Getting the dealership run-around on test driving

b1adesofcha0s · 11-17-2011, 07:51 AM

I've never had issues with getting a test drive, usually the dealers are forcing me to take one. I'm 21, but I usually have one of my parents with me so maybe that's why. Though I got the feeling they would not have cared even if I was by myself there.

tonybui · 11-17-2011, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1adesofcha0s

I've never had issues with getting a test drive, usually the dealers are forcing me to take one. I'm 21, but I usually have one of my parents with me so maybe that's why. Though I got the feeling they would not have cared even if I was by myself there.

Maybe you look too old to be 21?

b1adesofcha0s · 11-17-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonybui

Maybe you look too old to be 21?

No I pretty much look my age. Just ask Steve or Dan, they've met me in person.

Red__Zed · 11-17-2011, 07:57 AM

I've had no issues test driving cars in "hood" clothes since I was 15....

...but then, people sometimes act different at gunpoint.

b1adesofcha0s · 11-17-2011, 07:59 AM

A salesman once sent me on a test drive in a G37 coupe with just me and my mom in the car

Lemers · 11-17-2011, 08:08 AM

Steve, Dan would you say that Blades looks 21?

Red__Zed · 11-17-2011, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemers

Steve, Dan would you say that Blades looks 21?

File photo of blades:

b1adesofcha0s · 11-17-2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

File photo of blades:

KaienZ34 · 11-17-2011, 08:35 AM

I've been test driving new cars since i was 17. I never had a problem they would just make a copy of my drivers license and give me the keys. So i'd say go to a different dealership. If/when you do get a Z i'd go back the the dealership that gave you a hard time and tell the guy, "looks like you missed out on a sale d1ck."

ProfessorDave · 11-17-2011, 08:41 AM

I'd ask to see the sales manager next time. Although if the sales guy was allowed to act like a d-bag, the manager probably is, too.

Spikuh · 11-17-2011, 09:37 AM

Go someplace else. Not worth wasting your time.

As mentioned, you probably messed up when you told them you hadn't started your job. Leave that out next time. Tell them the time frame of when you might be purchasing instead.

Also, as I'm sure you know, research the car before hand. I had a saleman trying to convince me the NISMO put down 390 hp. Don't we all wish.

6MT · 11-17-2011, 09:50 AM

Without trying to offend those of you who are rather young.... here's my take on this.

I really don't blame the dealer in a case like this. Here's why. I've seen plenty of 370's now that have been "test driven". I wouldn't want to own any of them. All of the ones I've seen have been very aggressively driven. Not great for long term ownership to have a new drivetrain maxxed-out. I've test driven two 370's in the past. I can tell you... I wasn't being an old granny driving them. I consistantly red-lined both and they had less than 20 miles on them. Would I buy the one I drove?.... not on your life. (I factory ordered mine.)

So... can you blame a salesman for not letting someone "test drive" a 370? I know, I know... age "shouldn't" have anything to do with it. Let's face it, I was 45 years old the first time I "tested" a 370 (far from "young"). And I wouldn't want to own the one I tried.

And, the ones I tried probably had a few more "test drives" done to them before someone actually bought them.

KaienZ34 · 11-17-2011, 09:57 AM

I ordered mine before they had even hit at my dealership, but i knew i wanted it. I did test drive a few while waiting on mine to come in.

6MT · 11-17-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaienZ34

I ordered mine before they had even hit at my dealership, but i knew i wanted it. I did test drive a few while waiting on mine to come in.

And how did you "test" the ones you drove?

KaienZ34 · 11-17-2011, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

And how did you "test" the ones you drove?

Like it was a new born baby.

I made sure i brought my wife with me so the salesmen couldn't come along for the ride.

