Getting the dealership run-around on test driving

Jack370Z · 11-18-2011, 10:10 AM

Years ago when I mustered out of the US Coast Guard in Mobile, AL I went to buy a new VW. Well, I was 21 yrs old wearing flip flops, cut offs and a t-shirt. When I walked into the showroom no one even looked up so I asked "do you have any other colors". One sales guy finally said something about more out back. I went back there and picked out one. Went back to the showroom and said "I'll take the orange one". At that point they all looked up and I looked at the guy that sent me "out back" and said, again, "I'll take the orange one". He said did I plan on financing...I said "no" and pulled out a wad of cash. The other sales guys heads all fell down (chin on chest) and I smiled. Paid cash and drove it home. I really wish I had gone to the GM and asked him to help me. You just never know until you qualify a person. They just might have a pocket full on money. For as far as my Z they asked if I was planning on paying cash...I said no and handed the guy my AMEX card. They panicked...lol.

Armonster · 11-18-2011, 11:17 AM

Here's what you do:

1) find a new dealer
2) be serious about buying the car (without talking about finances at all)
3) test drive car

Also, just for your own knowledge/benefit, your credit report only shows your debt. Credit cards, student loans, car loans, mortgage, etc. Your income plays NO part in your credit score. There is no reason to discuss your income, especially if you don't have one.

Edit: I just noticed the "credit check before test drive" situation that you were in. First of all, for your own financial well-being you need to go get a free credit report. Most states allow you to get one or two free per year (maybe its a federal thing, I can't remember exactly). Anyway, you need to get a better understanding of what a credit report actually is, just as a general life skill. Search online and you should be able to find it. If you have an American Express card, they give you one a year as well I think.

After you check out your credit report, you may decide that it's actually pretty good. If you always pay your bills and don't have revolving credit card debt, it probably is. In that case you can let them check it if you really want. OR, you could do what someone who KNOWS they have a good credit score would do, and tell them no. Honestly if someone told me they needed to check my credit before letting me test drive a 30k car, I would laugh at them and then either leave, or wait for them to stop being retarded and let me drive the stupid thing.

yaheard · 11-18-2011, 12:20 PM

Im the same age as you and was in the same spot:

Usually when I went to test drive the Challenger, the guy let me and my dad go by ourselves. Gave us a 45 minute tag or something and said have fun.

At the Nissan me and my friend went and the guy just gave us the keys and said be back in 30 minutes. I wasnt comfortable driving stick yet so the first time I went the saleman (younger guy and into cars) took me out and waled on the thing. It was fun. The second time me and my friend went.

All depends on the salesman

awkwardturtle · 11-18-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armonster

Here's what you do:

1) find a new dealer
2) be serious about buying the car (without talking about finances at all)
3) test drive car

Also, just for your own knowledge/benefit, your credit report only shows your debt. Credit cards, student loans, car loans, mortgage, etc. Your income plays NO part in your credit score. There is no reason to discuss your income, especially if you don't have one.

Edit: I just noticed the "credit check before test drive" situation that you were in. First of all, for your own financial well-being you need to go get a free credit report. Most states allow you to get one or two free per year (maybe its a federal thing, I can't remember exactly). Anyway, you need to get a better understanding of what a credit report actually is, just as a general life skill. Search online and you should be able to find it. If you have an American Express card, they give you one a year as well I think.

After you check out your credit report, you may decide that it's actually pretty good. If you always pay your bills and don't have revolving credit card debt, it probably is. In that case you can let them check it if you really want. OR, you could do what someone who KNOWS they have a good credit score would do, and tell them no. Honestly if someone told me they needed to check my credit before letting me test drive a 30k car, I would laugh at them and then either leave, or wait for them to stop being retarded and let me drive the stupid thing.

Thanks for the info, didn't know that. Next time I'll just decline

TonyD · 11-18-2011, 02:05 PM

You never know what yer gonna get. I say find a new dealer....

For the Z my wife and I took the sale's manager's personal car (a loaner he was using) with about 4k miles on the clock and was told to go crazy with it. (Which I did). In the end the dealer was trying to sell that car as "new" because it had never been registered. It had 4k miles and EVERY single sheet metal panel had a ding or dent on it and 3 of the rims had curb rash.

I took a Subaru STI out by myself even though I was clear with the dealer that I was not buying soon.

Drove a Mazda 3 Speed and the sales guy came with me. Same with a few other cars.

Who knows what goes on in their heads?

themann1984 · 11-18-2011, 07:31 PM

Save up more money. Then walk in with a suitcase full of cash. They'll have their nose so far up your a$$ that you will swear they must be Pinnochio.

