No Test Drive?

[colemanvoice]

Originally Posted by mrray13

A friend of mine had that happen at our local dealership. This guy and his wife have bought several vehicles from this dealership in the past, and yet they flat refused to let him test drive a 1LT, non RS car. He told me, I called my dealership, they had the right color, red, and in a 2LT/RS. I met my friend at that dealership next day, test drove the car, and he bought it. Drove straight down to the dealership in town and flaunted it in their face.

Coad Cheverlot in Anna, IL = bad.
Vic Koeing Cheverlot in Carbondale, IL = finest Chevy dealership in Southern IL IMHO.

GO SALUKIS!

[Brokinarrow]

Originally Posted by Paul SS

Test Drive? Many here ordered and purchased without ever seeing one with their own eyes. And they waited and waited for it to arrive. That's a committed buyer. If I had the money to buy a Corvette I would not need to test drive it.

Originally Posted by Skyblu

Exactly I'm with you!! I got to look at a v6 (not even a 2ss/RS that I wanted )on the lot when I went to order back in may, it was already sold so I couldn't even sit in it let alone drive it. But I knew I would love this car no matter what. I did get to test drive one of the corvettes on the lot instead, my saleslady said they handle very similar so if you like the vette you will like the camaro and she was right! I did not get to test drive my harley either before I bought it. I guess some people don't understand that these car lots are not letting people drive them unless they are serious buyers because they don't want the miles on the car(too many and they have to be sold as used) and they know alot of people just want to come for a ride with no intention of buying.

Not everyone that looks at a Camaro KNOWS that they want that specific car though. Still, if I was that couple I would have gone to a different dealer and found someone that would let me test drive, as I wouldn't want to buy a car without knowing what I was getting into.

[kjd15]

The only problem I have with dealers reserving test drives for "serious buyers" is that they really have no way of knowing who will be a buyer.

Judge based on looks (too young, not dressed snazzy enough)? How do they know that person isn't prepared to pay cash?

Judge based on the fact that the people seem like they don't know what they want? How do they know the test drive won't seal the deal?

I've been on that end of not being taken seriously before, years ago and maybe the seller didn't care if they lost a sale, but I purchased elsewhere.

[Rockies4]

I researched the Camaro for over a year. I had been waiting for a car that I would really enjoy and I just knew the Camaro was that car.

I never test drove one because I just knew and I placed my first order when there wasn't any to test drive.

The first time I drove a Camaro was when I picked mine up and drove it off the lot.

I absolutely love this car. Everyone who said it only takes about 10 minutes to get adjusted to everything was correct.

But I totally understand everyone who wants to test drive one first.

[gregus73]

Originally Posted by slick rick

They bought the 2010 Mustang GT instead of waiting for the 2011 version which is supposed to be better?

yea that is not too swift...
if you are going to get the mustang gt, wait for the 2011 5.0.
315HP vs 412HP.

[Brokinarrow]

Originally Posted by gregus73

yea that is not too swift...
if you are going to get the mustang gt, wait for the 2011 5.0.
315HP vs 412HP.

not everyone KNOWS about that though. Some people don't follow cars like we do. Like someone else already said on this thread....

[Autobot]

I ordered mine with out even sitting in a new Camaro till mine arrived.
Omg was it fun to sit and drive mine for the first time and have absolutely no regrets about my decision to blind buy like that.

[Danny5]

I have not test driven a new vehicle since 1994. I do all my research online. I read the reviews. I check the articles.

What is a test drive going to tell me about a new car? Seriously? The brakes work good? It accelerates great? The transmission shifts into gear? Why bother test driving anything that is brand new from the factory???

[sask-man]

If I was buying a used car, for sure I would take a test drive...If I was unsure of what model I wanted and was shopping between a few brands - for sure I would take a test drive. If you wanted the Camaro, and were serious about it, what is that test drive going to really tell you that you most likely dont already know?

A LOT of dealerships endure a bunch of test pilots out pretending, espcially with a premium car like the Camaro. Many dont have enough stock to begin with and if you were going to buy one, are you willing to take the "demo" vehicle?
Shit most of you wont even let your WIFE take the car out, why would a dealer be any different?

Best way to get some serious discussion with a dealer is to come serious to buy and prepared. Come with finances already in place, a down payment, tell them what your looking for, tell them your prepared to buy today. What are the chances they will have YOUR car sitting on the lot with YOUR option choices and color etc?

Be serious, be treated serious

[crharrisjr]

Originally Posted by Autobot

I ordered mine with out even sitting in a new Camaro till mine arrived.
Omg was it fun to sit and drive mine for the first time and have absolutely no regrets about my decision to blind buy like that.

Same here. I had several opportunities to sit and test drive one. But why bother. I was going to buy one anyway. Spent 5 minutes getting familiar and adjusting everything. Read the entire owner's manual months before delivery. (Except the section on the telescoping steering wheel )

[brAnd7onX]

I haven't even sat in a camaro yet and i know once I do I will want to buy right away so I am just going to wait until my car arrives and sit in her for the first time and drive off the lot

[cobra]

In all fairness, dealers are not inclined to let high end vehicles off the lot for test drives to mitigate potential rock chips and to keep the mileage down.

Most people looking at these cars know a little about them before hand and have done the research. It's more about trim and fit, paint, etc.

So no test drive is not a deal breaker for most.

[OUTATIME]

I got to test drive a V6 at a Chevy dealer and I'm from NJ too. I couldn't test drive the SS, they simply would not let me do it, and apparently all the ones on the lot were sold.

The irony of it all - I went to a Nissan dealer with a used SS on the lot and they let me test drive that one!!

[MrIcky]

Originally Posted by sask-man

If I was buying a used car, for sure I would take a test drive...If I was unsure of what model I wanted and was shopping between a few brands - for sure I would take a test drive. If you wanted the Camaro, and were serious about it, what is that test drive going to really tell you that you most likely dont already know?

A LOT of dealerships endure a bunch of test pilots out pretending, espcially with a premium car like the Camaro. Many dont have enough stock to begin with and if you were going to buy one, are you willing to take the "demo" vehicle?
Shit most of you wont even let your WIFE take the car out, why would a dealer be any different?

Best way to get some serious discussion with a dealer is to come serious to buy and prepared. Come with finances already in place, a down payment, tell them what your looking for, tell them your prepared to buy today. What are the chances they will have YOUR car sitting on the lot with YOUR option choices and color etc?

Be serious, be treated serious

Now I agree with this. Kicking tires vs showing up ready to deal are two different things. But if you don't like the experience you should be able to walk away from it.