[LanEvoMR]

I am seriously considering getting the 2011 subaru STi, but so far I have had no luck with finding anywhere to test drive. The salesmen just say that no one test drives the STi, they just buy it. But I find it pretty difficult to buy a car that I have not even test driven.

Anyone have any suggestion?

Thanks in advance.

I am deciding between regular WRX and the STi. The payments on the WRX are considerably lower. Is the STi worth the extra money?

[twitchyzero]

The salesmen just say that no one test drives the STi, they just buy it.

sounds like a load of shit to me
they probably get many young guys pretending to be prospective buyers but just abuse the car during test drives..it probably helps if you go in with your parents or sthing

[TOS'd]

it. But I find it pretty difficult to buy a car that I have not even test driven.
Well, take a look at the new Evo(as an example), you can't test drive that either, Yet ppl still buy it.

[J-Chow]

wear a business suit and walk into Richmond Subaru.

[LanEvoMR]

wear a business suit and walk into Richmond Subaru.

I hope you're not serious with that advice. I'm not there to impress anyone; if anything, the salesmen should be there to impress me.

[6insomnia9]

What a bunch of bullshit, who doesn't test drive the car they want before they buy it.

[DavidNguyen]

I remember when the honda civic si came out. They wouldn't let people test it either. LoL
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[ilvtofu]

Test drive the hatch instead?

[LanEvoMR]

Test drive the hatch instead?

They said they don't have any STi's to test drive, regardless of sedan or hatch. There were ones on the lot, but they said no one is allowed to test drive them because no one wants to buy a car with mileage on it. And there are no dedicated demo STi's.

[TRD Rs200]

They said they don't have any STi's to test drive, regardless of sedan or hatch. There were ones on the lot, but they said no one is allowed to test drive them because no one wants to buy a car with mileage on it. And there are no dedicated demo STi's.

I call BS!

[TOS'd]

^^ which is understandable. Just go test drive a WRX. if they still say no, then maybe you should wait till the demand is less? i thought they were still fulfilling preorders.

[Jgresch]

Each subaru store only gets a couple STIs which are usually spoken for anyways. I've been in twice to the subbie dealer in North shore while my car was being serviced and both times they didnt have any stis, and all the ones on the way were already spoken for...

if you were the sales person, what woudl you rather:
A) a person who buys it over the phone 6 months early and picks it up with no questions asked.
B) A younger guy coming for a test drive who is gonna ask a million questions and possibly not even buy the car...

[oldsnail]

i was looking to drive one few years ago.. dealer indicated that they are low demand vehicles and do not have demo sti's for people to test drive. people usually know what it is when they buy it..

but they let me drive a used one instead back then..

[CivicS]

I've been to several dealerships and none of them let you test drive the STI. I think unless you are deeply connected to the dealership or you have purchased several cars from them then maybe the chances are higher.

They used to do it and then realized that the car wont sell, because no one wants to buy a demo STI.

Good luck!

[LanEvoMR]

Good to know that it seems to be the consensus among all the dealerships. Thanks!
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[van_driver]

It's true, performance cars are harder to get out on the road for a test drive. Salesman at Brian Jessel told me he's been on some crazy test drives in M3s.

[LanEvoMR]

Funny you say that because I've found it easier to test drive M3's than the STI, considering the M3 sticker price is double
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[Euro7r]

Damn, that's retarded then. Dropping $40K for an STI and can't even test drive it. How the hell are people suppose to know how it drives if they have never driven a subaru before. The hell is this, they make it seem like the car is made out of gold, that it's not allowed to be touched or driven.

If it's a luxury sportscar, then I would understand.

[TOS'd]

It's not JUST subaru with STIs..like I said, go to Mitsubishi and ask them to test drive an EVO X.
Damn, that's retarded then. Dropping $40K for an STI and can't even test drive it. How the hell are people suppose to know how it drives if they have never driven a subaru before. The hell is this, they make it seem like the car is made out of gold, that it's not allowed to be touched or driven.

