Can't test drive cars?

[Verist1]

I felt compelled to post after my experience of car shopping at a couple of dealerships in the Houston area.

I am currently considering my options on purchasing a new car, anything from a GTI, Golf R, Genesis, EVO, or an STi.

I realize these cars tend to attract their fair share of joyriders. I was not prepared as a 37 year man with his girlfriend to be shot down at the prospect of driving some of them.

First up, Volkswagen. After receiving a friendly greeting from the VW associate, we had a brief exchange about the car specs and options. I shared with him that I had purchased new, BOTH previous iterations of the "R" and was considering it along with the other cars I mentioned. I asked about test driving the car, he had to talk with his manager. He comes back with the story that the owners don't want any miles on them when they buy them and that I was unable to drive it. Not feeling like making a scene, we headed next door to the Hyundai/Mitsubishi dealer.

Quickly found out that the dealer had no 2013 Genesis on the lot, we were about to head off when the salesman said if I were interested in the Genesis that I would like the EVO. I mentioned that it was indeed on my list, but I had reservations about the harsh ride and interior quality. I decided me might as well take a look at it, and noticed since the last version of the EVO, the interior was not that bad. I went ahead and said lets go ahead and drive it. I was told they don't test drive EVOs because of insurance reasons. Needless to say, now I was angry. I produced my USAA insurance card and was meet with a bunch of stammering and excuse making.

I am sure on both occasions I could have requested to speak with the managers and most certainly been able to drive the cars, but why should I have to do that.

I already placed a call with VoA and dropped a dime on the dealer, they were mortified by my treatment. I expect to receive a call from the dealer today.


Any else had similar experiences?

[Dr. Woo]

Lurker like whoa.

Before I bought my MkV R, they let me take it home overnight for its test drive. Of course, that generation seemed to languish on dealer lots, so maybe that had something to do with it, but that dealer was more than eager to please. At the time, I was 25 and not really "dressed for success" either. T-shirt and jeans, most likely.

[pknopp]

When the Miata's first came out there was no test drives. They were actually all sold before they hit the lot.

That said, it's really hard to get someone to buy a car without a test drive.

[Dave Zero]

You are not alone.

They wouldn't let me even sit in a Camaro when they came out. Not even sit in it!!! lol.

Then a V6 mustang. V6 with a $5000 price adjustment tacked on, "no, we don't let people test drive these because they are sports cars." ahahahahaha.

Don't even ask about a Corvette unless you have silver hair, a fireman's mustache and roll up in some kind of luxury sedan. They will laugh at you.

IB4 guys with: "they let me drive Vipers and Lambos, I don't see the problem (jerkface)"

[Brad2021hk]

Simple. Don't buy a car from them.

If you live in a populous area, each brand probably has 3 other dealers within 50 miles. If you call ahead and make an appointment, they know you're serious and will definitely let you test drive. You can even start off with the story about how the closer dealer wouldn't let you test drive. They will definitely let you drive just to show up the other guy.

Buy a car. Take it back to each dealer that wouldn't let you test drive and show your new car to the sales manager. Say, "I bought this car, financed, got the extended warranty, bought the paint/seat/undercarriage protection, and bought X months service. They let me test drive it."

[matty_peppers]

I have been on both sides of the fence while seriously interested in buying similar cars (Ms3, Evo, STi, etc.). I am a young kid, but had saved up and put my money into the right places so I could get such a car. Evo required a $1k refundable deposit (which was only given as an option because my dad was there), Subaru wanted to sit down and get me to sign documents before test driving the car. My response was I could save them a lot of paperwork if I drove it and didn't like it.

VW was the oddest, however. I drove an MkV and came back 2 weeks later after driving the Mazda, and my previously kind sales guy told me that if I wanted to keep driving the car I should buy it. I told him to screw himself and left.

[Verist1]

I have sold cars previously, and I tried my best not to pre-judge anyone. If I saw a couple in their late thirties, both nicely dressed, articulate and knowledgeable about the product, I would have considered that a "Good up".

I could maybe understand not driving the R, they are fairly new to the lots. On the other hand the dealer had like 5 EVO's just sitting there, hell the current model has been out since 2008.

Unfortunately I am new to the area, and don't have the relationship like I had with my previous dealer.

