[clevernickname]

GF getting new car. Budget around 40k ish.

Called two mitsubishi dealerships, no test drive.
Called two VW dealerships, no test drive for Golf R, but can do GTI.

Is this normal? I had no problems test driving a mustang GT, 370z, cla45 (off the top of my head).

[smoothie.]

try showing up in person instead of calling

[VR6GTI]

If you don't let me test drive a car, you don't get a sale

[jasonc]

could be its their only model, rare, or too expensive to test drive. dealers dont like putting too many miles on new cars. i had customers complain about 500km on their new car. its still new, your the first owner. just had a couple of test drives.

they usually try to get you into model with similar trim. usually the demo car that they dont mind having miles put on.

[Reeyal]

I would show up in person and show genuine interest, and then ask for a test drive.

[Dragon-88]

Isnt this the same for wanting to test drive an STI. I remember a few years back, my realtor neighbour wanted to test drive the STI. The salesman at the dealership said no test drives at all on STI's. Again my neighbour is in his 40's, so he wasn't some young kid. In the end he did buy it, but its just sad you can test drive a car that you really want.

[whitev70r]

How old are you? Serious question, that might be a factor.

[clevernickname]

Almost 30. And like other people have mentioned, age doesn't seem to be a factor. And let's be serious, in vancouver, they would be extremely stupid to not kiss ass to every young kid that comes in.

That might be the problem though, that they don't need to let people test drive and it won't affect sales, since people will buy it anyway.

I've gone in in person too, said same thing, so not about phone call. And I just feel it'd be a waste of a trip to go to dealership just for them to tell me they don't do test drives for that car, so that's why I call beforehand now.

Just wondering if other people have had same experience. I guess evo is pretty rare now, but don't know productions numbers about the golf r. M2 I'd understand, but they let me rip it from 0 in a cla45 lol.

[roastpuff]

Yeah, I've had the same issue with Golf R/Evo/STI etc. I had to really push Mitsubishi for a test drive in a Ralliart for crying out loud. Just silly...

[SpeedStars]

When I went to get my WRX EVEN THOUGH I was obviously legit and willing to put downpay right there, I was refused a test drive from two dealers. I had even requested through the Subaru website for a test drive so they wouldn't know what I looked like or how old I was...still ended up with the car though soooo yeah? :badpokerface: I think a lot of it has to do with having a demo available. It seems like they may not have demo Golf RS/evos/stis on the lot just for test drive

[IMASA]

The trend now a days when something that doesn't go your way is to bitch about it on social media. Post a few comments on the dealership and head office facebook page and I'm sure they'll contact you to arrange a test drive.

[Timpo]

If you don't let me test drive a car, you don't get a sale

Ok so you call up some dealership and tell them you wanna test drive an Aventador and Veryon, see what they're gonna say.

Not even European exotics, but call up Nissan dealer and ask for GT-R, call Dodge dealer and ask for Viper, call Ford and ask for Ford GT, call Lexus and ask for LFA, call Acura and ask for NSX, call Chevy dealer and ask for Z06...

[Traum]

Personally, I would never buy a car unless I can test drive it. For example, as nice as the current gen M3/M4 are, I came to realize that I found the car too heavy and too big for my tastes after personally driving one. On the other hand, I was quite skeptical about the 2016 Honda Civic before test-driving one. But after a proper test drive, it totally changed my mind, and my family ended up purchasing one.

But it does make me think though -- eventually, I want to get into the P-car game -- specifically, I'm thinking some sort of Cayman. Do the local Porsche dealers allow test drives for those?

[Timpo]

Almost 30. And like other people have mentioned, age doesn't seem to be a factor. And let's be serious, in vancouver, they would be extremely stupid to not kiss ass to every young kid that comes in.

That might be the problem though, that they don't need to let people test drive and it won't affect sales, since people will buy it anyway.

I've gone in in person too, said same thing, so not about phone call. And I just feel it'd be a waste of a trip to go to dealership just for them to tell me they don't do test drives for that car, so that's why I call beforehand now.

Just wondering if other people have had same experience. I guess evo is pretty rare now, but don't know productions numbers about the golf r. M2 I'd understand, but they let me rip it from 0 in a cla45 lol.

Yeah that's just it. Those cars, you don't have to let people test drive, because the car will sell itself anyways.

If Mercedes refuse every single customers to test drive CLS 63S AMG, do you think customers are gonna go ahead an buy a Camry instead? No. They will still buy a Mercedes regardless.

[Timpo]

Personally, I would never buy a car unless I can test drive it. For example, as nice as the current gen M3/M4 are, I came to realize that I found the car too heavy and too big for my tastes after personally driving one. On the other hand, I was quite skeptical about the 2016 Honda Civic before test-driving one. But after a proper test drive, it totally changed my mind, and my family ended up purchasing one.

But it does make me think though -- eventually, I want to get into the P-car game -- specifically, I'm thinking some sort of Cayman. Do the local Porsche dealers allow test drives for those?

I still don't get the point of Cayman. It's basically a Boxster coupe. Why would people want it? For chassis/body rigidity? Aerodynamics?