The 370Z is pure sex! It is hot, loud, and rough!

kenchan · 11-18-2011, 08:24 PM

grow a mustache.

awkwardturtle · 11-18-2011, 09:25 PM

Yeah.. **** this dealership. I specifically told them I wanted a black Nismo. Guy tells me in an email that he did a nationwide search and found one, but he'd need a deposit from me to do a trade. I go in today and there's a friggen black Nismo sitting right there. Guess next time I should actually walk around the lot instead of stopping at the first Z I see.

haitech · 11-18-2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

grow a mustache.

a pedo stache?

mults · 11-18-2011, 10:36 PM

I've had it both ways. When I was 18, I wanted to test drive a 1974 Z28 (I know, I'm old) and the dealer told me to go get my dad and come back. In front of many people in the showroom, I said, `f you, my dad's not buying the car, I am!` While the salesman was thinking about a comeback, I walked out the door while giving the one finger salute.

On the other side of the coin, I was interested in a 1994 Pontiac Formula and wanted a test drive. When I asked the salesman, he threw me the keys and said, I'll see you when you get back! When I asked him if he wanted my driver's license, he said, why, you gonna steal it? Needless to say, I didn't buy the Z28, but I did buy the Formula.

So, it's all about the salesman and dealership.

alcheng · 11-18-2011, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mults

I've had it both ways. When I was 18, I wanted to test drive a 1974 Z28 (I know, I'm old) and the dealer told me to go get my dad and come back. In front of many people in the showroom, I said, `f you, my dad's not buying the car, I am!` While the salesman was thinking about a comeback, I walked out the door while giving the one finger salute.

On the other side of the coin, I was interested in a 1994 Pontiac Formula and wanted a test drive. When I asked the salesman, he threw me the keys and said, I'll see you when you get back! When I asked him if he wanted my driver's license, he said, why, you gonna steal it? Needless to say, I didn't buy the Z28, but I did buy the Formula.

So, it's all about the salesman and dealership.

I would bring my dad back to the dealership, and have my dad yell at the salesperson AND the manager, "why the hell you want to waste my time when my son is buying AND paying for the car!!!"

You can drop the 'F' bomb, it's your personal preference.

heheee

b1adesofcha0s · 11-19-2011, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

grow a mustache.

Ron Swanson mustache, the manliest mustache there is.

junior_jam · 11-20-2011, 07:31 AM

Wasn't denied a test drive. But then again, I'm fat, old, and bald.

McNasty · 11-20-2011, 08:11 PM

My dealer forced me to drive it too. Im only 22 as well but he knew I'm military so he knows I have a gaurunteed paycheck haha

Volk Z · 02-20-2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awkwardturtle

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

Bought my 350Z i had when i was 21... ITs not age it may have been your approach sounds like he thought you were wasting his time.

Go to a different dealer and talk less about the final deal and more about you are adiment about test driving the car before you sign the papers. Throw some buying words out to the salesman.

Walk in there like you own that dealership brotha!

Im 30 now and go and test drive cars a good amount just for fun

Test drove an EVO X and 2011 Mustang GT for the hell of it 2 weeks ago.

11-18-2011, 10:10 AM	#61 (permalink)
Jack370Z Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 128 Drives: 09 370Z Plat SP 6MT Rep Power: 15	Years ago when I mustered out of the US Coast Guard in Mobile, AL I went to buy a new VW. Well, I was 21 yrs old wearing flip flops, cut offs and a t-shirt. When I walked into the showroom no one even looked up so I asked "do you have any other colors". One sales guy finally said something about more out back. I went back there and picked out one. Went back to the showroom and said "I'll take the orange one". At that point they all looked up and I looked at the guy that sent me "out back" and said, again, "I'll take the orange one". He said did I plan on financing...I said "no" and pulled out a wad of cash. The other sales guys heads all fell down (chin on chest) and I smiled. Paid cash and drove it home. I really wish I had gone to the GM and asked him to help me. You just never know until you qualify a person. They just might have a pocket full on money. For as far as my Z they asked if I was planning on paying cash...I said no and handed the guy my AMEX card. They panicked...lol. __________________ Jack 09 370Z

