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I'm not sure what your position is at the dealer, but Subaru does that for their sales staff.
Think of it as an extension of that event, only you invite potential customers instead of dealership employees.
I doubt Mercedes and BMW would do it if it didn't create some sales for them.
-juice
You are the exception for sure if you are sending referral business. That's a good thing.
A few years ago, Honda for some reason decided to offer a set of Walkie Talkies for people who test drove cars. I can't recall us making even one sale out of that one. I hope they don't do something like this again!
Craig
Now see, you just gave me a great example. LOL
There is no way, no how, I can get my wife to test drive a minivan, unless there is a draw. A free pair of FRS handsets would draw her in.
Kia got her into a Sedona with a Shrek video offer (they ran out of coupons but we drove it anyway), so it worked for them. The lumpy seats ruled it out, but it really wasn't all that bad.
Mazda had an offer to test the MPV, I forget but it must've been a $50 Visa Gift Card, something like that, and she just felt too much like a soccer mom. The tranny was indecisive and she just couldn't get excited about it.
Without those offers I don't think she would have bothered to look.
She has been in a few Odys but never driven one. That might be the van that finally hooks her, but again, Honda's gotta draw her into the showroom some how.
Not that they are hurting for sales, but the point remains.
FWIW we do go to car shows and that helps narrow it down a bit. We're not just out there driving every possible car for no reason.
-juice
Anyway, from the comments from the pros whenever this topic came up, it sounds like most of them just sign the form and send you on your way with a brochure and business card.
Also, I think in the fine print (at least with the mazda program), it says you can drive any model, regardless of which one the solicitation features.
Referals are again at the manufacturer level. If Juice for instance was impressed by the Sedona and told some people to check it out, they quite possibly went to a different dealer (closer to home or work), maybe a different salesman if at the same dealer. So, Kia sells a car (they're happy), even though the salesman who talked to Juice might not have gotten the sale (or maybe did, and didn't even know it).
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
You're right about that last part, it's very hard to refer someone to one specific dealer for a purchase, because they want to be able to shop around for their best deal.
At least they (the salesperson) have a shot, put it that way. I send them through the doors.
If I had to do any more than that, I'd want his full salary!
-juice
Anyway, back to my original point, a local Toyota dealer sent me a flyer that I just love. Apparently there is a run on 1996 Chevy Beretta's since 'we are in desperate need to acquire severaly different types of pre-owned vehicles before Oct. 15, 2004 in order to fulfill special used vehicle requests. Our records indicate you own one of these vehicles and our new car managers have been authorized to buy back your current vehicle.'
Funny since I didn't even buy it from them (from b-in-law actually), and have only been in there once to test drive an '04 Rav4. (Then I found out it's the No. 1 chick vehicle and that eliminated it from possibility).
Having worked in the newspaper business for over a decade I've seen all of the gimmicks dealers use and I have to say this one rates right up there. I've heard of it before, but never got a card. I honestly can't believe people fall for this kind of thing. But I guess if they didn't, why bother with the cards, eh?
So if anyone out there wants to take my low-mileage Chevy off my hands for a reasonable price to take advantage of this great deal, I'm all ears.
$25 to best buy, movie tickets, etc...
i could make out like a bandit on these!
The only one I'v e been to was the Car and Driver R&T Ride and Drive comparo with a BMW 325, Legacy GT and Volvo.
That was a great event. 3 AutoX in one day!
Once you use one of these coupons, you will get more, trust me.
The best way to get on the list is go to the web sites for any brand you are interested in (Mazda is a good one) and sign up for updates or "keep me informed". Almost guarantees that the next time they do a promo you will be included.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
-Dan-
A clever Ford dealer actually advertised an extra $250 cash back from Chevrolet!
My wife told me Hyundai currently has a test drive offer, if I get details about it I'll share them here.
The C&D and R&T event was sponsored by Subaru. Several friends of mine went and had a blast. The closest to me was in Dover, DE, about 2+ hours away, so I passed.
-juice
This is the same guy who took my brand new Maxima and, with me in the car, got it up to 130 mph before I could even open my mouth to protest. It is generally accepted by the family that the old man will buy it in a spectacular wreck, it's only a matter of when and hopefully another living object is not involved.
Maybe we need an Inconsiderate Test Drives forum?
My wife and I only test drive when we're seriously considering the vehicle for relatively immediate purchase (a month or less). My local auto show is enough for me to determine whether or not a vehicle is even worth test driving (you guys may like those Kia minivans, but is there anything in there that's NOT held together with hot glue??). For me, the drive is secondary. An auto show gives you all the time you need to pull and prod the interior, sit in the seats for as long as you want, play with the stereo, lock your old man in the trunk, etc...
Anyway, visiting the dealer and sitting in cars i nthe showroom accomplishes the same thing. No need to take a test drive, and it won't really take up any of a salesman's time, unless they just don't want to leave you alone, in shich case it's their problem.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
We're opposites. To me the drive is key, everything inside is basically just ballast.
-juice
Anyway, yes, the old man has driven the Maxima only once since then and my mother was with him. I had no choice, since it was at my sister's wedding and I was riding with the wedding party. I bet it killed him, since she will actually scream in his face when he does what she considers unsafe (which is about 5 mph over the speed limit). He wanted to drive my wife's new Explorer, and I let him, but nobody went with. When he was gone we were doing the various stages of "monkey see".
