A good friend of mine did test drive the Solstice. In that instance the dealer actually purchased the car so that he may allow test drives. This friend lives 600 or so miles from where I live.
I find this hard to believe.
First, sales people are employees of local dealerships. As I said above, local dealerships buy the cars they sell. A sales person would be buying the car from the dealer.
Second, let's be generous and assume a sales person makes $1,000.00 commission on sale of a Solstice. That sales person would have to sell 25 Solsti to even get back the initial investment (and if the salesperson bought the car with a loan, even more after interest - let alone insurance, maintenance, fuel, storage, etc.).
Solstice is a limited edition car. One would have to be an awfully good salesperson with a huge territory to hope to sell 25 of them.
So while there may not be official policy, there is obviously a push from somewhere.
You bet there is. Just as I and others have said. Dealers typically do anything they can to avoid miles piling up on high demand vehicles. Dealers know resistance to big mark ups increases with every mile on the odometer.
This is not just a Solstice problem. It is a problem with every big dollar vehicle.
Which is why, so many companies, not just GM, have drive time programs. Watch the boards here or the manufacturer's websites. There will be dozens of them this Spring and Summer.
I think he meant the dealership bought the car. Of course the dealership always buys all the cars and then sells them to customers. In this case it looks like the dealership bought the car for driving and will sell later as a low mileage, never titled used demonstration vehicle. Most likely the owner of the dealership is having a good time on weekends with it!!
Maybe I can better your understanding by posting a portion of an email from one of the two dealerships. (The other dealership essentially told me the same thing.)
...The Solstice is a special production vehicle and due to its limited production we are not allowing the vehicles to be test driven. If you like you are more than welcome to stop by and take a look at one and or purchase it....
Now, instead of making it seem like I am simply misunderstanding what I've been told, maybe you'll see that this nonsense is specific to the Solstice. And no, he did not mean that the dealership bought the car. If you're simply going to indicate that I misunderstood what was said then don't bother posting a reply. I'm an intelligent and well-educated woman - quite capable of comprehending and asking questions. The info I posted about my friend who drove the car is a quick paraphrase of an hour-long discussion.
I am sorry you feel I somehow affended you. I did not mean to do so. I was referring to the below statement that I believe you made.
good friend of mine did test drive the Solstice. In that instance the dealer actually purchased the car so that he may allow test drives. This friend lives 600 or so miles from where I live. So while there may not be official policy, there is obviously a push from somewhere.
Logic1 stated that this would not be probable. I merely agreed that it could be a demonstration vehicle.
Now, instead of making it seem like I am simply misunderstanding what I've been told, maybe you'll see that this nonsense is specific to the Solstice
Of course this is going to be Solstice specific. The Solstice is Pontiac's hot car. Pontiac dealers have to allow test drives of less popular cars if they have any hope of selling them. Pontiac dealers right now know they can sell Solsti without tests. The less enlightened dealers refuse to allow the tests.
n.b.: As mentioned above, some Pontiac dealers do refuse to allow people to test drive the expensive GTO.
And no, he did not mean that the dealership bought the car. If you're simply going to indicate that I misunderstood what was said then don't bother posting a reply. I'm an intelligent and well-educated woman - quite capable of comprehending and asking questions. The info I posted about my friend who drove the car is a quick paraphrase of an hour-long discussion.
Well, if this is the case, I hope you address my concerns on this. I cannot understand why a salesperson would spend $25k to buy a car from his dealer just to allow his customers to test drive the car. The salesperson will never be able generate enough sales of the limited run Solstice to recover the cost of the car. Nor will the salesperson be able to write off the cost of buying the car at tax time. The salesperson is the employee of the dealership selling the car and would not have access to such writeoffs.
As 62Vette says, dealerships can and often do select one car to be used as a tester only to sell it later as a non-titled low mileage program car. Most Pontiac dealers will start doing things like this with the Solstice as soon as the waiting list to buy them returns to a more workable level.
our local Caddy dealer doesn't let anyone drive an XLR. Do people actually spend 85k on a car they haven't driven?
My boss didn't, so he went out and bought a little Benz for about 100 large. Nice job, Caddillac. (and despite the fact that the Benz drives like a dream - well, like a dream where you drive a rocket - my boss hates all the stuff that continually malfunctions on it. He won't buy another DC product, etc.)
