No dealer test drive??
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 710
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
No dealer test drive??
Went to a Chevy dealer yesterday. I was interested in a 2004 vert. Checked the car out. Seemed clean. Needed tires. When I asked to take it for a test drive the salesman said no. Stated it was their policy that you entered into a sales agreement prior to allowing a test drive. Said it was to keep the miles down and minimize the number of tire kickers that come to just beat on the car.
I told the saleman that I would not entertain a purchase w/o a test drive. I guess they figure someone wants the car bad enough they'll comply.
To add insult, as we walked back to the showroom, he asked if I was interested in their left over 2005 vert sitting on the floor. I laughed. How can you buy a car w/o knowing if you want a manual or auto and you can't test drive?
Sorry for the rant, but, is this standard practice? I am 58 years old and have never heard of not taking a test drive BEFORE deciding on buying a used car.
I told the saleman that I would not entertain a purchase w/o a test drive. I guess they figure someone wants the car bad enough they'll comply.
To add insult, as we walked back to the showroom, he asked if I was interested in their left over 2005 vert sitting on the floor. I laughed. How can you buy a car w/o knowing if you want a manual or auto and you can't test drive?
Sorry for the rant, but, is this standard practice? I am 58 years old and have never heard of not taking a test drive BEFORE deciding on buying a used car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,042
Likes: 0
I've never heard of that either.
I went to American Sports Car in Atlanta, they have a great inventory and were happy to let me take out any of their cars. I must have driven 10 different cars in one afternoon.
I went to American Sports Car in Atlanta, they have a great inventory and were happy to let me take out any of their cars. I must have driven 10 different cars in one afternoon.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 276
Likes: 96
From: Venice Florida
We have a Chevrolet dealer here in Venice, FL. that has a sheet of paper on the dashboard of every used Corvette that states that you must have signed purchase order before you can drive the car. They say that they don't want tire kickers and people abusing their Corvettes but if you see their TV commercial they do a long burn out in a Corvette. Also, the Porsche, BMW and Mercedes dealers in our area will gladly let you test drive their new or used cars(usually without the salesman). I sometimes can't figure out Chevrolet dealers. When I look back to when I purchased my first Corvette it was the test drive that sold me on the car.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,058
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by blackvetterzo6
Tell them to shove the car right up there a--.
Lots of jackazzes just come in to test drive and run the chit out of the Vettes with no intentions of buying one... ...What about just turning around and going to a different dealer?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 271
Likes: 7
From: Wyoming MN
That happened to me, sort of. I went to look at a used 2005 Coupe a couple months ago. I drove my '02 Z06 there, and my wife also drove her '99 Mustang GT because we were going different places after that. We parked both of our cars right next to the C6. I'm sitting in the car, it's running, and the salesman was outside the car, just standing there. I said...."well, should we take it around the block or something?".........long pause from the salesman....he says "well, it's our policy to not let people drive these cars because of blah blah....are you ready to buy it today?" I say, "no". He finally says, "well, I guess we could go around the block". We did, came back, and they were suppossed to give me a trade-in number on mine and call me. They never called me back. The car is still there. 
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 710
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Lost sale
Whether or not I would have bought their car we will never know. I was stunned to say the least. I could understand if I wasn't interested, but, they knew I spent time going over the car and examining it in detail before they even started it up.
The only two things for sure that came out of this experience are I won't buy or let them service my car and I would never recommend them. They may have saved themselves 10 or 20 miles on a test drive, but, was the cost worth it? Only they know.
I really wanted to test drive the car. It was a manual trans and I am trying to decide which trans I want. I drove a spectacular 04 vert last weekend with the auto. I really want to find out if the manual is for me or should I buy the auto.
The only two things for sure that came out of this experience are I won't buy or let them service my car and I would never recommend them. They may have saved themselves 10 or 20 miles on a test drive, but, was the cost worth it? Only they know.
I really wanted to test drive the car. It was a manual trans and I am trying to decide which trans I want. I drove a spectacular 04 vert last weekend with the auto. I really want to find out if the manual is for me or should I buy the auto.
Last edited by jaki30; Sep 24, 2006 at 01:49 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,131
Likes: 2
From: "Never play games with a bitch who can play them better" NE PA
Cruise-In VIII & IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Originally Posted by KrisR
That happened to me, sort of. I went to look at a used 2005 Coupe a couple months ago. I drove my '02 Z06 there, and my wife also drove her '99 Mustang GT because we were going different places after that. We parked both of our cars right next to the C6. I'm sitting in the car, it's running, and the salesman was outside the car, just standing there. I said...."well, should we take it around the block or something?".........long pause from the salesman....he says "well, it's our policy to not let people drive these cars because of blah blah....are you ready to buy it today?" I say, "no". He finally says, "well, I guess we could go around the block". We did, came back, and they were suppossed to give me a trade-in number on mine and call me. They never called me back. The car is still there.
