Getting the dealership run-around on test driving

onzedge

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Pintsize725

When I first started shopping around for a used Z, the salesman laughed when I told him I wouldn't take anything else. He tried to force an Altima coupe on me stating that "with the new engine, it's like having a V6. And FWD is what you want." I didn't back down and at the end of our conversation he said "I don't want to sell you a car that you are going to be street racing in and causing trouble." I am 25 and I guess due to my height I look like I'm younger.

AreJay

I'm 22 and the first thing they did was ask for a test drive. I didn't even know how to drive a standard and salesmen took me to the park and taught me in the brand spanking new Z with 80 miles lol. I stalled out a few times. But in the end I bought that same Z.

r1eater

happens to me all the time, I'm in my mid 30's but look like mid to early 20's. Its a blessing and a curse sometimes...

Polymorphic

That's complete B.S. I'm 24 and look like I'm 18, I just bought my z yesterday. I went over to the dealership about a month ago for a test drive, told the salesman I wanted to test drive a Z and he replied, "Let's go for a ride". You should have just approached a different salesman at the dealership and talked to them about the z.

Polymorphic

Haha they tried to force the new altima on me too. I said sure, give me a manual transmission and I'll take it. (knowing full well it only comes auto)

aamador521

I'm 20 and I've test driven by myself like 7 cars total. 2011 v6 mustang, 2011 5.0 mustang x2, camaro rs, camaro ss, 370z and 350z. But I had the same thing happen to me. I was really pissed. My usual bit is to come in with a nicer car/my old clean 06 mustang and just ask to "look at the inside and engine of a car." or that I've been "reading up on the blank." But I messed up with this guy. I come in and tell him I didn't want to buy I just wanted to look at the inside of the car. That is ALL I ASKED! I didn't even ask to test drive. He basically told me, "ooh, how old are you? yeah we usually don't let younger people test drive because they rack up the miles of the car." then he tried being really enthusiastic about how well ford is doing and blah blah blah. I ended up just walking away after someone asked him a question. That's why I decided I'd never buy from him. I still have all of their business cards because the ones who let me test drive treated me extremely well. Whatever car I decide later, I'll buy from them. but i guess I haven't proven them wrong because I have never purchased, though now I'm in a position to.

DYNAZOR

I have a similar story. When I was about 35 I was interested in buying a new Corvette. One cold, sleety day at the beginning of winter of '86 I went to a local Chevy dealer to see if I could make a deal on a new '87 coupe. I was dressed according to the day's weather, i.e. faded jeans, ratty winter coat, and the same type of work boots I wore when I used to drive a truck (at this time I was a technical support engineer for Sony). The dealer had a convertible on the floor, same color as what I wanted in the coupe. I walked right to the 'Vette and walked around it, checking things out for a few minutes, and not a single salesman acknowledged my presence despite every one of them looking at me when i walked through the door. They quickly went back to reading their newspaper or whatever (it was a very slow day due to the crappy weather). Finally, one salesman came up and asked if I had any questions he could answer for me. I told him I was ready to buy if they came up with the right price. This salesman was a tall, thin, near-the-end-of-middle-age black man named Wally, the only non-white person in the place. We retreated to Wally's cubical and after about 30 minutes and several trips to the sales manager's office I wrote aout a check for $1,000 to order the car I wanted. The other salemen who neglected me were watching me like hawks writing out that check, in total disbelief. After making the deal Wally confided to me that he had been laid off at another dealer and was at this dealer for only 2 weeks and had not sold a single car until I came in, and he said it with a big grin on his face while his hands were shaking.

I guess reading the newspaper on a cold wet day and whatever was more important to the other salesmen then tossing me a simple "Hi, can I help you with something" when I came in.

ImportConvert

I met with a bit of resistance at one dealership (we have to local GM dealers) when shopping for my new Z06 at age 24. However, one dealership took me serious, and I bought from them. I was treated with respect the whole way through the process. It was a very positive experience.

HeRo1

I am 19. I went today to a Nissan dealership (1 1/2 hour drive) to check out their 370z. I got there after they was closed but only by like 10 minutes so there was still salesmen outside talking. As soon as i got out of my mother's altima a guy came up to me. He asked me what i was looking for and i said the 370z right out front. He took me over to it and i started looking at it. Walking around. Checking out the sticker price and everything of course. As i was talking to him it was obvious he did not know the car. I asked him how much it was. he says 37,000. It was a 2011 6MT sports package. I found that out my the sticker. He did not have a clue what it was, besides the fact that it was a 2011 coupe. Because i showed up late i couldnt check the interior or anything. But as i was leaving i said id come back to look it over some more. He immediately said alright and that next time i come we can take it out for a drive. I honestly believe your appearance and what you drive into the dealership with is what sets it all for them. I wasnt wearing anything nice, but nothing rough either. It astounded me after reading all this that he acted pleased to let me drive the car. Of course i made it apparent that the car was for me. I never mentioned money as an issue or anything. But of course im not going to pay 37000 for it as the new 2012 sport package is right around that dollar price. Also, if you live in or close to london, ky. They are having a sale that all cars go for invoice and any rebates they have going on.

LakeShow

Every dealership/salesman is different. One dealer wouldn't let me test drive 1 of the 5 Z's they had on the lot outside while I went to another and they pulled their only Z a 49k roadster off the showroom floor just for me to test drive. Some places judge, while other places take every customer seriously.

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|2013 370z|PearlWhite/Persimmon|Touring/Sport/Nav|F.I. CBE 18" CF|
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dropped1

Depends on what you drive to the dealership

I purposely took my 96 Honda Civic beater to the dealers when I was truck shopping instead of the Z. Makes for a more comfortable car browsing experience, without being attacked from all angles by every sales person in the lot.

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bjblackout

Find a new dealer. I would not buy a car from a dealer that would not allow me to test drive the car I am buying. That is foolish!!!

houkouonchi

Me and my dad both test drove a 370z. Probably helped quite a bit that we drove up in a 350z =). Honestly the dealership was kind of an *** though and it just so happened one of the next closest ones had the exact Z I wanted (only one within 300 miles) and honestly their service department and everything is way better so ended up working out (i always go to my home dealership for servicing as well).

I knew I wanted the 370z even without a second test drive (even though it had been months). I didn't even bother going into the dealership though. I told them I was serious and directly got the sale manager's email address and emailed him the configuration I wanted and asked for a quote. He was very reluctant to give me a quote but kind of said in talking on the phone later about how much he would be ok with. It was a little over invoice but the configuration was extremely rare so I jumped on it.

I basically had the car all setup to buy so by the time I finally went in the dealer all i did pretty much was go through the paper work. They actually did make me test drive the actual car though before completing everything even though I told them I had already test driven it and knew it was what I wanted. Also the one I got had all of like 6 miles on it so I wasn't worried of it being abused by test-drivers.

I am 26 btw.

Somberlaine

same happened to me...they pulled that same ole BS: "people on the market for this type of car wouldn't buy a car with a high mileage." the car had 12 miles. crossed them off my list that very day.