Author Topic: Would like to test drive a 'nice' car (Read 4527 times)

21Rouge · « **on:** August 05, 2009, 08:17:34 pm »

Okay I am not going to buy an Audi/BMW or...but I might like to test drive one

. For our previous new car purchase (domestic) I gave them my license, they recorded it and off we went. But what hoops, if any, does one go through to test drive a performance car? Maybe the most challenging thing would be to pretend that you really might buy said car

.

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2009, 08:35:44 am »

Might be easiest to call ahead and arrange it, rather than just showing up. It's harder to turn someone away when they have an appointment than when they just wander onto the lot... and you know they have what you want available to drive this way.

I'd be upfront and tell them you're not buying today, just testing driving a variety of cars. That has worked for me in the past, though I was looking at subcompacts, not luxury cars.

Good luck!

21Rouge · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2009, 08:41:01 am »

Quote from: Demosthenes X on August 06, 2009, 08:35:44 am

Might be easiest to call ahead and arrange it, rather than just showing up.

That is a good idea.

wing · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2009, 09:23:52 am »

I've never had a problem. BMW / Audi don't treat their cars like their last child like say Nissan would a 350z for some reason.

21Rouge · « **Reply #4 on:** August 06, 2009, 09:30:10 am »

Quote from: wing on August 06, 2009, 09:23:52 am

BMW / Audi don't treat their cars like their last child like say Nissan would a 350z for some reason.

So what happens specifically at Nissan when one wants to take a 350 for a test drive?

wing · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2009, 09:31:52 am »

I'm not sure what happens now.

But you use to have to sign over your first born -- or "prove" you had money. I was able to drive one because I showed up in a nice car. I asked for a test drive, first question I was asked was "How much is your car worth" Silly really.

21Rouge · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2009, 09:35:03 am »

Quote from: wing on August 06, 2009, 09:31:52 am

But you use to have to sign over your first born -- or "prove" you had money.

I asked for a test drive, first question I was asked was "How much is your car worth" Silly really.

I was thinking these kind of things when I started this thread.

initial_D · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2009, 09:50:16 am »

The Mitsu dealer wanted to do a credit check on me before I take out the Evo, even after I book an appointment. I said, "sure", just walked away towards the door with a smile. They eventually let me drive one, and explained how it is their procedures, ...

The BMW dealers never turn me down for a test drive.

Ontariodriver · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2009, 11:41:07 am »

I love whining them up luxury car sales men. Just turn up looking your worst. a bit smelly and a bit diry and unshaven LOL. They soon learn not to judge a book by it cover quickly....

Cord · « **Reply #9 on:** August 06, 2009, 12:05:59 pm »

Quote

They soon learn not to judge a book by it cover quickly....

Why? Do you buy one every time?

safristi · « **Reply #10 on:** August 06, 2009, 12:21:08 pm »

..NO...they give him a free hose down in the detailing shop...and give him $5 fer a WHOPPER!!!!!

....the BOOK he judged by the cover woz just released on Amazon .doofus.

overtakeyouintheleftlane · « **Reply #11 on:** August 06, 2009, 12:39:56 pm »

When I shop for a car, I dress in a comfortable manner (jeans, t-shirt).

In 2003 (I was 21) I went to Honda to test drive a 4 and 6 cylinder Accord, the salesman didn't even leave my line of sight and said he doesn't have any. BS!

Went to a Nissan dealer to test the 4 cylinder Altima, the receptionist kept paging a salesman for 20 minutes! I didn't even get a brochure and left.

Went to a Toyota dealer to try the Camry 4 cylinder, didn't want to serve me.

Went to a Pontiac dealer and he gave me 407ETR test drive for ALL the cars, (Sunfire, Grand AM, Grand Prix, Bonneville) and they would pay the tolls regardless if I bought it or not. I bought my car from him the same evening. The salesman said they shouldn't judge a person and it's a big mistake to do that. I agreed.

These are cars I can find on a rental car lot and I couldn't get served. What did they think they were selling? A Ferrari?!

Funny thing, a BMW dealer let me test drive with no questions.

Went back 5 years later and bought a Grand Prix from the same salesman. I was happy with his service.

Just because the other cars are supposedly "superior", I don't care. I'm not spending all that money to be treated like crap, get snotty service or that I should be thanking them for "allowing" me the "privilege" to buy a Honda, Toyota or Nissan.

The attitude of the salesman makes or breaks my decision of where to buy from.

Lexusfreak · « **Reply #12 on:** August 06, 2009, 12:43:21 pm »

My experience has also been to call ahead first....the Lexus dealers I've been to usually just take my info down & let me be on my way alone with my passenger only.....that was even the case with an IS-F...that thing is just stupid fast! lol.

Ontariodriver · « **Reply #13 on:** August 06, 2009, 01:46:38 pm »

Quote from: Cord on August 06, 2009, 12:05:59 pm

Quote
They soon learn not to judge a book by it cover quickly....