If you want to test drive a Solstice, Suttle motors in Newport News, Virginia has a nice white one sitting there just waiting for a driver. They didn't even ask for my drives license.
On another note: Suttle only charges a $75 processing fee vice the $300+ screw job most dealers demand. Of course you don't get the "free" oil changes and state inspections but you I can change a lot of oil with the savings I'm getting buying from Suttle.
If you want to test drive a Solstice, Suttle motors in Newport News, Virginia has a nice white one sitting there just waiting for a driver. They didn't even ask for my drives license.
Bravo!
These are the kind of dealers who deserve loyal support.
The Solstice is not a limited edition car. It's a regular production car with decent demand right now. Calling it a "limited edition" is like calling the Mazda MX-5 a limited edition.
In terms of the no-test-drive policy. That's just stupid. A lot of people are comparing that car to the MX-5, and Mazda dealers are more then willing to let their car's on the road. Pontiac will lose customers if they keep it up.
I can understand when the Solstice GTP comes out that they will not allow test drives, but on a $19K car? give me a break.
Just curious. Has anyone gone into their local Toyo dealer and said I'd just like to drive your top line Avalon? Doesn't happen here until you've given blood and signed to purchase practically. Ask just to drive an Xb and Xa because you want to see what they're like. Our dealer has nasty salesmen. I hate to even browse there.
In terms of the no-test-drive policy. That's just stupid. A lot of people are comparing that car to the MX-5, and Mazda dealers are more then willing to let their car's on the road. Pontiac will lose customers if they keep it up.
Of course you can drive an MX-5. They are only selling about 1000 a month vs. the Solstice 2800/month. The Solstice has made the MX-5 irrevelent. Seriously the reason some dealers (this is not a GM dictate!!) are not allowiing test drives is because they are pretty much sold out. Any cars coming in are sold right away at MSRP or even a premium(again against GM recommendations). Why would a dealer put miles on a car that will be sold in a week and have a list of buyers waiting for cars?
YOu will have a hard time finding a $19K car. Most likely the lowest price will be over $23K.
The Solstice is not a limited edition car. It's a regular production car with decent demand right now. Calling it a "limited edition" is like calling the Mazda MX-5 a limited edition.
I would say the same for both cars based on my criteria above. As opposed to 400k per year Camrys, Solstice and Mazdas are treated different.
In terms of the no-test-drive policy
Read the posts. There is no policy. Just some jerky dealers and some good dealers.
A lot of people are comparing that car to the MX-5, and Mazda dealers are more then willing to let their car's on the road.
When I bought my Miata in '00, only one of the three Chicago area dealers I visited were interested in allowing a test drive. Despite the fact I owned a 95 Miata and was obviously an interested buyer.
Of course I never thought to suggest this showed an insidious Mazda plot. Just that some dealers are bad and some good.
Pontiac will lose customers if they keep it up.
Let's see how January sales pan out. According to Autosite, last December Solstice sold 2796 to 1007 Miatas.
Just curious. Has anyone gone into their local Toyo dealer and said I'd just like to drive your top line Avalon?
The only time I went to a Toyo dealer was a few years back when the current gen Camry first came out.
They did let me test drive. After the test, the salesperson took it for granted I was going to buy then and there. When I told him I was still looking, he asked me to wait while he got his manager.
Like an idiot, I did. The manager gave me the second degree. Appeared they were real paranoid about getting a bad dealer rating. After a few minutes, I told him while my thoughts of the experience had been positive, they were pretty negative all of a sudden. That killed the conversation.
I sat in a solstice at a local dealership today. It was black with the two tone interior....very sharp. I was impressed overall with the interior, save two pieces. The passenger cupholder is poorly placed and designed....It is located on the side of the center console about knee height and pops out...very flimsy materials. The other piece was the plastic cover over the center console surrounding the parking brake. It was not held in very tightly. Slight prying with my fingers showed that it is held in on the front edge by one point. The sides caught my shirt repeatedly while I was gripping the shifter. ( I am not a large man 6'1 200lbs) The dealer stated that they were not giving out any test drives due to the snowy weather and heavy salt/sand mixture used in the area. They did have a note stuck on the windshield saying the car was for sale and he stated that there was no mark up beyond the original price.
If the weather is really sloppy, that is probably a fair reason to not allow a test drive. The dealer should have offered to let you come back when things cleared up.
If the design will not allow a cup holder set in the center console, frankly I think the designers should just forget about them.
Seriously the reason some dealers (this is not a GM dictate!!) are not allowiing test drives is because they are pretty much sold out. Any cars coming in are sold right away at MSRP or even a premium(again against GM recommendations).
I'm reading reports right here that there are cars available for a walk-in customer. Could be the long wait for ordered cars, could be the time of the year, could be the no test drive policy, could be the dealer mark-ups. To say they are "sold right away" does not seem to be the case currently.
BTW - I went to the St. Louis Auto Show last weekend and GM had both the Solstice and Sky spinning around on turntables. Couldn't touch or sit in either. I found the Solstice's interior to be very stark and cheap looking. On the other hand, the Sky's interior was fabulous. If they could combine the Sky's interior with the Solstice's exterior that would be a real winner IMO. I still have not seen a single Solstice on the road here.
I'm reading reports right here that there are cars available for a walk-in customer. Could be the long wait for ordered cars, could be the time of the year, could be the no test drive policy, could be the dealer mark-ups. To say they are "sold right away" does not seem to be the case currently.
On the one hand you acknowledge the wait for ordered cars, on the other hand you dispute the cars are sold right away.
A lot of this probably depends upon the dealer and the market. Estabilished Pontiac dealers had allotments whether they pre-sold the Solstice or not. Some dealers may have pre-sold, only to have the buyer back out.
In those cases, if the weather is decent, you would think a smart dealer would allow an interested consumer a test drive.
Other dealers are still filling orders. Either these dealers were new and did not have enough allotment to fill demand, or they are in a market where demand exceeds maximum allotments.
As the car is hot, you will see little cross dealer cooperation. Where most dealers are only too willing to ship a lot car to another dealer with a buyer, you don't want to ship off a traffic builder.
On the one hand you acknowledge the wait for ordered cars, on the other hand you dispute the cars are sold right away.
My point was simply that people got tired of waiting for their ordered cars and moved on, creating availabilty for walk-in buyers.
Pontiac dealers are making the same mistakes with this car as they did with the GTO. No test drives and mark-ups do not win over customers who are on the fence about buying. In a niche market they can use every buyer they can get.
I am in sales with a Solstice parked right in front of my desk. We do not allow test drives because everyone and their brother would be here knowing that we allowed someone to drive it. Each state has its own laws regarding miles and still selling as new. If we allowed one to drive it, we would have to allow all. It is part of the first 1k as well.
Well, I personally think your dealership should get a program car. Certainly not a first 1k. Sooner or later, I expect you will go that route.
That said, I believe my points above are clear that I respect the dealers' rights to manage their business as they see fit. On the other hand, dealers need to understand customers do not like being told they cannot test drive something they are going to spend $25k on.
It is not fair, however, when dealers try to avoid customer ire by misleading the customer into thinking the 'no test' policy comes from Pontiac. Assuming that in fact is what happened with the OP.
What everyone needs is for GM to announce its '06 Summer Drive Time schedule and that Kappa cars will be part of the program.
We just delivered about our 10th Solstice this past week. The customer placed his order with us in APRIL... All of our cars are sold and not available for drives. If we allowed someone to drive a sold order and something happened during the drive,, what would we tell the person that already has committed to it. We sell around 100 cars a month and we are only allowed so many of these. We take $1000 deposits and we still have a list at least 10 deep right now. It is not that we do not want people to buy them, but ours are already sold. We would love to have a full parking lot of these little cars. We could sell everyone we get for the next year or two if they could keep up production. When our dealership is in a position to allow them, I am sure we will. It has been the biggest attraction to our dealership in the 6 years I have worked here.
When I looked at Lucernes recently arrived two out of three were sold. Both were on showroom floor. One was owned by a person who was in the hospital. His wife had scheduled to pick it up a week later. They probably asked if they could use it to display the car.
The Black V8, CXS in the service area had just hatched off the truck and probably wouldn't make it to the showroom before it would be sold.
Possibly. Although I have a hard time understanding why someone who has waited MONTHS for this car would have finalized the paperwork (a car isn't sold until it is titled) and then leave it with the dealership to show.
It is also, possibly, titled to the sales manager of the dealership who is using it to build traffic. I'm curious to hear marty explain if the dealership is simply waiting for the owner to pick up the car or if the car is actually for sale.
