Corvette Test Drive denials?
Thread Starter
Disabled by request 2 Jan 2009
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 835
Likes: 0
Corvette Test Drive denials?
So how many of you have been given the run-around or told test drives weren't allowed? Or other BS, pressure, ultimatums.
Seems like better training or Sales 101 should be taught unless the car sales game is preying on the least informed or financially challenged consumer.
I am leaning towards the dealer that has given me the most time be.hind wheel.
I think salesmen should know that the test drive is probably 75% of the decision.
ps, as an aside I consider my self somewhat of a veteran, rolling in a classic BMW, having bought 2 new cars (1 Tahoe) in the last 12mos; and been around cars for the last 20yrs from classics to pebble beach, to Formula 1 racers. So I found this curious.
Ford actaully has a handbook for their salesman for SVT products (GT500, Shelby, GT) that profiles typical buyer misperceptions. Some of it says dont mistake young buyers who might be successful athletes, in technology or trade entrepreneurs (contractors, plumbing, HVAC supply) who might not appear affluent. reminds me of that story when Elvis got the cold shoulder at a Caddy dealer, and finally had the sales manager ink the deal with commission going to washboy.
Seems like better training or Sales 101 should be taught unless the car sales game is preying on the least informed or financially challenged consumer.
I am leaning towards the dealer that has given me the most time be.hind wheel.
I think salesmen should know that the test drive is probably 75% of the decision.
ps, as an aside I consider my self somewhat of a veteran, rolling in a classic BMW, having bought 2 new cars (1 Tahoe) in the last 12mos; and been around cars for the last 20yrs from classics to pebble beach, to Formula 1 racers. So I found this curious.
Ford actaully has a handbook for their salesman for SVT products (GT500, Shelby, GT) that profiles typical buyer misperceptions. Some of it says dont mistake young buyers who might be successful athletes, in technology or trade entrepreneurs (contractors, plumbing, HVAC supply) who might not appear affluent. reminds me of that story when Elvis got the cold shoulder at a Caddy dealer, and finally had the sales manager ink the deal with commission going to washboy.
Last edited by Kayvan; Sep 20, 2007 at 11:28 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
Dealers are in a tough spot on this one. Corvette buyers want test drives but they don't like to buy Corvettes with test drive miles on them. It seems like the dealer loses either way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
Oh, yes. In several instances I was told I had to agree to buy the car in order to test drive it. Amazing when you figure the car I drove in to the dealer's parking lot was worth more than the car I wanted to buy.
What I find interesting is when I was in the exotic car business, nobody wanted to take, what I would call, a "joy ride" just to say they'd been in a Ferrari or what have you. What are some Chevrolet dealers worried about? They seem to act like if you want to drive a Corvette, you must be wanting to steal it.
The local Acura dealer all but threw the keys to an NSX at me trying to convince me I should have one. I never did BTW. Most other high-end dealers would allow me to drive anything I wanted, wherever I wanted, but not the local Chevy dealers. For the record, I am middle-aged and not a young kid.
I'm almost surprised I finally bought a Corvette after this kind of treatment, but I guess I must have wanted one bad enough to put up with the low-class treatment.
I'm sure that all Chevy dealers are not unprofessional, but I guess I haven't wandered into one yet. I can't help but wonder what they would do if I drove in with my Corvette and wanted to test drive an'08. My guess is it would be business as usual.
Too bad, I suppose, but the dealers seem to sell every one they can get.
What I find interesting is when I was in the exotic car business, nobody wanted to take, what I would call, a "joy ride" just to say they'd been in a Ferrari or what have you. What are some Chevrolet dealers worried about? They seem to act like if you want to drive a Corvette, you must be wanting to steal it.
The local Acura dealer all but threw the keys to an NSX at me trying to convince me I should have one. I never did BTW. Most other high-end dealers would allow me to drive anything I wanted, wherever I wanted, but not the local Chevy dealers. For the record, I am middle-aged and not a young kid.
I'm almost surprised I finally bought a Corvette after this kind of treatment, but I guess I must have wanted one bad enough to put up with the low-class treatment.
I'm sure that all Chevy dealers are not unprofessional, but I guess I haven't wandered into one yet. I can't help but wonder what they would do if I drove in with my Corvette and wanted to test drive an'08. My guess is it would be business as usual.
Too bad, I suppose, but the dealers seem to sell every one they can get.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 2
From: LaVerne CA
i was refused at 4 dealers here in SoCal...all BS excuses...its too late (8pm)...we don't have a one to test drive right now( over a dozen on the lot) etc...i knew i was going to get the Z51 Pkg. but i did want to see how the base and F55 felt...needless to say on the night i was refused at the 4th one i went home called Carl@Boardwalk and picked up my 08Atomic Orange 7 weeks later...sight unseen and with out a test drive...
Mike
Mike
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Harrah OK
I was unable to drive a new Vette prior to purchasing mine here in Oklahoma. I was able to drive a used '05, but not a new one. I think it could be benneficial, if a dealer would have one of the most popular configurations available (and not for sale until model year end) so that people could drive one. That way when the model year ended, it would likely sell at a discounted price because of the popular configuration.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 763
From: Lindenhurst, IL
I think it sometimes depends on what you drive up in.
I had my BMW 540i when I stopped in at the Chevy dealer.
I was able to drive whatever Vette I wanted.....except a Z06.
They even let me take the car out by myself to pick up my son from tennis lessons.
