Test drives not allowed ?????
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Texas
I have one even better than that, I went to a Podunk dealership in Ft Worth(can't remember the name) that had ONE corvette inside while passing time before going to visit a customer for a sales meeting. Me and a coworker walk up to the vette and the car is locked. We ask a salesperson to unlock the door. He looks me dead in the eye and says "why", I looked at him and replied "what the f__k do you mean why? He turns around and goes and gets the keys. My coworker is laughed his ars off.
Then I went to Friendly Chevrolet in Dallas and I drive up in my C5. I ask the guy(new young guy) if I could get a corvette book and that I planned to order a car in a month. he goes upstairs and come back and says.."they sad the books cost $100 and if i actually order a car they will credit the $100 back to me. I turned and walked out the door.
I went to Classic and they gave me what I asked for. My LMB, Z-51 should be here in about 4 weeks. I am so tempted to go to both of those dealerships just to say Kiss my ars once my C6 is delivered, but it probably wouldn't matter to them.
Then I went to Friendly Chevrolet in Dallas and I drive up in my C5. I ask the guy(new young guy) if I could get a corvette book and that I planned to order a car in a month. he goes upstairs and come back and says.."they sad the books cost $100 and if i actually order a car they will credit the $100 back to me. I turned and walked out the door.
I went to Classic and they gave me what I asked for. My LMB, Z-51 should be here in about 4 weeks. I am so tempted to go to both of those dealerships just to say Kiss my ars once my C6 is delivered, but it probably wouldn't matter to them.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by 3XBlack
I had the same issue with Pete Moore Chevrolet in Pensacola. I arrived in my pristine low mile C5 vert and wanted to test drive a used 05 vert. Their salesguy said it was policy to not allow test drives. I told him I could see it applying to a new one but this one was used (5K miles). I looked at him and told him they obviously don't want to sell cars and left.
My local dealer got a used 05 vert in. I went to test drive it around 10AM. The salesguy did not accompany me and asked that I bring it back before they close (5PM). I only needed an hour to be convinced. I did not buy from them becuase of the Z51 constraint and being put on a waiting list. I would have had he been able to help. I ended up ordering from Kerbeck.
My local dealer got a used 05 vert in. I went to test drive it around 10AM. The salesguy did not accompany me and asked that I bring it back before they close (5PM). I only needed an hour to be convinced. I did not buy from them becuase of the Z51 constraint and being put on a waiting list. I would have had he been able to help. I ended up ordering from Kerbeck.
But you're happy and that's really all that matters. (to us)
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by Riff
I am so tempted to go to both of those dealerships just to say Kiss my ars once my C6 is delivered, but it probably wouldn't matter to them.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 0
From: Pleasanton California
Originally Posted by Hoonose
If those high end sports cars are not selling you'll see test rides, discounts and red carpets thrown out. It's good business.
If the Vettes are selling like hot cakes the sales people will have little reason to deal with window shoppers. They then keep their cars pristine and no miles. That's their business too.
I doubt that too many corvette type people are going to settle on or switch to those high end rides, as they already well know what they really want. Of course a few do. But I'd bet that very few people did not buy the Vette because they never got a test drive.
Despite any of this, I suspect that GM will have to give away very few Vettes this year.
If the Vettes are selling like hot cakes the sales people will have little reason to deal with window shoppers. They then keep their cars pristine and no miles. That's their business too.
I doubt that too many corvette type people are going to settle on or switch to those high end rides, as they already well know what they really want. Of course a few do. But I'd bet that very few people did not buy the Vette because they never got a test drive.
Despite any of this, I suspect that GM will have to give away very few Vettes this year.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento California
St. Jude Donor '06
You're about to drop 50K on what is essentially a toy and HE'S giving you a 'tude... walk away fast.
You don't want to have to go there for service either if that's the way they treat people.
Find another dealer then stop by after you buy to say Hello to the nice man with the two dollar tie.
Sorry, I'm in a mood tonight.
Al
You don't want to have to go there for service either if that's the way they treat people.
Find another dealer then stop by after you buy to say Hello to the nice man with the two dollar tie.
Sorry, I'm in a mood tonight.
Al
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater MN
I went to a local dealer to look at the C6's before I decided to order mine, the salesman told me that you have to have a income of $200,000 yearly to buy a new Corvette or even test drive one
I think he told me that because I was 19. Three days later I had a order played on a new C6 with a different car dealership.
I think he told me that because I was 19. Three days later I had a order played on a new C6 with a different car dealership.
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,670
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
I have been all over the spectrum with this one. I have purchased a Vette off the showroom floor without being driven, I have test driven many, a salesman let me keep one overnight to see if I liked it (of course I bought that one), and the latest: Husband and I drove my C5 vert to a local Chevy dealer and I wanted to test drive the 2005 C6. He said sure, with a $1,000.00 deposit. WTF?! 