Really couldn't say without knowing the price. If they were still asking for thousands over msrp for it, see ya later!
Bingo!
And that is the point.
The Solstice right now is a hot car. Many dealers have a rational basis to expect they will get at least MSRP, if not more for the car, all else being equal.
The great equalizer in this game is mileage. Put miles on the car, lose bargaining position.
As has been pointed out above, the same thing happens with other hot cars during their hot period. (And with some, well after. There are many tails of dealers reluctant to let people test drive expensive, but otherwise slow moving cars.)
Is it really "sales" hot or just "curious" hot? Looking at the numbers, GM sold 2746 in December but then fell off to 1990 last month. They have sold a grand total of 7435 since August when they first hit the dealers.
Is GM still filling the pipeline six months later? What is the production rate for this car?
the reason Dec's numbers look higher is simply dealers wanting to close the book for end of year sales...Jans dip doesnt mean loss of sales....just higher numbers in Dec for dealers wanting to post deliveries made: The January Sales and Production figures have been posted deep within GM.com.
Sales: January sales reported, 1990 cars. For comparison, December was 2,746. Shows how many of the deliveries to dealerships from cars built in the 4th quarter push up December's numbers.
Production: January was 2,219 Compares to 1,858 in December and 2,070 in November. Brings posted model year to date production to 11,601, which on the GM site includes everything that has come out of Wilmington.
total production for the model year...was supposedly about 15K..with another 3-5K of the new sky..thus adding a third shift on the plant at Wilmington (late Jan I think)....these numbers are right in line with a total production for the model year of approx 20K..which I beleive was the target number all along....wit the model year ending May or Jun????
Is GM still filling the pipeline six months later? What is the production rate for this car?
Only 2100 in dealer inventory as of 1/1/06 and that means less than one per dealer and they can barely build that many per month. Just cannot catch up to demand. Hopefully that will continue for a few years
Hi all - I posted the original comment about not being allowed to drive the Solstice. Well, I'm happy to report that I have made progress!! I was in the area of the Pontiac dealer who told me that no one was allowed to drive the car. Feeling spunky I decided to try in person - see if they would actually tell me no to my face.
I walked in to find a Solstice in the showroom and none on the lot. I pretty much acted like it was already my car. Sat in it, opened the hood and the trunk, played with the switches, put up the top... No salesperson even approached me. When I finally asked for a salesperson I was ready to drive. He seemed quite happy to scamper off - only to return with the manager. He looked me up and down, we chatted for a moment and he then sent the salesman to get the keys and called for a porter to take it out of the showroom for me.
The weather was mild so I left the top down. It was a nice ride but I found the suspension lacking. The salesman was crushed to hear that. I have since decided to hold off to see the '07 models.
Thanks to everyone who weighed in - either for or against.
Sat in it, opened the hood and the trunk, played with the switches, put up the top... No salesperson even approached me. When I finally asked for a salesperson I was ready to drive. He seemed quite happy to scamper off - only to return with the manager. He looked me up and down, we chatted for a moment and he then sent the salesman to get the keys and called for a porter to take it out of the showroom for me.
Bravo!
Being assertive usually gets results with auto sales people.
A customer who allowed us to keep it during the winter for show. He does not want to drive it in the winter. I do not know all the details, it is not my customer. I am sure once it is nice out around here, it will be outta here.
dont expect any changes for the 07 base model as far as suspension.....what didnt you like about it..just curious.....dont know changes to the GXP, suspension wise...but expect 3-5k increase over the base model...is the expectation now.....
"Not at all.. what I am indicating is that from the "tone" of his previous posts he just wants to drive one with no intention of purchasing."
Really? I didn't get that from his previous posts at all. In fact, the post that STARTED ALL THIS nonsense about misc. Pontiac dealers allowing or disallowing test drives stated (in part):
"...There is was in the GM shop. A shiny, oh-so-red Solstice. I all but dropped to my knees knowing I couldn't afford such an adorable sports car. But wait! The price tag must be wrong!
After learning that the price tag was correct, I contacted two Pontiac dealers in my area."
In other words, he wasn't interested until he saw the price tag (indicating possible interest in purchase). A person who was ONLY interested in a joy ride wouldn't have cared what was on the price tag.