[ncsumecheng]

This is why some of these cars don't sell more for the MFG than they could. And some get poor after-the sale reputations: owner buys without a drive and doesn't like it.

I guarantee you'd have higher sales of the $35-$50k new sporty cars if you allowed test drives. People that aren't in the 1% trying to spend their money on a toy aren't too inclined to spend that kind of loot without trying it out first.

Apples to oranges, but I've never been denied trying out a new expensive golf club at a golf course driving range. I'm not spending $350 on a new driver without a few swings to try it out.

[That1njguy]

Eff them, let your $$ do your talking. Take your business elsewhere.

[Jason4]

There has been a pretty infamous story about the Barrier Auto group in Bellevue floating around for a while. The clif's notes version is something along the lines of Bill Gates sent an intern or executive assistant to Barrier to buy matching MBs for the board at Microsoft as bonuses, the dealer said no test drives, tough luck. The younger guy goes down the street to buy a small fleet of Lexuses (Lexi?) and then made sure that Barrier knew about their mistake. I've been told that since then Barrier is much more lenient on who can test drive cars and they are mostly higher end luxury cars in the one of the Seattle suburbs.

I was at a Subaru dealer with a friend of mine just before finishing college. He had already been working for Expedia for a couple years and was making good money at it and was interested in buying an STI. He asked the salesman if he could drive one and the guy was very rude but actually did his job. He grabbed my buddy's license scoffed and said something about making copies of the license and insurance info and checking his credit. It turns out that a girl my friend had dated previously was working at the front desk and told the sales guy a bit about my friend. When the guy came back he apologized and instead of using his first name it was "Mr..." but the damage had been done by then.

[Deserion]

Can't say I've ever been rejected a test drive, but I haven't been on one in years.

When I used to work at a Mitsubishi dealer, test drives on the Evo was generally forbidden. Not to mention the dealer had about 8-10 of them at any given time and that they barely ever sold. One guy came in to buy one, was told he'd need to have his credit checked and a myriad of other papers done first, then said he could go down the street and drive a new Corvette with less hassle, and left.

Nothing like safeguarding cars that don't sell from valid buyers.

[SSLByron]

The dealers around here are pretty good about test drives. Hell, the salesman at the local Acura dealer tossed me the keys to a then-new RSX Type-S back in '06 and told me to be careful about accidentally grabbing second rather than fourth gear if I accelerated quickly. I was... 21 at the time?

These days, I usually just go to Carmax if I want to drive something relatively new.

[Brendan@bwalkauto]

I don't understand dealers who do that. It's a car. Let people drive it.

When I sold Lotuses years ago, I did have a way to find out if someone was really interested, or if they were a tire kicker. People who buy them really only want to see delivery mileage on them, so we tried to ensure that they only went out on demo's if the person was serious.

Since we never had them outside, and their tiny batteries only last a week of being off before they won't start the car, I'd talk with the customer, explain the car, what it's like to track and Auto X it, and invite them back for a test drive later in the week. I'd nicely explain that the car is buried in doors, and it hasn't been on the battery tender in a little bit, so let's plan a time in the future to come back, and I'll have it outside and ready to go.

If they came back, they were pretty serious. If they didn't, then all I had to do was put the car back inside.

There is a way to brush off a test drive without being a total douche, but then again, any of the cars on OP's list should be an automatic demo without hesitation.

[MacTeve]

When the Genesis coupe came out I got rejected. It was a big dealer, they had 10 on the lot. It's the only time I've ever been rejected.

[dcmix5]

I wanted to test drive an STi and was told to pound sand. I was 36 at the time, with my wife, and we pulled up in a new vehicle, etc, etc.

It was something along the lines of "If you want an STi...you shouldn't need to drive it..." or some such BS. The sales guy was a complete douche and I knew this was the first and last stop at this dealer. It wasn't very professional, but I departed the sales meeting with an expletive or two, you know, just to cement the correct decision they made in not letting me drive it.

[Tiny4cyl]

The dealers around here are pretty good about test drives. Hell, the salesman at the local Acura dealer tossed me the keys to a then-new RSX Type-S back in '06 and told me to be careful about accidentally grabbing second rather than fourth gear if I accelerated quickly. I was... 21 at the time?