I guess I seemed trustworthy to them.
I had my BMW 540i when I stopped in at the Chevy dealer.
I was able to drive whatever Vette I wanted.....except a Z06.
They even let me take the car out by myself to pick up my son from tennis lessons.
I guess I seemed trustworthy to them.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
It all depends on you and the salesman. Last summer I was gettihg an oil change at Les Stanford. I walked across the street to check out the new Vettes. The salesman can out and, we struck up a conversation about how the cars handle and all the gadgets, and this and that, next thing I know HE'S ASKING ME if I'd like to take the car out for a test drive? He came back with the fob for a red vert and off we went. He said we can't go too far, I said I know I would'nt want a new one with too many test miles.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 5
From: CYPRESS TEXAS
I had one dealership tell me "YOU CAN DRIVE IT AROUND THE PARKING LOT" and my response was "HOW BIG IS YOUR PARKING LOT?". Then it took him 10 minutes to get the key, 5 minutes to get it off the curb of the front of the building and then he said it was out of gas.
I said "You all make it way too hard for me to give you my money".
Got in my C5 and drove off. Sent him a fax that evening and told him I
bought somewhere else and that he should learn that 80% of people that walk onto your lot are ready to buy.
The place I bought it from wouldn't let me test drive either
I said "You all make it way too hard for me to give you my money".
Got in my C5 and drove off. Sent him a fax that evening and told him I
bought somewhere else and that he should learn that 80% of people that walk onto your lot are ready to buy.
The place I bought it from wouldn't let me test drive either
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area Ca.
I don't deal with salesmen or women. I talk to the sales manager if they will not let me test drive the car I an interested in I leave. They normally let you drive what ever you want if you can afford it and they know that.
Before getting my C6 I went into a BMW dealer and they gave me the keys to an 07 328 Ci and 335Ci and let me go alone on my test drive.
Before getting my C6 I went into a BMW dealer and they gave me the keys to an 07 328 Ci and 335Ci and let me go alone on my test drive.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Mooresville NC
My husband bought his C5 and C6 at the same dealership. He took it for test drive but the salesman rode with him.
I bought my C5 at a different dealership. They gave us the keys, told us to drop the top and bring it back when we were ready.
I bought my C5 at a different dealership. They gave us the keys, told us to drop the top and bring it back when we were ready.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 218
Likes: 7
From: Hillsborough NC
I've had 2 Z06s and a mag red Z51 taken out the showroom for me to test drive. Heck, the Z51 was up on some funky display rack that took them 30 minutes to get it off. It all comes down to attitude and professionalism. If you walk in with a professional attitude and express an interest in buying the car (not just 'looking' at the car) then it is easy. Did I waste their time, probably, but only because after the test drives I determined that those specific cars were not worth buying. If they were the right cars, and we agreed on price, I would have bought them.
It truly doesn't matter what you drive up in, as I was in my 911 for one and in toyota matrix for the other 2.
Later, I did give these dealers an opportunity to earn my business, but they were not interested, hence I went to Rick C.
It truly doesn't matter what you drive up in, as I was in my 911 for one and in toyota matrix for the other 2.
Later, I did give these dealers an opportunity to earn my business, but they were not interested, hence I went to Rick C.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 214
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
I had a very similar experience. I was 24 and my gf (now my wife) and I went to a dealer. They basically threw the keys at me. They didn't even ask for any insurance or license. Maybe they are really that good at judging whether a person is serious or not.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 622
From: Coldwater MI
I never even sat in my '01 coupe before I bought it---or any other C5 for that matter. My first new Corvette.
I just knew it would be everything I thought it would. First drive and it proved me wrong----it was even better than what I had expected.
I just knew it would be everything I thought it would. First drive and it proved me wrong----it was even better than what I had expected.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 16
From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
St. Jude donor in memory of jpee '14
When I decided I wanted a Corvette I went to my local Chevy dealer to set up an appointment for a test drive ....... and was given a load of 
.
I then decided to call Dave Salvadore at Kerbeck. We set up an appointment and he let me test drive two Corvettes needless to say he got my business
. I then decided to call Dave Salvadore at Kerbeck. We set up an appointment and he let me test drive two Corvettes needless to say he got my business
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
From: Prosper TX
I drove my C5 vert in for an oil change and in 10 minutes was driving a Z06 to compare with the C6 I drove next. They nearly pushed me in the car. The only thing they would even let me sit in was the signature whatever Z06. Salesman told me it was off limits. GSM later said they just sold it. Funny, but later that day, I followed it into my neighborhood!
I've gotten test drives in everything I wanted other than high end italians. It helps being old, driving a nice car, dressing nicely and being polite. Rarely do I ask, even if I want to do the test drive. Nothing special, guess I just don't look like I'm going to go waste their car into a guard rail on a test drive.
But if I was ready to put down what it takes for a Corvette and they didn't let me drive, I'd find another dealer. That's just stupid on their part. You can't tell a book by its cover, they say....
I've gotten test drives in everything I wanted other than high end italians. It helps being old, driving a nice car, dressing nicely and being polite. Rarely do I ask, even if I want to do the test drive. Nothing special, guess I just don't look like I'm going to go waste their car into a guard rail on a test drive.
But if I was ready to put down what it takes for a Corvette and they didn't let me drive, I'd find another dealer. That's just stupid on their part. You can't tell a book by its cover, they say....