Perhaps I was misreading this. What "tone" indicated they were only interested in a test drive with no intention of purchasing?
I contacted Stirlin Pontiac in Longview, Washington about a black Solstice. The email I got back said they are willing to give me MSRP. I told them I'll go over the weekend to test drive it. They said "okay".
So I showed up on Friday, Feb 10th, 2006. I introduced myself and they said the car is being pulled out of the showroom and getting a wash. Few minutes later I was driving it through town, getting all sorts of curious looks.
With the options, MSRP is around 26000. I noticed a $5000 NW Region Market Markup. We get a lot of rain here in the Northwest and I wasn't going to let the guy tell me I ought to pay for it. Funny thing, it never came up. I had to ask the sales guy about about and he said - "I'm the sales manager, and I'm tired of having people coming up asking about this car with no intention to buy. As far as I'm considered, if you are paying cash, I'll give you a deal and let me sales guys deal with real customers."
Okay. So I paid MSRP. Had the car for a few days and drove everywhere with it - top down, top up, in the rain, at night.
I love it. Most people in their right minds won't buy a car with a one cubic foot trunk car (with the top down). I had a friend who said "I can afford one if I wanted to." Yeah well, you didn't because a car this impractical, most people won't get it.
At my gym, at the pump, and just about everywhere I get people coming up to me wondering what kind of car it is.
It's not the fastest thing aroud, but it's quick enough. Took it around the winding roads of Highway 14 to the dam and it was completely tossable. Sure, a VW Bug was tailing me at the straights but once we got into the corners, he disappeared.
I wonder if buying a first gen car is going to have lasting consequences... For now, I can't waint for the NW summer.
I was told my black solstice left Delaware,Feb 19th on rail-car to Ohio,then to be trucked to B-ham,then i called later and they said it left Feb 14th on a rail-car to go by rail all the way to B-ham,soooooooo.. I really am getting excited,Barkley Pontiac in Tuscaloosa,Alabama is where I ordered----Has anyone seen on Edmunds those that are 30,000 and one is 69,000--they r pricing these babies out the roof!If anyone is driving their pre-ordered solstice,or still waiting like I am-Please tell me.thanks
there are several thousand of us driving our pre order solstice...paid MSRP....ordered May 28 and picked it up from the dealer on Dec 10....order to deliver time are running about 6 weeks now....if you can find a dealer that has an allocation left for the 06 model year........that is the key to ordering one....
Yeah,i ordered mine in Dec 2006 and i just got an update today that its sitting on a rail-car in B-ham Alabama waiting to be truck dispatched in to Tuscaloosa,sooo--Im so excited,can't be long-I was the last allocation order from Barkley pontiac,was supose to have to wait till April but they added a 3rd shift and i hounded GM corporate soooo....Thanks for the info
well the third shift picked up the sky production...and for hounding GM Corporate.....dont think it had any to contribution.....the plant is simply picking up efficiency of builds and the backlog from the early water testing...and shipping issues is now over....ordered in Dec and getting it in less that three months..not bad......we waited almost seven months for ours......you will enjoy the car....
well-----I got it! and mannnn it blows everything else away in style--i am so happy that i ordered cloth seats-they really with the kinda white middle accent with the ebony interior sets the Look! and not to be rude,but i did have a friend in coporate-that i do think helped,but anyway,I Love everything about it,and if anyone is thinking about getting the new cover,so you can leave the top down--ITs Awesome too,and fits great-Black is def the color for this car!
Comments
I find this hard to believe.
First, sales people are employees of local dealerships. As I said above, local dealerships buy the cars they sell. A sales person would be buying the car from the dealer.
Second, let's be generous and assume a sales person makes $1,000.00 commission on sale of a Solstice. That sales person would have to sell 25 Solsti to even get back the initial investment (and if the salesperson bought the car with a loan, even more after interest - let alone insurance, maintenance, fuel, storage, etc.).
Solstice is a limited edition car. One would have to be an awfully good salesperson with a huge territory to hope to sell 25 of them.
So while there may not be official policy, there is obviously a push from somewhere.
You bet there is. Just as I and others have said. Dealers typically do anything they can to avoid miles piling up on high demand vehicles. Dealers know resistance to big mark ups increases with every mile on the odometer.
This is not just a Solstice problem. It is a problem with every big dollar vehicle.
