Extended test drive
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
Extended test drive
Hello all, I'm a C3 guy and my '72 is a keeper. However, I am seriously considering buying a used C7 next year when the prices start dropping. But I have never driven one. I have driven my son's '02 Z06 so, I'm familiar with the power and the general feel. I even drove a C6 for a short drive. I'm also a roadster guy and not sure if I would be happy with a coupe with the roof panel off. I was thinking of going to a local dealer with a few 7MT's both coupe and convertible and being honest with the salesman, letting him know I'm not buying today but would give him a $50 for a couple of hours of his time. Any other suggestions.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 888
plenty of these, I just saw they offered vettes with a price, shop around get more laps for less? you could put a rental on a city street, but why not see why the Vette commands more on a track than a Porsche or a Mercedes? Dealers, they no likea you driving a vette more aggressively than a bolt, with a salesman sitting right next to you.
OUR SUPERCARS. Drive a Porsche Cayman GTS. from $28 per lap. Drive a Mercedes AMG GT S. from $36 per lap. Drive a Corvette C7 Stingray Z51. from $40 per lap. Drive an Audi R8 V8. from $36 per lap. Drive a Nissan GT-R Premium. from $36 per lap. Drive an Aston Martin Vantage GT. Drive a Corvette C7 Z06. Drive a Ferrari ..
Auto Club Speedway in Los Angeles | Exotics Racing
https://exoticsracing.com › racetracks › los-angeles-auto-club-speedwayOUR SUPERCARS. Drive a Porsche Cayman GTS. from $28 per lap. Drive a Mercedes AMG GT S. from $36 per lap. Drive a Corvette C7 Stingray Z51. from $40 per lap. Drive an Audi R8 V8. from $36 per lap. Drive a Nissan GT-R Premium. from $36 per lap. Drive an Aston Martin Vantage GT. Drive a Corvette C7 Z06. Drive a Ferrari ..
Last edited by SilverGhost; Oct 23, 2019 at 05:08 AM.
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Doubtful a dealership will let you drive one especially if you are not a serious buyer at this time. Rent one if you can find a place near you that handles Corvettes. The Exotics Racing event sounds like a good deal too.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Eastern NC
It's always funny to see these posts with everyone planning to buy a C7 next year when the prices "drop" As for C7 and esp a C7z, the 02 Z06 you are used to, there is a ton of difference between the two. The fact that they are both Corvettes is about the only comparison there is.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: SE WI
From what I’ve read here it depends on the dealer and if it’s new or used. With used some dealers will throw you the keys and hope you buy it. Probably not many though. And they will likely want to ride with you. New very very rare because you’ll put miles on it.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 469
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From: Gulf Coast AL
A salesman will probably think $50 is not enough for a couple of hours if his time since he could be selling a car to somebody else. Also, their boss may give them a hard time about wandering off for hours joy riding a sports car. If you want a lot of time to test drive, some car rental companies have c7s or there are services like Turo that allow you to rent a car from private parties.... both options will cost more than $50 though.
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Pro
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From: New Jersey
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2019
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From: Annandale Virginia
I rented a C7 through enterprise for a weekend to see if it was right for me (spoiler: it was). I would recommend you do the same, a 15 minute test drive is not enough to get a good feel for the car. It’s going to cost more than fifty bucks, more like $250 per day. Well worth it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Margate, FL
It depends on the dealer for sure... I test drove three C7s all used. The first dealer would barely let me go more then a mile from the lot, basically I learned how the car drove thru 2 parking lots and a suburban neighborhood 
I specifically asked for extended test drive too. Second dealer gave me more room and time. The third dealer threw me the keys and said "have fun". However he claimed the car was all but sold, he was just waiting on some final paperwork unless I put money in his hand that day.
Agree with the rental. I hate rushed test drives with some idiot I don't know sitting next to me and reminding me every two seconds what a great car this is. I want to drive my normal home-to-work route since I know how those roads feel. No let anyone rush or make you feel uncomfortable with this decision.
I specifically asked for extended test drive too. Second dealer gave me more room and time. The third dealer threw me the keys and said "have fun". However he claimed the car was all but sold, he was just waiting on some final paperwork unless I put money in his hand that day.Agree with the rental. I hate rushed test drives with some idiot I don't know sitting next to me and reminding me every two seconds what a great car this is. I want to drive my normal home-to-work route since I know how those roads feel. No let anyone rush or make you feel uncomfortable with this decision.
