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      03-06-2011, 12:05 AM   #1
ZeroFear
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Test drives for expensive cars

How many of you guys were allowed to test drive an M3 or other high end expensive car before buying? I've been looking around to purchase another toy and all the dealers are really uptight about test drives. Do you have to be like 65 years old and wearing a suit to get a test drive?
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      03-06-2011, 12:14 AM   #2
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Yes, you have to be, LIKE, 65 or something.

I've been test driving and buying Corvettes, 911s and M3s since 1995, when I was 26. The trick is to be respectful, professional and not seeming desperate to take a ride in something. Ask relevant questions, discuss a couple options / color selections, etc... then casually ask if you and the salesperson could take a ride in one. Sounding and acting like a real buyer goes a loooong way. Driving up in a nice car, wearing decent clothes and perhaps having a nice watch on your wrist do help a bit, but can only take you so-far. Your mouth and eyes have to do the rest.
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      03-06-2011, 12:15 AM   #3
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^this
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      03-06-2011, 12:29 AM   #4
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I just test drove an M3 with 5 miles on it alone, it all depends on your relationship with the dealer if they already know you or if you have bought cars from them before. I never even asked to test drive it just wanted to take a look at color etc and they offered it up.
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      03-06-2011, 12:41 AM   #5
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if you drive an M5 like your profile says, you should have no trouble getting a test drive in an M3. Unless you have a really up tight dealer, or they are just asses. In either case, your best bet would be to find another dealer.

Also, check this thread
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      03-06-2011, 01:00 AM   #6
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I had no problems test driving an M3 at any dealer. But I was refused a drive in a Mercedes E63...I was allowed to sit in it with engine running. The MB dealer said their policy was because buyers of these cars like them with as few miles as possible...hmmm.
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      03-06-2011, 03:30 AM   #7
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I took a 2011 IB E93 M3 for a spin by myself, courtesy of the dealer. That would be because of the relationship I have with them though.
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      03-06-2011, 05:03 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZeroFear View Post
How many of you guys were allowed to test drive an M3 or other high end expensive car before buying? I've been looking around to purchase another toy and all the dealers are really uptight about test drives. Do you have to be like 65 years old and wearing a suit to get a test drive?
Word on the street (or at least these forums) is that florida dealers are really uptight.
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      03-06-2011, 08:43 AM   #9
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I remember back when the NSX first came out I wanted one so bad. I went to the dealer and they had the exact color that I wanted. I went in did the usual chatting about the car and explaining how I will write them a check that day for the car all I want to do is test drive it first. They wouldn't let me drive it. I explained I don't even need to leave the lot, just drive around and they wouldn't budge. I drove by looking at that car in the show room for 3 more months until they sold it
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      03-06-2011, 08:55 AM   #10
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I go out and test drive every new car that I want to. What I do is print my credit report from that day(I have access to it thru one of the credit monitoring sites) and bring it in. I'm 40 and with a 792 middle score and very good income, they'll let you drive anything if you appear to be a serious buyer. For an example, I drove a 2011 Porsche GT3 RS on Friday. What a fantastic car. Fake like you're a serious buyer and if you do what I do and, if you're not in your 20's, they'll let you drive about anything you want to.
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      03-06-2011, 08:59 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SchnellM3 View Post
I remember back when the NSX first came out I wanted one so bad. I went to the dealer and they had the exact color that I wanted. I went in did the usual chatting about the car and explaining how I will write them a check that day for the car all I want to do is test drive it first. They wouldn't let me drive it. I explained I don't even need to leave the lot, just drive around and they wouldn't budge. I drove by looking at that car in the show room for 3 more months until they sold it
The NSX pre-release frenzy was unreal. The Acura dealers had full waiting lists six months in advance. Tests drives were the drive home for a lucky buyer and any cars that stayed at a dealer were behind ropes..

I had the luck of having a friend get the # 1 spot at both local Acrura dealers. He then pre-sold both cars months before taking delivery and made mad coin. I also had the luck of being asked to drive home one from the dealer before it was shipped to the buyer - that was a nice drive!
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      03-06-2011, 09:11 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Alexander View Post
Yes, you have to be, LIKE, 65 or something.