[BoostedBB6]

Personally, I would never buy a car unless I can test drive it. For example, as nice as the current gen M3/M4 are, I came to realize that I found the car too heavy and too big for my tastes after personally driving one. On the other hand, I was quite skeptical about the 2016 Honda Civic before test-driving one. But after a proper test drive, it totally changed my mind, and my family ended up purchasing one.

But it does make me think though -- eventually, I want to get into the P-car game -- specifically, I'm thinking some sort of Cayman. Do the local Porsche dealers allow test drives for those?

Hold up, you test drove new M3/M4 but decided on a Civic instead?
Complete opposite ends of the spectrum here and not even sure how you would compare a cheap econobox car to a high end performance car :P

[TOPEC]

i had customers complain about 500km on their new car. its still new, your the first owner. just had a couple of test drives.
.

LOOOOL 500km is not new, that's a demo bro

[bossha]

Golf R for 40k?

[EX-R]

I already signed the papers to buy my STI and still got denied to do a test drive after!

[cho]

got to test drive brz no problem :badpokerface:

[clevernickname]

Golf R for 40k?

That's the base price on the vw canadian website. But budget is about 40-50k anyway.

[bcrdukes]

I still don't get the point of Cayman. It's basically a Boxster coupe. Why would people want it? For chassis/body rigidity? Aerodynamics?

Off-topic, but the Cayman outsold the 911 in Germany. Some food for thought.

[Mr.C]

Ok so you call up some dealership and tell them you wanna test drive an Aventador and Veryon, see what they're gonna say.

Not even European exotics, but call up Nissan dealer and ask for GT-R, call Dodge dealer and ask for Viper, call Ford and ask for Ford GT, call Lexus and ask for LFA, call Acura and ask for NSX, call Chevy dealer and ask for Z06...

If I had the money and were genuinely interested, you can bet your ass they'd let me test drive one.

[originalhypa]

Ok so you call up some dealership and tell them you wanna test drive an Aventador and Veryon, see what they're gonna say.

Not even European exotics, but call up Nissan dealer and ask for GT-R, call Dodge dealer and ask for Viper, call Ford and ask for Ford GT, call Lexus and ask for LFA, call Acura and ask for NSX, call Chevy dealer and ask for Z06...

I usually stick up for you around here, but this reply was on par with Ulic in the stupidity department. Who dafuq compares an EVO to an Aventador?

With this logic, I shouldn't be able to walk through a house before buying it. Or I shouldn't have sex unless I put a ring on her finger..... Imagine how many upset people would be out there if this was the norm.

For the record, I didn't even want to test drive my last two STi's. I know how they drive, so why bother? The salesman insisted though, which is why I'm the only person in the world who still likes Richmond Subaru.
PogChamp

[!e.lo_]

It's normal. Ford wouldn't let me drive the Fiesta ST lol

A lot of people come in asking to drive M cars and that sure as hell isn't happening.

[TouringTeg]

You can thank the test pilots. Also as stated dealers lose money when the mileage starts adding up. Buyers will want a discount for the mileage. There is also risk of a minor or major incident.

I purposely did not list my 911 in Victoria because I didn't want to deal with a bunch of dreamers who just want to drive one for fun. I had a buyer come from Vancouver and he drove the car incredibly hard for an hour or so. Drove it like he stole it. Told him a number of times to calm it down. Of course the car developed an oil leak shortly after. Maybe a coincidence... I will never know.

Best bet is to go in person and build trust. Show that you are serious and not full of BS looking for a joy ride. Even then they may say no.

I'd be interested to hear Tofu's take.

[Traum]

I still don't get the point of Cayman. It's basically a Boxster coupe. Why would people want it? For chassis/body rigidity? Aerodynamics?
What? You don't get the point of the Cayman? I almost wanted to fail you just for that~ :lawl:

As good as the Boxster is, I like the overall shape of fixed top cars a lot better than convertibles. But yeah, the chassis rigidity and the fact that you don't need to put up with stupid roll bar rules for lapping in a fixed top car are reason enough to go for the fixed top.

Hold up, you test drove new M3/M4 but decided on a Civic instead?
Complete opposite ends of the spectrum here and not even sure how you would compare a cheap econobox car to a high end performance car :P
LOL~ It wasn't quite like that. I was instructing in an M3 and an M4, so I did a couple of laps in both cars. They are absolutely fantastic machines, but I am generally a smaller / lighter car kind of guy. So the instructional drives were enlightening in the sense that I found out these cars are really too big and heavy for me.

The Civic, on the other hand... well... it's only supposed to be the appliance car. Visibility from the driver seat was good. The car was smooth and easy to drive. It wasn't sporty, but it wasn't floppy either. So that was all the subjective requirements it needed to meet.

[dared3vil0]

Look at it this way,

you go to buy a $45,000 Golf R.

The car has 148km on it. The sales manager says it's because it was test driven a handful of times.

Would you be happy?

Or, you buy your $45,000 Golf R. It has 14km on it.

Happier eh?


Yeah I know, just use one as a demo. Except when most dealers get only a few of these special cars, one as a demo doesn't make sense.

