New to the process
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 834
Likes: 253
From: Blountville Tn.
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
So apparently, no test drives are allowed until you are a serious buyer?!
My BMW lease ends this year and I wanted to test drive a C7 to see if it would work on the broken roads of Houston.
both dealerships near me Knapp and Mac Haik said they don't do test drives until they settle on numbers. Wouldn't even let me try a pre owned. it makes sense with adding mileage and stuff, but it's such a bummer.
I am not yet serious enough to do that as I don't know if the C7 will work for me.
So, welcome to the C7 buying process, I guess!
My BMW lease ends this year and I wanted to test drive a C7 to see if it would work on the broken roads of Houston.
both dealerships near me Knapp and Mac Haik said they don't do test drives until they settle on numbers. Wouldn't even let me try a pre owned. it makes sense with adding mileage and stuff, but it's such a bummer.
I am not yet serious enough to do that as I don't know if the C7 will work for me.
So, welcome to the C7 buying process, I guess!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 933
From: Just outside a swamp in Florida
I will say, i am impressed with the online community, similar to BMW forums. Thanks for the feedback. One day soon I will find the right place in houston!
I am coming out of a 2014 F10 535i with 19" wheels, I am expecting ride quality to not equal that, but does anyone have any thoughts about the ride over bad roads as that is my daily work commute.
I am coming out of a 2014 F10 535i with 19" wheels, I am expecting ride quality to not equal that, but does anyone have any thoughts about the ride over bad roads as that is my daily work commute.
If the roads are that bad, you will not only feel bad roads more, you are going to hear all the irregularities in the road. The ride is not quiet, especially compared to the 535. Hopefully you don't have to dodge potholes.
That being said, once you fire up that V8, listen to to the engine, and feel all those horses under the hood of a car that feels not much bigger then a go cart. Those little differences seem to melt away as the grin on your face grows.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 98
Likes: 28
Hmmm ... my first ride in a C7 determined that it was not at all bad. Tell sales you just need a ride. Not necessary to drive it if you really only want to get a feel for ride quality. But you do need to compare mag and non-mag ride options in the Z51 and non-Z51 variety. Betting mag-ride will be your deal. And you should be able to get the attention of sales when you tell them your lease is up on the BMW. 
Pat
Pat
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 343
From: Louisville KY
Keep looking for a good sales person. Several years ago the same thing happened to me. I went into our local Chevy dealership and asked for a test drive in a Corvette. I was ready, willing, and able to pay cash for it. I did not tell them that though. They told me that no one allows Corvettes to be test driven. I left and drove about 25 miles to another dealership where they handed me the keys to a Corvette. I am now on my third Corvette. Needless to say, I did not return to our local dealership. Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 234
I don't get these dealerships. What does it actually mean to be a serious buyer? You could be dead serious with money falling out of your pocket, but yet you can *still* walk away if you didn't enjoy the test ride, am I right???!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 109
From: Texas
St. Jude Donor '12
I live in the Houston area and don't see hardly any bad roads. I live in the League city area if you want to take a ride in my 2015 base 3LT. Just PM me and we can set something up.
Craig
Craig
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Wow! Coming out of 5 series, you are going to loose a lot of room, and feel tiny in traffic.
If the roads are that bad, you will not only feel bad roads more, you are going to hear all the irregularities in the road. The ride is not quiet, especially compared to the 535. Hopefully you don't have to dodge potholes.
That being said, once you fire up that V8, listen to to the engine, and feel all those horses under the hood of a car that feels not much bigger then a go cart. Those little differences seem to melt away as the grin on your face grows.
If the roads are that bad, you will not only feel bad roads more, you are going to hear all the irregularities in the road. The ride is not quiet, especially compared to the 535. Hopefully you don't have to dodge potholes.
That being said, once you fire up that V8, listen to to the engine, and feel all those horses under the hood of a car that feels not much bigger then a go cart. Those little differences seem to melt away as the grin on your face grows.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
I will say, i am impressed with the online community, similar to BMW forums. Thanks for the feedback. One day soon I will find the right place in houston!
I am coming out of a 2014 F10 535i with 19" wheels, I am expecting ride quality to not equal that, but does anyone have any thoughts about the ride over bad roads as that is my daily work commute.
I am coming out of a 2014 F10 535i with 19" wheels, I am expecting ride quality to not equal that, but does anyone have any thoughts about the ride over bad roads as that is my daily work commute.
