The issue is that I will test driving well before I buy. I don't mind inquiries when I buy, but that "not much" could still affect me negatively. I will need all the help I can get given that this will be my first purchase, and my credit is okay, but not great.
I also will most likely have spurts when I go test drive a few cars, then in a month or two, do it again. I don't want to see 6 or 7 inquiries on there with no credit issued to me. That will equate with higher risk according to what beechman said.
I understand the risk for dealers, stolen cars, wasted time on someone not buying etc, but that doesn't give them the right to run a credit check on me without my permission. I will not be buying that day, so don't run the check on me. You have my license for security reasons. If that means that they are going to be pricks to me for wanting a test drive without buying, I'll go elsewhere. I'll not only be shopping cars, but dealerships too.
Will any of the dealers in the thread check out my questions in post #11 re: taking a copy of my license in?
and I don't recall any first-hand accounts of it happening on this message board. I'm sure it has happened but I would think it would be pretty rare in today's litigious society.
In my neck of the woods anyway, if you came to me for a test-drive with a photocopy of your licence I would brand you as a paranoid kook and would wonder what scam you are trying to pull.
Maybe this is more prevalent in areas of the U.S., I don't know. Just giving you my viewpoint.
.... To drop your license and a insurance card, that's fine .. but every time they pull your credit, you will loose 7/9 points.
Do that over a weekend of shopping 3/4 Dealers, and your beacon score will drop 20+ points ..... aaaaaah, that's a big no no. Just use your basic info.
and much less informed, the first time i went car shopping, the guys (yes more than one dealer) would start filling out some information on a form and want me to sign it before we went for a test drive, turns out it was a credit app, somehow I had enough street smarts to be uncomfortable about signing anything, they would never offer up the fact it was a credit app, i had to ask repeatedly after reading some of the fine print before they fessed up to it, and as I recall a few allowed me to not sign it, but a few wanted me to sign it before we drove anything, i refused, i have always been my own best guardian, never wanting to get into more than i can afford, not even looking at something that wasn't too practical, a lot of people are not like this I'm sure, especially young ones, I'm sure if the poster acts as if it's no big deal and speaks in a AutoIntelligent language learned on these boards, they will be fine
Speaking of which, biggest thing here is understand your credit, go pull from all three, ck your FICO/beacon, and maybe it would make sense to pay for the 'credit watch' service, I know equifax offers this, anytime anyone pulls you or there is any change to your report, you are notified almost instantly via email, if anything did happen, you could deal with it right away, and get them in a lot of trouble. For more info on credit, you can go to the Finance Warranty and Insurance section of Town Hall, they have several topics on credit over there, as well as financing, which is ultimately why the credit matters anyway, as well as going to fairisaac.com etc...
I think a Jeep dealer pulled my credit report without permission last year when I was looking for a cash price on a specific Cherokee during a big sale. I was looking for a vehicle to drive off-road and wasn't interested in buying a GrandC to tear up.
Mr. Salesman would not shut up about leases, but I let them copy my license and went out to the lot to take a drive around the block. I signed nothing.
When I got back inside Mr. Salesman was still talking about leases and ignoring my requests for a cash price - and I'd heard enough of it. After thanking him for his time and saying goodnight to the guy on the desk, I turned to walk away. Mr. Salesman said one more thing about leases and the desk guy shut him up with a quiet, but harsh, "He could have bought anything in here!" (Could have, with a check, but didn't!)
I looked at Mr. Desk and grinned. He smiled, shook his head and shrugged.
I don't think they figured out my ability to pay from the way I was dressed or the '92 Camry I was driving. If I'd been driving my soon-to-fall-apart '86 Subaru 4WD, they'd probably have run me off the lot. I'd been duck hunting and was wearing a green wool hat and shirt, an old pair of Army pants and hunting boots I was clean, just a tad scruffy for a 50-y-o, 9 to 5 office worker.
Try shopping for a Honda Oddessey in the DC Area...you need to buy the car sight unseen, then test drive only when your car comes in. However, you can cancel the deal at that point.
I bought a Toyota Sienna.
BTW, what I do when I want a longer test drive is offer to put a deposit on the car. Basically, if I am pretty sure I am going to buy a specific car, but want to make sure it will be comforateble after a longer drive, I tell that to the dealer. I say that I am willing to put a deposit on the car with the condition that, if during the test drive, I am not happy wth the car, I can get my deposit back. I have 1) never been told no, and 2) never asked for my deposit back.
The thing is, the dealer does not want someone joyriding; however, I will not buy a car after a 10 minute test drive (unless I have rented an identical car).
so many people love to hang out in dealerships and drive the danged wheels off of new cars, miling them up like crazy. Some people, seriously, have nothing better to do.
Then there are the serious shoppers who need to fully check out a car.
here's the problem - the salesperson has to determine which one you are in 5 minutes of knowig you and, get this, both types of people say the exact same lines to the salesman.
No wants to buy a car with 100 miles on it. I can't recall ever showing a vehicle with over 25 miles on it without getting asked "Why are there so many miles - don't they just check it out real quick at the factory and drive it to and from the truck?" I say, "Yes, but then there are people who look at test drives as a recreational event, not part of buying a car".
In the last two years or so I have bought three cars and each of them I took home overnight, in addition to cars I didn't buy but was interested in buying. Interested in Mercedes E or C - took both home overnight, decided on the E. Interested in Saab 9-5 Sedan, 9-5 Wagon, or 9-3. Took each home overnight and decided on 9-5 Wagon. The last car was a used MB ML 320 - took home for the weekend - yep. Picked it up Friday AM and finalized on Monday.
Personally, I would not buy a car if I couldn't take it home overnight (I know many of the salesman will object). But, each of the cars I bought has an MSRP of over $40K and perhaps such dealers are a little more lenient.
I did look at a Jetta and Passat and asked to take the Jetta wagon home overnight - answer no. I thanked them and left.
Something else most consumers never consider is soemthing they would obviously never do. Every year, salesmen are killed, beaten and robbed on test drives. Many stores have specific routes, check-in systems, time limits, etc. Also, many, many cars are stolen during test drives.
While you or I would never commit these acts, bear in mindmost guys that would wouldn't be dressed or act like thugs in a movie - they'd look just like you and I.
Like it or not, dealerships HAVE to take this into account, especially in metro areas. The days of the "sure, take it for a week" are gone for many, many reasons. Don't be too hard on a situation created by criminals - it's not the industry's fault - dealers are victimized daily with crimes like these.
but I think it was more of a 'policy' rather than an assessment of my and my situation.
As an aside, every few years I decide I want a VW and I go into a dealership and am always turned off and leave to buy something else.
Seems they tend to treat many of their customers as though they are 20 somethings . . .who will put up with the issues/hassles at VW dealers.
I will watch with amusement the release of the Phaeton which VW thinks will compete with MB/BMW/Audi and as a car it may. But MB/BMW/Audi buyers won't put up with what most VW buyers do routinely.
I found one dealer who handed over the keys to a new Ody and let me take an unlimited test drive. He saved me $24K. If I cannot get a test drive I go to another dealer. If the resale of the Ody is as good as they say a dealer should be able to keep one around for a demo. Just MO.
You're better off without the VW, unless you were looking at a VR6 car. I love the lines of the Jetta, Golf and Beetle and was going to buy a VR6 Jetta or Golf GTi, then I started consulting for a lemon law firm.......
you need to drive it for a while. And a dealership test drive just doesn't cut it.
The real test of a car is how you feel about it after sitting in it for an hour or more. So the best way to decide if you like a car is to rent one for the weekend. I know - not every car is available to rent or maybe it's not available in your configuration. You can eliminate some of your candidates by just sitting in them or by taking a short test drive but you never really know what it's like until you spend a bit more time with it.
I have rented cars on various business trips that I never would have considered. But after spending a week with a car your attitude may change. The reverse is also true. Sometimes minor things like the radio position or the window knobs may sway you one way or the other.
Personally, I will not buy a car unless I have the car for a minimum of four hours. Of course, I buy used cars and need the time for an inspection and a lengthy test drive including freeway and city driving.
However, before I buy a car, I prefer to call around Chicago to find a rental and drive the car for a minimum of a weekend. If I can drive a model for 300-1000 miles before buying, I can generally assess whether or not I will like the model.
I have dealt with carry cell phones. They vary a lot - I have had some toss me the keys and tell me to be back before closing, and some get in the car with me, and direct me like airport traffic, as if someone's life depended on never straying from the set course.