Which is why, so many companies, not just GM, have drive time programs. Watch the boards here or the manufacturer's websites. There will be dozens of them this Spring and Summer.
...The Solstice is a special production vehicle and due to its limited production we are not allowing the vehicles to be test driven. If you like you are more than welcome to stop by and take a look at one and or purchase it....
Now, instead of making it seem like I am simply misunderstanding what I've been told, maybe you'll see that this nonsense is specific to the Solstice. And no, he did not mean that the dealership bought the car. If you're simply going to indicate that I misunderstood what was said then don't bother posting a reply. I'm an intelligent and well-educated woman - quite capable of comprehending and asking questions. The info I posted about my friend who drove the car is a quick paraphrase of an hour-long discussion.
good friend of mine did test drive the Solstice. In that instance the dealer actually purchased the car so that he may allow test drives. This friend lives 600 or so miles from where I live. So while there may not be official policy, there is obviously a push from somewhere.
Logic1 stated that this would not be probable. I merely agreed that it could be a demonstration vehicle.
Of course this is going to be Solstice specific. The Solstice is Pontiac's hot car. Pontiac dealers have to allow test drives of less popular cars if they have any hope of selling them. Pontiac dealers right now know they can sell Solsti without tests. The less enlightened dealers refuse to allow the tests.
n.b.: As mentioned above, some Pontiac dealers do refuse to allow people to test drive the expensive GTO.
And no, he did not mean that the dealership bought the car. If you're simply going to indicate that I misunderstood what was said then don't bother posting a reply. I'm an intelligent and well-educated woman - quite capable of comprehending and asking questions. The info I posted about my friend who drove the car is a quick paraphrase of an hour-long discussion.
Well, if this is the case, I hope you address my concerns on this. I cannot understand why a salesperson would spend $25k to buy a car from his dealer just to allow his customers to test drive the car. The salesperson will never be able generate enough sales of the limited run Solstice to recover the cost of the car. Nor will the salesperson be able to write off the cost of buying the car at tax time. The salesperson is the employee of the dealership selling the car and would not have access to such writeoffs.
As 62Vette says, dealerships can and often do select one car to be used as a tester only to sell it later as a non-titled low mileage program car. Most Pontiac dealers will start doing things like this with the Solstice as soon as the waiting list to buy them returns to a more workable level.
My boss didn't, so he went out and bought a little Benz for about 100 large. Nice job, Caddillac. (and despite the fact that the Benz drives like a dream - well, like a dream where you drive a rocket - my boss hates all the stuff that continually malfunctions on it. He won't buy another DC product, etc.)
Well, to be consistent with the point I am making above, your remark should be:
Nice job [name of Cadillac dealer here].
At the GM drive times I went to, they had a couple of CTSs (even a CTS-V). I do not recall an XLR (and figure I would remember it if they have one).
GM should figure out a way to bring an XLR along on its drive times.
On another note: Suttle only charges a $75 processing fee vice the $300+ screw job most dealers demand. Of course you don't get the "free" oil changes and state inspections but you I can change a lot of oil with the savings I'm getting buying from Suttle.
Bravo!
These are the kind of dealers who deserve loyal support.
The Solstice is not a limited edition car. It's a regular production car with decent demand right now. Calling it a "limited edition" is like calling the Mazda MX-5 a limited edition.
In terms of the no-test-drive policy. That's just stupid. A lot of people are comparing that car to the MX-5, and Mazda dealers are more then willing to let their car's on the road. Pontiac will lose customers if they keep it up.
I can understand when the Solstice GTP comes out that they will not allow test drives, but on a $19K car? give me a break.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Of course you can drive an MX-5. They are only selling about 1000 a month vs. the Solstice 2800/month. The Solstice has made the MX-5 irrevelent. Seriously the reason some dealers (this is not a GM dictate!!) are not allowiing test drives is because they are pretty much sold out. Any cars coming in are sold right away at MSRP or even a premium(again against GM recommendations). Why would a dealer put miles on a car that will be sold in a week and have a list of buyers waiting for cars?
YOu will have a hard time finding a $19K car. Most likely the lowest price will be over $23K.
I would say the same for both cars based on my criteria above. As opposed to 400k per year Camrys, Solstice and Mazdas are treated different.
In terms of the no-test-drive policy
Read the posts. There is no policy. Just some jerky dealers and some good dealers.