With that said, when I bought my Mustang they let me drive a 2013 GT500 that i made very clear I had no intention of buying (the one with 662hp) That thing stickered at over 70k...

[b0unce. [?]]

I test drove a Viper to get a free gas card :lol

[originalhypa]

Or, you buy your $45,000 Golf R. It has 14km on it.

First off, $45k is nothing these days. I just went on toyota.ca and outfitted a Camry V6 XLE for $46,532.04

Can you imagine if the saleguy told the C-lai that she can't test drive it?

Second, I know a few guys who work at the docks. Those 14 km can be some hard miles. Last week I was crossing the Alex Fraser and a Kia ripped past me with transporter plates. You could smell the new car scent burning off. I hope the new owner bought the extended warranty on that car.

[Galactic_Phantom]

Ok so you call up some dealership and tell them you wanna test drive an Aventador and Veryon, see what they're gonna say.

Not even European exotics, but call up Nissan dealer and ask for GT-R, call Dodge dealer and ask for Viper, call Ford and ask for Ford GT, call Lexus and ask for LFA, call Acura and ask for NSX, call Chevy dealer and ask for Z06...

You're a fucking retard. No fucking shit a dealer is not gonna have a bunch of exotics lying around, let alone a demo. He's asking about a Golf R which is mass produced $40k car.

I still don't get the point of Cayman. It's basically a Boxster coupe. Why would people want it? For chassis/body rigidity? Aerodynamics?

Umm..I don't know, maybe because it's almost 1/2 or 2/3 of the price of a 911 with almost an equivalent amount of fun? Why wouldn't anyone who likes driving cars want it? Lightweight, rwd fun is a selling point too. Not everybody is gonna premature ejaculate over the mighty GT-R's specs.

[FatalCloud]

tried to test drive the first gen mazdaspeed 3, years ago, they wouldn't let me unless i put down a deposit. i laughed at them and left. seriously....not able to test drive a low $30K car

and i'm probably one of the few who understands where timpo is coming from, vr6gti's dumb statement of 'no test drive, no sale'. some cars will sell itself, don't need to test drive.

[Galactic_Phantom]

tried to test drive the first gen mazdaspeed 3, years ago, they wouldn't let me unless i put down a deposit. i laughed at them and left. seriously....not able to test drive a low $30K car

and i'm probably one of the few who understands where timpo is coming from, vr6gti's dumb statement of 'no test drive, no sale'. some cars will sell itself, don't need to test drive.

Ummm..didn't you basically just did the same thing? Walked away when there was no test drive?

Timpo's statement is irrelevant to op's situation. He used a CLS63 AMG and exotics as an example. Yeah, those cars can sell themselves because the people who buy those cars are kids with can afford to dick around with their parent's money or grown ups who care only about the status symbol, the looks and the specs to back it up.

A $40k car like the Golf R does not have the pedigree to sell itself nor the Evo for that matter. Those who are in the market for $40k cars probably will think twice before a major purchase and that's probably why those are the cars people expect to test drive.

[bluejays]

Went with my Gf for her to test a ralliart. Waiting about 10 minutes before I had to flag down a salesperson and they scoffed when we asked for a test drive. Came back the next day with my evo and they were on us like a fly to shit.

I understand that it's a commission based industry and they don't want to waste their time with tire kickers, but a little customer service goes a long way.

[320icar]

I couldn't test drive the focus ST but that's because no dealer had any in stock. Took 3 months to get it in after I ordered sight unseen

They did let me test a fiesta ST afterwards just for fun, but I guess they knew I was a paying customer

[brrrz]

When I was at Subaru there was no test drives in any new BRZ, WRX, STi and that was the rule across the board with every dealer. If we had a used one on the lot and the person seemed interested there wouldn't be any problem. People no matter what age come in and just want to go for a joy ride. Doesn't matter if they can afford the car or if they filed bankruptcy 3 months ago. Then you end up with a bunch of new cars with 300kms+ on them.

Where I am now if you aren't 19 and show up with 4 of your friends to all pile in and test drive a 85 grand super duty you will probably get a drive. Only thing you cant test drive is the Mark IV coupe in the show room.

[jasonturbo]

Cross shopping Evo to Golf R? lol

Golf R is so much more car for the money, just buy one, you won't be disappointed.

I feel your pain about test drives though, back when I was in my early 20's I wanted a GD STI, walked into dealer with 10K cash in hand asking for test drive, they told me to pound sand. Couple years older now, just pull into lot with GT3 they let you drive whatever you want lol.

[gilly]

^Not all us balling like you haha

If what you said is true, rent an exotic car for the day and drive into a mitsu, subi, vw etc and ask to test drive their cars. haha

[mr00jimbo]

I wanted to test drive a Corolla XRS before buying it, the dealer told me that he didn't want to bring one in unless I was committed to buying it. He said I could test drive it if I signed the papers. Well no shit, then it's my car lol.

Alternatively, I wandered over to a Ford lot in the summer to check out the new Mustang 5.0. Girl handed me the keys without checking my license or anything and we took it out. I ended up ordering one from her.