I think luxury car makes will be more willing to let you take the car home overnight, but only after they have sized you up - I would not be surprised if a deposit were required from someone like me!!! :-)
IMO, dealerships should have a system of demo cars, so that you only get to drive the demo of the car you are interested in until you are seriously going to buy one, then you can pick the one you want to take home, and drive that one. They could sell the demo cars at a discount after a few months of being driven, and write off the expense as necessary operational expenses.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I'm trying to picture how this would work at my store, a Ford dealer. In order to give everyone an idea of how each model performs I guess we'd need to have an F-150 demo in both regular cab and supercab, each in long and short wheelbase, a supercrew, one of each in a 4.2, 4.6, and 5.4 engine and of course one of each of those in a 5-speed and an automatic (except the 5.4 of course). And each one of those in 2wd and 4wd. I guess we'd have to make sure we had some examples of captains chairs and 60/40 bench seats. Of course, to be thorough we'd want to make sure we had all the available axle ratios covered. To say nothing of the different trim levels and audio systems.
Demos are a great idea, but skyrocketing insurance costs have all but killed the concept. It's a very rare dealer that has a demo for more than one or two employees. Then, you have the mileage issues where you have to write down a car because its going to have 6,000 miles on it.
As a consumer, would you buy a car with 6,000 miles when you can buy one with 12 miles at the same discount? The dealer still can't sell the car for less than they paid for it. The dealer then has a vehicle they can't get rid of...
Personally, it takes me about fifteen minutes to decide whether or not I like a car. Take one home overnight??
I have a set course that takes about fifteen minutes. It includes a bit of freeway, rural and residential driving. Only in very rare cases will a customer want to do something different.
Once in awhile, I'll get someone who wants to spin circles in a parking lot or drive up a steep hill or something but that's about it.
We have discussed this before....I have no need to take a car overnight; however, sometimes what seems comfortable after 15 minutes will not be comfortable after 1 - 2 hrs. The last car I bought without a 45+ min test drive (in that or an identical rental) was a 2000 Accord. Felt great in the 15 minute test drive, but after about 1/2 hr, the lack of upper back support really gave me problems. I ended up mounting a pillow to the headrest. Note that the Toyota Camry did not have that problem, nor did my SAAB. I do have it (to a lesser degree) in my Sienna.
I susupect you would not mind a longer drive with a "serious" buyer. Like, if I came in, car seat and family in line, and the first thing I do is install the car seat, you know I am serious...However, I am sure there is a problem with people taking test drives for sport. I know I have gone on test drives when I only had a vague notion of when I would buy. However, whenever I did the test drives, I bought a car within a few months.
Oh...the wife and baby only come when the choice has been narrowed down to one. It is too hard to install car seats to do it any other way.
Just yesterday I saw a study that was done by Mazda...the focus groups was presented with a very specific and detailed test drive plan. They included all different kinds of roads, conditions, etc... They were also asked if they would be willing to PAY for such a test drive and how much. The big majority liked the idea and the price they were willing to pay was $15.
Whenever somebody wants to take a van or pick up truck for an extended test drive without the salesperson it's because they have a TV or something to pick up. haha
I can recall at least 20 incidents, usually on a Friday or Saturday when someone wanted to drive a truck or SUV just for that purpose - helping a buddy move, picking up the new washer/dryer from Sears, etc.
In Lander, WY, we charged a guy for usage after he was seen moving a riding lawnmower - we charged him $100, based on our agreement. he was pissed, and I don't care since that WAS a new truck with only 15 miles on it and it didn't have scratches in the bed - try getting those facts past a new truck customer.
since the majority of all parents don't discipline their children, then raise teenaged rebellious spawns of Satan, then wonder "why"? Come on!
If a child misbehaved on a test drive, I'd use the kid against the parents and start selling the kid the car.
"Hey, buddy, isn't that a cool radio? Wouldn't Daddy be cool in his new truck? Couldn't Mom and Dad put lots of birthday presents in the back of this car?
"Some are well behaved, while others scream, whine, break things, soil their pants, whine, slam doors, blow horns, get hungry etc... "
That, in a nutshell, is parenthood!
Now that we have 2 kids (2 and 4) I can't imagine taking them both on a test drive. A few years ago when we bought our minivan we took our son along. But he was only 1 and didn't have much to say...
I can see strapping in the child seats, but I'd propose doing it in the showroom where it's more comfortable. There's really no need taking young kids along on a test drive. Unless you can't get a babysitter.
I actually was the one that originally created this discussion, but my post was deleted b/c I accidentally used "masked profanity" in quoting my normally reserved mom's response to a dealer wanting me to put down a deposit so I could eventually drive my new car when it came in on the freeway and if I wasn't happy then I could supposedly have the deposit back.