I've been test driving and buying Corvettes, 911s and M3s since 1995, when I was 26. The trick is to be respectful, professional and not seeming desperate to take a ride in something. Ask relevant questions, discuss a couple options / color selections, etc... then casually ask if you and the salesperson could take a ride in one. Sounding and acting like a real buyer goes a loooong way. Driving up in a nice car, wearing decent clothes and perhaps having a nice watch on your wrist do help a bit, but can only take you so-far. Your mouth and eyes have to do the rest.
I didn't even have to ask, in fact I wasn't even planning on taking a drive. The salesman was the one who suggested it and it was more than a suggestion, it was more of "we are going to go do a test drive now". I'm 26 now, but run my own business and act as such; Rolex, LV shoes, and nice clothes probably help as well. Also, Its their job to judge whether the person in front of them is an actual buyer or not. Maybe it was just too easy to tell that I was definitely going to buy the car.
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      03-06-2011, 09:12 AM   #13
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Nope..nadda. Never had an issue here. The only exception was my S2000 which I purchased without a test drive. Those things were like gold for our local Honda dealers-prospective customers weren't even able to sit in the demo models which were roped off (and usually presold) in the showrooms.

A
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      03-06-2011, 10:12 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmflukeiii View Post

I didn't even have to ask, in fact I wasn't even planning on taking a drive. The salesman was the one who suggested it and it was more than a suggestion, it was more of "we are going to go do a test drive now". I'm 26 now, but run my own business and act as such; Rolex, LV shoes, and nice clothes probably help as well. Also, Its their job to judge whether the person in front of them is an actual buyer or not. Maybe it was just too easy to tell that I was definitely going to buy the car.
Sometimes the most unsuspecting customer is the person who buys the car, not the guy decked out in Italian clothes wearing diamond crusted Swiss watches. Because of this, I made it a point specifically to drive up in 20 year old Toyota wearing beat up jeans and old t shirts for all my test drives. Never had a problem at 6 dealerships I went to except for one salesman who refused a test drive but all it took was for me to say "get me your manager right now."

I think the best salesman don't judge buyers by their cars or clothes etc. Because they treat everyone equally with the same amount of courtesy and they are the ones that win the deal.
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      03-06-2011, 10:14 AM   #15
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When I was 23 I had the Chevy salesman hold my martini while I test drove a Corvette. All perfectly legal at the time. I was wearing jeans and old cowboy boots at the time.
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      03-06-2011, 10:52 AM   #16
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It all comes down to the dealer...when I bought my first m3 I was driving within 10 minutes with no issue. I was looking for an x5 for my wife at a different dealer (because mine didn't have a v8 to test drive) and they had no interest in even speaking to us (even though we rolled up in my e92). I'm 27 and am usually in jeans and tshirt...occasionally with a nice watch...I guess they could feel the competitors vibe off me
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      03-06-2011, 11:03 AM   #17
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3 step process to get a guaranteed teat drive.

1. Be male
2. Call a day ahead and make an appointment
3. Show up in relatively nice clothes (not necessarily a suit)
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      03-06-2011, 11:26 AM   #18
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Local dealer had an E90 M3 in Jerez/Fox (not too unlike my order) and the cheese ball CA didn't even offer to unlock it on the lot to get a better look inside.

I went to the other dealer in town and placed my ~$100k CDN (tax in) order.
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      03-06-2011, 11:29 AM   #19
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Local dealer had an E90 M3 in Jerez/Fox (not too unlike my order) and the cheese ball CA didn't even offer to unlock it on the lot to get a better look inside.

I went to the other dealer in town and placed my ~$100k CDN (tax in) order.
PS: I obviously had no problems driving the S4 at my local dealer, the Mercedes rep was trying to get me behind the wheel of a C63 whenever the weather was nice. Jag dealer offered me a drive in an XFR but when one showed up I think he lost confidence in me as a buyer. Too bad for him, for the same price and much better finance rates (ie 0%) the power might have been addictive enough.
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      03-06-2011, 11:48 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richpuer View Post
Sometimes the most unsuspecting customer is the person who buys the car, not the guy decked out in Italian clothes wearing diamond crusted Swiss watches. Because of this, I made it a point specifically to drive up in 20 year old Toyota wearing beat up jeans and old t shirts for all my test drives. Never had a problem at 6 dealerships I went to except for one salesman who refused a test drive but all it took was for me to say "get me your manager right now."

I think the best salesman don't judge buyers by their cars or clothes etc. Because they treat everyone equally with the same amount of courtesy and they are the ones that win the deal.
I wear jeans, flip flops and a t-shirt everytime! Having complete knowledge of the car is the most important IMO. I'm usually able to tell the sales person/manager something about the car that they didnt know about. Actually, I think I'm going to go and drive a new GTR today, thanks for the thread OP!
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      03-06-2011, 11:48 AM   #21
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The first time i went for a test drive in a M3 the dealer drove the car while i sat in the passenger seat. Thats the last time that i will ever walk into that dealership.
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      03-06-2011, 12:31 PM   #22
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Depends on the dealer and the marque. BMW has always been fantastic. Porsche as well, but other brands like Nissan(GTR) and Ferrari (Duh) are less accommodating. The trick for me is knowing at least as much about the cars as the salesperson. Easy.
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