The wind noise thing I had to learn the hard way. My last car was an Olds Intrigue, and it was really quiet around town. Got it on the highway for the first time, though, and my heart sank. None of the seals (windshield, doors) were all that great, and one of them even caused a continual whistling noise that drove me nuts. Dealer never did get that car right.
I somehow got on the list and was invited to this Lexus event:
https://www1.travelhq.com/registration/lexustasteofluxury/pretrip- /home.mtc
Sounds like fun. Check out the list of cars you can potentially drive:
Lexus ES 330, GS 300, LS 430, GS 430, IS 300, SC 430, GX 470, LX470 and RX 330; Acura MDX and TL; BMW 530ia, 745i, 545ia, 330ia, X5 4.4i and X3; Land Rover Range Rover HSE; Mercedes-Benz C320, E320, S430, E500 and ML500; Infiniti G35; Jaguar XK8 Cabriolet; Cadillac XLR and Escalade; Volvo XC90.
-juice
Generally, you got a great opportunity to test drive the GM models as the lines at the imports were a lot longer.
I like these massive test drive shows (like the one that Edmunds.com held in 2000) as it allows me to drive vehicles that I would not generally consider. I always find that my evaluation of the performance of certain vehicles often vearies with what I read on forums and reviews.
Thanks.
If the opportunity to make an appointment is available, then it seems that the salesperson would be able to prepare for your visit by having any print material related to the vehicle ready, be prepared to answer any questions about the vehicle and current pricing/promotions, and would have set aside enough time to spend with you without interruption.
As many of the salespeople who are members here will tell you, be sure to make the appointment when you KNOW you can make it No-shows stink.
kirstie_h
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Schedule a test drive?
If you're seriously looking into that car, sure, by all means. If you are just casually shopping, I don't think I would. I'd just drop in.
-juice
So, since she is shopping, and the XC-90 is technically still on the short list, we will go and do our part for charity.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
They made a donation based on the number of miles you drove.
-juice
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Too many times people come in and want to test drive cars for fun. After a while some of us tend to pre judge potential customers thinking that they're just here because they're bored, and so we end up with a missed opportunity, and the customer ends up with a sour taste because we didn't take them seriously.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
There's a salesperson that I particularly like to deal with - in order to be certain that I can deal with him, especially as I already know I'm going to be buying from that store, I make an appointment. It also seems to make the whole process run more quickly, which I particularly like.
kirstie_h
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Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
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I want to be left alone to browse, even when I'm seriously shopping. When I am ready to buy I will make and appointment with the salesman I want to work with.
A guy in another thread complained that he walked the lot with his girlfriend and noone came out to serve him, so he thought he wasn't being taken seriously. I like it that way.
No two customers are the same.
-juice
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Any events coming up? The Lexus one was pretty cool. I only wish we'd had more time.
-juice
"Don't get taken for a ride on your test drive. Plan the route you want to take so you can try various terrain and put the car through it's paces. Make sure you slam the doors, test the brakes and pop the trunk."
I buy used vehicles because too many new ones are abused when people slam the doors, test the brakes, etc. as recommended by the AOL article.
Do any dealerships still have "demonstrator" vehicles or is every new vehicle on the lot available for abuse by any shopper?
When I went to test drive a 6s, I drove the salesman's demo car. It had plenty of miles and was broken in, so I didn't have to hold back.
Great idea, more dealers should do that. The Honda dealers around here have one demo Odyssey and Pilot as well.
-juice
In the case of NEW cars, I've never found this to be true!
-juice
The description page on the website for this vehicle shows the price and the “Honda Certified” logo and says in the text description “**HONDA CERTIFIED**” which to me and my knowledge of English as past tense and already certified. The description goes on to further state that it has been “inspected” (past tense) and “repaired” (past tense) and “guaranteed” (past tense) and lists it as having the 1 year/12,000 mile and 7 years/100,000 powertrain warranties. Even further, the Carfax report clearly shows the car as being “offered for sale as a Honda Certified Used Car” on 1/24/11.
I went to the dealer on 2/3/11 and they started with the price on the website as the basis and took information and began the financing process and showing the car and all. Then before finalizing the deal they added a $995 charge for “certification” which they said is the cost to get the car certified and for the warranty.
This raises a lot of ethical and potentially legal questions:
Is this a common practice? Is this even near the cost for certification? And maybe most importantly Can they advertise one price and list in the description something that is clearly “already an included benefit” and then tack on a charge for it later? I thought an advertised price can not be changed for something that is already in the advertised description? I am meeting with them on Monday and will ask for the complete charge be removed or I’ll walk, but any other ideas of what to add to strengthen the case?
Thanks sorry so long.
It was priced as certified, not certified after you bought it.
Kia also has a $25 test drive. Just mailed mine in, it was to drive an Optima.
But to list a car with a price and "certified" (past tense) and then to try and say it cost's X dollars mor for "certification" is BS and possibly fradulent. :mad:
Subaru did the same thing, but that was $250 off your best deal if you bought something (no freebie for joyriding!)
by coincidence, I got an offer from Toyota in the mail a couple weeks back. Another $50 test drive coupon (since used!), and a $500 bonus discount if you bought (which I didn't).
so on 1 saturday, I tested a couple things we are interested in (my wife is starting to look for her next car) and made $100 doing it! Wish I could get that offer every week.
I am curious though to see if I get a little flurry of offers in the mail for other makes, since I have now been flagged as a "sucker"that will actually use one (and you know these days, that data gets shared).
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
And they're good because they create showroom traffic. A while ago I went to a Mazda event, Zoom Zoom Live they called it, and a little later traded in my Miata for a new one. So they do work.