Anyhow, here's the thing. My husband and I are definitely in the buy-within-the-next-few-weeks mode. We are down one car and getting by with one for now. As soon as we can make a decision on a car, we're buying. We have our choices down to the Toyota Corrolla, Toyota Matrix and Mazda 6. I know the 6 is a little pricier than the other two, but if we really love it, we might extend ourselves to get it.
My question is to fellow customers and car salespeople and dealer people, how can we get the salespeople to take us seriously and let us take a test drive for more than around the block basically??
Growing up in New Orleans, the only car buying I've ever been involved in was for my current and now dead Toyota Corolla (hey, they last forever). But, I remember that the salespeople would let you drive a few miles to the interstate, drive one or two exits down on the interstate and then return to the dealership. Then, when I was away at college, I remember my parents telling me they were able to get cars to take on short road trips for a weekend as test drives. I just went back home about a weekend ago and went with my dad to the Lexus dealer to look at an Acura brought in as a trade in and, like when I was growing up, we were able to go the few miles to the interstate and take a bit on the interstate before returning to the dealership.
And since I originally posted, I've seen people respond with everything that they've gotten to take cars overnight to taking them for a few hours to taking the test drive without a salesperson (so you could conceivably go on the expressway) to being forced to feel lucky if you get a short little route around the block.
My husband and I have been stuck with being made to feel lucky if we get to go around the block. And that's not a feeling I like when looking to buy something that's going to run $15,000 - $20,000. (Forgive me, but since my car lasted forever this is my first new car purchase and since we don't own our own place yet, this will be the most expensive thing we've ever bought. And we plan on paying cash.)
So, does anybody out there have any advice about how to get a longer test drive in the Chicago area?? (We're even willing to go to Milwaukee or Northwest Indiana to get better test drives.) Should we make an appointment? Previously, we've just walked in. To the salespeople out there, does that make us look less serious? Also, since we wanted to pay cash and I've already sold the dead Corrolla, we don't need to talk financing or trade in. The only numbers we need to talk are best final price. So does our hesitancy to talk numbers, I want to decide on the car first before going through what I've heard is hell, make us less look serious?
I've seen in other suggestions renting the car from the dealership. (While I think you shouldn't have to do that, I might go ahead and do that with the Corrolla and Matrix since spending a few $ on a rental might be prudent when buying something so $$$$. And I have already called a Toyota dealership about that.)
The thing is though since the Mazda 6 is brand new, I don't know if that's going to be possible for a while. And while I want to be wise and make a good decision and not rush into a bad one, I don't want to get antsy and not wait for Mazda 6 rentals and regret it, but we NEED a car ASAP.
And the thing about the Mazda 6 is that's the test drive situation that my mom got mad about when I told her about it b/c we asked them about taking it on the freeway. (They only let us go on the exact same type of street around the block. They almost tried to push us back into the lot before my husband had even had a chance to drive.) Their response to our going on the freeway request was it doesn't have the right kind of plates on it right now but as part of our customer satisfaction program if you put down a deposit once your car comes in and you take it on the freeway and don't like how it handles you can have your money back. That just seems wrong. First, I wouldn't trust getting my money back. Second, I really don't want to go through the negotiation on a car I've never driven more than around the block only to wait a few weeks for it to come in and then not like it. Third, like I said, we are down a car so we don't have time to wait a few weeks for the car to come in and not like it and then have to start over with another car.
We just purchased a Windstar late in September. We did alot of preliminary work w/o the children, but, since we were buying this vehicle specifically for transporting them, they as well as us, had to feel comfortable. It was a pain transferring the car seats for each test drive, but, better to test it there then spend about 30k and find some flaw later that could have been discovered at the dealership.
Beside the Windstar, we also tested the Chrysler Town & Country. The particular model we tested had integrated child seats, so that was simple.
For the Windstar, we returned to the dealership and saleman we had bought our Explorer from. Since we were repeat customers and knew we were serious, he gave us the keys and helped get the car seats installed. We drove around town and even dropped by the in-laws to pick up my father-in-law to see how easy it was to get another passenger in and seated w/ car seats in place.
Since we were looking at '02 leftovers, I had already checked their inventory and narrowed down the selection to a couple of specific vans. The one we tested had all of 3.5 miles when we got it. The 10+ mile test drive, not alot by some standards, but enough for us and the kids, was sufficient. We ended up buying that particular van.
let the salesperson know you're buying a car within the next couple of weeks and you need to drive the car more than just around the block. Let them know you don't want to put 100 miles on it, just more than 3/10 of a mile.
Let them know you are willing to put a deposit on the car that makes you happy.