If it's a luxury sportscar, then I would understand.

[van_driver]

Funny you say that because I've found it easier to test drive M3's than the STI, considering the M3 sticker price is double
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I'm guessing it's because BMWs line up consists of much more pricier cars then the M3. Whereas Subaru's most expensive car is the STi (correct me if i'm wrong). I'd assume it would be harder to take out an M6 or 760 out for a drive.

[CivicS]

Damn, that's retarded then. Dropping $40K for an STI and can't even test drive it. How the hell are people suppose to know how it drives if they have never driven a subaru before. The hell is this, they make it seem like the car is made out of gold, that it's not allowed to be touched or driven.

If it's a luxury sportscar, then I would understand.

Think of it from the dealership point of view, if you wont buy it because you cant test drive, then they will just tell you to move on, because the next person in line will buy it without requesting a test drive.

They don't have problem moving STIs at MSRP.

[FerrariEnzo]

it makes sense.. ask yourself this, would you buy a demo STi? even tho you know its been on numerous test drives??? and its the only STi left???

[Jgresch]

It's not JUST subaru with STIs..like I said, go to Mitsubishi and ask them to test drive an EVO X.

I test drove an X... they were pretty hesitant though, but they went for it.

[flagella]

I hope you're not serious with that advice. I'm not there to impress anyone; if anything, the salesmen should be there to impress me.

That is salesman's job, but they deal with plenty of shit people every day and being a human, they can't always give 100% satisfactory services to anyone, especially with years of experiences he can sort of tell whether you are a potential buyer or not. If you are just a young guy wearing casually, and just go in for a test drive, the first thing that comes to their head is that this guy is just gonna take a joy ride.

You can complain all you want like there's no way you're gonna buy a car unless you can test drive, or that it's not like this particular car is an exotic, but if they don't want to give you a test drive, you can't do shit about it.

Just like once I was visiting clothing shops in downtown with a formal wear, sales people just kept coming to me with an attitude better than when I go with casual wear. It's all about perception.

[6thGear.]

Don Docksteader has 2 2011 STI's. I asked about the WRX, which they don;t have any in stock, and I was told they won't even bring any in unless I buy one. None to test drive or even to look at. i was also told all the WRX's coming in are sold already. I never asked, but made me wonder how many people really did buy a WRX before seeing it. I wouldn't make that choice until I'm on a test drive.

And no, I wasn't looking to joyride one either. I do drive a 07 WRX

[RCubed]

I didn't test drive mine before buying. :)

[optiblue]

The test drive I took the X on was so lame that it wouldn't have mattered whether I test drove it or not. Bought it anyways.

Now you have to ask yourself... are you going to track the STI? If the answer is no, why do you need 300HP! Speeding will pwn you!

[LanEvoMR]

If you are just a young guy wearing casually, and just go in for a test drive, the first thing that comes to their head is that this guy is just gonna take a joy ride.


I see your point, and it's only fair to expect salesmen to not cater to the young punks who just want to test drive for the hell of it.
But I am serious about buying a car and I made my intentions clear from the start.
I don't feel that I should have to impress anyone, by wearing a suit or any other means, just to receive an opportunity to test drive a car.
To dismiss a potential client purely based on what they're wearing is quite narrow-minded in my opinion.

[SpuGen]

^
I was at Richmond Subaru like a month ago with a friend who was looking to buy an Impreza. The salesman said we needed to put down a $1000 deposit before even going near the damn thing. He's 30, if that counts for anything. It all comes down to the salesman.

If you honestly want to test drive the car, your best bet is to talk to a manager and tell them that you'll put down a good deposit on the car. Refundable of course, and go from there. You'll get nothing and just waste your time talking to a regular salesman.

Funny thing though. My friend was refused a test drive for the WRX, but we went to the Lexus dealership and he got to drive the GS 350 no questions asked. Checked out a G37 at Infiniti, and got nothing.

