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How willing are dealerships (that have stock) to allow test drives? I’ve been in the market for a C7 and driven those but wife and I decide to go new with the C8 but haven’t driven one yet. Most of the local dealers are asking over MSRP for orders so will probably be going out of state to buy.
Your better off to go on Turo and rent one for the day. Very few dealers are going to allow a test drive on a c8 unless maybe you can find a used one on a lot.
Your better off to go on Turo and rent one for the day. Very few dealers are going to allow a test drive on a c8 unless maybe you can find a used one on a lot.
I tried several dealers in my area and none were allowing C8 test drives.
I rented one on Turo over a long weekend and took it on a small trip. Was a good way to experience the car in a variety of conditions. After which I placed my order and became a C8 owner.
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh snap! You've done it now. This is a controversial question and you're going to get a ton of bad info here. People will tell you to go to Turo and pay money for a test drive, people are going to say no one will allow a test drive. I would NOT spend money for a test drive. I have personally test driven 2 C8s and was offered a 3rd, but declined. The cars I test drove were used. The salesperson did come with me. I was allowed to go on the highway, give it some gas, etc. I would personally NOT purchase ANY car I had not driven. NO car is that "special" or elite. I'm 6'5" and 260 so I needed to know that I fit comfortably. The salesperson even took videos of me getting in and out of the car to show my wife. It breaks my heart that his dealership doesn't get many allocations because I would love to have given him the sale for what he did for me. Different dealerships, different rules, but definitely possible to do a test drive on a used C8, it's up to you if you let other convince you otherwise.
This is similar to going to Best Buy and playing with all of the electronics, going home and buying it from Amazon. Nothing stops this behavior (and I understand) but doesn’t mean it’s right. If I were the dealership I wouldn’t want every Joe Schmo test driving my C8, just to go and order one from another. It would be different if OP orders from same dealership as test drive.
Dealers are not likely to allow you to test drive a new C8 however, and as others have mentioned, find a Dealership that has used C8s on the lot to test drive...
Your better off to go on Turo and rent one for the day. Very few dealers are going to allow a test drive on a c8 unless maybe you can find a used one on a lot.
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh snap! You've done it now. This is a controversial question and you're going to get a ton of bad info here. People will tell you to go to Turo and pay money for a test drive, people are going to say no one will allow a test drive. I would NOT spend money for a test drive. I have personally test driven 2 C8s and was offered a 3rd, but declined. The cars I test drove were used. The salesperson did come with me. I was allowed to go on the highway, give it some gas, etc. I would personally NOT purchase ANY car I had not driven. NO car is that "special" or elite. I'm 6'5" and 260 so I needed to know that I fit comfortably. The salesperson even took videos of me getting in and out of the car to show my wife. It breaks my heart that his dealership doesn't get many allocations because I would love to have given him the sale for what he did for me. Different dealerships, different rules, but definitely possible to do a test drive on a used C8, it's up to you if you let other convince you otherwise.
Thanks. I guess it never hurts to call around and ask. I do like the Turo idea as I could have it all day/weekend and really get a feel for the car on my own without the pressure of a salesman sitting next to me.
This is similar to going to Best Buy and playing with all of the electronics, going home and buying it from Amazon. Nothing stops this behavior (and I understand) but doesn’t mean it’s right. If I were the dealership I wouldn’t want every Joe Schmo test driving my C8, just to go and order one from another. It would be different if OP orders from same dealership as test drive.
You’re right. Maybe if Best Buy (the dealer) wasn’t putting a huge markup on the product that others aren’t they will get my business.
Many now are able to test drive used ones at some dealerships. It's something that most all 2020 buyers were not able to do. But we got in at the 60K intro price for a 1LT, whereas now a 1LT is near 70K.
Thanks. I guess it never hurts to call around and ask. I do like the Turo idea as I could have it all day/weekend and really get a feel for the car on my own without the pressure of a salesman sitting next to me.
It doesn't hurt to ask around. I have found that many on these forums and reddit believe the Corvette walks/drives on water. At the end of the day, it's a car. A test drive on a large investment is completely reasonable considering some people have never sat in one, let alone driven one. On a short test drive I learned that I fit comfortably, I like the way the car handles, and was able to verify that I wanted the 2LT due to the blind spots (now standard safety options covers this). If you like the idea of an extended test drive and without someone with you, Turo is an option.
Carmax is the easiest, cheapest way. It's like the Walmart or Amazon of car dealerships in that they're so big that they're lax on what someone does on one individual car out of their whole nationwide fleet because they still make their money. The employees interacting with you don't care what you do as long as they get their paycheck. My randomly assigned salesperson let me test drive a C8 alone and when I got back he gave me a smirk with the assumption I went hooning. He did follow up through text to check if I was interested in purchasing but he kind of knew I wasn't going to. He was just going through the motions as a salesperson following standard company procedure. It's so easy and detached from the franchise's concern that you can reserve your test drive and schedule online without ever interacting with a human. Then just show up and they check you in with an advisor who then hands you the key.
What state do you live in? I would bet someone nearby is willing to take you for a ride.
What are your preferences: 1/2/3 LT, Coupe/HTC, Z51, color....
No need to pay over MSRP!
You and your wife will be able to find a dealer with a new C8 in stock if you are flexible with the options.
If you can wait 3 months, order the exact optioned car you want.
A test drive probably wouldn't happen but it is possible.
A test drive is only going to make you and your wife want one even more.
Good luck.
I was just going to suggest this. Post where you live and see if anyone here would be willing to let you drive theirs. A lot (probably most) aren't willing to do something like that, but at least some would, so no harm in asking.
Originally Posted by Ron_Attleboro_MA
What state do you live in? I would bet someone nearby is willing to take you for a ride.
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I tried several dealers in my area and none were allowing C8 test drives.
Test Drive