My best advice, and this probably sounds weird, is to be ready to buy a car if you want to be taken seriously. So many salepeople get "taken for a ride" when they go out on a test drive after a one hour walkaround, only to be told the consume is "thinking about buying a car in 6 months" or worse yet, "next year". Why would anyone waste their own time, and the salesman's time, if they aren't buying a vehicle for a year? Next year's models will be out then and the one you just drove certainly will not still be on the lot.
Narrow your choices (much like you have), be prepared to commit, and go buy a car. Good luck.
I've seen on the Toyota website that Toyota has a rental program (TRAC) where some dealerships will allow you to rent some of their cars. So, you could check that out as a possibility. Good luck!
Or contact the internet department of the dealership(s) you want to do businees with by e-mail, tell them which corolla you want i.e. CE, S, or LE and make an appointment with the internet sales folks. In your e-mail tell them your will be buying within the week and would even like the take the car overnight. Also ask them for a no-hassle price quote on the vehicle you want, ask for an out-the-door price. Then take it from there. : ) Mackabee
since you don't own a house, use all but 5 or 6 grand of what you were going to pay cash for a car with and use it as a downpayment on a house and then go buy the best used accord you can find with the money you have left...
-Chris
who NEVER will understand why people pay cash for a depreciating asset when they don't own an asset that (should) appreciate....
I hear you Chris. But we have a separate stash of money for the downpayment for our house. (Stock in Wal-mart and an inheritence. The car money is just wedding presents, money I've been able to save here and there since we got married two year ago and profits from eBay sales.) And we are on the lookout for a house/condo. (We live in the city in Chicago.) But we NEED the car right now. And as a personal preference I just don't like Hondas. I find the seats uncomfortable. That I could tell on even one of those puny and short test drives.
Good point ladypilot. I was at a local Toyota dealership the other day and their rental car fleet included Corollas, the Matrix (what is the plural of that word?!?!), Siennas, Camrys, and Avalons. Anyone who was interested in purchasing one of these might be well served by just renting one for the weekend and seeing how well they like living with it.
near me rents everything but Land Cruiser and Celica. They even rent Solara convertibles. So whatever you want to buy can be rented first for about $40-50 per night if you feel you want an extended stay in your new car to see how it fits you. This is exactly how I feel, and it is why I rented a Matrix for a weekend before I bought it.
Just out of curiosity, I might rent the new 4Runner when it becomes available.
What I would object to is having to buy a new car that already has 200 miles of overeager test drive miles on it. When I bought mine, it had 8 miles.
And as far as the sarcastic post about the Ford F-150s? I was just envisioning one or two cars to cover a range of models. I agree it would become prohibitive trying to have every possible permutation of each model, ESPECIALLY with pick-ups, which have more than 50 possible combos! :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The managers at the dealership have known me for years. They suggested that I take either of the two used RLs home for the weekend (I left my old Legend coupe at the dealership as "hostage"). Naturally, I provided proof of full coverage insurance and a valid license.
OTOH, I just bought the new Odyssey with a normal test drive. They still can't keep them in the lot after they get them off the ship.
Bottomline: psychological "ploy" to give me a sense of "ownership" with the used car. For the Odyssey, no need in view of the overall demand for that vehicle.
Comments
I also will most likely have spurts when I go test drive a few cars, then in a month or two, do it again. I don't want to see 6 or 7 inquiries on there with no credit issued to me. That will equate with higher risk according to what beechman said.
I understand the risk for dealers, stolen cars, wasted time on someone not buying etc, but that doesn't give them the right to run a credit check on me without my permission. I will not be buying that day, so don't run the check on me. You have my license for security reasons. If that means that they are going to be pricks to me for wanting a test drive without buying, I'll go elsewhere. I'll not only be shopping cars, but dealerships too.
Will any of the dealers in the thread check out my questions in post #11 re: taking a copy of my license in?
In my neck of the woods anyway, if you came to me for a test-drive with a photocopy of your licence I would brand you as a paranoid kook and would wonder what scam you are trying to pull.
Maybe this is more prevalent in areas of the U.S., I don't know. Just giving you my viewpoint.
That, and info from other dealers if this is SOP.
If I was to bring a readymade copy, I'd have no problem handing them the original for comparison sakes.
Do that over a weekend of shopping 3/4 Dealers, and your beacon score will drop 20+ points ..... aaaaaah, that's a big no no. Just use your basic info.
Terry.
I just assumed they would ask for License and proof of insurance?
What should I provide them then?
