And on the point of not soiling all the Z's on the lot for buyers that want them pristine: the best policy from our point of view is that dealers should use one (or two I guess, manual and auto) as test drive vehicles and sell them a slightly lower markup than the pristine ones, and offer customers the option of either. Most dealerships opt for the less complicated and more profitable options though, either letting them all get driven and marking them all up like brand new anyways, or trying not to let anyone test drive unless they're fairly confident of a sale.

The dealership I went to had a specific Z for test drives...which was the non-sport version. I asked to test drive the sport version (was interested about the mechanics of Syncrev) and was told I could not do it. Then I explained to the sales guy that A) I was probably not going to pay 35k for a car I could not test drive and test out the fancy new never-before-seen SyncRev 2) if I got the deal I wanted -there was a good chance I was walking out of there with a Z. I did my research, I knew invoice pricing for the car and all options as well as any rebates...I knew what I wanted to spend. There was no harm in throwing the guy a bone and telling him "hey, you treat me right, I'm probably going to buy this thing"

He was like..."Yes Sir, I totally understand, let me get the keys" and 5 mins later I was syncreving all over town. Being honest with your intentions really doesn't hurt if you've done your homework and know how munch the car is worth and set a limit as to what you will pay for it.

Funny how people think you should 'dress the part' when you go car shopping. I wear expensive suits all week at work, but if I am not at work I wear shorts, t-shirt, and flip flops. Went with my business partner when he bought his R8, we were both in shorts and flip flops.

We were early buyers, and they literally removed other vehicles from their showroom whereby they drove what was to become our Z out into the parking lot to go for a test drive—before we even got down to negotiating or a credit check. We were both in blue jeans.

I don't think the way you dress has anything to do with it. Ever watch the Mecum auto auctions and look at the way guys are dressed that are shelling out 100K for cars? Most good salesmen can tell if you are truly ready to buy, or if you are just window shopping. Apparently some of them got it wrong with some of the forum members here. When I was looking I went to dealerships and asked them what they had in stock. I knew the options I wanted and wasn't going to bend there, I was flexible with color, but I preferred yellow. The only colors I didn't want was silver and PG. I didn't even want to go on a test drive until I knew they had a car that we could work numbers on. I am pretty fortunate that I have a Carmax near me that sells new Nissans. I always go to them first to get a trade-in value and their price on a similar car. The other Nissan dealers around here love to beat them.

Bottom line... Money talks.

Unless you're buying that instance, then go somewhere else if one dealer do not let you test drive. Simple.

I went to test drive one wearing normal clothes. Talked to a Sales rep about the car for about 20 minutes and I told him I wouldn't buy today. I asked for a test drive and he gave me one. And that was it.

I have a lot of sales rep friends and they tell me that 50% of the sale is the test drive, so they try to give everyone a test drive.

Because I was ready to buy a G37 since it has 4 seats, but after the test drive it changed my mind about 4 seats.

Kids in the back seat cause accidents, accidents in the back cause kids

:iagree:

I'm 25 and I went into my dealership wearing camo shorts and a Lamb of God T-shirt. I first joked with the guy about letting me drive the GTR then after being shot down, told him I was there to check out the 370. After a quick walk around he got the keys for a 6spd Touring Sport w/ Nav Pearl White with the light gray interior. When we got back from the test drive, he wanted to start paper work but I wasn't ready to buy yet. He was real cool and gave me his card. I've been in touch with him over the last few months and I gotta say, Key Nissan in Bluffton, SC is awesome!!

That's funny. I was torn between the G37 coupe and the Z. I went with the Z for looks, and I didn't really want a backseat since I don't have kids. One week after I bought the Z I found out I will be having a child next January. I will soon be in the market for a second vehicle.

I came to the dealership with no intention of buying that day, just wanted to check the car out and see what I was dealing with. I was just minding my own business when they started throwing keys at me. Long story short - left for work in my 6 series came back in a 370z, then had my wife drive me back so I could pick up my car.

hell no, I got to test mine by myself -- only 26

My approach was to point to the Z and say "I want one of these. Unless something bizarre comes to light during the test drive." That's all it took to send them running for the keys. Do you see the subtle difference in this approach? Most people put the test drive first; it's a 'Let me take a test drive, and if the experience impresses me, I might want it' approach. Whereas my approach was to flip-flop things and take an 'I already know I want it, the test drive isn't to sell me on it, it's to make sure no red flags pop up' approach. I think dealerships are a lot more willing to give out test drives this way, because basically what you're telling them is that they don't have to earn or make the sale, and you're not just there to joy-ride; all they have to do is avoid screwing it up by being stupid.

That's pretty much how I approached it....Told them I wanted to drive both a 6MT and the 7AT and did....Also told them I wasn't interested in any of the 4 they had on the lot. That night a Blue 6MT with sport got delivered and they called. I showed up next morning with trade, title and VPP certificate in hand. I made em work for it, but rolled on out in my new car. I was ready, they knew I was serious and we made the deal work..

I've never gotten turned down for a test drive, but I usually go on the weekends when I'm sporting one of my Penn State hats & tees. I'm glad my little brother got accepted to that school cause my dumb *** sure as hell couldn't!:bowrofl: