Getting the dealership run-around on test driving
 

I stopped by my local Nissan dealer the other day.. totally blown off on wanting to check out and test drive a Z.

I'm 22 years old, and realize I'm young and look even younger than I am, but I'm still pissed about this. I brought in my car, indicating I wanted to trade that in, which knocks about 16 grand off of what I would need to acquire in a loan. With savings, I can almost buy a new Z base package outright.

I explained to the guy that I'm starting a job in about a month from now, I have my trade-in fully paid off, etc. He flat-out told me that dealerships do not allow test drives of 'sports cars'. Surely you guys took out your Z before buying it, right? I told him that I couldn't spend 30-40k on a car in good faith without knowing I would enjoy it, first. He basically gave me his card and told me to call him if I changed my mind. Anyone else have this experience, or do I just need to go to a different dealer? I neglected to bring any parents along because I'm financing this on my own, but my dad seems to think I need to bring him along to be taken seriously. I hope that isn't the case...

Thanks

Find a new dealer.

I had a few dealers try and force me to take a test drive before negotiating prices.
(I didn't want test drive until I was fairly certain I was buying from that dealer' and this depended on the price).

I wasn't much older than you.

I bought my Z when i was 23,, I had 3 dealerships practically beg me to test drive the Z.

I would try finding another dealer, I would never buy a car w/o taking a test drive. I didn't take the ca i bought for a test drive but i did at least take one out that had the options i wanted.

I sell cars for a living, and I hate when sales reps do this why because I was in the same position as you when I tried to buy my Z. I went to one Nissan dealer 6 blocks away from where I lived, I was in shorts and sandals didn't look like I sell cars. So I ask the lady what do I have to do to get to see the car or order it? And she said how old are you I said I was 23 she said bring your parents and we can talk. I been selling cars for about 6 hrs already never judge the book by it's cover. So I left she didn't know that I'm a home owner for a yr had financed 3 cars already and knew the business real well. So I told my manager I was interested in that car luckily to my advantaged he knew the general Mngr to a Nissan dealer and he refer me to him. So my point is go to another lot don't let those a*%^#holes get the commission, until u feel that they are treating you right do business. Your not spending 4k on a beater btw if your getting yourself a new one you can knock off 3000 grand of the invoice. I got 2010 Magnetic Black Touring Nav and Sport Package for 36k with 10miles.

Good Luck

Well when I was shopping for my Z the past couple months, I went into a couple Nissan dealers and called before hand and made sure I can drive the car before I waste my time and drive there. I am fairly young and look younger than I am. Anyways I get to the dealer, Smithtown Nissan in NY and I speak to the guy that told me to come down. He showed me all the Z's he had and telling me nonsense about the car I already knew.

So sitting at his desk, I said before we talk numbers can I drive the car as I have never driven it before. He thought I wasn't serious as I look young and all. His excuse for not letting me test drive "I ran out of dealer plates, I'm truly sorry". I laughed in my head and told him have a good day. Wasted my time and I hate that.

Ageism.

Make sure you drive up to that dealer in your new Z just long enough so they see you :)

^ Exactly what I did in 2007 when I bought my Civic SI after a Chevy dealer refused to work with me on getting a cobalt SS :D

Thanks for the info guys, just sucks because they're so convenient - now I have to drive an hour to the next one. I'll make sure to call this one ahead of time..

:bowrofl:I was totally thinking about doing that. Another dealer actually gave me a hard time also and that's where my car came from off THEIR dealer floor haha.
They couldn't sell it to me when I was standing in front of it, but it took me to get another dealer to take it from them lol. I'll do a drive by one of these days and just walk in the showroom for no reason, maybe I'll go sit in a Nissan Cube or something lol. :stirthepot:

Its really not that hard to get to test drive a new car. Your first wrong move was telling them you are starting a job next month.. Its all on how you present yourself.

I say just swallow ur pride and go to the same dealer with ur dad. Then u can test drive without having to drive 2 hours roundtrip. Once you decide u like it, come back online and find the best price near you by emailing local internet sales managers, carsdirect.com, 370z forum vendors, etc.

Man, thats an f'd up dealership you went to. My dealer forced me to test drive the car.

And it totally sucks that your other Nissan dealer is so far away.. If you end up returning to the same dealer, make sure you deal with a different salesperson.

Good luck with your buy.

Bring your mom or dad? :icon17:

How were you dressed?

I find it hard to believe they would deny a test drive on a 370 just because you look young.

He was wearing this:

http://i55.tinypic.com/w70xvt.jpg