Last edited by rmorin1249; Feb 23, 2017 at 04:07 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 303
Likes: 73
Keep looking for a good sales person. Several years ago the same thing happened to me. I went into our local Chevy dealership and asked for a test drive in a Corvette. I was ready, willing, and able to pay cash for it. I did not tell them that though. They told me that no one allows Corvettes to be test driven. I left and drove about 25 miles to another dealership where they handed me the keys to a Corvette. I am now on my third Corvette. Needless to say, I did not return to our local dealership. Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 239
From: Missi'ppi... no mo' MO for me!!
My local dealer wouldn't let me either. But I've driven a base, a z51 and a z06 at the nearest CarMax. They made a "mistake" and let me drive the z06 alone without a salesperson, but they'll let you drive one if you have a valid license. They didn't even axe for proof of insurance.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 434
Likes: 121
From: Allen Tx
Its ridiculous - I am not exaggerating - before buying the c7 i DROVE a Maserati - AMG- m6 competition package......only place that wouldn't let me drive a car - my local chevy dealer - I even spoke to the GM - I guess the maserati dealership didn't have $35000 cars either so maybe its to weed those out - but still - This is NOT a rare car we are in love with - that dealership didn't get a penny from us.
I just went to a different dealer and problem solved - I did call beforehand and let them know I wanted to drive it and was serious. met the service manager - completely different experience.
I just went to a different dealer and problem solved - I did call beforehand and let them know I wanted to drive it and was serious. met the service manager - completely different experience.
Last edited by DogTag-C7R; Feb 23, 2017 at 05:48 PM. Reason: typo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
I bought my C6 without having driven one in 2008. Same with my C7 in 2016. However I had been in prototype C7's, and owned the C6 so I had an idea.
But, this is common in my experience. If you don't show up in a serious ride, you don't get a test drive from most dealers.
But, this is common in my experience. If you don't show up in a serious ride, you don't get a test drive from most dealers.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 3,826
From: Bainbridge Island WA
My dealer initially refused to let me test drive one (potentially my 2nd vette from them), but then relented.
However, the salesman went with, set the drive mode in eco, and kept his hand over the mode dial. They also only let me drive it around the block, and told me if I chirped a wheel, even on accident, I would never test drive another vehicle there.
However, the salesman went with, set the drive mode in eco, and kept his hand over the mode dial. They also only let me drive it around the block, and told me if I chirped a wheel, even on accident, I would never test drive another vehicle there.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 129
Likes: 40
From: British Columbia, Canada
Keep looking for a good sales person. Several years ago the same thing happened to me. I went into our local Chevy dealership and asked for a test drive in a Corvette. I was ready, willing, and able to pay cash for it. I did not tell them that though. They told me that no one allows Corvettes to be test driven. I left and drove about 25 miles to another dealership where they handed me the keys to a Corvette. I am now on my third Corvette. Needless to say, I did not return to our local dealership. Good luck.
I did find a dealership that let me drive one on an extended test drive, and that's where I bought.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 329
Likes: 51
From: Odessa Florida
It is what it is. I bought a new 100k Z06.....I was first to drive it off the showroom floor.
So nice to know I was able to break it in my way.
Not driving a pre-owned.....just does not make sense.
You will love C7.....keep trying
So nice to know I was able to break it in my way.
Not driving a pre-owned.....just does not make sense.
You will love C7.....keep trying
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 186
Likes: 5
Wow--this makes me grateful for my dealer. He put a temp tag on, warned me that the tires would be hoppy, and had me drive it off the lot and let me drive it as much as I wanted. Probably put 12 miles on it during the test drive--it started with 6. Drove back and we made a deal.
To the OP: there has to be a dealer out there who wants your business, especially in your neck of the woods.
To the OP: there has to be a dealer out there who wants your business, especially in your neck of the woods.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,799
Likes: 10
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
So apparently, no test drives are allowed until you are a serious buyer?!
My BMW lease ends this year and I wanted to test drive a C7 to see if it would work on the broken roads of Houston.
both dealerships near me Knapp and Mac Haik said they don't do test drives until they settle on numbers. Wouldn't even let me try a pre owned. it makes sense with adding mileage and stuff, but it's such a bummer.
I am not yet serious enough to do that as I don't know if the C7 will work for me.
So, welcome to the C7 buying process, I guess!
My BMW lease ends this year and I wanted to test drive a C7 to see if it would work on the broken roads of Houston.
both dealerships near me Knapp and Mac Haik said they don't do test drives until they settle on numbers. Wouldn't even let me try a pre owned. it makes sense with adding mileage and stuff, but it's such a bummer.
I am not yet serious enough to do that as I don't know if the C7 will work for me.
So, welcome to the C7 buying process, I guess!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
However, employee discount perk offsets a portion of it,
which is why I continued to deal with them until a few weeks ago.
But that's another story for another thread.