A lot of people are comparing that car to the MX-5, and Mazda dealers are more then willing to let their car's on the road.
When I bought my Miata in '00, only one of the three Chicago area dealers I visited were interested in allowing a test drive. Despite the fact I owned a 95 Miata and was obviously an interested buyer.
Of course I never thought to suggest this showed an insidious Mazda plot. Just that some dealers are bad and some good.
Pontiac will lose customers if they keep it up.
Let's see how January sales pan out. According to Autosite, last December Solstice sold 2796 to 1007 Miatas.
The only time I went to a Toyo dealer was a few years back when the current gen Camry first came out.
They did let me test drive. After the test, the salesperson took it for granted I was going to buy then and there. When I told him I was still looking, he asked me to wait while he got his manager.
Like an idiot, I did. The manager gave me the second degree. Appeared they were real paranoid about getting a bad dealer rating. After a few minutes, I told him while my thoughts of the experience had been positive, they were pretty negative all of a sudden. That killed the conversation.
If the design will not allow a cup holder set in the center console, frankly I think the designers should just forget about them.
I'm reading reports right here that there are cars available for a walk-in customer. Could be the long wait for ordered cars, could be the time of the year, could be the no test drive policy, could be the dealer mark-ups. To say they are "sold right away" does not seem to be the case currently.
BTW - I went to the St. Louis Auto Show last weekend and GM had both the Solstice and Sky spinning around on turntables. Couldn't touch or sit in either. I found the Solstice's interior to be very stark and cheap looking. On the other hand, the Sky's interior was fabulous. If they could combine the Sky's interior with the Solstice's exterior that would be a real winner IMO. I still have not seen a single Solstice on the road here.
On the one hand you acknowledge the wait for ordered cars, on the other hand you dispute the cars are sold right away.
A lot of this probably depends upon the dealer and the market. Estabilished Pontiac dealers had allotments whether they pre-sold the Solstice or not. Some dealers may have pre-sold, only to have the buyer back out.
In those cases, if the weather is decent, you would think a smart dealer would allow an interested consumer a test drive.
Other dealers are still filling orders. Either these dealers were new and did not have enough allotment to fill demand, or they are in a market where demand exceeds maximum allotments.
As the car is hot, you will see little cross dealer cooperation. Where most dealers are only too willing to ship a lot car to another dealer with a buyer, you don't want to ship off a traffic builder.
My point was simply that people got tired of waiting for their ordered cars and moved on, creating availabilty for walk-in buyers.
Pontiac dealers are making the same mistakes with this car as they did with the GTO. No test drives and mark-ups do not win over customers who are on the fence about buying. In a niche market they can use every buyer they can get.
I doubt that honda was letting people drive the S2000 when they first came out-or whatever they were called.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
That said, I believe my points above are clear that I respect the dealers' rights to manage their business as they see fit. On the other hand, dealers need to understand customers do not like being told they cannot test drive something they are going to spend $25k on.
It is not fair, however, when dealers try to avoid customer ire by misleading the customer into thinking the 'no test' policy comes from Pontiac. Assuming that in fact is what happened with the OP.
What everyone needs is for GM to announce its '06 Summer Drive Time schedule and that Kappa cars will be part of the program.
As much as you want the uncertain to come your way, you cannot use a car that is spoken for as bait.
Really couldn't say without knowing the price. If they were still asking for thousands over msrp for it, see ya later!
Then who owns the car sitting on the showroom floor in front of your desk?
When I looked at Lucernes recently arrived two out of three were sold. Both were on showroom floor. One was owned by a person who was in the hospital. His wife had scheduled to pick it up a week later. They probably asked if they could use it to display the car.
The Black V8, CXS in the service area had just hatched off the truck and probably wouldn't make it to the showroom before it would be sold.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Possibly. Although I have a hard time understanding why someone who has waited MONTHS for this car would have finalized the paperwork (a car isn't sold until it is titled) and then leave it with the dealership to show.
It is also, possibly, titled to the sales manager of the dealership who is using it to build traffic. I'm curious to hear marty explain if the dealership is simply waiting for the owner to pick up the car or if the car is actually for sale.
Bingo!
And that is the point.
The Solstice right now is a hot car. Many dealers have a rational basis to expect they will get at least MSRP, if not more for the car, all else being equal.
The great equalizer in this game is mileage. Put miles on the car, lose bargaining position.
