What was your first experience test driving?

vgd · 03-07-2011, 10:31 PM

Hey folks!

The 370z is closer in my future than ever, so time to stop lurking and start posting!

What was your first driving experience like? Especially share if it was at a dealership.

A Nissan salesman took me "on the curves around Costco" ..meaning top speed was 40mph.

Nothing like taking a high performance sports coupe to a busy parking lot to dodge shopping carts. I swear I heard a compliment from a mother with her child, but of course I didn't hear it since I was going so fast

I then find a few empty spaces and start doing circles..and this guy goes "watch the tires". Oh sorry, forgot I was in an altima...

Hopefully your experience was more pleasant

steveg78 · 03-07-2011, 10:59 PM

First test drive was at the dealer on April Fools Day, 1yr before I bought the car. The salesman told me not to be shy and I wasn't. I was just getting the feel for it. After about 5mins I launched hard and had him grabbing for the door handle. I knew then and there that I would have to have the car. But as it was, there weren't any in the exact color/configuration I wanted. I joked to my GF and said I just bought a new car, which really got her good for April Fools Day. She told all her co-workers and they all bought it. I gave up searching over the summer and revisited after the last big dumping of a snowfall. On a whim I found one exactly how I wanted it; 11months to the day later

Cyberium · 03-07-2011, 11:03 PM

Never test drove it. I walked in to the show room and said "I want to buy this car".

The sales guy was like "uh... um... uh...."

Test drive wasn't necessary

Nitrouz · 03-07-2011, 11:06 PM

the first day the car came out. First 370z at the local dealership. I walked in, sales manager tossed me the keys and a dealer plate, and off I go. Cruise on my own, burning rubber, getting sideways with a stock car. I was impressed.

vgd · 03-07-2011, 11:07 PM

Genuinely beautiful stories.
Next weekend I'm going 40 miles out to another dealership, hoping I won't get a minivan salesman for a copilot :P

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitrouz

the first day the car came out. First 370z at the local dealership. I walked in, sales manager tossed me the keys and a dealer plate, and off I go. Cruise on my own, burning rubber, getting sideways with a stock car. I was impressed.

I take it they recognize you from your other purchases?

Nitrouz · 03-07-2011, 11:14 PM

^they sold me my GTR at the time.

EazyD · 03-07-2011, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyberium

Never test drove it. I walked in to the show room and said "I want to buy this car".

The sales guy was like "uh... um... uh...."

Test drive wasn't necessary

I never did, either. People think I'm crazy for not test driving before a purchase. Maybe I am. But it certainly worked out. This forum and plenty of YouTube videos and 6 yrs of wanting a Z car... I knew it would fit me like a glove. And it does,

MVPTonyD · 03-07-2011, 11:22 PM

First expierence,

Salesman: I only have one rule. Dont go past 140 MPH.

ME: "GRINS" I took a feel of the car, and the first thing i recognize was, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT!!! "I was like is there something wrong with the car?"

Salesman: no, all sports car are like this.

Me: Oh I gotcha. and next thing i notice i was going 60 and felt like i was doing 20.

The experience was a blast!

TypeOne · 03-07-2011, 11:31 PM

The first time I drove a 370Z I was shopping around a few different dealerships.

I drove the Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track hours before going on to the Nissan lot. Once I got there the only 6spd was a non-sport but I decided to give it a go anyway. Immediately I noticed how much better the gearbox felt when compared to the Genesis.

The interior was much nicer as well, just felt quality. The first thing that I noticed was the amount of noise that came though... even with the base 18s it was rough. I was also impressed with the non-sport brakes; they felt really good.

Once I got back to the dealership I looked around for the Sport yet there was none. I drove probably 3-4 non-sports before I bought mine... until I drove my car off the lot, I'd never been in a sport.

I'm glad I chose to wait for it.

Juleous · 03-07-2011, 11:43 PM

Booked a test drive with the sales guy that I know, went for booked appointment and he was busy but said you can go with this girl right here she is not busy. Super hot blonde walks up, I try not to show my excitement.

