement of a stick shift to really insert you into the driving experience.
My dreams of a quick-shifting track car were quickly tempered with the reality that I have a difficult parking spot to enter and exit (lots of gentle clutch work required), and all I'd likely do was use it as a nice weather cruiser anyway.

So in retrospect, at least sit in one first!

 

I boght lots of cars, from dealers it must be said, without a drive, even one where they had just put it in the showroom and I agreed the sale with a cursory look over it (an ex Jodie Kidd Maserati), never had a problem, but it can be scary

 

I've never bought a car without a test drive. If you're a serious buyer, they'll let you do a test drive.

For the one I ordered, I did do a test drive in the same model.

 

i had to come down with the certified check ready to purchase and only then i was allowed to drive it. Worked out fine for me for a Ferrari I was willing to do just about anything. and I understand why a seller wouldn't want someone just coming to drive the car. I'd do the same thing. I'd say come with cash or a certified check and then you can drive it. Too many people who probably want to joy ride.

 

I had never even been a passenger in any Ferrari when I bought my F430 sight unseen. Do you think I was a little excited when it showed up?!

Then I bought my 16M sight unseen. Had never been in a scud before.

No regrets whatsoever. (I did buy both cars from Ferrari Dealers)

 

I did, fresh of eBay.

Kai

 

I bought my first one, my 348 Spider off of the internet sight unseen and it was a HUGE mistake. Wound up suing the dealer and won $12,000. This was my first Ferrari and I knew nothing back then in 2005. Oh how I wish I had found Ferrari Chat before then.

I bought my 360 Spider from a private owner sight unseen and no PPI, BUT, I did call Ferrari of Orange county and they gave me RAVING reviews on the history and all maintenance records. That car had ZERO problems and looked like it was right off the showroom

I bought my F430 from Scottsdale AZ Ferrari sight unseen, but was able to see very high def pictures and got all service records. The car arrived and looked like it had just rolled off of the Maranello docks.

I have been lucky two out of three times. My next one i'll PROBABLY go look at so that I dont run out of luck on car hunting

 

I did not drive mine until after it was delivered. Not regretting that though

 

We bought a classic Fiat sight unseen...had to completely rebuild it...You bet I drove the Ferrari first. Even then I blew it. I was only concerned with suspension, steering, brakes etc. I did not drive it hard. When I got it home and hammered it....big trouble. SLOW DOWN amico mio!

dave

 

512Bbi
330gt
masi qp
65 vette
993 twin
58 vette
04 rrover
94 e500
etc etc

might not have bot a few of those...but half the fun is getting to know them....all are much more enjoyable after a few hundred miles...

 

Bought my 599 based on pics and a full inspection. Had no issues driving it, but made sure it was checked out first.