11-18-2011, 11:17 AM	#62 (permalink)
Armonster Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 270 Drives: 2010 370z t/sp/6mt Rep Power: 14	Here's what you do: 1) find a new dealer 2) be serious about buying the car (without talking about finances at all) 3) test drive car Also, just for your own knowledge/benefit, your credit report only shows your debt. Credit cards, student loans, car loans, mortgage, etc. Your income plays NO part in your credit score. There is no reason to discuss your income, especially if you don't have one. Edit: I just noticed the "credit check before test drive" situation that you were in. First of all, for your own financial well-being you need to go get a free credit report. Most states allow you to get one or two free per year (maybe its a federal thing, I can't remember exactly). Anyway, you need to get a better understanding of what a credit report actually is, just as a general life skill. Search online and you should be able to find it. If you have an American Express card, they give you one a year as well I think. After you check out your credit report, you may decide that it's actually pretty good. If you always pay your bills and don't have revolving credit card debt, it probably is. In that case you can let them check it if you really want. OR, you could do what someone who KNOWS they have a good credit score would do, and tell them no. Honestly if someone told me they needed to check my credit before letting me test drive a 30k car, I would laugh at them and then either leave, or wait for them to stop being retarded and let me drive the stupid thing. Last edited by Armonster; 11-18-2011 at 11:23 AM.

11-18-2011, 10:36 PM	#70 (permalink)
mults A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH Age: 69 Posts: 1,830 Drives: 2010 (40th) #706 Rep Power: 16885	I've had it both ways. When I was 18, I wanted to test drive a 1974 Z28 (I know, I'm old) and the dealer told me to go get my dad and come back. In front of many people in the showroom, I said, `f you, my dad's not buying the car, I am!` While the salesman was thinking about a comeback, I walked out the door while giving the one finger salute. On the other side of the coin, I was interested in a 1994 Pontiac Formula and wanted a test drive. When I asked the salesman, he threw me the keys and said, I'll see you when you get back! When I asked him if he wanted my driver's license, he said, why, you gonna steal it? Needless to say, I didn't buy the Z28, but I did buy the Formula. So, it's all about the salesman and dealership. __________________ mults 40th Anniversary 'Z', 312.06HP/260.58TQ (Dynosty EcuTek Tune) Build Date/Number: 1/27/2010 #706 Berk HFC + CBE, R2C CAI, Clear Bra, Cleveland Z Club

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11-18-2011, 12:20 PM	#63 (permalink)
yaheard Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: VA Posts: 148 Drives: 6MT Monterrey Blue Z Rep Power: 15	Im the same age as you and was in the same spot: Usually when I went to test drive the Challenger, the guy let me and my dad go by ourselves. Gave us a 45 minute tag or something and said have fun. At the Nissan me and my friend went and the guy just gave us the keys and said be back in 30 minutes. I wasnt comfortable driving stick yet so the first time I went the saleman (younger guy and into cars) took me out and waled on the thing. It was fun. The second time me and my friend went. All depends on the salesman

11-18-2011, 02:05 PM	#65 (permalink)
TonyD Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston Posts: 32 Drives: 2010 370Z Roadster Rep Power: 14	You never know what yer gonna get. I say find a new dealer.... For the Z my wife and I took the sale's manager's personal car (a loaner he was using) with about 4k miles on the clock and was told to go crazy with it. (Which I did). In the end the dealer was trying to sell that car as "new" because it had never been registered. It had 4k miles and EVERY single sheet metal panel had a ding or dent on it and 3 of the rims had curb rash. I took a Subaru STI out by myself even though I was clear with the dealer that I was not buying soon. Drove a Mazda 3 Speed and the sales guy came with me. Same with a few other cars. Who knows what goes on in their heads?

11-18-2011, 07:31 PM	#66 (permalink)
themann1984 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 100 Drives: 09 370Z Yellow M6 Rep Power: 16	Save up more money. Then walk in with a suitcase full of cash. They'll have their nose so far up your a$$ that you will swear they must be Pinnochio. The 370Z is pure sex! It is hot, loud, and rough!

11-18-2011, 08:24 PM	#67 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	grow a mustache.

11-18-2011, 09:25 PM	#68 (permalink)
awkwardturtle Base Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: minnesota Posts: 98 Drives: 07 Civic SI Rep Power: 13	Yeah.. **** this dealership. I specifically told them I wanted a black Nismo. Guy tells me in an email that he did a nationwide search and found one, but he'd need a deposit from me to do a trade. I go in today and there's a friggen black Nismo sitting right there. Guess next time I should actually walk around the lot instead of stopping at the first Z I see.

11-20-2011, 07:31 AM	#73 (permalink)
junior_jam Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NC Posts: 93 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 15	Wasn't denied a test drive. But then again, I'm fat, old, and bald.

11-20-2011, 08:11 PM	#74 (permalink)
McNasty Base Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 52 Drives: Black 2009 370z 7AT Rep Power: 13	My dealer forced me to drive it too. Im only 22 as well but he knew I'm military so he knows I have a gaurunteed paycheck haha