We climbs in, and go's for a rip up the highway. Car was so tight and so was she.

djpathfinder · 03-07-2011, 11:54 PM

The wife and I are always careful with cars that aren't our own (e.g. rental car), so we were very careful with the 370Z. I was more comfortable driving aggressively and making the tires squeeze from a stand still just to experience it. While driving many pick up truck drivers tried to drag us from a stoplight...that was really strange.

chops · 03-08-2011, 01:47 AM

i originally test drove a 6MT non-nismo at a dealership that didnt have the PW/PG nismo that i wanted. stalled a few times and embarassed the hell out of myself. later that week i walked into the dealership that had the actual car i wanted (with less 10 miles on the odo also), and paid for the thing before i even test drove it!

ImportConvert · 03-08-2011, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vgd

Hey folks!

The 370z is closer in my future than ever, so time to stop lurking and start posting!

What was your first driving experience like? Especially share if it was at a dealership.

A Nissan salesman took me "on the curves around Costco" ..meaning top speed was 40mph.

Nothing like taking a high performance sports coupe to a busy parking lot to dodge shopping carts. I swear I heard a compliment from a mother with her child, but of course I didn't hear it since I was going so fast

I then find a few empty spaces and start doing circles..and this guy goes "watch the tires". Oh sorry, forgot I was in an altima...

Hopefully your experience was more pleasant

My experience was much better. I was allowed to take it over bumpy roads (not crap dirt roads or anything, just a rough bit of pavement), and to gun it on the freeway. The car is deceptively fast, and in no-time we got a fly-by from a local undercover. IT doesn't feel like you are going as fast as you are in the Z.

docaam · 03-08-2011, 02:01 AM

No test drive, or even looking at the car in person lol

I have 07 G sedan so I knew the engine will be in line of HR but way better, and the time I was buying there wasn't any 370 Z here at the dealership.

So I bought the car online (tried through this forum first) from Texas, get it shipped to Dubai then registered it in my name, and after that was my first drive.

kenchan · 03-08-2011, 06:55 AM

Side mirrors are stupid big blocks view making left turns, drives like a bimmer. Very compliant ride.

03-07-2011, 10:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
vgd Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 10 Drives: I'd rather not say Rep Power: 14	What was your first experience test driving? Hey folks! The 370z is closer in my future than ever, so time to stop lurking and start posting! What was your first driving experience like? Especially share if it was at a dealership. A Nissan salesman took me "on the curves around Costco" ..meaning top speed was 40mph. Nothing like taking a high performance sports coupe to a busy parking lot to dodge shopping carts. I swear I heard a compliment from a mother with her child, but of course I didn't hear it since I was going so fast I then find a few empty spaces and start doing circles..and this guy goes "watch the tires". Oh sorry, forgot I was in an altima... Hopefully your experience was more pleasant

03-07-2011, 11:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cyberium Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vermont Posts: 379 Drives: 370z Touring \| Sport Rep Power: 16	Never test drove it. I walked in to the show room and said "I want to buy this car". The sales guy was like "uh... um... uh...." Test drive wasn't necessary __________________ Stillen G3 Intakes \| F. I TDX

03-07-2011, 11:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Nitrouz Track Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 934 Drives: 40th Z, GTR, 420z-tt Rep Power: 15	the first day the car came out. First 370z at the local dealership. I walked in, sales manager tossed me the keys and a dealer plate, and off I go. Cruise on my own, burning rubber, getting sideways with a stock car. I was impressed. __________________ 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary - Anastasia VENACI / AERO JACKET / HKS USA / MXP / NISMO / FALKEN / STILLEN / T1R / MR WORKS / CARBON SIGNAL / EVO-R / BLUE BATMOBILE

03-07-2011, 11:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Nitrouz Track Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 934 Drives: 40th Z, GTR, 420z-tt Rep Power: 15	^they sold me my GTR at the time. __________________ 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary - Anastasia VENACI / AERO JACKET / HKS USA / MXP / NISMO / FALKEN / STILLEN / T1R / MR WORKS / CARBON SIGNAL / EVO-R / BLUE BATMOBILE