Speaking of which, biggest thing here is understand your credit, go pull from all three, ck your FICO/beacon, and maybe it would make sense to pay for the 'credit watch' service, I know equifax offers this, anytime anyone pulls you or there is any change to your report, you are notified almost instantly via email, if anything did happen, you could deal with it right away, and get them in a lot of trouble. For more info on credit, you can go to the Finance Warranty and Insurance section of Town Hall, they have several topics on credit over there, as well as financing, which is ultimately why the credit matters anyway, as well as going to fairisaac.com etc...
Karz
Terry.
Mr. Salesman would not shut up about leases, but I let them copy my license and went out to the lot to take a drive around the block. I signed nothing.
When I got back inside Mr. Salesman was still talking about leases and ignoring my requests for a cash price - and I'd heard enough of it. After thanking him for his time and saying goodnight to the guy on the desk, I turned to walk away. Mr. Salesman said one more thing about leases and the desk guy shut him up with a quiet, but harsh, "He could have bought anything in here!" (Could have, with a check, but didn't!)
I looked at Mr. Desk and grinned. He smiled, shook his head and shrugged.
I don't think they figured out my ability to pay from the way I was dressed or the '92 Camry I was driving. If I'd been driving my soon-to-fall-apart '86 Subaru 4WD, they'd probably have run me off the lot. I'd been duck hunting and was wearing a green wool hat and shirt, an old pair of Army pants and hunting boots
Anybody think they didn't pull my report?
John
I bought a Toyota Sienna.
BTW, what I do when I want a longer test drive is offer to put a deposit on the car. Basically, if I am pretty sure I am going to buy a specific car, but want to make sure it will be comforateble after a longer drive, I tell that to the dealer. I say that I am willing to put a deposit on the car with the condition that, if during the test drive, I am not happy wth the car, I can get my deposit back. I have 1) never been told no, and 2) never asked for my deposit back.
The thing is, the dealer does not want someone joyriding; however, I will not buy a car after a 10 minute test drive (unless I have rented an identical car).
Then there are the serious shoppers who need to fully check out a car.
here's the problem - the salesperson has to determine which one you are in 5 minutes of knowig you and, get this, both types of people say the exact same lines to the salesman.
No wants to buy a car with 100 miles on it. I can't recall ever showing a vehicle with over 25 miles on it without getting asked "Why are there so many miles - don't they just check it out real quick at the factory and drive it to and from the truck?" I say, "Yes, but then there are people who look at test drives as a recreational event, not part of buying a car".
Personally, I would not buy a car if I couldn't take it home overnight (I know many of the salesman will object). But, each of the cars I bought has an MSRP of over $40K and perhaps such dealers are a little more lenient.
I did look at a Jetta and Passat and asked to take the Jetta wagon home overnight - answer no. I thanked them and left.
Adam
Something else most consumers never consider is soemthing they would obviously never do. Every year, salesmen are killed, beaten and robbed on test drives. Many stores have specific routes, check-in systems, time limits, etc. Also, many, many cars are stolen during test drives.
While you or I would never commit these acts, bear in mindmost guys that would wouldn't be dressed or act like thugs in a movie - they'd look just like you and I.
Like it or not, dealerships HAVE to take this into account, especially in metro areas. The days of the "sure, take it for a week" are gone for many, many reasons. Don't be too hard on a situation created by criminals - it's not the industry's fault - dealers are victimized daily with crimes like these.
As an aside, every few years I decide I want a VW and I go into a dealership and am always turned off and leave to buy something else.
Seems they tend to treat many of their customers as though they are 20 somethings . . .who will put up with the issues/hassles at VW dealers.
I will watch with amusement the release of the Phaeton which VW thinks will compete with MB/BMW/Audi and as a car it may. But MB/BMW/Audi buyers won't put up with what most VW buyers do routinely.
Adam
The real test of a car is how you feel about it after sitting in it for an hour or more. So the best way to decide if you like a car is to rent one for the weekend. I know - not every car is available to rent or maybe it's not available in your configuration. You can eliminate some of your candidates by just sitting in them or by taking a short test drive but you never really know what it's like until you spend a bit more time with it.
I have rented cars on various business trips that I never would have considered. But after spending a week with a car your attitude may change. The reverse is also true. Sometimes minor things like the radio position or the window knobs may sway you one way or the other.
- just my 2 cents worth
However, before I buy a car, I prefer to call around Chicago to find a rental and drive the car for a minimum of a weekend. If I can drive a model for 300-1000 miles before buying, I can generally assess whether or not I will like the model.