[clevernickname]

In winnipeg was cross shopping x1, qx50, glk350. Two of them just gave me keys and said have fun. Didn't even come with.

I was 25 then with the face of an 18 year old.

[604brz]

Just put down a deposit on a 2016 Golf R. Dealership had none in stock for me to test-drive. I had to settle for test-driving a GTI as well.

Originally the salesman wasn't too helpful, giving me vague answers. As soon I told him I wanted to put down a deposit, he started putting more effort into answering my questions

[clevernickname]

Vancouver is a sellers market I guess..

[Digitalis]

You call Timpo and Ulic dumb and yet you can't see the that the TOP of the line cars with very limited numbers on the lot wont be allowed to be test driven?:badpokerface:
First off, $45k is nothing these days. I just went on toyota.ca and outfitted a Camry V6 XLE for $46,532.04

Can you imagine if the saleguy told the C-lai that she can't test drive it?

Second, I know a few guys who work at the docks. Those 14 km can be some hard miles. Last week I was crossing the Alex Fraser and a Kia ripped past me with transporter plates. You could smell the new car scent burning off. I hope the new owner bought the extended warranty on that car.

[hi-revs]

Vancouver is just fucked like this. I bet other canadian cities/provinces aren't so much like this

[plat27265]

Unfortunately, a car like a Golf R is not a fast seller like the regular Golf. Dealerships here in Vancouver will only have one in stock when it is available and none if its not. Test driving a slow moving single example of a top shelf Golf will be next to impossible. People who end up buying a Golf R buy it because they know about it and want it. Dealerships will have more GTI's in stock and dealers will typically have a demo GTI set aside. As someone posted above, the typical Golf R buyer will not buy a demo unit. He or she will most likely demand a unit that was not used as a test mule. I, personally, won't if I do buy a new Golf R.

As a suggestion, another alternative is to look for a used example of a Golf R MK6 or MK7 and test drive that. It will also be difficult to look for a Golf R in the used car market, too.

[Hehe]

I think it's all about the impression. Car salesmen are no longer after the service (at least very few that I know of still do), but rather sales. If you go into the dealership, the chance of getting a test drive would be much greater if not a sure thing. But I guess a relationship would help if car is toward the expensive side (even so, for a sub-50k car?), so, get someone to refer you if you can't get a proper attention.

I mean, when I went car shopping after I came back to Van, my first stop was BMW as I had my mind set on a M6 GC and I liked my previous BMW sales. He took a copy of my DL, gave me the key, put on the dealer plate and away I go for the test drive. I didn't even tell him I was considering buying, but rather want to get a feel of the M6.

[whiteTDIpowa]

I bought a 2016 Golf R

I test drove:

2015 GLA45 AMG
2013 Focus ST
2016 WRX STI
2016 WRX

The Golf R was the hardest one to get in, took me going back to the dealership twice. Then I called out the sales manager in the middle of the showroom...basically told him I will go buy a STI today if he doesn't let me test drive the Golf R they had there. It was a cancelled factory order about 6 months ago.

Anyways, get the Golf R, I never test drove the evo becuase it's dead technology and looks like poop. The R has been the best daily driver rocket I have owned yet. I came from three STI's and this blows subaru quality away, I was literally moments away at buying a 2016 sti, and then the dealer let me test drive the R...and I was hooked on it!

[plat27265]

Yeah, I've had the same issue with Golf R/Evo/STI etc. I had to really push Mitsubishi for a test drive in a Ralliart for crying out loud. Just silly...

Hey, Roastpuff! Nice to run into you here in RS. We go way back over at GolfMK6 Forum. I see you now own an R.

Before I bought my '11 GTI, I test drove a Ralliart at Mits in R'mond. Salesman didn't refuse my request back then. Not sure why they won't let you try one.

[Kaolinite]

Second, I know a few guys who work at the docks. Those 14 km can be some hard miles. Last week I was crossing the Alex Fraser and a Kia ripped past me with transporter plates. You could smell the new car scent burning off. I hope the new owner bought the extended warranty on that car.

The 3 Hikari STI's that sold at Richmond Subaru were transported by the lot kids from Langley.. and they did not tear open the plastic over the hoodscoop for the intercooler lol...+ they probably ripped the cars all the way to Richmond.

[ilvtofu]

I ordered my Fiesta ST somewhat sight unseen, none on the lot to test drive or even at other local dealerships (late 2013) but they gave me a cash price I couldn't refuse and also let me test drive a Focus ST they had on the lot.

I'm sure it depends on the salesperson you get but it's understandable, especially with a sporty car with a manual transmission, that a dealer takes a fair amount of risk with that test drive. I remember some dealerships have/had a policy like "if you weren't offered a test drive you'll get a free (blank)"

[SpeedStars]

The 3 Hikari STI's that sold at Richmond Subaru were transported by the lot kids from Langley.. and they did not tear open the plastic over the hoodscoop for the intercooler lol...+ they probably ripped the cars all the way to Richmond.

