Age requirement to test drive a car?

[AudiPorsche]

is there and age requirement to test drive a car. Im in canada so im not sure if the minimum age is different, if there is even a minimum age.

BTW im 17 (since june 1), and i look pretty young.

 

[StageLeft]

Are you trying to test drive an audi/porsche?

 

[prodigy]

As long as you have your license you should be able to.

 

[Shantanu]

I've been test driving 'em since I was 16. Go test driving with your Dad, as opposed to 5 of your friends. Your more likely to get the dealer's trust that way, because he'll know your dad will whoop you if you get into an accident.

 

[gygheyzeus]

I dont think so. I'm 17 and I walked into a high-end dealership in Calgary and test drove a 1994 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo, and a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse w/ 28 pounds of boost.

It's ironic. Last year when I bought my car, the local Honda dealership never helped me because they thought a kid wouldn't spend $25,000 on a car. So now they're mad everytime I roll up for service.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

If its a new car, you have to be 21. Its sort of an unwritten rule at most dealerships. I'm 18 and went to test drive a 2001 Miata (this was a couple months ago). They said I was too young to take it out - instead the Mazda sales manager offered to take it out for a spin with me sitting in the passenger seat.

Lucky for me, she was pretty cool. Once we got out of the dealership, we pulled into a parking lot and we switched places. The 6spd manual is a fun drive, btw.

 

[N8Magic]

There is no age limit per se, all you need is a license. The auto dealer has insurance to cover people that are test driving their cars, so that is not an issue.

If you are young however, a lot of dealers discriminate against younger buyers, seeing them as "test pilots". I STILL see this at age 24. A few months back, I went to a dealer asking to test drive a 2K Maxima SE. He told me "You can't afford this car." I have NEVER been more insulted in my life (seeing as I don't dress like a slob, and likely make more money than he does.), but there was nothing I could do about it.

Be prepared to be turned down, eventually you will find a dealer that will treat you with respect, and that is the one you want to deal with.

 

[Aenygma]

All you need is a license. and a nice dealer of course... I recall my first new car purchase. I walked into a Honda dealership, and was very serious, after being passed over a bunch of times finally one of the slaesmen came to ask me if I needed some assistance. I told him what I wanted, and we test drove the car. Then I said well I am going to check another dealer.

I came back to them the next day, and the same guy ignores me for awhile, then I tell him, I have decided on purchasing the car. I pull out a wad of cash ( 6500.00 ) and tell him, I am picking it up in an hour at the other dealer.

 

[monto]

some luxury/sports cars have an age limit...last i checked, gotta be 24 or so to test out a M5

 

[Shantanu]

<< If its a new car, you have to be 21. Its sort of an unwritten rule at most dealerships. >>



Hell no. I'm telling you, just go to the delearship with someone over 35. I've test driven BMWs, Trans Ams, all sorts of nice cars.

 

[Hakunin]

I agree that it is a good idea to bring an older person or parent along, as most dealerships won't let a 17 year old test drive a car themselves. My friend, who is 17, went to an Aston Martin dealership, and they wouldn't let him sit in the car. I think it was safe to assume that a 17 year old doesn't have $150,000 however, so you might have more luck if you aren't looking at very expensive cars.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Why the hell should I get other people involved with the purchase? If they want my money they'll take me seriously. If they don't, I'll take my business elsewhere.

I repeat, if you are looking at a NEW (as in undriven) car you must be 21. If you are looking at a USED car, you just need a license. However, if you get on a personal level with your dealer, he will take you much more seriously. Act mature and show interest (of course not too much interest) in the car. That's what I did, and it worked fine. I haven't been back to the dealer since the test drive, as my feduciary standings aren't quite as sound as they once were (I've finally decided where and when I'm going to college, and I'd better save my money).

 

[TonyG]

I test drove a new Tracker, had my grandfather go with me to the dealership and the salesmen just ask me if I had my license and handed me the keys. Not once did he ever ask to see my license.

 

[LAUST]

If your with someone over 18 your cool, if your alone you have to be 18, it's cause they want to sell you a car, and if your not over 18 you can't legally sighn their contract.

Just go with someone older prefer someone posing as the buyer For you

 

[tgillitzr]

I test drove a used saturn at a dealership when I was 17 alone.

 

[AudiPorsche]

i havnt been to any dealers yet. im not planning on going to astin martin,or anything or driving any car over $30s . Ill try going in with one of my parents.

If i go with my older brother or parent and they give them the keys to test drive, am i allowed to switch seats during the test drive and drive it without telling the dealership? or do i have to tell them up front?

 

[Doggiedog]

<If you are young however, a lot of dealers discriminate against younger buyers, seeing them as "test pilots". I STILL see this at age 24. A few months back, I went to a dealer asking to test drive a 2K Maxima SE. He told me "You can't afford this car." I have NEVER been more insulted in my life (seeing as I don't dress like a slob, and likely make more money than he does.), but there was nothing I could do about it.>

That is so funny! I had something like that happen to me too. When I was 27, I used to work as a stock analyst at a big investment bank and I went to check out some cars at an Acura dealership. Seeing I was asian (Japanese), the pit boss sent some slick looking asian dude over to me to help me. I wanted to check out the CL 3.0 and the dude started saying "I know you're like me and you don't make lots of money so maybe you should look at the 2.2 liter version". This was before he even asked me what I did or anything. I was so freaking insulted. I could have walked out of that dealership with all the cars on the floor even the NSX with the money I had in the bank and the guy who was probably a college dropout had the nerve to say that crap to me. Funny thing is, I did go with the 2.2 liter version. But it was a Prelude and at a different dealership.