Test Driving
Advanced
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Ga.
When the 350Z's came out a few years back they wouldn't even let me sit in it on the showroom floor. Needless to saythey are out(the low torque beaten by GT Stangs) Now Maxie Price hearing where I live and that I will pay cash will let me drive anything he has that isn't pre-sold. He just got 6 in. They treat me with respect and I appreciate that so I will be ordering one with exactly the options I want. I can't get it for under MSRP but that is the best deal I've found. 
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Wilkes Barre/Scranton PA
Kerbeck
One Friday night back in April while me and my S/O were driving into Atlantic City to do some sinning, we went by a Chevy dealership that at first glance seemed to have a few Corvettes out front. We decided to make it a point to stop in the next morning on the way to the Boardwalk to check out options, Coupe vs Vert, colors, etc.
Of course, the dealership turned out to be Kerbeck and they had more than a few Corvettes. Dave Brown came over and we chit-chatted. I made it clear I had no intention of buying a Corvette until next year. However, after some more chit-chat, he offered a test drive. "Ok, sure, why not?"
To make a long story short, there was NFW I was waiting until next year. I picked up my DSOM Coupe on 5/7.
Of course, the dealership turned out to be Kerbeck and they had more than a few Corvettes. Dave Brown came over and we chit-chatted. I made it clear I had no intention of buying a Corvette until next year. However, after some more chit-chat, he offered a test drive. "Ok, sure, why not?"
To make a long story short, there was NFW I was waiting until next year. I picked up my DSOM Coupe on 5/7.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 802
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by CarEnthusiast
Just wondering, are other people finding it easy to get test drives?
I'm in the Washington DC area. It seems next to impossible. I should say that I'm specific about wanting to drive a 6-sp coupe. Even though I want to order the Z51 package, I'm willing to test drive a non Z51 if I have to (but not a F55).
This might be my bad timing. Not too long ago I recall seeing several C6's on the lots but it seems right now all the dealers I've checked are down to one or two and either automatic transmissions or in the case of one dealer, he had a 6-sp manual -- in the showroom! Offered to take me for a ride. Gee, thanks. I'll be able to tell so much about the car from sitting in the passenger seat and letting a salesperson (sorry, sales manager) drive me around the block.
I guess I don't really expect any reply to this post, just wanted to check with you all out there and vent a little. It's sort of okay anyway, since I wasn't trying to buy an '05. I was planning to order an '06 but I'm not placing any order until I test drive one first.
But hey, I can't say I've tried EVERY dealer in my area. Funny, the C6 is not the only car I can't test drive. Went looking for: M3, SLK55 (yeah right), G35, 350Z and a few sedans planned for the weekend: S4 and C55 (can already tell I can't drive this).
Out of all that:
- M3 (had no manual cars, just SMG)
- SLK55 (none, they get like 1 per month on average)
- G35 (no 6-sp manuals on the lot except for the exact one I'd get but was already sold)
- S4 (supposedly found several for test driving this weekend)
- C55 (one on display, was not given a warm fuzzy feeling about testing it).
By the way, I can't imagine myself in a sedan but I'm trying to keep an open mind and look at as much as possible that I remotely like in the marketplace, within my budget and is available within 1 year for delivery (sorry Porsche Cayman S).
Only the 350Z was I able to fully test (they have tons of them!) Clearly, the Z's target market is saturated! Pretty much everyone that is going to buy a Z, has probably done so by now. Funny thing though, actually being able to "drive" the car makes it somehow desirable on my list. Don't worry, I'd never buy it without testing a C6 or other cars for that matter. Oh , I stand corrected, BMW let me test drive a 37,000 mile 2003 M3 so not completely shutout there (even if it had a well-worn interior and the engine was not happy).
I guess it's the nature of buying sporty and expensive cars, but it's really my first experience with having trouble test driving. I mean, if not for that, then what good are dealerships for? If I wanted to buy a car without trying it out, I'd order one up on the internet and be done with it.
Just frustrated. Another cause might be inventories winding down for the '06 build-up. I can accept that for the G35 or C6, but I'm told that the "German cars" I'm looking at are normally held in such low quantities. Given the premium they command, they are sure working hard to keep me away.
Interesting side note: the C6 gets the best EPA mileage numbers of any car I'm considering. A somewhat significant variable these days. Crazy!
Anyway, maybe in a few months I'll be driving an '06 C6 with MP3 in Nav stereo, 3-spoke steering wheel, hidden satellite radio antenna... wait, scratch that, as cool as that hidden antenna sounds, I'm partial to Sirius
Hey all, thanks for listening. Let me know if you see any dealers around here with a 6-sp coupe I can test.
I'm in the Washington DC area. It seems next to impossible. I should say that I'm specific about wanting to drive a 6-sp coupe. Even though I want to order the Z51 package, I'm willing to test drive a non Z51 if I have to (but not a F55).
This might be my bad timing. Not too long ago I recall seeing several C6's on the lots but it seems right now all the dealers I've checked are down to one or two and either automatic transmissions or in the case of one dealer, he had a 6-sp manual -- in the showroom! Offered to take me for a ride. Gee, thanks. I'll be able to tell so much about the car from sitting in the passenger seat and letting a salesperson (sorry, sales manager) drive me around the block.