[ilvtofu]

Hmm interesting when I went to Subaru Dealer about 6 months ago in richmond they had over 8 STi hatches in the lot, when my dad asked to test drive the 265hp hatch no questions asked at both richmond and don docksteader. So yeah I guess i have to agree with what some have said about dealer thinks of you

[LanEvoMR]

^ 265hp hatch is not a STI, it's a regular wrx. STI's have 305hp.

[LanEvoMR]

^
I was at Richmond Subaru like a month ago with a friend who was looking to buy an Impreza. The salesman said we needed to put down a $1000 deposit before even going near the damn thing. He's 30, if that counts for anything. It all comes down to the salesman.



Weird, I test drove a 2010 WRX no problem. I'm around the same age as your friend.

[Nismo 1234]

the sales asked my friend to put down 5000 to test drive a sti hatch... at the richmond subaru dealership. As for bring ur parents... same thing since he brought his parents afterwards
but when i went to look at evo X or sti... the sales didnt really know much about the car

[jing]

Deposit shouldn't be much of an issue to allow you to test drive it. After all, dealers are required by law to refund you the deposit if you choose to back out. It is a bit of an inconvenience though but if you were serious, why would it matter whether you put down that deposit or not?

[LanEvoMR]

I wouldn't mind if I had to put a deposit down, but the thing is I wasn't even given the option, that's the lame part.

[JDMCivic]

my buddy and I we test drove a sti before i bought one and we test drove for an hour at richmond subaru

[LanEvoMR]

my buddy and I we test drove a sti before i bought one and we test drove for an hour at richmond subaru
cool, who was your sales guy, if you don't mind me asking?
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[What_the?]

i previously purchased a wrx from Richmond Subaru, and have kept decent ties with the salesperson... I've brought a couple friends in to check out stuff, and we've gotten to take out cars for test drives with no problems, and the staff doesn't even need to come with... he just signs us out and we go do our own thing and bring it back later

[ALEX1988]

Go find a preowned 08 or 09 and test drive it
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[JDMCivic]

Bought from kenny but the sales that let us drive was a white girl that looked a bit crackwhoreish lol

cool, who was your sales guy, if you don't mind me asking?
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[124Y]

I test drove an X... they were pretty hesitant though, but they went for it.

Which dealership did you go to? Newtype?

[SpuGen]

Weird, I test drove a 2010 WRX no problem. I'm around the same age as your friend.

I test drove an 06 WRX way back when it just came out with the facelift.
No deposit. I was clearly looking for a joyride.
Went there in my 240, in t-shirt and jeans. 18.

Refused the first time, then then same week he called me in and told me to come for a test drive.

Jamie Tieche or soemthing. White guy. I think he's at the Suzuki dealership now though.

[JL9000]

I got the same story last year when I was looking at the STi. I told the salesman that the guys from Mitsubishi didn't have any problems letting me drive the EVO and that I would never buy a car without a proper test drive. The salesman photocopied my driver license and handed me the keys to a brand new STi on the lot. There was a group of younger guys looking at the WRX at the same time and they were told the same story that nobody gets to test drive the WRXs and STis as I was walking by with keys to the STi parked outside. I was wearing an old t-shirt with cargo shorts too. :D

[iamed]

if the salesman genuinely thinks you're interested in buying the car, he'll let you test drive one with a deposit.

[Great68]

As much as I understand the "Exclusiveness" and "Uniqueness" of an STi, I couldn't imagine buying any car without test driving it first. Who knows, you could end up not liking the way it drives for one reason or another.

The easiest test drive I had was with a 08 Cobalt SS, the salesman just threw me the keys and said "Have fun, we're not responsible for speeding tickets"

[jpark]

^i love those test drives

[Hondaracer]

if you have a relationship with any dealership it's way easier to get them to toss you the keys for anything on the lot

one day a buddy of mine who his family bought 3 cars brand new from Langley Acura brought his TL in for service, during the 2 hour service we took out a brand new RL and RSX Type S 6 speed, basically we just walked in and grabbed the keys and booked it outa there lol

obviously different when you havent bought a vehicle from a dealership, but if your family has dealt with one before, just go back to the same one and deal with the guy who sold your family the vehicle, he'll probably be much more likely to let it go