I think luxury car makes will be more willing to let you take the car home overnight, but only after they have sized you up - I would not be surprised if a deposit were required from someone like me!!! :-)
IMO, dealerships should have a system of demo cars, so that you only get to drive the demo of the car you are interested in until you are seriously going to buy one, then you can pick the one you want to take home, and drive that one. They could sell the demo cars at a discount after a few months of being driven, and write off the expense as necessary operational expenses.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Now, we come to the 3/4 tons ...
Ain't happening.
Demos are a great idea, but skyrocketing insurance costs have all but killed the concept. It's a very rare dealer that has a demo for more than one or two employees. Then, you have the mileage issues where you have to write down a car because its going to have 6,000 miles on it.
As a consumer, would you buy a car with 6,000 miles when you can buy one with 12 miles at the same discount? The dealer still can't sell the car for less than they paid for it. The dealer then has a vehicle they can't get rid of...
I have a set course that takes about fifteen minutes. It includes a bit of freeway, rural and residential driving. Only in very rare cases will a customer want to do something different.
Once in awhile, I'll get someone who wants to spin circles in a parking lot or drive up a steep hill or something but that's about it.
I guess this person doesn't have enough respect in their lives and has low self-esteem.
Strap on a pair, find a car, feel it, see if it fits, drive it, and either buy it or don't.
But, then I don't have a bad back either. At least so far anyway.
Oh...the wife and baby only come when the choice has been narrowed down to one. It is too hard to install car seats to do it any other way.
Having the wife and kids in tow is normally a good sign, but I've seen quite a few exceptions.
They were also asked if they would be willing to PAY for such a test drive and how much. The big majority liked the idea and the price they were willing to pay was $15.
Whenever somebody wants to take a van or pick up truck for an extended test drive without the salesperson it's because they have a TV or something to pick up. haha
In Lander, WY, we charged a guy for usage after he was seen moving a riding lawnmower - we charged him $100, based on our agreement. he was pissed, and I don't care since that WAS a new truck with only 15 miles on it and it didn't have scratches in the bed - try getting those facts past a new truck customer.
Some are well behaved, while others scream, whine, break things, soil their pants, whine, slam doors, blow horns, get hungry etc...
But, no...if a serious driver wants a longer or more creative demo drive, I have no problem.
I'm jst glad this doesn't happen very often!
If a child misbehaved on a test drive, I'd use the kid against the parents and start selling the kid the car.
"Hey, buddy, isn't that a cool radio? Wouldn't Daddy be cool in his new truck? Couldn't Mom and Dad put lots of birthday presents in the back of this car?
Make my life rough, I'll return the favor.....
"
That, in a nutshell, is parenthood!
Now that we have 2 kids (2 and 4) I can't imagine taking them both on a test drive. A few years ago when we bought our minivan we took our son along. But he was only 1 and didn't have much to say...
I can see strapping in the child seats, but I'd propose doing it in the showroom where it's more comfortable. There's really no need taking young kids along on a test drive. Unless you can't get a babysitter.
Dave
I actually was the one that originally created this discussion, but my post was deleted b/c I accidentally used "masked profanity" in quoting my normally reserved mom's response to a dealer wanting me to put down a deposit so I could eventually drive my new car when it came in on the freeway and if I wasn't happy then I could supposedly have the deposit back.
Anyhow, here's the thing. My husband and I are definitely in the buy-within-the-next-few-weeks mode. We are down one car and getting by with one for now. As soon as we can make a decision on a car, we're buying. We have our choices down to the Toyota Corrolla, Toyota Matrix and Mazda 6. I know the 6 is a little pricier than the other two, but if we really love it, we might extend ourselves to get it.
My question is to fellow customers and car salespeople and dealer people, how can we get the salespeople to take us seriously and let us take a test drive for more than around the block basically??
Growing up in New Orleans, the only car buying I've ever been involved in was for my current and now dead Toyota Corolla (hey, they last forever). But, I remember that the salespeople would let you drive a few miles to the interstate, drive one or two exits down on the interstate and then return to the dealership. Then, when I was away at college, I remember my parents telling me they were able to get cars to take on short road trips for a weekend as test drives. I just went back home about a weekend ago and went with my dad to the Lexus dealer to look at an Acura brought in as a trade in and, like when I was growing up, we were able to go the few miles to the interstate and take a bit on the interstate before returning to the dealership.
And since I originally posted, I've seen people respond with everything that they've gotten to take cars overnight to taking them for a few hours to taking the test drive without a salesperson (so you could conceivably go on the expressway) to being forced to feel lucky if you get a short little route around the block.
