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.

 

Serious about buying and want a test drive?
If you are within a few hours of Kerbeck, that's where you want to go.
Bring your checkbook. You might drive home in your new C6.

 

you should be able to get one at Mike Pallone Chevy in Springfield. call and ask to speak with Andy and warm it up with him over the phone for a few minutes. if that doesnt work out, fire me an email and we can arrange to meet up and you can drive my LMB C6 coupe 6MT. just picked it up two weeks ago from Pallone and am past the break in period. i'm in fairfax, va. good luck!

 

I'm in the same boat. I hope to test drive one soon, but am doubtful it'll happen.

 

Test drove the 1st C6 I bought (PR w 6-spd). Did not test drive the Silver coupe w auto tranny, but probably could have if I had wanted to. Both dealers are small-town dealers, one of which sells 8-10 vettes a year, the other about 5-6 vettes a year.

 

Most dealerships over here in Tampa, FL don't let anyone test drive the corvette(atleast that's what they told me). One dealer was charging $10,000 over MSRP for a convertible DSOM because "it's 1 out of 3 in the state" which is complete if your looking into putting an order on one I would strongly suggest buying from one of the larger corvette dealerships like Maxie Price or Kerbecks because they are allowed more allocations and are able to put your order in sooner.

 

Hey Guys. Thanks for the quick replies. Funny, I was talking to a buddy on the phone about maybe doing a road trip up to Kerbeck (assuming they can let me test drive if I call in advance). Of course I'll probably try to exhaust all other resources between here and there.

Mayonayze, thanks for the incrediblly generous offer. I don't even know if I'd feel right doing that. Have to admit LMB is a top choice for color. Did you get the Z51? Which wheels did you get? Color interior? Sorry for all the questions.

Anyway, thanks everyone for the feedback so far. Great community. I've been stalking the forum for months before the C6 was even unveiled.

 

I got mine back in October and there were very few on lots. No problem getting a test drive. In fact I test drove 3 different cars at 3 different dealers. Of course I was buying a car for sure and I think salesmen can recongnize the look. That, I think, is the key to getting a test drive. If it looks like your seriously going to buy a car and can afford it your going to get the keys.

 

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

 

Lazer, did you try Crisfield Chev in Gaithersburg?

 

The dealership in Fredericksburg wouldn't let me drive their new Vettes but the owner had one signed out as his personal ride and that's what they used for test drives from serious buyers. Makes sense to me, I wouldn't want any miles from test drives on my new Vette and yet wouldn't buy one without driving one. Once you've inked the deal, they would then let you test drive your actual car and if something was wrong, the deal wasn't done. They didn't have my car so went to see Sam Kelley at Kerbecks and drove it home several hours later. No slam on local dealers (ours is actually pretty good) but they sell so few Vettes that they really can't discuss them intelligently versus Kerbecks.

 

I bought mine without a test drive. Nobody in FL, either had one, or would let me drive. I flew up to Kerbeck and drove mine home, sight unseen.

No regrets!

 

No, I haven't. Should I??

Edit: And is there a particular guy I should ask for?

 

If not, NJ isn't that far!

 

Its rough to find a dealer that will let you put the miles on. I had a friend who worked at the dealer - they had an Artic white, 1sx, 6spd (on the floor and behind ropes) that they pulled out for me to test drive. I don't like the SX or white so I didn't buy it...but it was a fun test drive. Had to slap my friend though as we went to the gas station to fill up as the car was on empty and he put 87 octane in it. Makes me wonder if the dealership does that to all the vettes or if it was just him.

Keep looking around if you are serious you'll find a dealer

 

I stopped by Bill Heard, and all they asked for was a credit check. Had no problems taking one out for a spin. it was the wrong color, so i wasn't really interested. but it had all my options (Z51, MN6, etc.) I was in the same mind set; wouldn't think of buying one until i had driven one. since i've driven one, i'm hooked and can't wait to get mine!

 

I agree. i live close by.check there site.You can drive any car that they have on there lot.no problum.i no ive done it sevral times.

 

as someone above mentioned the dealers, ESPECIALLY low volume ones, are in a tough position. on one hand it's gotta be tough to sell a car without allowing test drives but, on the other... most new vette owners.. just like us.. don't want anyone ELSE having put "test drive" miles on THEIR potential "new" vette.

definitely catch-22 unless you've got a stock like Kerbeck.

 

I couldn't get one at Koons to save my life. But Country Chevrolet, in Warrenton, was the ticket for me. I bought my SSR from them, and one day while it was in for service I asked about driving the C6 they had. No problem at all, except that I was immediately hooked and am saving every penny toward a C6 now.

I should mention I'm engaged to the salesman's daughter, but he's not high enough on the food chain to effect any special treatment for me - trust me, I tried that angle

So, if you don't mind taking a wee bit of a drive (it's about 45 min from the beltway to Warrenton) - ask for Dave Lowery, and tell him Dave Dixon sent ya. Note: I don't think they have any Vettes at the moment, however. "My" blue one (the one I tested) was sold last week, and I didn't see the red one around anymore either last time I was there.

 

Back in December, I tried several dealers in the area including Mike Pallone Chevy, and no one would allow a test drive. Not in Fredericksburg or Richmond either.

Called up Dave S. at Kerbecks and was told I could basically drive anything on the lot that was not sold. So 4 and 1/2 hours later, we did just that. They really know how to treat you right up there. Worth the drive, plus, you can double your down payment at the local Casinos.