[Midnitez]

I hope you're not serious with that advice. I'm not there to impress anyone; if anything, the salesmen should be there to impress me.

do u get to test drive exotics before you buy them?

but then again it also depends how desperate the dealership is hahaha

if only u get to test drive chicks before you buy em a drink ;)

[thumper]

Each subaru store only gets a couple STIs which are usually spoken for anyways. I've been in twice to the subbie dealer in North shore while my car was being serviced and both times they didnt have any stis, and all the ones on the way were already spoken for...

if you were the sales person, what woudl you rather:
A) a person who buys it over the phone 6 months early and picks it up with no questions asked.
B) A younger guy coming for a test drive who is gonna ask a million questions and possibly not even buy the car...

i was there yesterday. they have a white sti hatch in the showroom right now, and i saw a pair of 2011 wrx sedans outside (although one had some sort of ontario temp plate on it).

[cococly]

I am seriously considering getting the 2011 subaru STi, but so far I have had no luck with finding anywhere to test drive. The salesmen just say that no one test drives the STi, they just buy it. But I find it pretty difficult to buy a car that I have not even test driven.

Anyone have any suggestion?

Thanks in advance.

I am deciding between regular WRX and the STi. The payments on the WRX are considerably lower. Is the STi worth the extra money?

I have connections with Richmond Subaru.

If you really want to try one of their 2011 STis on their lot, PM me.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs288.snc4/40741_484125615258_716120258_7365289_6684562_n.jpg

I used to have the Hatch, but now I like the 4-door now :)

[cococly]

They said they don't have any STi's to test drive, regardless of sedan or hatch. There were ones on the lot, but they said no one is allowed to test drive them because no one wants to buy a car with mileage on it. And there are no dedicated demo STi's.

They never have a dedicated Demo STI, but over the years, I have at least "tested" 3 of their STIs, They had like around 10km on them? LOL

[jigga250]

They never have a dedicated Demo STI, but over the years, I have at least "tested" 3 of their STIs, They had like around 10km on them? LOL

I wouldn't buy a car that had been "tested" by some random with only 10 km on it

[Expresso]

I wouldn't buy a car that had been "tested" by some random with only 10 km on it

You wouldn't know!

[cococly]

I wouldn't buy a car that had been "tested" by some random with only 10 km on it

When I got my 08 WRX, it had 42km on it. I knew it had been tested randomly, but I couldn't/didn't care too much.
Besides, I tested a 2010 G37S Coupe with serious intention. It had 3km on the Odometer when I tested it. The sales was a very good guy, but the deal didn't go forward...

[Nicotine]

just call up the rs boys and when we all roll up in like 50 cars he'll take u seriously:thumbsup:

[iamed]

If you're seriously interested, put down a small deposit and I'm sure they will be able to accommodate.

[TheSalesman]

Honestly, if you were seriously wanting to buy the car...buy the car subject to a test drive.
How can you NOT like how the car drives?
Its more powerful then most people on here can handle. Especially on a short test drive.
You're not gonna be going 200km and rippin it through the turns.
From all the test drives i'v been on. People just drive it around the city at speed limit or a little more and give it a boot once in awhile. Most people don't even do that.
And then they buy the car anyways which they have not really tested anything.
The test drive is more of a mental thing.

[Rich Sandor]

The only way you can sell a car without a test drive, is if the customer wants the car and doesn't care about the price.

I have only sold maybe 1 or 2 trucks without a test drive - at the customer's insistence that they have been in or driven a similar truck previously.

The test drive is part of the sales process, and anytime you try to take a shortcut through the sales process, you lose the deal or wind up with an unhappy customer.

That said, there are many types of cars that are sold WITHOUT test drives, specifically due to the rule I posted above. The customer WANTS the car and doesn't give a fuck what it drives like.. they just want it... and they know they can afford it. Usually this holds true for Ferraris and Lambos... but sometimes it filters down to cars like the STi or EvoX..