03-07-2011, 11:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
MVPTonyD Base Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 78 Drives: a scooter. Rep Power: 14	First expierence, Salesman: I only have one rule. Dont go past 140 MPH. ME: "GRINS" I took a feel of the car, and the first thing i recognize was, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT!!! "I was like is there something wrong with the car?" Salesman: no, all sports car are like this. Me: Oh I gotcha. and next thing i notice i was going 60 and felt like i was doing 20. The experience was a blast! __________________ Salute

03-07-2011, 10:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
steveg78 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MD Posts: 569 Drives: 09 370Z PG M6 +Sport Rep Power: 17	First test drive was at the dealer on April Fools Day, 1yr before I bought the car. The salesman told me not to be shy and I wasn't. I was just getting the feel for it. After about 5mins I launched hard and had him grabbing for the door handle. I knew then and there that I would have to have the car. But as it was, there weren't any in the exact color/configuration I wanted. I joked to my GF and said I just bought a new car, which really got her good for April Fools Day. She told all her co-workers and they all bought it. I gave up searching over the summer and revisited after the last big dumping of a snowfall. On a whim I found one exactly how I wanted it; 11months to the day later

03-07-2011, 11:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
TypeOne A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 2,682 Drives: BSM 370 Rep Power: 1850	The first time I drove a 370Z I was shopping around a few different dealerships. I drove the Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track hours before going on to the Nissan lot. Once I got there the only 6spd was a non-sport but I decided to give it a go anyway. Immediately I noticed how much better the gearbox felt when compared to the Genesis. The interior was much nicer as well, just felt quality. The first thing that I noticed was the amount of noise that came though... even with the base 18s it was rough. I was also impressed with the non-sport brakes; they felt really good. Once I got back to the dealership I looked around for the Sport yet there was none. I drove probably 3-4 non-sports before I bought mine... until I drove my car off the lot, I'd never been in a sport. I'm glad I chose to wait for it.

03-07-2011, 11:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
Juleous Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nowhere Posts: 335 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 15	Booked a test drive with the sales guy that I know, went for booked appointment and he was busy but said you can go with this girl right here she is not busy. Super hot blonde walks up, I try not to show my excitement. We climbs in, and go's for a rip up the highway. Car was so tight and so was she.

03-07-2011, 11:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
djpathfinder A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 12,910 Drives: 2012 GT-R BE Rep Power: 733	The wife and I are always careful with cars that aren't our own (e.g. rental car), so we were very careful with the 370Z. I was more comfortable driving aggressively and making the tires squeeze from a stand still just to experience it. While driving many pick up truck drivers tried to drag us from a stoplight...that was really strange. __________________ 2012 GT-R Black Edition Jet Black 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary // SOLD

03-08-2011, 01:47 AM	#12 (permalink)
chops A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NA Posts: 1,732 Drives: NA Rep Power: 21	i originally test drove a 6MT non-nismo at a dealership that didnt have the PW/PG nismo that i wanted. stalled a few times and embarassed the hell out of myself. later that week i walked into the dealership that had the actual car i wanted (with less 10 miles on the odo also), and paid for the thing before i even test drove it!

03-08-2011, 02:01 AM	#14 (permalink)
docaam A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Dubai Posts: 2,532 Drives: Z34/240z/Hakosuka Rep Power: 28	No test drive, or even looking at the car in person lol I have 07 G sedan so I knew the engine will be in line of HR but way better, and the time I was buying there wasn't any 370 Z here at the dealership. So I bought the car online (tried through this forum first) from Texas, get it shipped to Dubai then registered it in my name, and after that was my first drive. __________________ Old 370Z SOLD but not forgotten 370Z 40th, G37s, S30 RBZ, Hakosuka Skyline

03-08-2011, 06:55 AM	#15 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	Side mirrors are stupid big blocks view making left turns, drives like a bimmer. Very compliant ride.

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