Is it normal procedure to spend $50,000+ on a car (C6) without ever driving it or driving one similiar to it beforehand? My dealership has told me they have never ever give potential Corvette customers test drives. He said it would be like opening up the gates to Disneyland.
How many of you bought your C6 without ever driving one first?
I wish there was a way to compare the feel of the "BASE" and "Z51" suspensions before making my buying decision.

 

I ordered mine without a test drive. I also purchased two Mercedes SLK roadsters in the past without a test drive. Call me crazy or call the dealers crazy.

 

I've purchased 2 cars and 3 motorcycles without a test. Ordered my new C6 and have only sat in one for a few minutes. test not needed for me. If there is a history of the vehicle, and several reviews singing praises with very few detractors, it's hard to go wrong. good luck whatever you decide.

 

Never a test. I know what I'm getting.

 

I have already taken 3 test drives at 2 dealers. I wouldn't buy a car without a test drive. When I was younger the dealers didn't throw me the keys to BMWs, Porsches and Corvettes like they do now.

I had a BMW Z4 with the 2.5 motor and sport package for a weekend test drive and loved it so I ordered the 3.0 figuring it would be faster. With the larger wheels and lowered suspension, the 3.0 wasn't nearly as nice. I won’t take a $50,000 chance again without driving the exact car I want to buy. Anybody want to take over my Z4 lease while I wait for my new C6?

Alan

 

I did a test drive of a new C6 at my local dealer on Sept. 4th without the intention of buying. When I was in the market for a C5 back in April of '97, there were no C5's in dealers showrooms, so a test drive was out of the question. I found a used C5 about a month later that I test drove. No way was I going to special order a new design, from the ground up, Corvette without a test drive.

 

You have to test drive the model first no matte what reviews say. The car may not fit you right physically. I didn't test drive *my* c5 before buying it, but I did test drive *a* C5 before buying one.

Most dealers will let you test drive a Corvette before deciding to buy one. If your dealer doesn't, go to another dealer.

Motorcycles:

Most dealers will not let customers test drive sport bikes.
Most dealers will let customers test drive street/touring bikes.
If you're a very young customer, forget it.
If you're 35+, you'll probably be able to test drive anything you want if they think you're serious.

I bought both my CBR 600 F2 and F4 without ever test driving. The F2 exceeded my expectations. The F4 met them as I knew what to expect.

 

No test drive = No buy

That is absolutely frigging ridiculous! Ain't no way in hell I'm spending $50,000 for a car and not test driving the damn thing. If dealers are so conserned about putting miles on one why not have ONE demo?

I test drove one before ordering mine

 

My experiance with dealers tells me that they can spot a serious buyer and will get em a set of keys.

 

I test drove it before I ordered mine. No way would I buy any car without driving it...

Steve

 

I think more important than driving before you decide to buy, is driving it before you sign the papers. Driving the one in the showroom that is not going to be yours doesn't mean that much to me. I want to drive the actual car I'm buying before I close the deal. I've got one on order and when it comes in I will take it for a spin before I sign the papers.

 

Find another dealer. We have looked at a number of cars that we may have purchased had the dealer treated us like adults. Thier loss not mine.

In fact, I wouldn't be driving a Vette today had that been the case with it. I didn't buy the one I drove either.

 

I rolled up to my local Chevy dealer in my '02 coupe and a salesman immediately invited me to take it (a new C6) for a test drive.

These guys are good...the C6 I tested had the Nav system, upgraded seats, polished alumunum wheels and other nice goodies for under MSRP. No 2nd sticker like other places I've been.

If you're in the Pacific Northwest, it's worth your time to go to Friendly Chevrolet in Puyallup for a great deal.

...and no, I do not work for them...

 

Did not test drive a C6 before I ordered one, but did test drive the one I eventually bought off a dealer's lot when the ordered one took too long to get here.

With some dealers, I suspect that your age and/or the vehicle you drive up with will have something to do with whether or not you get to test drive a C6.

 

I considered a used coupe, 6speed, Z51. I test drove it and loved it. My wife saw a silver prototype convertible and loved IT so WE (She) decided on a rag top!
On order now - just waiting...

 

My Dealer Didn't Have One In Stock So He Appeased Me By Tossing Me The Keys To An 04 Z06. I Flogged The Bad Boy Too And Ordered The C6.

 

1978Silver, If you live near GA feel free to come by & test drive both suspensions.

 

I was offered a test drive of the C6 on the sales floor (which is the one I now have), but I didn't take the drive...I wanted to get the paperwork done ASAP to drive it home!

 

I ordered mine so did not have an opportunity to test drive. But since it has been mentioned, I would definitely prefer to see, inspect and test before signing the papers and since that opportunity is available, I will as much as possible.

 

3 new vettes and 0 test drives