11-17-2011, 07:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
b1adesofcha0s A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: MD Posts: 40,963 Drives: HypeTrain Choo Choo! Rep Power: 142	I've never had issues with getting a test drive, usually the dealers are forcing me to take one. I'm 21, but I usually have one of my parents with me so maybe that's why. Though I got the feeling they would not have cared even if I was by myself there. __________________ Project: b1adeZmobile (2009 370Z) \| Uprev Tune by AAM Competition \| Berk Exhaust Project: b1adeZmobile 2.0 (2014 C7 Z51) \| Corsa Xtreme Exhaust

11-17-2011, 07:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
b1adesofcha0s A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: MD Posts: 40,963 Drives: HypeTrain Choo Choo! Rep Power: 142	A salesman once sent me on a test drive in a G37 coupe with just me and my mom in the car __________________ Project: b1adeZmobile (2009 370Z) \| Uprev Tune by AAM Competition \| Berk Exhaust Project: b1adeZmobile 2.0 (2014 C7 Z51) \| Corsa Xtreme Exhaust

11-17-2011, 08:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
Lemers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Izmir, Turkey Posts: 15,371 Drives: 2012 Traverse LTZ Rep Power: 53	Steve, Dan would you say that Blades looks 21? __________________ 2010 Black Cherry Touring/Sport/Nav Now - 2012 Travese LTZ until I leave for Turkey

11-17-2011, 08:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
KaienZ34 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: LA. not L.a. Posts: 21,652 Drives: Z34 Tour/Sport Rep Power: 178	I've been test driving new cars since i was 17. I never had a problem they would just make a copy of my drivers license and give me the keys. So i'd say go to a different dealership. If/when you do get a Z i'd go back the the dealership that gave you a hard time and tell the guy, "looks like you missed out on a sale d1ck." __________________ *"These Violent Delights Have Violent Ends"* http://www.the370z.com/members/kaienz34-albums-z34.html

11-17-2011, 08:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 19	I'd ask to see the sales manager next time. Although if the sales guy was allowed to act like a d-bag, the manager probably is, too. __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

11-17-2011, 07:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	I've had no issues test driving cars in "hood" clothes since I was 15.... ...but then, people sometimes act different at gunpoint.

11-17-2011, 09:37 AM	#11 (permalink)
Spikuh A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The Ark Posts: 2,357 Drives: '09 370z Rep Power: 21	Go someplace else. Not worth wasting your time. As mentioned, you probably messed up when you told them you hadn't started your job. Leave that out next time. Tell them the time frame of when you might be purchasing instead. Also, as I'm sure you know, research the car before hand. I had a saleman trying to convince me the NISMO put down 390 hp. Don't we all wish.

11-17-2011, 09:50 AM	#12 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1791	Without trying to offend those of you who are rather young.... here's my take on this. I really don't blame the dealer in a case like this. Here's why. I've seen plenty of 370's now that have been "test driven". I wouldn't want to own any of them. All of the ones I've seen have been very aggressively driven. Not great for long term ownership to have a new drivetrain maxxed-out. I've test driven two 370's in the past. I can tell you... I wasn't being an old granny driving them. I consistantly red-lined both and they had less than 20 miles on them. Would I buy the one I drove?.... not on your life. (I factory ordered mine.) So... can you blame a salesman for not letting someone "test drive" a 370? I know, I know... age "shouldn't" have anything to do with it. Let's face it, I was 45 years old the first time I "tested" a 370 (far from "young"). And I wouldn't want to own the one I tried. And, the ones I tried probably had a few more "test drives" done to them before someone actually bought them. __________________ Andrew 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold 2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D Last edited by 6MT; 11-17-2011 at 09:52 AM.

11-17-2011, 09:57 AM	#13 (permalink)
KaienZ34 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: LA. not L.a. Posts: 21,652 Drives: Z34 Tour/Sport Rep Power: 178	I ordered mine before they had even hit at my dealership, but i knew i wanted it. I did test drive a few while waiting on mine to come in. __________________ *"These Violent Delights Have Violent Ends"* http://www.the370z.com/members/kaienz34-albums-z34.html

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