Would You Car-Shop in a Facility That Housed Every New Car Available?

Mr_Shiftright

In other words, suppose there was The World's Largest Car Dealership--every major make of car made or imported into your country---all in one gigantic showroom, just like in an international car show. On display would be all or most of the products of each manufacturer, with informational kiosks beside each model. Outside this airplane-hanger sized building would be acres of inventory, easily accessible by golf cart, if you'd like to take a test drive.

Another hanger sized building behind the first would house all the service bays for all the cars shown in the displays.

Valet parking and a cafe would be on premises, and for service work, both loaner and rental car facilities, depending on what your dealer offers.

Would this strike you as a major convenience and make your choice easier, or would you find such an idea far too overwhelming and impersonal, and an impediment your decision?

ray80

Doesn't sound good to me, likely have to wade through to much of what I don't want to get to what I do want

stever

@Mr_Shiftright, Edmunds.com is almost there.

A surprising number of people don't bother to test drive a car before buying it.

Mr_Shiftright

Okay but how can you know if you want something if you haven't seen it? Or are you saying that you're already pretty much decided and informed before you start shopping?

@ray80 said:
Doesn't sound good to me, likely have to wade through to much of what I don't want to get to what I do want

kyfdx

I wouldn't mind shopping at a dealer like that.. if I wanted to see multiple makes.. But, if you want to shop price between competing dealers of the same make, you'll still need to go somewhere else.

cmhj2000

Great for doing the initial "tire kicking". But I'd likely still shop for the price.

ray80

@Mr_Shiftright said:
Okay but how can you know if you want something if you haven't seen it? Or are you saying that you're already pretty much decided and informed before you start shopping?

Well I'd better be pretty decided and informed before I get there as with that many different vehicles I'm not likely to find a sales person that really knowsitall to help me, and if I did would I really want to deal with a knowsitall ?

Mr_Shiftright

i was thinking that such a Mega-Facility would be good for a "walk through" just to see what's available amongst the bewildering array of new makes and models.

Maybe they could have a "no-fly zone" for salespeople where they are not allowed to engage you if you're behind the ropes!

kyfdx

Maybe.. with a shock collar and an invisible fence?

henryn

Isn't CarMax kinda sorta like that already? Only late model used cars, instead of brand new?

Mr_Shiftright

It's in that arena, yeah, but of course they are all used cars, not new models, and the sales personnel are not specialists in any one brand, so they might not always know what they are selling you.