Le Mans Master
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From: Windermere FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
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It depends on the dealer for sure... I test drove three C7s all used. The first dealer would barely let me go more then a mile from the lot, basically I learned how the car drove thru 2 parking lots and a suburban neighborhood I specifically asked for extended test drive too. Second dealer gave me more room and time. The third dealer threw me the keys and said "have fun". However he claimed the car was all but sold, he was just waiting on some final paperwork unless I put money in his hand that day.
Agree with the rental. I hate rushed test drives with some idiot I don't know sitting next to me and reminding me every two seconds what a great car this is. I want to drive my normal home-to-work route since I know how those roads feel. No let anyone rush or make you feel uncomfortable with this decision.
I specifically asked for extended test drive too. Second dealer gave me more room and time. The third dealer threw me the keys and said "have fun". However he claimed the car was all but sold, he was just waiting on some final paperwork unless I put money in his hand that day.Agree with the rental. I hate rushed test drives with some idiot I don't know sitting next to me and reminding me every two seconds what a great car this is. I want to drive my normal home-to-work route since I know how those roads feel. No let anyone rush or make you feel uncomfortable with this decision.
Your right...rent if not buying today!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,496
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
Hello all, I'm a C3 guy and my '72 is a keeper. However, I am seriously considering buying a used C7 next year when the prices start dropping. But I have never driven one. I have driven my son's '02 Z06 so, I'm familiar with the power and the general feel. I even drove a C6 for a short drive. I'm also a roadster guy and not sure if I would be happy with a coupe with the roof panel off. I was thinking of going to a local dealer with a few 7MT's both coupe and convertible and being honest with the salesman, letting him know I'm not buying today but would give him a $50 for a couple of hours of his time. Any other suggestions.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
I get that their time is worth something and I respect that - so I tell them I'm not buying today, then its up to them. In many cases it might the dealership's policy for them to ride along, so the individual salesperson might not have a choice in regards to letting you pile miles on what is likely the most expensive car on the lot. For me it was extra annoying as the wife also wanted to drive the car but with only 2 seats we had to circle back to the dealership to swap drivers.I imagine with a Corvette they get plenty of tire kickers who just want to experience a joy ride - with zero intentions of buying. Thus it can be challenging to get a decent opportunity to really test the car as a serious yet not fully committed buyer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 921
Likes: 345
I would just go and drive one - when I was deciding on if I wanted a z51 gs mag ride,etc I drove one of each. I generally picked used car to test drive but drove a few brand new. I even drove a brand new 2019 to see if the mag ride update was worth 400 to me..NO.
So just go drive them.
So just go drive them.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 420
From: Eastern NC
Every time I go to a dealer to look at/buy a car they always try pushing me into a test drive. I always tell them up front if the numbers are good I'll drive it home as I know it drives good. Guess they think if someone drives something they automatically buy. That being said I never test drive anything as so far i haven't bought a car that doens't drive good.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,793
Likes: 99
From: Marlborough Ma
I bought new from McMulkin. Asked for a test drive before signing. Was told NoTest Drives. I know, but we bought anyway. Had to listen to the wife bitching about everything. I think she has finally come around. 
Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 706
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From: New Jersey
Me either, but if some one else is willing, what the heck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,076
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From: Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
Hello all, I'm a C3 guy and my '72 is a keeper. However, I am seriously considering buying a used C7 next year when the prices start dropping. But I have never driven one. I have driven my son's '02 Z06 so, I'm familiar with the power and the general feel. I even drove a C6 for a short drive. I'm also a roadster guy and not sure if I would be happy with a coupe with the roof panel off. I was thinking of going to a local dealer with a few 7MT's both coupe and convertible and being honest with the salesman, letting him know I'm not buying today but would give him a $50 for a couple of hours of his time. Any other suggestions.
I had a 78 4-speed for 15 years, followed by a C5 98 6-speed for the same length of time. Just sold the 98 in the summer after deciding to order a new C7 M7 before the end of the model run. Not interested in the mid-engined C8...especially without a manual. I haven't driven a C6 as you mentioned you had...I found the C5 light years ahead of the C3 in pretty well every respect. I still love the looks of the C3, but could never go back to one now. The C7 is yet another leap ahead...love the exotic look, but also the nicely appointed interior, engine power, 7-speed shifter...super happy with it. Each gen of Vette has its own charms...a friend of mine has an 89 C4. At the time it seemed space-age, but is very dated in many ways now. But still, he loves it and it's just another version of an iconic sports car. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!