Salesman are just a tool or an obstacle just in the way of getting the car that you want

 

The salesman I had was fairly knowledgeable about corvettes. I brought up the subject of my first corvette (1994) and talked about the different horsepower and engines available that year. I purposely gave the incorrect info on the engine and horsepower on the car I owned, and he quickly corrected my error. Not bad for someone who would have only been in his teens in 1994. He even had the service manager call me 2 days later to let me know that the Active Handling System recall work had already been done I did not need to bring it in. We talked about tires which I will replace next spring after pulling out of winter storage. He told me they would match any offer in town with free installation. We will see this spring if the offer will be honored.

 

Uhmmm, no it's not. There are a ton of things that you will never know just by taking a car for a two block test drive. Vibration in steering from a bent frame, alignment problem, biased tire wear, faulty transmission or gearbox going into 4,5 or 6 gear, etc.... I could think of many more.

No way in hell am I making a decision on buying a used car with only a two block test drive.

 

I don't rely on anything a sales person tells me about a car.

When I was shopping the salesman admitted that Corvette buyers know more about the cars than most anyone selling them. And he told me to come back with the wife and take the car out and drive it a while!

 

I refer to them as "Zombies".

 

Just remember, selling cars is what dealerships excel in. That's why they call them dealerships and not serviceships. So where would you go for work on a car?

 

OP posted he was a Nissan dealership/salesman and stated "They also own a Chevrolet dealership just down the road" did you ever think that he was just not knowledgeable about the Z06 ??, ARE YOU knowledgeable about every product out there ??
do you think if you go to a Chevy dealership they will know what a GTR or a Skyline is ???,
90% of foreign car dealership have no idea of what a Z06 is,
cut the salesman some slack before we call them 'idiots' or 'zombies'

 

You know what?? I have never driven a Vette before I bought it. I have had two new Vettes. This last one I bought on Memorial Day. Dealer sent me email of sale pricing and info that 0% finance rate was available on Z06's. I was NOT planning a new Vette purchase at that time either, but dealer knew that I wanted Z06 when I bought my new '09 Z51 Roadster. I did not feel the Z06 was in my budget at the time. But with the special financing rate and bottom line pricing (and some cash on deal), come to find out, it was in my budget....so I got my 427....10 months after getting the first one....I NEVER DROVE EITHER VETTE before buying (of course they were both new). I was not let down either. Especially the Z06.....first time to drive one was when they handed me my FOBs after signing papers....went out and took my things from (old Vette-10 months old!!!), getting in 'Z and driving it 120 miles back home. HOWEVER, if not buying new, I would NOT do that....(need to say that).... Sooo....just wanted to state my point of if ya really want one, driving it a few miles will NOT change anything.....but you should make sure that everything o.k. with it if not buying new. If your at reputable dealer that would be a start....good luck and good hunting....FYI....the newer you seek the fewer there will be as well. The last few years Z06 production has been greatly reduced. Only 518 built in '10 just as example....

 

This. I bought my 06 sight unseen. I test drove it home after inspecting, GMVIS, and signing the papers. I had 3 days to turn it back in. Any good dealer is going to give you the out clause if you aren't completely satisfied.

 

me too

 

I know there's a middle ground here but if you're selling something, especially something as expensive as a car, you need to know SOMETHING about your product(s). If not, go get someone who does! If you don't have the experience to close the deal, get some dang help! I think people/customers would respect you a little more at that point. I hate going to the gym and half of the trainers can't answer simple questions and look like they need more help than I do...and I'm in very good shape. Or go to Home Depot/Lowe's and can't find a subject matter expert for your needs. If selling is your livelihood, then study and become knowledgeable like the rest of us in our jobs. It really is that simple! He may have passed on a good deal but presentation and salesmanship probably comes at the forefront of "selling"! A lot food tastes great a restaurant..but they don't just slop it down on your plate and say eat it!!

 

Most car stores have uninformed sales people working in them. It's refreshing when you get a knowledgeable one. I agree, it should NOT be that way.
My only test drive was with a local dealer that had a used, beat up C6 as a trade. It was fine, but the salesman wanted to do the 2 mile test drive. I just kept driving and had a decent drive. We actually had fun. I would have been happy to buy a car from them except their price was $6000+ higher than I was quoted by someone else. I even offered them $500 more than the price I was quoted to keep the business local, and they refused. Too bad for them.

 

What does the salesman not knowing how to start a C6 have to do with you buying the car you want? I dont get it, does the salesman really have that much influence on some of you guys? Yeah its stupid/hilarious that a salesman that sells cars for a living doesnt know how to start a car they stock, but come on like I said in my first reply the sales person has absolutely ZERO influence on a car that I am interested in. He can go talk to a light pole for all I care. All im there to do is inspect a car im possibly interested in buying.

James

 

Me three...sight unseen, no test drive...it came for another state even.

 

So lets see,you went to a NISSAN DEALERSHIP to look at a Chevy to waste a salespersons time on a car you're not buying and he's the idiot?Did you bother to ask him about any NISSAN'S you weren't planning on buying that day??Maybe you would have a different opinion had you done that.

 

 

I think if you were really serious about buying the car you wouldn't have left so quickly but I guess everybody is different. I didn't test drive my Z but it was new when I bought it. I sold Nissans for awhile and I didn't know everything about all the used cars we had on the lot. It would have taken an unbelievable amount of effort to know all those cars. With a little more patience you might be driving an awesome car right now. If you are still looking for a Z then good luck with the search.

 

This is exactly how I purchased my '03Z from a Chevrolet Dealer and the salesperson did everything I ask.