So, I was so angry I just drove off and went to another dealer where I was promptly given a test drive of my Sunshine. It was in the showroom and they fell all over themselves to take it out for me and let me test drive it. The receptionist said that several people had tried to buy that car but couldn't for one reason or another. So I felt doubly privileged to have test driven it and also to have bought it.
And I heard that the dealership who refused me a test drive has been bought out and have all new people. I sincerely hope that salesman got canned. He can kiss my **** and my Sunshine's ****!
ANYONE who drives up in a Corvette should be given a test drive of a Corvette. Period.
So, I was so angry I just drove off and went to another dealer where I was promptly given a test drive of my Sunshine. It was in the showroom and they fell all over themselves to take it out for me and let me test drive it. The receptionist said that several people had tried to buy that car but couldn't for one reason or another. So I felt doubly privileged to have test driven it and also to have bought it. And I heard that the dealership who refused me a test drive has been bought out and have all new people. I sincerely hope that salesman got canned. He can kiss my **** and my Sunshine's ****!
ANYONE who drives up in a Corvette should be given a test drive of a Corvette. Period.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Plantation Florida
Went to five dealers and wife and I both test drove a new C6. Last dealer sent us out together in a blk vert saying have fun. Couldn't find a secluded place so we just drive the car.
we drove up in a 2003 caravan. Up to that point we had never owned a corvette.
we drove up in a 2003 caravan. Up to that point we had never owned a corvette.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 105
From: st. louis, MO. USA
Look I can understand, they may have some young guys wanting to come in and test drive a vette for "kicks". But if I pull up in a C5 with heads, cam, headers ,exhaust, etc., wouldnt that mean something?? I mean cmon, if i wanted to run the **** out of a car, I'd run what I pulled up in and not waste my time talking to a guy with a 2 dollar tie (i love that). I wanted him to ride with me. I only wanted to drive it maybe 3-4 miles, I didnt have a whole lot of time to waste. Im just really shocked I guess. When I finally test drove my C5 it had just been pulled off of the truck for approx 2 minutes. It had 3 miles on the odometer and it was raining. I would have gone to that dealership again however, I have moved since then.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 1
But the Porsche dealerships have several copies of each model of which a few are available as demo's.
That's the key, often. M-B and Bimmer dealerships have demos/managers' cars, etc available for a test drive. They can include the highest end, like an SL, at a larger dealership because the GM, owner or one of their wives will often have one. Chevy demos don't follow the same logic. Even when I bought a 9000 Turbo back in '87 when they were in short supply (big mistake, but that's for another forum...
) the Owner had one as a demo. I would be amazed at a Chevy dealer having their halo car for anyone's demo. And, I sure as heck wouldn't want to spend 50 large on a car that had been used that way. 
That's the key, often. M-B and Bimmer dealerships have demos/managers' cars, etc available for a test drive. They can include the highest end, like an SL, at a larger dealership because the GM, owner or one of their wives will often have one. Chevy demos don't follow the same logic. Even when I bought a 9000 Turbo back in '87 when they were in short supply (big mistake, but that's for another forum...
) the Owner had one as a demo. I would be amazed at a Chevy dealer having their halo car for anyone's demo. And, I sure as heck wouldn't want to spend 50 large on a car that had been used that way.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
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Originally Posted by Hoonose
You're just proving that the first salesman ended up the smartest.
But you're happy and that's really all that matters. (to us)
But you're happy and that's really all that matters. (to us)
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg PA
Wow . . . it must be a low volume dealer or a very inexperienced sales person not to pre-qualify you as already owning a Vette. Maybe he's just dumb as a rock. Anyway, I drove 4 hours to Kerbeck's in Atlantic City and they were happy to let me drive one. "If" you could find someone that already owns one and expressed to them that you are interested in buying one, would they show you their car and/or let you drive it, many would.
I have driven C5s and now have a new C6 with the Z51 pkg. As has been mentioned on this forum previously. The C6 with the Z51 pkg is (almost) the equivalent of a 2004 ZO6. Believe me, there is a definite difference between the C5 and the C6, in my opinion.
But, if what you need is a drive in one to help you decide, then do whatever it takes to get behind the wheel - you won't be disappointed!
I have driven C5s and now have a new C6 with the Z51 pkg. As has been mentioned on this forum previously. The C6 with the Z51 pkg is (almost) the equivalent of a 2004 ZO6. Believe me, there is a definite difference between the C5 and the C6, in my opinion.
But, if what you need is a drive in one to help you decide, then do whatever it takes to get behind the wheel - you won't be disappointed!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,451
Likes: 371
From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
Your mistake was that you made it clear that you weren't going to buy TODAY! The salesman considered you a "maybe" buyer. The time he would spend with you would not generate him a commission that day.