Eh, I guess with pretty much any marginally sporty car, someone somewhere in the transportation process will always drive it hard. And theres nothing we can really do about it...thats why warranty is there I guess :concentrate:

ive seen brand new hellcats/srt jeeps and lot/sales guys just rip on em. Those cars have a pretty meticulous break in procedure as well... Heard a brand new SRT8 grand cherokee with insanely loud valves once too

[Mrblee]

Was offered a test drive in a evo x, ralliart and 370z. declined evo/ralliart because I didn't have a license at the time. Declined evo x test drive again a few months ago because I couldn't afford it this time around.

[LP700-4]

Its pretty much inevitable that buying a new car, its bound to be driven hard before you get it in your hands.

Which is another point for why dealers don't approve of test drives for some of these high-demand models. Would you want a car thats been test driven hard by dozens of people?

Im assuming that when you buy one of these "performance" cars you would like to test the "performance". Realistically nobody is going to test drive a car and baby it.

For serious buyers though, if they have one in stock and you are 100% serious and ready to complete the deal, usually if you put down a deposit on the car they'll let you take it out under supervision for minimal kms.

[thumper]

i remember being refused a test drive for a wrx when they first came out at specialty because some idiot had wrecked their demonstrator on a test drive. as in drifted it over the curb in a slow left hander and into the trees with the salesperson shotgun in the front passenger seat (note i said left hander). the only way i could drive one was after a sales manager at docksteader let me take his own company demo (because my dad was a longtime customer) for the day, which i ended up buying. but years later when the sti first came out i was denied again, only because they only had the one car and it was staying on display with delivery mileage on it until it was sold. the only person on staff to have driven it was the person who parked it in the showroom :o . the only way i finally got the chance to drive an sti was because a generous nasioc member let me take his around the block.

[hud 91gt]

I find this a little sad. I'm not one to go buy vehicles new off the lot. Because of that, i've only test driven 2-3 vehicles in my life. A new Genesis, a 1988 E30 like 15 years ago, and a used 350z. If i'm not seriously going to buy it, I don't feel right driving it. Unfortunately I think the system has apparently been abused.

[jasonturbo]

On the subject of driving the MK6R to determine if you like the MK7R.

Before buying my MK7 GTI, I was actually at the dealer to test drive and buy an MK6R. The MK6R test drive was meh, sales guy then convinced me to take a MK7 GTI out since it was quite a bit less money than the MK6R with 80K.

Back to back test drives the MK6 chassis does not hold a candle to the MK7 MQB chassis, interior build quality of the MK7 was also far superior.

I did replace the GTI with the R after about 8 months of waiting, I really can't stress enough to people just how happy I am with the Golf R.

Complaints for Golf R
- First gear should be longer or engine should be able to rev about 500RPM more
- No memory seating, annoying when me and the GF are constantly moving the power seat forward and backward
- Engine noise is lame, no point in putting an exhaust on this car, it would just amplify the ugly engine note
- I hate the software updates for "eco tips" that came out after dieselgate, these annoying pop ups in the gauge display never seem to stop and are very distracting
- TPMS is sensitive

Brilliant car though.

[Verdasco]

got to test drive brz no problem :badpokerface:

test drove a gray scion FRS when they had a dark blue one as well


and 500km isnt a brand new car lmao


edit: you guys seriously need to plan this out when going into dealerships when buying a new car, was only 20 or 21 at that time but i had a face of a 13 year old. Bring your mother, bring some family members, we brought a baby as an "act" so it looked like a serious buy

If I went by myself at that age, I wouldn't of been taken serious whatsoever.. OP, you said you look like almost 30 but maybe young face?

[originalhypa]

You call Timpo and Ulic dumb and yet you can't see the that the TOP of the line cars with very limited numbers on the lot wont be allowed to be test driven?:badpokerface:

I don't care if they built 10 civics and allocated one per province. It's still a civic. Just like a Golf R is a fancy Golf, and an EVO is a fancy Lancer. When I had my STis, I always knew I was driving an Impreza. Adding a few parts here and there doesn't make it a supercar.

If the OP was talking about M cars or AMG variants, I could understand. We're not talking about $100k+ cars, we're talking about cars that your average 20 year old could finance with his minimum wage job washing dishes.

Do you really not understand the difference here? Or are you just being obtuse?

[Great68]

When I was shopping for cars, Baljet Chev here on the island just threw me the keys to a turbo Cobalt SS and said "Have fun and bring it back in one piece". The car got a good slogging through the backroads of Lake Cowichan, making sure to try out that "no lift shift" feature.

I had no problem getting a test drive with on my Speed 3, except that the salesman came along. The car had 350kms on it when I bought it, so it had been through a few test drives (it even had the test drive form from the last person in the glovebox). Since I bought the car for 6k off sticker, I was more than fine with that.

But I gotta say, Docksteader Subaru, man they think their cars are fucking made out of gold or something. Wouldn't let me test a WRX, just a regular 2.5i (consequently to their detriment I wasn't overly impressed) and then when it came to running through the numbers they wouldn't deal AT ALL. So I walked away, fuck them.