Good tip from the salesman. I owned one of those and overrevs are common if you look on YouTube. I hit second once but the throw didn't feel right and I realized it before I let out on the clutch

[driveareliablecar]

Dealer is at risk every time they let somebody take a test drive. People who are concerned with road noise don't buy the vehicles mentioned. Nothing to be achieved by driving a performance car around the block at 35 MPH.

[dcmix5]

Good tip from the salesman. I owned one of those and overrevs are common if you look on YouTube. I hit second once but the throw didn't feel right and I realized it before I let out on the clutch

The Money Shift!

"I blew my tranny!"....uh no...you WISH you did

[clutchrider]

The new GLI is not some mysterious special car but there are not a ton of them around still. Many on order and dealers don't have them floating around lots by the dozen. That being said after following threads, articles, etc. about the car I went online to my local dealer site and noticed they had a new GLI Autobahn 6MT on premises. I took my lunch hour and headed over; walked in, spoke to the salesman, went to look at the car out back with no expectations. He opened it up, let me sit and play around, then got a plate and said "let's go".

I went back that Saturday with my wife so she could see what I was looking at and we took it for another ride no questions asked. Ordered the car about a week later after some back and forth phone and email conversations. Even got offered to come back and test the Golf R they had coming in (I didn't but should have, still may).

And I know the first batch of GLI's were scarce on lost and dealers were hanging onto them for MSRP as hard as they could, but still let people drive them. Probably cause you could just order one and get it in a few months no problem, who knows.


Mazda really turned me off when I was looking for a used 3 hatch. They had the perfect car back in '06 a used dark grey 3 GT hatch with the leather, 5 speed, alloy wheels, heated seats, nav, HID headlamps; the works. I went into the dealer to drive it but after 15 minutes of standing there and nobody paying attention to me I walked up to a persons desk, stood there, and they got up and walked away. I proceeded to announce loudly "Thank you for making my decision easier." and walked out and bought my Matrix. I called the dealer to tell the manager what happened and he apologized and wanted me back in. I thanked him and said already bought a Toyota, try retraining your sales staff.

[scsuh]

Dealer is at risk every time they let somebody take a test drive. People who are concerned with road noise don't buy the vehicles mentioned. Nothing to be achieved by driving a performance car around the block at 35 MPH.

which is why you typically ask to take cars on the highway during the testdrive. and even if they don't let you, there are a countless number of things you can test while driving at city speeds for 5-10 minutes:

- Throttle response
- steering feel
- brake feel
- exhaust note
- cabin noise
- turning radius
- quality of stereo while driving the car
- feel of the seats (especially leg and body support)
- feel of clutch/shifter
- any creaks or rattles in interior
- suspension feel
- body roll

i'm sure i'm missing a number of things, but I think my point is pretty clear. i would never buy a car without test driving it first.

[VeeDubDriver]

I didn't find one VW dealer who scoffed at my test driving an R. However, one local Buick dealer wouldn't let me test drive a Regal GS without signing paperwork first!

[ValveCoverGasket]

i didnt have a problem at the mercedes dealer a couple months ago... but id assume not many people in their 20s go lusting after retired accountant mobiles. and i wasnt there to play with AMG stuff.

[BetterByDesign]

I just call ahead speak with a sales person and make an appointment to come in to discuss and have a test drive.

Tired of walking in to whatever drama and stupity is happining on the sales floor and leaving it up to a person to influence my experience of a car.

[SVTDanny]

Contact the internet salesman and schedule a test drive.

Actually, contact the internet salesman for anything. Weed through all of the BS before you walk in the door.

[thetopdog]

I wonder what I would/wouldn't be able to test drive if I pulled up in the Gallardo. I'm sure dealers would be a lot friendlier to me than if I pull up in my Miata

[Jrod511]

Buy a car. Take it back to each dealer that wouldn't let you test drive and show your new car to the sales manager. Say, "I bought this car, financed, got the extended warranty, bought the paint/seat/undercarriage protection, and bought X months service. They let me test drive it."

That's a productive use of ones time. It also could not come back to haunt you in anyway if you needed service at Dealer A because Dealer B was not located conveniently.