As has been pointed out above, the same thing happens with other hot cars during their hot period. (And with some, well after. There are many tails of dealers reluctant to let people test drive expensive, but otherwise slow moving cars.)
Is it really "sales" hot or just "curious" hot? Looking at the numbers, GM sold 2746 in December but then fell off to 1990 last month. They have sold a grand total of 7435 since August when they first hit the dealers.
Is GM still filling the pipeline six months later? What is the production rate for this car?
The January Sales and Production figures have been posted deep within GM.com.
Sales: January sales reported, 1990 cars. For comparison, December was 2,746. Shows how many of the deliveries to dealerships from cars built in the 4th quarter push up December's numbers.
Production: January was 2,219 Compares to 1,858 in December and 2,070 in November. Brings posted model year to date production to 11,601, which on the GM site includes everything that has come out of Wilmington.
total production for the model year...was supposedly about 15K..with another 3-5K of the new sky..thus adding a third shift on the plant at Wilmington (late Jan I think)....these numbers are right in line with a total production for the model year of approx 20K..which I beleive was the target number all along....wit the model year ending May or Jun????
Only 2100 in dealer inventory as of 1/1/06 and that means less than one per dealer and they can barely build that many per month. Just cannot catch up to demand. Hopefully that will continue for a few years
I think the Opel (which will be made in the US and exported to the EU) was at around 3k.
Production started very slowly. Sounds as though it is now coming up to speed.
I walked in to find a Solstice in the showroom and none on the lot. I pretty much acted like it was already my car. Sat in it, opened the hood and the trunk, played with the switches, put up the top... No salesperson even approached me. When I finally asked for a salesperson I was ready to drive. He seemed quite happy to scamper off - only to return with the manager. He looked me up and down, we chatted for a moment and he then sent the salesman to get the keys and called for a porter to take it out of the showroom for me.
The weather was mild so I left the top down. It was a nice ride but I found the suspension lacking. The salesman was crushed to hear that. I have since decided to hold off to see the '07 models.
Thanks to everyone who weighed in - either for or against.
Bravo!
Being assertive usually gets results with auto sales people.
Sounds as though you may want a GXP?
:confuse:
Are you saying that every test drive that does not result in a sale was because the dealer was foolish?
Really? I didn't get that from his previous posts at all. In fact, the post that STARTED ALL THIS nonsense about misc. Pontiac dealers allowing or disallowing test drives stated (in part):
"...There is was in the GM shop. A shiny, oh-so-red Solstice. I all but dropped to my knees knowing I couldn't afford such an adorable sports car. But wait! The price tag must be wrong!
After learning that the price tag was correct, I contacted two Pontiac dealers in my area."
In other words, he wasn't interested until he saw the price tag (indicating possible interest in purchase). A person who was ONLY interested in a joy ride wouldn't have cared what was on the price tag.
Perhaps I was misreading this. What "tone" indicated they were only interested in a test drive with no intention of purchasing?
So I showed up on Friday, Feb 10th, 2006. I introduced myself and they said the car is being pulled out of the showroom and getting a wash. Few minutes later I was driving it through town, getting all sorts of curious looks.
With the options, MSRP is around 26000. I noticed a $5000 NW Region Market Markup. We get a lot of rain here in the Northwest and I wasn't going to let the guy tell me I ought to pay for it. Funny thing, it never came up. I had to ask the sales guy about about and he said - "I'm the sales manager, and I'm tired of having people coming up asking about this car with no intention to buy. As far as I'm considered, if you are paying cash, I'll give you a deal and let me sales guys deal with real customers."
Okay. So I paid MSRP. Had the car for a few days and drove everywhere with it - top down, top up, in the rain, at night.
I love it. Most people in their right minds won't buy a car with a one cubic foot trunk car (with the top down). I had a friend who said "I can afford one if I wanted to." Yeah well, you didn't because a car this impractical, most people won't get it.
At my gym, at the pump, and just about everywhere I get people coming up to me wondering what kind of car it is.
It's not the fastest thing aroud, but it's quick enough. Took it around the winding roads of Highway 14 to the dam and it was completely tossable. Sure, a VW Bug was tailing me at the straights but once we got into the corners, he disappeared.
I wonder if buying a first gen car is going to have lasting consequences... For now, I can't waint for the NW summer.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick