ZROne

I had the same problem with two dealers in Seattle. I think it's like shopping for diamonds at WalMart, its so expensive compared to anything else they sell that they "protect" them from their deadbeat customers. Wouldn't even let me sit in them, lol. Too bad Tesla doesn't sell Corvettes.

Vetteman Jack

I agree. Can't say I blame the dealer for being cautious on allowing test drives in cold weather on the factory summer tires.

jkcam6017

Pretty much, once the deal is signed, payment made, and delivery completed, it's yours. The idea that you have a certain time period to return it is just a myth. If your State has a lemon law, and you have problems with the car that fit the LL criteria, they may have to buy it back. Changing your mind after the sale is completed? I'd like to read that Law. If you decide to buy a car after the dealer has said, "no test drives", that is your decision to accept a condition of the sale. Again, there is no law you can invoke to force a buy back. Unless the dealer had a gun to your head, it was part of the agreement.

SCM_Crash

Exactly. Nothing wrong with the dealer rather being safe than sorry. Why would anyone argue otherwise? To them, once you've bought the car, you could go flying off a cliff with it for all they care. But in the mean time, if you go test drive it and you spin out and crash, it's on them. Not you.

SRQStingray

A lot of dealers aren't even allowing test drives in warm weather states. Did the dealer have inventory or were you going to order a car? If I were you, I would have looked then car over thoroughly and made an appointment for a test drive when the temperature improved. Or, you could just walk away.

pgway

Not if you drove the C7 with reduced traction due to the temperature!

Blue Lagoon

I bet many forum members bought without a test drive.

Hell I bought mine sight unseen, and I'm sure many others here did the same.

See, it's a sellers market at the moment. Buy it, or don't. They will sell it, and in the mean time have a display which is what a halo car is all about.

I'm also pretty sure it was not personal. I know as an owner now, I have had to refuse multiple requests to drive it, because (insert reason here).

gthal

No need to get this bothered ... I'd just either walk away and not buy the car or go to another dealer. This has nothing to do with GM and everything to do with the dealer you saw. Given the current demand for the car, I would be surprised if you can easily find any dealer that would allow a test drive. They can sell the cars regardless so why would they bother taking any risk?


Where I live, it wouldn't be possible to take a test drive... and that didn't stop me from buying one. It may stop you and that's OK but unless you are prepared to wait you may need to make a "buy" or "walk" decision without driving the car.

Glen e

and then at this point thay are probably glad he left because they know he's gonna burn them on the survey after they deliver you...better to have oyu get indignant at another dealer - not right or wrong, but the way it is, when every bad survey can cost the dealer thousands in bonus monies...

Kilsallagh

When I took a test drive it was sub-40 degrees but the dealer kept the car in the showroom, next to the doors to enter/exit showroom. Tire temps were fine, fired it up, backed it out and off we went. When we were done, back in the showroom it went. I went back a few days later and placed my order. Other dealers wouldn't let me test drive one so I went with the guys who did.

01VETTECOP

Wait till its 45 degrees

LIStingray

I think you will find that somewhere north of 75% of Corvette C7 purchases were made without a test drive.

NSC5

How many people here would want to buy a new C7 that has been test driven by a few dozen people of varying skills and respect for others' property??? Smart dealers avoid allowing cars like the C7 from being test driven unless they perceive the probability of an immediate sale is very high.

A secondary reason is it is easy for someone not used to the C7 to get into trouble and using summer spec tires in winter makes it that much worse. Just like you wouldn't let a highly experienced commercial airline pilot take his first fighter jet flight into a brewing hurricane.

Racerdj

Even at 45 degrees, there is some loss of grip. Believe me, this car doesn't need a test drive but I understand where you are coming from. The loss of grip in the colder temps is made up in the warmer temperatures. It's a great warm weather tire with great performance.

harmonyp

Sorry OP, you aren't going to find any empathy on this forum. I made a similar, very vocal complaint on same topic recently, and found an amazing allegiance from this forum to the dealerships. Go figure.

Many folks here buy (and I did one such buy) without test driving. If you aren't completely comfortable doing that, DON'T! Take your money to a good dealership that'll treat you right, and let your money talk. There are dealerships out there that'll let you drive these cars - you just need to search them out. These cars aren't gems, they ARE cars. I think Corvette is the best thing since sliced bread, but I call BS on the attitude that they are above cars twice their price, that you can go in and test drive any ole day of the week.

The time is coming soon, where more dealerships will have to start letting folks drive them.

jschindler

I seriously doubt if they are blowing him off. You have to remember that dealers have seen it all. When I traded one of my Corvettes in the dealer (who I know very well right up to the owner) called me a couple of weeks later and asked me if one of the wheels was cracked when I brought it in. I told them no, and they believed me but just had to check. Someone had test driven it and obviously put it into a curb.

There is NO question that Corvettes are dangerous to drive in cold weather for someone not experienced with them (or even someone who is). I frankly don't blame them. And let's not forget that there were probably several thousand customer orders for the C7 before production began so they know they can sell them now without the risk of a test drive like that.

jschindler

We are not supporting the dealer blindly, we are supporting them because we understand where they are coming from. I'd rather buy from a dealer who gives a sh*t than one who doesn't mind someone walking in off the street and driving the dog out of the car when the tires are a known danger in 45 and below temps. Sounds like the owner is a pretty smart guy to me.

sotirisf

I drove mine back from BG in what started out with 50's. By the time I got into Chicago it was 17.
I wasnt going to try to see where the tires break loose while driving it from BG, but a week later with the weather in the 30's I took it out for a spin. Without even giving it a real try, the tires easily broke loose and gave my back end a nice twist out which I promptly corrected with removing power and steering correction.
The point is- I dont blame the dealer in not letting you test a car in less than 50 degrees.
They are summer tires, the car comes from the factory like that and a dealer is very reticent to take a factor car and change out factory components. Sure, they can on a used car, but a factory car should be sold only with whatever is authorized by the factory.

Dave80C3

Nope, I think the dealer was smart due to
So his insurance could posibly deny a claim. That could put the dealership out a lot of money.

Also many posters on here have posted how easily the tires spin at less than 50 degrees. Most test drivers what to hit the gas to feel the power, really bad combination in this car on summer tires.


A guy locally has talked about how the tires break loose in sub 45 weather much easier than they did on his Z06

My feelings wait for a warm day. Dealer has no obligation to let yout test drive. Probably not bad for his business, as he will more than likely easily sell every 14 Stingray he gets.

Black 03 Z06

It was late November 2003 when I purchased my C5 and I did not ask for a test drive, I just knew I wanted it. Try as I might I cannot remember if I even sat in it, I don't think I did. Drove it the day I closed the purchase onto a open trailer and hauled it 150 miles to it new home in a blinding snowstorm. I would not have wanted to be driving the car, in fact I can say with certainty that I would not have made without incident and I consider myself a very competent driver. It was bad enough with it on the trailer.

My suggestion would be to simply wait for nicer weather then go and buy one from a dealer who you think deserves your business.

Good luck with your decision and I hope you really like your new C7.