N6GQ

So I'm in the process of trying to decide what I want, a ZO6 or a ZR1, A8 or M7, and a few other options. I'm probably 2-3 months from either purchase, or maybe 1 month from placing an order with deposit, so I'm moderately serious.

I went to a local dealer that had maybe 5 ZO6's on the lot. But the sales folks told me its not their policy to allow test drives in ZO6s or ZR1's (or ZL1 Camaros for that matter). They did allow me to test drive other models of Corvettes and Camaros but not ZO6/ZL1.

I'm curious, do you see that often? Maybe on a ZR1 where the dealers rarely get them and they're ordered and spoken for before arrival, but a ZO6? That surprised me.

Curious on others experiences...

cyi1

Don't feel bad. When I was shopping for a Z06 I didn't even have a single salesman come help me. I went to look at a used one at a chevy dealership and they wouldn't let me test drive.

I've heard in the past that most didn't allow test drives on new Z06's.

N6GQ

Ok that helps, thanks, appreciated.

breakskeet

Find another dealership.

I MAYBE can understand not allowing test drives in a ZR1 due to the exclusivity and that a test drive on the street would be RELATIVELY close to a Z06. There is really no reason why they shouldn't allow a Z06 test drive, especially if they have a used one.

Kent1999

A *used* Z06 -- sure, test drives should be no problem, given a qualified potential buyer.

A *new* Z06? No. Ask how many guys here would want to buy a $100,000 "new" Z06 with 50 miles on the clock from strangers "test driving" it. I'd guess most here would either want near-zero miles, or a substantial discount for one that already had 50 miles of "test drives" on it.

6104696

The guys at MacMulkin explained their "no test drive" policy pretty clearly. Everybody wants their new 'vette with 3 miles on the odometer. Nobody wants one that has been driven.

Every vette on their showroom floor had 3 miles on it. So you take the good (3 miles) with the bad (no test drive). You have to know what you want in a car (I did), and trust your visual and audible inspection, and then trust the warranty. I had my pick of any car; I could start it....listen to it....press in the clutch and move the shifter around...but couldn't drive it. Worked out OK for me. Same for my second Z06, this time from Mike at Criswell.

I suppose if I paid for the car, drove around the corner, and the engine or transmission exploded, there would have been a discussion about tearing up the paperwork. My first CTS-V had a major tranny problem after about 40 miles (they allowed a test drive in that case, and I bought the car); the dealer tore up or otherwise undid the paperwork (it had not been processed yet) and gave me my money back.

N6GQ

Thanks guys, sounds like its more of the norm than anything. Appreciate the feedback.

xkilo16x

Scaring me a bit. I'm picking up my 19 Z06 from Mike@Criswell this weekend and the pictures show 27 miles on it. Should I be concerned?

breakskeet

My dealership takes new Z06s in stock to car shows, events, etc. They do allow test drives. The sales person will drive the car spiritedly but the buyer is instructed not to break the speed limit when they are the pilot. I think those that are purchasing Z06s off the lot are getting very good discounts already across the country for the most part and should expect to see 50 or so miles on a car sitting on the lot. Especially if it is a year old. Now if you custom spec a car for order, I feel that car should have no more that 25 miles on it. My car had 23 miles on it at time of delivery. When it was in Bowling Green I "strongly suggested" that I would have no problem if my car was selected for quality control during my engine build. I have pics of my car going through QC on an alignment rack with the QC manage going over the car. My Onstar was turned on after I signed the paperwork and I could see my car (tracking it on the Onstar app) in the holding lot at the plant and I actually followed it to the museum when it was brought over for the PDI. My car was a museum delivery.

See this thread:
​​​​​​https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...est-miles.html

JJLAI724

Unless your going to drive it home and store it for a collector car and don't want any miles on it, then 26 miles is a lot. If you going to drive it and have fun with it, I wouldn't worry about it.

Test driving a new Z06 I can understand, but a used one, geez go find another dealer.

breakskeet

Not at all, especially if it arrived at the dealership with those miles. That means you car was probably selected for quality control and it will be perfect!

Tort

"Should" be perfect, yes. Plenty of horror stories out there from museum pickups to those selected for additional QC inspections.

breakskeet

Would like to see those horror stories if you have a link to a thread or other information. No one PDIs more Corvettes than the museum so I'm sure there may be a few out there.

I have had 3 museum deliveries and they all have been perfect.

RickConti@Coughlin

Such an important part of the process, I remember the smile I got the first time I have driven a new generation....anything but ZR1, yes we allow test drives

Tort

As they should be. Don't have links at the ready and don't care enough to go hunting (search feature on this forum is not the best) but there have been plenty stories covered here in the forums where very obvious things were missed or damaged right off the line. You don't have to believe that though...

383vett

When I pick up a car after ordering, I always test drive the car before completing the paperwork. The dealership won't deny you that privilege.

breakskeet

Unfortunately you can't do this with a museum delivery as all paperwork has to be complete. The car is already yours when you get there. Any problems you find with the car that you deem to be major are to be taken up with your selling dealer. They have a form that they make notes on at the time of the museum delivery that you can take to your dealer.

You are absolutely correct. A car that you ordered should definitely be driven and inspected prior to signing the paperwork at the dealership, especially the form that says the dealership owes you nothing!

hcvone

I never drove a Corvette before I purchased one, and that goes back to 1985, gee I'm old, of course they weren't 100k back then either

Mr. Gizmo

Jim Himes