[TheSalesman]

I'v sold cars quite a few times without a test drive.
I insisted on a test drive but there are people that just don't care.
I usually get the..."I know Honda drives good so I don't need a test drive" or "I'v had Hondas for 20 years and I know Im getting another."

[underscore]

^ that's the difference between a regular person who's just buying a car to drive, and an enthusiast who's buying a car to have fun with.

[TheSalesman]

^ that's the difference between a regular person who's just buying a car to drive, and an enthusiast who's buying a car to have fun with.

Yeah for sure.
So if it drives good, is OP going to buy it?
That's the whole reason they don't want to let anyone test drive it because most people don't walk in and buy a car on the spot.
So if you're actually going to buy the car if it drives good then throw some money down. A real buyer won't hesitate to put a deposit if they are actually buying a car. But tire kickers definately don't want to do that.

[RabidRat]

Yeah for sure.
So if it drives good, is OP going to buy it?
That's the whole reason they don't want to let anyone test drive it because most people don't walk in and buy a car on the spot.
So if you're actually going to buy the car if it drives good then throw some money down. A real buyer won't hesitate to put a deposit if they are actually buying a car. But tire kickers definately don't want to do that.

So say I put a deposit down. And then I test drove the car. And I didn't like it. Then what? Could I honestly tell you "I didn't like the way it drove", and you'd just say "okay" and hand the deposit back over right then and there? Just like that? I doubt you'd let it go without a fight, and I bet I'd have to sit there an hour convincing you why I absolutely won't buy. So I wouldn't say "a real buyer wouldn't hesitate."

Sorry I don't mean to give you a hard time, it's the honest truth.

[TheSalesman]

So say I put a deposit down. And then I test drove the car. And I didn't like it. Then what? Could I honestly tell you "I didn't like the way it drove", and you'd just say "okay" and hand the deposit back over right then and there? Just like that? I doubt you'd let it go without a fight, and I bet I'd have to sit there an hour convincing you why I absolutely won't buy. So I wouldn't say "a real buyer wouldn't hesitate."

Sorry I don't mean to give you a hard time, it's the honest truth.

I know what you mean. Honestly I hear lots of customers telling me how they have their deposit at some other dealership and they cannot even provide the car and won't give the deposit back. I know there are people out there like this but I am not. If you don't want the car then don't take it. I'm not gonna waste my time arguing with you to force you to buy any car. Honestly, it just pisses you off, wastes both our times and you'll probably never come back to see me or send anyone to see me again.
I'v given refunds before and people actually thought I was nice and straight up about it. They came back or brought people to see me. Not everyone but once in awhile.

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

Honestly, if you were seriously wanting to buy the car...buy the car subject to a test drive.
How can you NOT like how the car drives?
Its more powerful then most people on here can handle. Especially on a short test drive.
You're not gonna be going 200km and rippin it through the turns.
From all the test drives i'v been on. People just drive it around the city at speed limit or a little more and give it a boot once in awhile. Most people don't even do that.
And then they buy the car anyways which they have not really tested anything.
The test drive is more of a mental thing.

ughh not its not

you get to feel the steering response, throttle sensitivity, road noise, power delivery thru out the power band. How well the car brakes etc

[twitchyzero]

Honestly, if you were seriously wanting to buy the car...buy the car subject to a test drive.
...
The test drive is more of a mental thing.

people can be serious buyers but on the fence as well..

and there's nothing wrong if it's just a mental thing for the average buyers if it means they'll be satisfied and send more people to your way in the future.

[TheSalesman]

ughh not its not

you get to feel the steering response, throttle sensitivity, road noise, power delivery thru out the power band. How well the car brakes etc

Yes these are things that you should be testing in a car.
All I meant is that MOST people do not test this at all. Yeah they can hear some road noise but not many people test out the steering response, power delivery, or ever used abs. I have never been on a test drive where someone actually used abs. I had someone tell me, im going to test the brakes, is that ok? And im like yeah sure and expecting him to slam the brakes but he pressed on them a little more then usual but that is not really testing it hard. Not many people test the car that hard. It's mostly straight driving and i rarely get anyone to get it near redline. It's usually the young guys that come wanting to test drive a civic si that does that and they just give it a boot but never up to redline.