I guess I don't really expect any reply to this post, just wanted to check with you all out there and vent a little. It's sort of okay anyway, since I wasn't trying to buy an '05. I was planning to order an '06 but I'm not placing any order until I test drive one first.
But hey, I can't say I've tried EVERY dealer in my area. Funny, the C6 is not the only car I can't test drive. Went looking for: M3, SLK55 (yeah right), G35, 350Z and a few sedans planned for the weekend: S4 and C55 (can already tell I can't drive this).
Out of all that:
- M3 (had no manual cars, just SMG)
- SLK55 (none, they get like 1 per month on average)
- G35 (no 6-sp manuals on the lot except for the exact one I'd get but was already sold)
- S4 (supposedly found several for test driving this weekend)
- C55 (one on display, was not given a warm fuzzy feeling about testing it).
By the way, I can't imagine myself in a sedan but I'm trying to keep an open mind and look at as much as possible that I remotely like in the marketplace, within my budget and is available within 1 year for delivery (sorry Porsche Cayman S).
Only the 350Z was I able to fully test (they have tons of them!) Clearly, the Z's target market is saturated! Pretty much everyone that is going to buy a Z, has probably done so by now. Funny thing though, actually being able to "drive" the car makes it somehow desirable on my list. Don't worry, I'd never buy it without testing a C6 or other cars for that matter. Oh , I stand corrected, BMW let me test drive a 37,000 mile 2003 M3 so not completely shutout there (even if it had a well-worn interior and the engine was not happy).
I guess it's the nature of buying sporty and expensive cars, but it's really my first experience with having trouble test driving. I mean, if not for that, then what good are dealerships for? If I wanted to buy a car without trying it out, I'd order one up on the internet and be done with it.
Just frustrated. Another cause might be inventories winding down for the '06 build-up. I can accept that for the G35 or C6, but I'm told that the "German cars" I'm looking at are normally held in such low quantities. Given the premium they command, they are sure working hard to keep me away.
Interesting side note: the C6 gets the best EPA mileage numbers of any car I'm considering. A somewhat significant variable these days. Crazy!
Anyway, maybe in a few months I'll be driving an '06 C6 with MP3 in Nav stereo, 3-spoke steering wheel, hidden satellite radio antenna... wait, scratch that, as cool as that hidden antenna sounds, I'm partial to Sirius
Hey all, thanks for listening. Let me know if you see any dealers around here with a 6-sp coupe I can test.
The problem getting a test drive is that most vette owner don't want any mileage on their new car. Once you allow them to be test driven by every nut who whats to see what the car can do, it's no longer new. Good luck getting a test drive
.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,585
Likes: 1
From: Prepare yourself, for a pride obliterating bich smack. Fairfax, VA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08
SEC > BCS 4 St. Judes '09
LMB. Black interior. Polished rims.
With any luck, it will be a Callaway stage 2 vette soon.
If you still havent found anything to drive within your acceptable travel radius, dont hesitate to send me an email. i am not really worried, i will be sitting right next to you and it wont take but a few seconds for you to figure out what a great machine this C6 is.
With any luck, it will be a Callaway stage 2 vette soon.
If you still havent found anything to drive within your acceptable travel radius, dont hesitate to send me an email. i am not really worried, i will be sitting right next to you and it wont take but a few seconds for you to figure out what a great machine this C6 is.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by stinky
Koons @ tysons corner had plenty when I test drove the color and feature Vette I had been looking for. Went in at the opening hour and out the door for the drive 5 mins. later. Good luck because you'll be hooked immediately. Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 74
From: Never take a girl out for a cup of coffee, the last thing you want her to be is alert and focused. Tampa, FL
St. Jude Donor '05
I had around 80 miles on my car from test drives. Freaking test drivers 
I didn't get to test drive the car before i bought it, but then again i never test drive any cars because i already make up my mind before going to the dealership. A lot of resources on the internet these days.
I didn't get to test drive the car before i bought it, but then again i never test drive any cars because i already make up my mind before going to the dealership. A lot of resources on the internet these days.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,115
Likes: 0
From: I am Jack's out-dated Fight Club reference. MD
If it's a big enough dealership, they should just suck it up and have a Vette around as a test driver. That WILL sell more cars in the long run.
I test drove a 350z recently, and damn if that didn't have me aching for it. If I didn't already desire a Vette, I probably would've been back to the dealership the next day with the money.
Driving the Vette will seal the deal for anyone on the fence about it.
I test drove a 350z recently, and damn if that didn't have me aching for it. If I didn't already desire a Vette, I probably would've been back to the dealership the next day with the money.
Driving the Vette will seal the deal for anyone on the fence about it.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Impossible to test drive an SLK55, only 1K built/yr
Its too bad there are not more SLK55s so you could test drive one 
. I bought mine sight unseen & also have no regrets - an AMAZING car.
Good luck with your search - you will find one....it just may take you some time .
-Matt
. I bought mine sight unseen & also have no regrets - an AMAZING car.Good luck with your search - you will find one....it just may take you some time
.-Matt
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