How to avoid joy rides selling a high hp used car?

So what protocol do you guys use in regards to test drives selling a high horsepower used car? Had a guy waste 2 hours of my time last weekend, negotiated a price and then just ghosted so assume he was there just for the drive.

I have some other guy messaging me about the car and the test drive he expects to take. What's the best way to go? Deposit first, proof of finances? Take him for a ride shot gun? I just don't want everyone coming around to take a joy ride so any advice on the matter is appreciated, TIA

i dont allow test drives on expensive cars.

Point them to the dealer if they want to see what the car can do. Otherwise a drive around the block with you or a mechanical inspection will do to confirm the state of the car.

Last 2 cars I sold privately the buyer didn’t even need to drive the cars before signing papers.

People who buy used high end cars should know what they are buying.

I’ll drive it myself to show them and that’s about it.

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Originally Posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo

I’ll drive it myself to show them and that’s about it.

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This. When I sold my truck I took the dude for a spirited drive and put the fear into him. Had a check in hand a few hours later.

I have purchased a very high horsepower vehicle without driving it, at all.
No ragrets.

None of the stuff I've had has crazy power or really expensive but I've always taken guys for a short test drive if they showed up and seemed serious.

I drive it myself to show them what it can do.
1. I drive it better anyways
2. Cars are always more impressive from the passenger seat, horsepower wise

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Originally Posted by Sentry

I drive it myself to show them what it can do.
1. I drive it better anyways
2. Cars are always more impressive from the passenger seat, horsepower wise

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Thanks for all the comments, and good points Sentry ����

Owned multiple performance cars. Only once did I put a deposit before test drive and that was to secure my spot as many were ready to pay asking. Why do I want to drive it before buying? To narrow down that it’s exactly what I’m looking for and won’t have regrets.

What would I do as a seller? Go for a test drive with me in drivers seat. If I sense enough interest, they can drive with me in passenger seat.

It’s interesting, last couple of cars I purchased were from dealer: no need to hard schedule, no hassle/ pressure test drive and private sales aren’t that competitive anymore.

I don’t expect anyone to buy a car (high hp or not) without test driving.

Take them for a ride with you driving. I mean yeah, it's the joy ride aspect you want to avoid, but the other thing is liability. If the potential buyer drifts into a crowd of people somewhere (assuming its a Mustang) and gets out and bolts, what recourse do you have? Its your car, your insurance, you'd be on the hook.

Best way is to avoid tire kickers is to state in your for sale ad that all test drives will be done with you behind the wheel. Then you don't even get messages from the time wasters.

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Originally Posted by BMDUBS

So what protocol do you guys use in regards to test drives selling a high horsepower used car? Had a guy waste 2 hours of my time last weekend, negotiated a price and then just ghosted so assume he was there just for the drive.

I have some other guy messaging me about the car and the test drive he expects to take. What's the best way to go? Deposit first, proof of finances? Take him for a ride shot gun? I just don't want everyone coming around to take a joy ride so any advice on the matter is appreciated, TIA

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What kind of car are we talking about? High horsepower modded or expensive performance car? I wouldn't purchase a modded car without test driving it as I would want to make sure the engine response wasn't terrible and ride/handling wasn't ruined by mods. Maybe I have been lucky but outside of my STI in the day I haven't had a lot of test pilots but if you are selling a regular car like a pony car, STI, Golf R, etc a test drive would be expected and I don't really see the issue as long as you are tagging along. If it's an expensive luxury or sports car I suppose it depends on the appearance of the person. If he pulls up in an STI with Hella horns, wearing a flat brimmed hat I'm probably not going to let him test drive a car I'm selling for over $50k. If he looks legit and pulls up in a bling vehicle why not?

I think the whole "joyride" thing is way overblown.

My only concern is stick cars. Thats where I draw the line, too many people fucking obliterating clutches when selling cars.

But if its an automatic? Put it in full nanny mode and go for a rip (with me in the passenger seat). Obviously if we are talking expensive vehicles, a deposit in case of damage during the test drive of at least the deductible is a good idea.

I personally would not buy a vehicle without test driving it (if used).

You guys don't have insurance? Shit, if you are trying to sell it, and the person steals it or crashes it, you could be further ahead with an insurance claim than the sale.

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Originally Posted by ExtraSlow

You guys don't have insurance? Shit, if you are trying to sell it, and the person steals it or crashes it, you could be further ahead with an insurance claim than the sale.

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If they write it off. Insurance does nothing about someone bagging your sports car who had no intention of buying.

I drive or no test drive is how I've always done it. It will be a better representation of the car anyway because chances are the buyer isn't used to it, especially if it's a manual transmission which I find most people are shockingly terrible at driving. I always ask them if there is anything they want me to demonstrate (i.e. rough roads to expose any creaks/rattles) to show them I'm not trying to hide anything. If they wanted to give me a significant non-refundable deposit I'd probably let them drive if there were no red flags up to that point, but that could still turn ugly and I doubt many buyers would agree to that.

If you have a good sample of the car, you won't have any trouble selling it anyway it so it's no sweat if you lose a couple potential buyers because you won't let them drive - someone else will be along shortly who is OK with it. If they want to drive one THAT badly they can find one at a dealer lot. I've never bought a car via private sale that I wasn't already very familiar with.

I've also had people want to take my cars by themselves to their "buddy who is a mechanic" - absolutely not haha. And I've had people who didn't even want to test drive the car because they were afraid to because "it wasn't theirs yet".

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Originally Posted by Maxx Mazda

Best way is to avoid tire kickers is to state in your for sale ad that all test drives will be done with you behind the wheel. Then you don't even get messages from the time wasters.

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Have you used Kijiji? That would be the first thing everyone would ask for even if it was bold and all caps at the top of your ad, followed by an offer for 50% of your asking "cash in hand" :rofl:

I can understand no test drive if it's an exotic, garage queen car, or low volume special car but I'm not parting with my cash for a used car without being able to test drive it.

If it’s non special you can go drive one at the dealer. If it’s special you know what you want and the only debate is price.

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Originally Posted by killramos

If it’s non special you can go drive one at the dealer. If it’s special you know what you want and the only debate is price.

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What does driving a different car at a dealer tell you about the condition of a particular used car you are looking at?