My husband and I just went to NY (a 3.5 hour drive one way) to look at a 98 coupe. They didn't actaully tell me I could not take it for a ride---but it was pouring rain and the wipers didn't work
---his excuse was it was not inspected by his mechanics yet..
( we made these arrangements last Sunday--how come??) End of deal.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: ma
Originally Posted by jaki30
Whether or not I would have bought their car we will never know. I was stunned to say the least. I could understand if I wasn't interested, but, they knew I spent time going over the car and examining it in detail before they even started it up.
The only two things for sure that came out of this experience are I won't buy or let them service my car and I would never recommend them. They may have saved themselves 10 or 20 miles on a test drive, but, was the cost worth it? Only they know.
I really wanted to test drive the car. It was a manual trans and I am trying to decide which trans I want. I drove a spectacular 04 vert last weekend with the auto. I really want to find out if the manual is for me or should I buy the auto.
The only two things for sure that came out of this experience are I won't buy or let them service my car and I would never recommend them. They may have saved themselves 10 or 20 miles on a test drive, but, was the cost worth it? Only they know.
I really wanted to test drive the car. It was a manual trans and I am trying to decide which trans I want. I drove a spectacular 04 vert last weekend with the auto. I really want to find out if the manual is for me or should I buy the auto.
the auto won't let you spin the tires
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 32
Dealers
Dealers can be a little odd. One let me get in and start one yesterday that they just took in on trade. Motor sounded like a thrashing machine. Sales guy said they could fix it. LOL.
Anyway, I just moved on to the next dealer where I bought my Trailblazer a few years ago. Treated my like I had a brain. They didn't have anything within my price range but will be assisting with my search. I'm still hoping to buy before the fall driving weather turns into winter.
Anyway, I just moved on to the next dealer where I bought my Trailblazer a few years ago. Treated my like I had a brain. They didn't have anything within my price range but will be assisting with my search. I'm still hoping to buy before the fall driving weather turns into winter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 807
Likes: 0
Bought My 04 Vert From Folley Motor Sports In Shrewsbury Mass . They Let Me Take The Car With No Sales Rep. Went To My Friends Body Shop And Checked Car All Over For Signs Of Accident Or Abuse. Car Was In Excellent Condition And I Bought The Car The Next Day. No Test Drive = No Sale For Me.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,131
Likes: 2
From: "Never play games with a bitch who can play them better" NE PA
Cruise-In VIII & IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
I couldn't agree more. We will not be taking the one we looked at yesterday ---so back to the grind.
I would also like to get one before the crappy weather sets in. I'd like to drive it at least one more time than on my way home..
---so back to the grind. I would also like to get one before the crappy weather sets in. I'd like to drive it at least one more time than on my way home..
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Hey, (I hate to say the word), Ford 
dealers can be the same way. This goes back to 1969 and I was thinking of trading in my '68 Dodge Dart GTS in for a Mach 1. I asked about a test drive in the blue one out front. The salesman said, take the one out back, it's already dirty. Being only 20 at the time, I considered his offer until I noticed the one out back was just a plain Jane mustang. I realized that they felt I was only there to drive their car not buy it. I left unhappy to say the least.
On a more positive note, for the last 25 years or so the local Chevy dealer has been great about letting me test drive any vehicle they had. They just toss me the keys and I bring the car back when I'm satisfied. NOTE: I did buy a new truck from them during that 25 years, but it wasn't at the beginning. I've even had one salesman bring a new '84 Corvette convertible by my house just so he and I could drive it around abit. In other words there are good ones and bad ones out there, so hang in there.
Blue Max
dealers can be the same way. This goes back to 1969 and I was thinking of trading in my '68 Dodge Dart GTS in for a Mach 1. I asked about a test drive in the blue one out front. The salesman said, take the one out back, it's already dirty. Being only 20 at the time, I considered his offer until I noticed the one out back was just a plain Jane mustang. I realized that they felt I was only there to drive their car not buy it. I left unhappy to say the least.On a more positive note, for the last 25 years or so the local Chevy dealer has been great about letting me test drive any vehicle they had. They just toss me the keys and I bring the car back when I'm satisfied. NOTE: I did buy a new truck from them during that 25 years, but it wasn't at the beginning. I've even had one salesman bring a new '84 Corvette convertible by my house just so he and I could drive it around abit. In other words there are good ones and bad ones out there, so hang in there.
Blue Max
