Where and how can I test drive the new Stingray??

I have fallen into deep lust for this car, but know of no way to even get a chance to sit in one, no less get a test drive.

I am a big guy and don't want to buy a car I am not sure if I will be comfortable driving......

Would you buy without without a comfort test or test drive??

Thanks for any insight,
Gonzo

 

Your best bet will be to find a dealer who has a used C7 on his lot. I think most dealers are a little resistant to letting folks test drive new stock. They should at least let you try the seating on for size. Good luck finding a car!

 

If you feel that size could be an issue, definitely find one to at least sit in. The seats appear to be hit or miss with some folks. Oddly enough, the persons size doesn't always play a factor in whether say these seats fit well. I have no real problems, left bolster is a little hard, but apparently gets softer in time. Only way to know is to find one.

 

You can always rent one for a day.

 

I bought mine WITHOUT a test drive. I did sit in one at a dealer though. I'm smallish, 5'6" so fit wasn't really an issue. After owning a C4 for 15 years I knew I wanted a C7 no matter what. But that's just me. I hope you find it comfortable, its a hell of a car.

 

Rent one. Both Avis and Enterprise have a fleet on them, at least in Florida. Having the car for 24 hours was particularly beneficial for me, because I didn't really like the car when I first drove it. Taking a lunch break, determining what was bothering me, and then adjusting the car, made all the difference for me. That can be tough to do with a dealer test drive.

 

There are several dealers in the Atlanta area where you can at least sit in a C7. Look at Buyavette.net, which is at the intersection of I85 and I285. When I looked for my brother two days ago they had a used one. They usually allow test drives. Also Hendricks and even Maxiprice should have a few. IMO the seats will be tight if you are big. They are for me and I only weigh 210.

 

There are many threads about how big a driver will fit comfortably. But - the important thing is if YOU are comfortable. If you are concerned, at least sit in one and make sure you have adequate room. I'm 6'2" and 250 lb. The first time I sat in a C7 I was very disappointed that I could not get comfortable and would not be able to buy a C7. I actually declined a test drive. It seemed to have a lot less room than in my C6. I tried again a few months later and was able to adjust the seat better. See the link below for some adjustment tips!

Good Luck!

Ron

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1584490917

 

I would say this is probably the best advise. I agree with stephen1254.. My wife and I probably talked to 45+ dealers in regards to buying / test driving a NEW c7. Every single dealer that we spoke with said a test drive was not possible. I'm sure several reasons exist for this but some of the obvious reasons:

1. Liability. Damage or wreck a brand new C7 during a test drive.
2. Depreciation. All of those extra test drive miles add up fast!
3. Joy riders. In a few words, people who rag the hell out of a car.
4. Stolen vehicles. Yes, it happens WAY more than you think.
5. Showrooms. Most C7's are in a showroom. If the dealer has to constantly move the car in and out of the showroom, the "door" would be constantly revolving. Plus, the vehicle would have to be re-detailed after each test drive.

I'm sure other reasons exist but those are the most obvious ones that come to mind. It may also be a standing policy from GM that simply states no one is permitted to test drive a NEW c7 just like any other car on the dealers lot.

 

PM sent.

 

I didn't have any problems getting a test drive at any dealer that had one in Texas.

 

Not sure where you are at but EVERY single dealer local to me said NO WAY.. I will clarify that I was only interested in test driving a Z51 equipped C7. So, I'm not sure if that played into the equation. These are just a few that popped to mind. My wife and I were even prepared to buy our Z51 from out of state dealers (one in Atlanta, two in Oklahoma, one in Louisiana and one in Arizona). Each time was a "I'm sorry" but we don't allow test drives.

1. Bruce Lowrie Chevrolet
2. Lynn Smith Chevrolet
3. James Wood Chevrolet
4. Vandergriff Chevrolet
5. Classic Chevrolet
6. Friendly Chevrolet
7. Young Chevrolet
8. Stanley Chevrolet
9. Moritz Chevrolet
10. Jerry's Chevrolet
11. Huffines Chevrolet
12. Carlisle Chevrolet
13. Autonation Chevrolet (never had one in stock but still said no test drive)
14. Allen Samuels Chevrolet
15. Stonebriar Chevrolet

..and those are just the immediate ones that come to mind. In the end, we were able to buy our C7 Z51 from Stanley Chevrolet in Kaufman, Texas. Even though we walked into the dealership with the nod of approval from our credit union, we were not permitted to test drive the car until the "deal" was finalized (and of course at that point, I had purchased the car). As for my wife and I, in the grand scheme of things, it didn't matter to us. Having ridden in a few c6's, we more or less knew what to expect and didn't let the "no test drive" issue sway our opinion. We love our car and if at some point, we were "iffy" about buying it because of the lack of a test drive, I would say don't buy a c7. 99% of the people who buy a Corvette, buy into a platform that they understand what they are getting.

 

Went to Kerbecks and the salesman/Ron Michaels insisted I test drive any car in the showroom. I felt a liitle intimedated at first then we took a blue Z51 out for a drive. I guess it depends on the dealer...

 

Excellent! Is Kerbecks the largest Corvette dealership in the world?

 

I strongly urge you to at least sit in one before buying. There are many complaints about the seats from larger owners. Most of us think they are great however.

 

I went to Don Ringler in Temple, Hewlett in Georgetown and Henna in Austin. All allowed test drives. Didn't matter what model, Z51 or not. I declined a ride to test drive a loaded Z51 because at $75K it was way more expensive than I was going to buy.

 

I never even asked for a test drive. I knew I could get into my C6 so I just got behind the wheel of the C7 and said "yup, I fit" and that was enough for me.

 

Not sure what you mean by "largest" but they say they sell more Corvettes than any other dealer.

 

I bought thru Chris at Hendrick, he let me test drive. Easy to work with.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...chevrolet.html

 

Hendricks Chevrolet will let you test drive a car.
I had no problem testing one out last July.

Lance