Test Driving?

shadyDR

Can I just walk into a dealership and get a test drive?

ChrisSlicks

Generally yes. Although you might get a little warmer response if you engage them on the phone first.

Zvengeance

Call before wastingyour time. I had one that refused unless we were close to a deal. I found another one that let me drive the car even before we began talking about a deal.

Modshack

If you're 16, live in New York and go by the name Shady, Probably not...

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CBRich

I just went to the dealership (in my busted 94 Accord), told the salesman who approached me I was considering a Z and asked when we could drive it. He told me to hold on while he grabbed the keys. Simple Enough.

shadyDR

LOL..I'm 21...my dad is going to help me on the payments(graduation/bday gift), but he is always busy so it would be hassle to get him to go just for a test drive. So I just wanted to know what my chances would be if I go alone. We would purchase in Aug. should I just wait until it gets closer till then so they know we are serious?

ZCarGo

Many moons ago, I sold new cars and the policy at the dealer was the customer must drive the car before we sit and talk numbers. It was actually part of a checklist. It's all about the selection process and taking ownership in the new car.

They said the comparison would be against their existing car that doesn't have the new car smell, the seats don't feel as supportive, the sound system isn't as good, etc.. We were to do the walk around before they drove and we were to keep our mouth shut while they were driving so they could "experience" the car. They even trained us to have the customer park in the reserved spots up front posted with signs reading "New Car Delivery" when we returned from the drive. We were not supposed to take the keys from the customer upon the return trip..the longer they held that new key fob, the more attachment they develop for the new car. It was almost a game to refuse taking the key back from them. I would just step out of the car and start walking into the dealer and let them figure out whether it was important for them to lock up their "new" car. We were trained to refer to "their" vs the new car and create visuals for them..can you imagine picking your kids up in your new car? What do you think your neighbors would say about your new car? Depending on the customer.."You look really HOT in your new car"..there was a lot of psychology.

The stats are something like from the time a person makes it to a dealer, they will be driving a new car within three days. That's why it's a mortal sin to let you leave the dealer and why the sales guy must create a very strong need while you are there.

Short story long..if they aren't letting you drive this car immediately, they suck at sales and I'd go somewhere else. The only thing they should require from you is a copy of your license and proof of insurance.

-ZCarGo-

BTW..The number one reason to buy a new car is that you've just paid off your existing car. The second reason is that your car has been in an accident regardless of whether it has been repaired.

jakoye

Good info, ZCarGo.

It's so funny though... all these tricks and psychological tools car dealers use to get people to buy cars, but people wouldn't be at the car dealership in the first place if they didn't want to buy cars!

I think it's the "fluid" price tag more than anything else that makes the process a pain for the consumer. Americans don't really have a bartering culture, like so many peoples do around the world. We don't want to negotiate for hours on a price for a product. We expect someone to post a price and then we'll decide to pay it or not. I guess that's what the MSRP is. But now with all these websites out there, it's pretty easy to know what the car actually cost the dealership. So... advantage consumer.

Not that I wanna play the violin for car salesmen, but it must be a tough road to hoe these days.

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MutantChicken

Funny thing...

I went in twice last week to test drive, the first time I had been working in the yard/ running errands and had stopped at the Chevy dealership that shares a lot ( and owner ) with the Nissan dealership. I was wearing denim shorts, a tee-shirt, and tennis shoes, ended up waiting 45 minutes for a test drive that never happened....

I went back two days later to pick up somethig at the Chevy dealer, and walked across the lot and into the Nissan dealer, walked up to the first person I could find and said " I want to test drive the Z" , the guy couldn't find the key fast enough... I made it clear from the start that I was only going to test drive it as I was just doing my research to buy, but we still went. After a short drive ( much too short ) we came back , I thanked him and he started trying his best to hard sell me, even went as far as to tell me " what if I could sell you this car for $1000? " I thouhgt he was an idiot , but I was not buying , I thanked hiim again for his time and walked out. I will be buying a Z but not from this guy, I hate these stupid games.

khtso

It totally depends on the dealer. I had a really crappy experience at one dealer when buying my 370. They claimed that they usually make people fill out paperwork when driving the 370 and that it was "Nissan's Policy" on this car. They gave me an exception though, but the salesman had to drive it off the lot and then we would switch at some parking lot nearby. The salesman hardly knew how to drive a stick shift and was jerking it all over the place. When I finally got to drive he let me take it around the block once. He also kept asking me why I didn't want the Touring model (ie: "is it because it is too expensive?" "can you not afford it?" etc.). Mind you, I can, and not only that I was in work clothes so I was wearing a suit, and not dressed like a bum. MAJOR turn off.

It made me so happy when the sales guy called me a week later, to tell him I went to another dealership and bought it. That was by far the worst experience I have ever had at a car dealership. What makes it worse though, is that the bad dealership is like a mile from my house. The place I bought my car is about 55 miles away.

shadyDR

Thanks for the info ZCARGO

fly yellow

Yes, wait until it get's closer, then you may actually be test driving the car which you are going to buy, and not just putting wear and tear on somebody else's future Z.

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shadyDR

I called a dealership and told the salesman that I was interested in purchasing a Z in aug. I told him that I was going to put down more than 50% of what the car was worth. He said he would call me back, but I guess he thinks I was bs-ing him.

jakoye

Yeah, dude, don't screw up my future Z!

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Modshack

August is a LIFETIME away for a car salesman trained to make the deal happen TODAY. Very few salesmen recognize the benefit of building long term relationships in what is usually a short term job. Wait til you get closer and if you need some credibility go with your Dad. No shame in that..

In the meantime, you can live vicariouly through this thread: The *REAL* official 370Z test drive thread

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