In other words, he had bigger fish than you to fry that day.
Tom
In other words, he had bigger fish than you to fry that day.
Tom
Last edited by TCW; Sep 15, 2006 at 09:20 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,920
Likes: 2
From: North Bend WA
I had similar problems with 2 local dealerships who wouldn't let me drive any C5 Z06's without agreeing to buy them first. I then went online (different dealership), and made an appointment with the Internet Sales Manager to go in and test drive one.
My wife and I showed up and I expected that he'd make my wife wait there...so I prepared her for that. Instead he makes a copy of my drivers license, throws me the keys, and says "keep the rubber side down...have fun". I went off for a nice 20 mile test drive but still tried to have respect for the fact that I wasn't ready to buy that day and that I might not end up with that very car.
Long story short...loved the car but didn't buy that one since I wasn't financially prepared to do so yet. The upside is that I plan to have any warranty work or dealer work performed by THAT dealership as they were the only ones kind to me when I needed something. The other ones can continue to kiss my a$$, and I'm always quick to tell my stories to friends or acquaintences who are looking to do the same.
My wife and I showed up and I expected that he'd make my wife wait there...so I prepared her for that. Instead he makes a copy of my drivers license, throws me the keys, and says "keep the rubber side down...have fun". I went off for a nice 20 mile test drive but still tried to have respect for the fact that I wasn't ready to buy that day and that I might not end up with that very car.
Long story short...loved the car but didn't buy that one since I wasn't financially prepared to do so yet. The upside is that I plan to have any warranty work or dealer work performed by THAT dealership as they were the only ones kind to me when I needed something. The other ones can continue to kiss my a$$, and I'm always quick to tell my stories to friends or acquaintences who are looking to do the same.
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
test drive?!
I work for a chevy dealership and I struggle with the "test drive" every time. I have people come in and we talk about the cars in length and they seem very interested and very knowledgeable about the cars... so I with some hesitation go on a test drive with them. The hesitation when I do take a test drive is not that the people dont respect the car but that i will have to explain to the ultimate owner of the vehicle how the miles got on their vehicle or god forbid something actually happen to the car(that is why they call them accidents).....Our policy is that we agree on a price and get ready to go to the finance office and then they are able to drive the vehicle and most customers and again I say most, seem very respectful of this policy. We as dealership's want all of our customers happy but the last thing I want to do is send a brand new corvette to the bodyshop for a rock chip or explain to someone who is buying a brand new corvette off of my showroom why it has 250 miles on it....
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,519
Likes: 194
From: O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A! Oklahoma!
well i guess i am lucjy that there is a dealer that is going to let me test drive one but i would say that a person who drops 50 large on a car without driving either has a lot more faith in what he is buying, has driven one elsewhere, or is a moron. For me I really need to see if there is a difference between the Z51 and the Base.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 62
From: California
Originally Posted by 1999PewterCorvette
Hey guys, I normally hang out in C5 area but had a question. I own 2 vettes (99 hardtop & 78 pace car). Ive been toying with the idea of getting rid of both and buying a C6. So I go to a dealership to test drive to see what all the hype is about. I pull up in my C5 and am met by a salesperson immediately. He says nice Z06-- I said thanks, but its a hardtop. He says, Oh well I just saw the Z06 wheels and figured it was one- Actually the wheels are BBS wheels- (dont look anything like z-06 wheels). He said thats a nice exhaust, what kind is it? I said Mallett. Never heard of them, he replied. - Ok so he's not up on the the C5 stuff or aftermarket, but thats ok, Im not here to talk about my car, I just want to check out a C6. Long story short, He tells me I cant test drive one. Theres two types of people who buys vettes he said. One set already knows and just buys it, and one set have never owned a vette before, and we would never let THEM test drive one. WTF. How do you spend 50 grand on a car you cant test drive???? Is this the norm???? Did you guys get to test drive your C6 vette?? He has to know Im serious. I told him, I would like to see if the C6 is right for me and worth it to me to sell my C5 and C3 to get in one. He tells me to come back AFTER I sell both, and then we will deal. I want to know if I should sell both, but I guess I will never know. When I test drove the C5 and saw how much a difference it was than my 93 anniversary vette, I had to have one. Just want to know if I will like the C6 as much. What the hell, this is not a ferrari modena were talking here, just a base vette coupe. Am I missing something??
Man, I feel for you; you drove-in in a C5 and you got that kind of treatment. He has no idea of the word product and customer loyalty. I never owned a Vette before and drove in on my Dodge Van with my shorts, tank tops, and my flip flop sandals and I got a test drive. And this was back in late 2004 when there were not many C6 around. I think you need find a sales person with a better personality.