I do say to call ahead and make an appointment with a sales rep for a specialty model and be clear that you intend to drive the car. It's a business transaction, treat it like one.

[seroki]

I remember back in 2009 when I was looking at a couple different cars. Stopped by the local BMW/Volvo/VW dealer since I found an 09 wolfsburg 6MT for a good deal, stopped in, talked to the salesguy for a few minutes. He asked me for my license 2 min later he had a dealer plate in hand and said lets go. 15-20 minutes later I really liked it, talked a bit more and mentioned about really liking the 335i coupe. He disappeared and grabbed the keys to a brand new 335xi sport line 6MT, said it's your dream car lets check it out. Took it out for a drive, got back, said it wasn't in my price range. Got his card and told him I'd be back on Saturday for another look at the Wolfsburg. Sadly it was sold by the time I had gotten there that following Saturday. Went out to a couple other places to look, Mitsubishi wanted a deposit to drive the EVO MR(they had 5 or 6 of them). Audi let me take out a GTI and an S4(Only one at the dealer). Subaru let me take out a WRX but not a STI(again they had a couple). I've found that the Euro Luxury segment is typically much more lenient when it comes to test drives. Needless to say I found the killer deal on my GTI and bought it that day.

[tbvvw]

About 10 yrs ago I saw a brand new blue 2003 20th AE GTI sitting out in front of my local VW dealer. Behind it was a matching yellow and black one.
I was mid-thirties, in a suit and could have written them a personal check for the full $23,800 MSRP at the time yet they were not going to let me test drive any of the three. No matter what! They were very nice and apologetic and said i could test drive anything they had in stock unless it was a limited edition car - ie 20th AE. Only time that I've ever not been allowed a test drive in a car I was considering. Even Tischer VW in MD let me take out a brand new VR6 Corrado for a long test drive and that was when I was a college student w/ no job. My Honda dealer let me take out a S2K for a 30 min drive by myself (when my Oddy was in for service).

I bought the blue one anyway, having only sat in it for 5 min....

[Lucian1988]

thats pretty weird, last year when I was looking at cars, i can't remember having a problem test driving them.

i test drove an EVO GSR, the salesman gave me the keys, i was with my friend, and i was expecting him to hop into the car. he didnt, he let me go out by myself.

test drive A4s, again, let me go by myself, C300's, let me test drive no questions asked, they let me test drive a CC by myself, then they called me and told me I could take it home for the night if i wished, but I did not, i dropped it back about 2 hours later with about +10 miles on it.

and I was about 23 then.

now my friend though, went to this shady dealer to check out a 5 series, and they did not let him unless he signed or put a deposit on it. when I walked up and asked them why, i guess i had a serious face on because they said okay.

[masa8888]

Contact the internet salesman and schedule a test drive.

This is very good advice. Dealers love appointments and establishing a relationship prior to you showing up at the dealership, as it shows some commitment. Bonus points for emailing through your work address for proof of employment.

[Grey Mouser]

Back in 2002 I wanted a GTI 337. Could not test drive it unless I was seconds away from signing on the dotted line.

Bought it anyway.

[SVTDanny]

Bonus points for emailing through your work address for proof of employment.

I'd rather not deal with weekly sales flyers flooding my work inbox.

I think a somewhat sensible personal email address will work just fine - i.e. "firstname.lastname@domain.com," rather than "archangelslayer666@hotmail.com."

[MatchStick]

Back in 2002 I wanted a GTI 337. Could not test drive it unless I was seconds away from signing on the dotted line.

Bought it anyway.

yeah its lame. but you can get the same experience driving the vanilla GTI.

they are counting on the bought it anyway. works for some cars, for others it's like .

I had no trouble test driving SRT8 Jeeps. but it was also the depths of the recession and gas prices were really bad.

[Grey Mouser]

I'd rather not deal with weekly sales flyers flooding my work inbox.

Unsubscribe? If you keep getting UCE report it.

[compy222]

When the Miata's first came out there was no test drives. They were actually all sold before they hit the lot.

That said, it's really hard to get someone to buy a car without a test drive.

this i understand. if the car is sold to me, i certainly want anyone else out driving it while i have $$ down for a deposit (to prevent this) from happening.