[GLOW]

You can thank the test pilots.

this. last 2 cars i sold are relatively sporty i guess but would not classify as sports cars. had at least 1 on each test drive them like idiots. idiots come in all shapes and sizes.

now i have family cars not sure anyone would wanna hoon an accord :lol

[BoostedBB6]

What? You don't get the point of the Cayman? I almost wanted to fail you just for that~ :lawl:

As good as the Boxster is, I like the overall shape of fixed top cars a lot better than convertibles. But yeah, the chassis rigidity and the fact that you don't need to put up with stupid roll bar rules for lapping in a fixed top car are reason enough to go for the fixed top.


LOL~ It wasn't quite like that. I was instructing in an M3 and an M4, so I did a couple of laps in both cars. They are absolutely fantastic machines, but I am generally a smaller / lighter car kind of guy. So the instructional drives were enlightening in the sense that I found out these cars are really too big and heavy for me.

The Civic, on the other hand... well... it's only supposed to be the appliance car. Visibility from the driver seat was good. The car was smooth and easy to drive. It wasn't sporty, but it wasn't floppy either. So that was all the subjective requirements it needed to meet.

Ok that makes sense.

[dvst8]

Test drive is going to be the deal breaker for me. No way I am putting down hard earned cash to only find the car doesn't meet satisfactions. If you end up regretting the purchase after, I wonder what you're going to say to yourself......'should of test drove'...

[white rocket]

Do you really not understand the difference here? Or are you just being obtuse?

:pokerface: :badpokerface:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j217/whiterocket/tumblr_mqm0qbH01O1r3vs52o1_500_zps2eskbjeb.gif (http://s81.photobucket.com/user/whiterocket/media/tumblr_mqm0qbH01O1r3vs52o1_500_zps2eskbjeb.gif.htm l)

Back in 2003 when the 2004 STi dropped I was allowed to test drive one at Wolfe Subaru in Langely. I knew the fleet guy there and he new I wanted one. After the test drive, which was OK but not spectacular, I passed due to insane pricing. By passing on it I was able to by my ITR about a month later. Best decision ever.

[extracrunchie]

I want to test drive the new Civic Type R, but chances will be very slim...........:(

[originalhypa]

:pokerface: :badpokerface:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j217/whiterocket/tumblr_mqm0qbH01O1r3vs52o1_500_zps2eskbjeb.gif (http://s81.photobucket.com/user/whiterocket/media/tumblr_mqm0qbH01O1r3vs52o1_500_zps2eskbjeb.gif.htm l)

https://media.giphy.com/media/14wP4m9NBL3r6E/giphy.gif

:chairdance:

I want to test drive the new Civic Type R, but chances will be very slim...........:(

And in other news.
Are they bringing the CTR to Canada?!?!?!

[invader]

Some salesman are racist, my pops was denied a test drive on an RX8.

I test drove a newish Evo X at Newtype in Richmond, guy didn't think twice.

I spoke to a salesman at Wolf Subaru in Langley, the guy was pretty clear that he wouldn't let me test drive one. I'm still ordering a new STI.

[originalhypa]

Some salesman are racist,

Oh totally.
I walked into the Ferrari dealer the other day, and they didn't even greet me. It was obvious that they didn't want my business. So then I hit up the Benz dealer in Richmond, and all of the Chinese salespeople laughed at my Adidas, jeans and hoodie combo. Same for the BMW dealer across the lot. Can't a gwai lo catch a break?

That's when I went to the Ford dealer. They know how to treat a guy right.
:)

[tofu1413]

Totally down to the sales guy...


i've let 19 year olds test drive M3's......... after the numbers made sense and a deal subject to test drive.

it's all down to the nature of the vehicle and the sales guy's personal judgement.


had a 19 year old walk in yesterday with his mom to look at cars... and we went on a test drive in an almost new Camaro SS... 90% of the time, the test drive with some of those seemingly tire kicking kids were actually ok, and 60% end up buying. Test drives bring up emotional want to a car, so chances are raised for the guy to buy the car.


i've had 30-50 year old dudes come in to test drive to show off to their lady friends and simply came in to tire kick... we meet different people from many different walks of life here in the car business :pokerface:

[bcuzracecarz]

I'll never forget when I was working as a lot guy at Wolfe Subaru in Langley back in '07 and a young Asian kid came in wanting to test drive an STI and said he had cash but needed to drive it first to see if it was really what he wanted. Our manager at the time made it very clear that it wasn't happening in an almost rude way... Kid comes back the next week in a brand new hawkeye just for an oil change purely to drop the Mic on the sales staff. Was priceless to see the look on managers face...pays to be nice and find out who your client is before judging as a salesman. Definitely made me look at my own customer service skills in a new light

[twitchyzero]

i had customers complain about 500km on their new car. its still new, your the first owner. just had a couple of test drives.


maybe i'm one of those picky ones but when i'm being sold a brand new vehicle at or near MSRP it better have the protective barrier on body panels/interior from factory and the mileage is only from transport not test drives

[Great68]

Appropriate for this thread:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOH8BbCe4iU

[GLOW]

ninja edit great68 beat me to it :okay:


That's when I went to the Ford dealer. They know how to treat a guy right.
:)

read that thinking "they know how to treat a white guy right" :lol

[mb_]

The first Toyota dealer I went to when I was shopping for an FRS let me test drive one without even looking at my license :lol If it makes a difference, it was a lease return unit.