Why? Do you buy one every time?

Only once. I brought a J reg 3 series BMW. That is the only time I went into BMW dealership. I only go in to car show room when I need to buy a car. I look quiet scruffy when I brought my Honda haha. I wasn't smelly tho.....

Cord · « **Reply #14 on:** August 06, 2009, 01:50:10 pm »

Quote

Just because the other cars are supposedly "superior", I don't care. I'm not spending all that money to be treated like crap, get snotty service or that I should be thanking them for "allowing" me the "privilege" to buy a Honda, Toyota or Nissan.

That's fine. But keep in mind that the op is talking about getting to test drive cars that he has no intention of buying. He's not talking about shopping. He's talking about joyriding. If it takes "pretending" or lying to get it done, is it right to do it? Some people believe they have the "right" to walk into a store and drive around in whatever vehicle they want. They don't.

Ontariodriver · « **Reply #15 on:** August 06, 2009, 01:54:33 pm »

Quote from: Cord on August 06, 2009, 01:50:10 pm

Quote
Just because the other cars are supposedly "superior", I don't care. I'm not spending all that money to be treated like crap, get snotty service or that I should be thanking them for "allowing" me the "privilege" to buy a Honda, Toyota or Nissan.

That's fine. But keep in mind that the op is talking about getting to test drive cars that he has no intention of buying. He's not talking about shopping. He's talking about joyriding. If it takes "pretending" or lying to get it done, is it right to do it? Some people believe they have the "right" to walk into a store and drive around in whatever vehicle they want. They don't.

I hate wasting peoples time. I'm a salesman. Nothing worst than the triflers. You spend all that time trying to get the sale and they not serious. I can normally tell with in the first minute 85% of the time. But I still get fooled even now by some people.

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #16 on:** August 06, 2009, 02:01:26 pm »

Quote from: Cord on August 06, 2009, 01:50:10 pm

That's fine. But keep in mind that the op is talking about getting to test drive cars that he has no intention of buying. He's not talking about shopping. He's talking about joyriding. If it takes "pretending" or lying to get it done, is it right to do it? Some people believe they have the "right" to walk into a store and drive around in whatever vehicle they want. They don't.

Consider it an investment. Maybe he's not looking to buy a Bimmer or an Audi today, but what if taking that drive convinces him he wants one? I drove a WRX a few years back with no intention of buying it, and it sold me 100% on the virtues of the car. The only thing holding me back from buying one now is the costs.

"No intention of buying" is a silly argument. I walk out of stores all the time with items I had no intention of buying. Stop thinking like a commission-based salesman and look at the picture beyond "am I getting paid for this?".

Cord · « **Reply #17 on:** August 06, 2009, 02:03:54 pm »

Quote from: Demosthenes X on August 06, 2009, 02:01:26 pm

Quote from: Cord on August 06, 2009, 01:50:10 pm
That's fine. But keep in mind that the op is talking about getting to test drive cars that he has no intention of buying. He's not talking about shopping. He's talking about joyriding. If it takes "pretending" or lying to get it done, is it right to do it? Some people believe they have the "right" to walk into a store and drive around in whatever vehicle they want. They don't.

Consider it an investment. Maybe he's not looking to buy a Bimmer or an Audi today, but what if taking that drive convinces him he wants one? I drove a WRX a few years back with no intention of buying it, and it sold me 100% on the virtues of the car. The only thing holding me back from buying one now is the costs.

"No intention of buying" is a silly argument. I walk out of stores all the time with items I had no intention of buying. Stop thinking like a commission-based salesman and look at the picture beyond "am I getting paid for this?".

Be sure to update us on when you buy a WRX from the salesman that took you for a ride.

tpl · « **Reply #18 on:** August 06, 2009, 02:07:55 pm »

Cord and OntarioDriver. I agree with you both. Never seen the point in joyriding; why should I put miles on a car I am not going to buy. When I am ready to buy I know what I want to within a choice of 2 or 3. I go to the dealers I have chosen that have the brands/models I might buy with chequebook in hand for the deposit.

Only time I have failed was going to a certain VW dealer in TO, unannounced, on a weekday afternoon and no salesman even said hi. I was in "business attire" and was driving a SAAB Turbo so I did not look poor and destitute. After twenty minutes I went to another VW dealer on my way home and bought the car that day.

21Rouge · « **Reply #19 on:** August 06, 2009, 02:16:13 pm »

Quote from: Cord on August 06, 2009, 01:50:10 pm

That's fine. But keep in mind that the op is talking about getting to test drive cars that he has no intention of buying. He's not talking about shopping. He's talking about joyriding.

Whoa (sp?)! I resent the connotation associated with the word "joyriding". A 10 second look at an online dictionary defines "joyriding" as a pleasure ride in an automobile, especailly when the vehicle is driven recklessly or used without the owner's permission.

Of course that does not describe my intention at all.