My husband and I have been stuck with being made to feel lucky if we get to go around the block. And that's not a feeling I like when looking to buy something that's going to run $15,000 - $20,000. (Forgive me, but since my car lasted forever this is my first new car purchase and since we don't own our own place yet, this will be the most expensive thing we've ever bought. And we plan on paying cash.)
So, does anybody out there have any advice about how to get a longer test drive in the Chicago area?? (We're even willing to go to Milwaukee or Northwest Indiana to get better test drives.) Should we make an appointment? Previously, we've just walked in. To the salespeople out there, does that make us look less serious? Also, since we wanted to pay cash and I've already sold the dead Corrolla, we don't need to talk financing or trade in. The only numbers we need to talk are best final price. So does our hesitancy to talk numbers, I want to decide on the car first before going through what I've heard is hell, make us less look serious?
I've seen in other suggestions renting the car from the dealership. (While I think you shouldn't have to do that, I might go ahead and do that with the Corrolla and Matrix since spending a few $ on a rental might be prudent when buying something so $$$$. And I have already called a Toyota dealership about that.)
The thing is though since the Mazda 6 is brand new, I don't know if that's going to be possible for a while. And while I want to be wise and make a good decision and not rush into a bad one, I don't want to get antsy and not wait for Mazda 6 rentals and regret it, but we NEED a car ASAP.
And the thing about the Mazda 6 is that's the test drive situation that my mom got mad about when I told her about it b/c we asked them about taking it on the freeway. (They only let us go on the exact same type of street around the block. They almost tried to push us back into the lot before my husband had even had a chance to drive.) Their response to our going on the freeway request was it doesn't have the right kind of plates on it right now but as part of our customer satisfaction program if you put down a deposit once your car comes in and you take it on the freeway and don't like how it handles you can have your money back. That just seems wrong. First, I wouldn't trust getting my money back. Second, I really don't want to go through the negotiation on a car I've never driven more than around the block only to wait a few weeks for it to come in and then not like it. Third, like I said, we are down a car so we don't have time to wait a few weeks for the car to come in and not like it and then have to start over with another car.
HELP PLEASE FROM ANYBODY!!!!
Beside the Windstar, we also tested the Chrysler Town & Country. The particular model we tested had integrated child seats, so that was simple.
For the Windstar, we returned to the dealership and saleman we had bought our Explorer from. Since we were repeat customers and knew we were serious, he gave us the keys and helped get the car seats installed. We drove around town and even dropped by the in-laws to pick up my father-in-law to see how easy it was to get another passenger in and seated w/ car seats in place.
Since we were looking at '02 leftovers, I had already checked their inventory and narrowed down the selection to a couple of specific vans. The one we tested had all of 3.5 miles when we got it. The 10+ mile test drive, not alot by some standards, but enough for us and the kids, was sufficient. We ended up buying that particular van.
Peeter
Let them know you are willing to put a deposit on the car that makes you happy.
My best advice, and this probably sounds weird, is to be ready to buy a car if you want to be taken seriously. So many salepeople get "taken for a ride" when they go out on a test drive after a one hour walkaround, only to be told the consume is "thinking about buying a car in 6 months" or worse yet, "next year". Why would anyone waste their own time, and the salesman's time, if they aren't buying a vehicle for a year? Next year's models will be out then and the one you just drove certainly will not still be on the lot.
Narrow your choices (much like you have), be prepared to commit, and go buy a car. Good luck.
: )
Mackabee
-Chris
who NEVER will understand why people pay cash for a depreciating asset when they don't own an asset that (should) appreciate....
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Just out of curiosity, I might rent the new 4Runner when it becomes available.
What I would object to is having to buy a new car that already has 200 miles of overeager test drive miles on it. When I bought mine, it had 8 miles.
And as far as the sarcastic post about the Ford F-150s? I was just envisioning one or two cars to cover a range of models. I agree it would become prohibitive trying to have every possible permutation of each model, ESPECIALLY with pick-ups, which have more than 50 possible combos! :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The managers at the dealership have known me for years. They suggested that I take either of the two used RLs home for the weekend (I left my old Legend coupe at the dealership as "hostage"). Naturally, I provided proof of full coverage insurance and a valid license.
OTOH, I just bought the new Odyssey with a normal test drive. They still can't keep them in the lot after they get them off the ship.
Bottomline: psychological "ploy" to give me a sense of "ownership" with the used car. For the Odyssey, no need in view of the overall demand for that vehicle.