He let me drive it around for an hour and took me to some twisties, highway, city driving. Really wanted to buy it from him but he wouldn't budge on the price at all.

Also tried to get a test drive setup for a WRX at the same time and was denied.

[hk20000]

The first Toyota dealer I went to when I was shopping for an FRS let me test drive one without even looking at my license :lol If it makes a difference, it was a lease return unit.

He let me drive it around for an hour and took me to some twisties, highway, city driving. Really wanted to buy it from him but he wouldn't budge on the price at all.

Also tried to get a test drive setup for a WRX at the same time and was denied.
well after the first test drive he knows your budget so....:badpokerface:

[originalhypa]

read that thinking "they know how to treat a white guy right" :lol

That's why I like the Toyota dealership.
They treat everyone well.

:nyan:

[dark0821]

Hmm, I got around the problem by going to private used car dealerships. Golf R might be a bit hard to find, but I am sure you can find an EVO somewhere that is for sale.

But to add to the point, my friend went in with intention to buy that day, even went and got approved at financing first, and in the end, manager took him shot gun on the car that he was buying.... lol... thats Vancouver for you....

[kkttsang]

Well when you trade in a car the sales manager takes your car out for a ride before appraising it, then as a buyer we should be like no just appraise it without taking it out please.

[kkthind]

I rolled up to an infiniti dealership with a beat up Honda and they let me test drive with no problem. :badpokerface:

[AstulzerRZD]

Was this Open Road Infiniti in the Richmond Auto Mall?

If so, +1. Fantastic service and follow up

[6thGear.]

When I went to look at a new WRX back in 07 I was able to test drive it albeit was only for about 10 minutes. 4 years later I went back to the same dealership (Docksteader) looking to trade it in for a new WRX/STI and they refused me even though I told them I was a returning customer. Then 1.5 years ago when I decided on a new S4, I went to Capilano Audi and not only did I get a test drive the sales guy encouraged me to drive it hard LOL.

On another note one of my hockey friends bro went to Lambo Vancouver and test drove an Aventador no prob. He ended up leasing one for a year while waiting for his roadster to come in on order. Probably helped his case rolling up in his Ranger Rover Sport though. Over the years I find these normal car dealers (Honda, Subaru, Toyota) are so finicky on test drives where as the luxury brands don't really care. Prior to my S4 I also went to test drive M235i, 435i and CLA no problem. Whereas I once went to Toyota with my brother to test drive a TRD Corolla (or whatever the 170HP one was called) and was denied.

[R. Mutt]

Interesting, I made an appointment over the phone couple a weeks ago to test drive an R and there were no issues. Drove to the dealer with the gf in her 2007 Yaris and test drove the managers 2016 R (complete with baby seat in the back) no drama no issues. His car is for sale though so it's probably why they made it accessible if they generally won't let people test drive them.

That said I was impressed with the build quality and ride. Could use a bit more power under the hood but it's wasn't bad considering there were three of us in the car. Salesman was chill too, told me to give 'er some. We didn't end up buying it because I got a better deal at another dealership on a 2017 onyx white pearl and that was that.

[Limitless]

Went into Honda at the Richmond auto mall because I was thinking about getting the 9th gen Si a while back. Sat down with a sales guy and talked prices for a while, when I asked for a test drive the guy was basically like "we don't allow people to test drive these cars because it's too fast. Too much power for you to handle". I basically just got up right then and there and left lol. The guy followed me out, saw my 370z and said "oh wow that's a fast car". >_>...

[death_blossom]

^
good job man. fuck head salesmen with no sales skill don't need your money.

[Great68]

Docksteader wouldn't let me test a WRX.
Signature Mazda had the keys to the Speed 3 ready in hand as I was looking at it.

The smart salesman got the sale.

I think Docksteader has some crazy misconception that they're peddling Ferraris or something.

[Traum]

Docksteader wouldn't let me test a WRX.

I think Docksteader has some crazy misconception that they're peddling Ferraris or something.
That was the case when the new gen WRX first came out. I was denied a test drive by the sales person, and at the time, his reason was everything they had in stock was already sold / on pre-order.

You've got to be kidding me that they are still doing the same thing now though... FailFish

When is Christian Chia doing an OpenRoad Subie dealership?

[Dragon-88]

Was at docksteader back in July, same thing wanted to test a WRX even mentioned over then phone when I was coming down that I wanted to test drive, had every intention on buying one.. Was told there was absolutely no discount and no test drives.. What makes you think I wanna buy a $40K car without a test drive. Then I was told I could test drive a used STI. I was like :rukidding: their completely different engines.

[optiblue]

A lot of car companies just won't let you test drive their most expensive cars just because it will depreciate them with the added mileage. Most dealerships won't have a demo top model car and the same is true for any brand which kind of sucks. Try going to a Nissan dealership and ask for a GTR to test drive or a porche dealership and ask for a Gt3. They'll gladly lend you a 370Z or a Boxter, but never their top tier cars.

[Traum]

The price scale is vastly different between a GT-R / GT3 compared to a WRX or STI though. As a matter of fact, both the 370Z and WRX have an effective starting MSRP of $30k.

[Dragon-88]

Every year there's a slight change in models. Why not take the loss on 1 base model car and use it as a demo and have the chance of a much higher turnaround in sales. I'm more likely to buy a car that i've driven, than a car I want to try, but cant..

[Akinari]

Went into Honda at the Richmond auto mall because I was thinking about getting the 9th gen Si a while back. Sat down with a sales guy and talked prices for a while, when I asked for a test drive the guy was basically like "we don't allow people to test drive these cars because it's too fast. Too much power for you to handle". I basically just got up right then and there and left lol. The guy followed me out, saw my 370z and said "oh wow that's a fast car". >_>...
I've been to the same dealership several times, and have test driven various 9th gen demos many times. It got to a point where my sales just handed me the keys and told me to drive safe :lawl:

EDIT: 9th gen Si, not the DX/LX/EX

[Limitless]

Maybe it was just the particular sales guy I was talking to. I went to Richmond subaru and they let me test drive the STI no questions asked, even told me to rip it down river road lol. From what I know they're selling so many they don't even bother with discounts on those cars anymore unless you have friends working there, and even so it's only like 1k off I think?

[AzNightmare]

IMO, it all comes down to pride.
The price tag means nothing.

The reason why the R and Evo isn't allowed test drives is because it's their flagship.
The 370z is not Nissan's flagship, the GTR is.

They're basically saying

"What??? This is our absolute best car in our line up, and you're even questioning whether it's good or not that you need a test drive? :derp:"

:lol

[twitchyzero]

Went into Honda at the Richmond auto mall because I was thinking about getting the 9th gen Si a while back. Sat down with a sales guy and talked prices for a while, when I asked for a test drive the guy was basically like "we don't allow people to test drive these cars because it's too fast. Too much power for you to handle". I basically just got up right then and there and left lol. The guy followed me out, saw my 370z and said "oh wow that's a fast car". >_>...

I'm sure he gets lots of kids buying the Si as a "fast" first-car funded by family that dont usually even bother with test-drives...even if you were serious and sat down for a bit, you probably just looked like another kid to him, still funny af though ahha

[tofu1413]

got to test drive new WRX and STI a few months ago at the langley wolf subaru.


Dealt with a younger fellow. A guy that surprisingly knew what he was talking about.


Thought about a new STI for a bit, but cant justify the new shell with old EJ motor... :okay:

[Limitless]

I'm sure he gets lots of kids buying the Si as a "fast" first-car funded by family that dont usually even bother with test-drives...even if you were serious and sat down for a bit, you probably just looked like another kid to him, still funny af though ahha
That's probably true, their loss ahah.

got to test drive new WRX and STI a few months ago at the langley wolf subaru.


Dealt with a younger fellow. A guy that surprisingly knew what he was talking about.


Thought about a new STI for a bit, but cant justify the new shell with old EJ motor... :okay:
Whenever I go into dealerships to look at cars sales people always come up to me and it's really disappointing how little they know about the car, we need more sales people like you around here lmao. I was pretty set on the new STI when I went in for a test drive, but the sales guy knew nothing about the car which always sucks. Kept trying to tell me that the new STI has a different motor and stuff from the previous gen and that it's a lot faster... some of the things he tried to tell me actually ended up making me want to buy the car less. I wonder why sales people don't do more research on their own vehicles, it's not like they have 50+ cars to memorize the specs for or anything.

Side note; I loved the new interior of the STI, especially with the convenience features from the sport tech package, but can't stand the digital boost gauge and the camry like shape of it...

[mr00jimbo]

Went into Honda at the Richmond auto mall because I was thinking about getting the 9th gen Si a while back. Sat down with a sales guy and talked prices for a while, when I asked for a test drive the guy was basically like "we don't allow people to test drive these cars because it's too fast. Too much power for you to handle". I basically just got up right then and there and left lol. The guy followed me out, saw my 370z and said "oh wow that's a fast car". >_>...

Similar experience buying an 05 Corolla XRS. Made 170 horsepower....but until like 6200 RPM it made 130ish into Toyota's "VTEC" kicked in, y0!

"Oh you can't drive it, too much power."

Yeah, right. I guess that's why Corollas have high rooflines, so you can fit your racing helmet...

[Nabatron]

Cant remember if I posted on here or not but my experience when I searched for a new 16' wrx was a tuff one...I started off in Langley since it was super close to me and they let me test drive a demo that they had there which was good, long story short it was easy to test drive one of their cars since they had a demo but it was tuff to get any sort of deal in the end. They wouldn't budge on the price and pretty much said the demand for the new wrx was so strong they couldn't keep them in stock. So all in all you pay the sticker price and that was it. In the end bought my car from Anthonys Subaru in Kelowna and also bought the wifes outback there too.

It pretty dumb for car companys to not let the customer actually test drive the car they actually want to purchase from them. For a pretty big purchase in a vehicle you don't simply go and pick a car with your eye closed and throw money at it. Unless you are filthy rich and don't give a shit but even then you still want to test drive it and see if you like it or not.