[Jgresch]

^ I was the same way. People would just pull off the lot, drive 5 or 6 blocks, straight and slowly. Turn a couple rights to get back and park the car. I've had 2 or 3 people actually smash the gas though, just to see what it's like up hills or response, but most people just take it for a 2 minute sunday drive.

[6thGear.]

Lets be realistic here...only 5% of sales people would actually be ok if a potential customer gave a proper "test drive" Most will just say "take it easy"

[LanEvoMR]

Yes these are things that you should be testing in a car.
All I meant is that MOST people do not test this at all. Yeah they can hear some road noise but not many people test out the steering response, power delivery, or ever used abs. I have never been on a test drive where someone actually used abs. I had someone tell me, im going to test the brakes, is that ok? And im like yeah sure and expecting him to slam the brakes but he pressed on them a little more then usual but that is not really testing it hard. Not many people test the car that hard. It's mostly straight driving and i rarely get anyone to get it near redline. It's usually the young guys that come wanting to test drive a civic si that does that and they just give it a boot but never up to redline.

that's because you sell HONDA
who the hell is gonna drive hard in an accord or odyssey??

[TheSalesman]

that's because you sell HONDA
who the hell is gonna drive hard in an accord or odyssey??

Ummm people that get the v6 coupe 6spd drive pretty hard.
Not so much the Odyssey but the civic si, s2000 etc.
Most of the people that come in and drive the shit out of a car dont buy.

[Avery]

you have to test drive a vehicle, before you buy it to see if you like it....

i test drove the 2010 challenger RT and the 2010 Camero SS , and it was night and day between the two. so who knows with your own personal preferences.

[cococly]

Ummm people that get the v6 coupe 6spd drive pretty hard.
Not so much the Odyssey but the civic si, s2000 etc.
Most of the people that come in and drive the shit out of a car dont buy.

Maybe these people didn't like the cars after the test-drives?

Well, to be honest. I was seriously considering a 2008 Si coupe back in the days. I had been thinking about it for like half a year? It was almost to a point that I was gona place my deposit.

I was so glad that I tested the Si and I could compare it with other cars in the same class before actually BUYING a car.

[1990TSI]

When I first looked at the genesis I showed up with a rusty 97 sidekick, wearing snowboard pants (was going to seymour night boarding) and the guy had no problems throwing me the keys and letting me drive it hard. because of the test drive I put down my $100 deposit lol and came back in a few days to buy it.

not a chance I'd buy a car without driving it first, and most people who are going to finance a car don't have 5-10k deposits sitting around, that they'll have to fight for if they really don't like the car!

If I was in the market for an Evo or an STi, you'd be sure I'd want to try them both before buying!!

[cctw]

damn saw the new sti sedan in white the other day and I gotta say the look is growing on me...

too bad 5.9 lease and finance kills the deal though

[124Y]

damn saw the new sti sedan in white the other day and I gotta say the look is growing on me...

too bad 5.9 lease and finance kills the deal though

^ That's one major factor for me sticking with the Evo rather than the STI.

48 months 0% financing. :D

[124Y]

Double post

[GLOW]

dont feel bad about not being able to test drive an sti, back when i was looking to buy a car i couldnt even test drive a lancer GTS, i was only allowed to test drive the DE (base) model lol

[orange7]

dont feel bad about not being able to test drive an sti, back when i was looking to buy a car i couldnt even test drive a lancer GTS, i was only allowed to test drive the DE (base) model lol


well you can't expect them to have a demo car for every trim level.

Technically the DE and GTS should feel the same when you drive them since they aren't the evo.

[hscpq]

the last time I went to the Honda dealership on Marine drive, no one bothered to say hi. The subaru on No3 road wanted a $500 deposit before you can test drive one.