Test drives for expensive cars

mindless.spades · 03-06-2011, 12:44 PM

I think it really depends on the dealership.

The first time I tried to test drive the M3 the dealership wouldn't give me the time of day. This happened to me at the MB dealership when looking for a C63 and Nissan dealership for a GT-R... Lexus was more than happy to give me a test drive of the IS-F on the spot.

The second BMW dealership set me up with a test drive right away (and that's where I fell in love with the ///M). Same thing at the second MB dealership... as for the second Nissan dealership they basically told me to go away. Strangely, Porsche dealerships for me have been the most accommodating and sometimes I spent over an hour in dealership just talking about cars.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 03-06-2011, 12:48 PM

I remember test driving a 450 SL when the ticket price was a mere $9,000- Canadian up and down the Trans Canada Highway

in Montreal that was moons ago when my salary was just over $3,000- Canadian/Year

I had no problem taking the car out I knew more about it then the salesman also it must have helped that I spoke German

Anyway, I never had problems test driving high end cars. I purchased my new M3 yesterday without test driving her. I know the quality that goes into it to build it after visiting the factory.

If I wanted to really test any high end sports car I rent one in Vegas for the day take it to the Mohave Desert for a good test drive (the roads there are A1 like glass in short like the Autobahn).

GreasyGinzo · 03-06-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by immiketoo

knowing at least as much about the cars as the salesperson. Easy.

LOL you don't have to anything because most car salesmen are the most clueless about the products they sell

theriz · 03-06-2011, 12:54 PM

^^^^ +1. They sell 80+ k cars and drive a Ford Focus. lol

where do you live? geez im 19 i dress in jeans and a polo with some nice shoes.
I have driven M3, 335is, 335i, Z06, C63 AMG, Porsche s.
I live in Cali. not sure how everywhere else is.

mpm3 · 03-06-2011, 12:55 PM

test drove the m3 for the entire day and then placed my order

Chowster · 03-06-2011, 01:03 PM

My CA gave me an E93 M3 loaner for the day when my E60 was in service.

Respect for others takes you a long way. In all aspects of life.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 03-06-2011, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chowster

My CA gave me an E93 M3 loaner for the day when my E60 was in service.

Respect for others takes you a long way. In all aspects of life.

+ 100

Like the golden rule .... "Treat others like you expect to be treated"

will always give you smooth sailing in these sometimes rough seas of life

drey · 03-06-2011, 01:26 PM

I was given a test drive at a big dealership in the Sacramento area and it sold me on the car. Interestingly, the same dealer didn't really want to 'deal' when it came time to negotiate on a new car, so I bought one elsewhere...

drey · 03-06-2011, 01:30 PM

Should also point out if no one else has (sorry don't have time to scroll thru the posts) that many if not most dealers may have one or two M3s on the lot and don't have the luxury of a 'demo' M3.

I would make contact with the biggest dealer in your area, do a little schmoozing, and try to set up a test drive ahead of time. If they think you're a serious buyer they'll probably hook you up, regardless of your age.

shchow · 03-06-2011, 02:15 PM

Cars I've tested over the years...
E60 M5, E9x M3, W212 E63, V8 Vantage, Bentley Convertible, Panamera, Jag XK, Quattroporte, CTS-V.
I've never had any problems.
The one exception is my local Audi dealership. Bunch of asshats.
As already mentioned. Depends on the dealership...

jeff@autocouture · 03-06-2011, 02:47 PM

I just walk in with sweat pants and a hoody, if they don't take me seriously well..... It's on to the next one, I've never really had any issues though

TRY...M3 · 03-06-2011, 04:59 PM

I test drove 3 M3s before mine no questions asked...oh and if your ever bored on a Saturday take ur M to different dealerships park right in front of sales and watch how quick they are to let u test drive whateverrrr you want. No interest in selling my car but I love just comparing it to other cars

Mhirsch · 03-06-2011, 09:02 PM

It's all about the relationship with the dealer and establishing loyalty. If the dealership and salesman/manager are smart and proactive they understand a test drive will help for all future transactions. They did let me test drive the M5 and after driving that car I did not need to drive the M3 before purchasing.

///M Ryder · 03-06-2011, 09:14 PM

One of my local dealers tossed me the keys to their first X6 ///M right after it came off the truck. I was told "just bring it back in 1 piece. But as someone else posted, I've been at this for sometime now. I've even been given cars for the weekend.............Phil

ad90drew@gmail.com · 03-06-2011, 09:38 PM

I was 20 when i test drove one but i pulled up in an 08 s4 that was in mint condition so they new i could drive a nice car and had money to pay if i crashed there car.

rjd598 · 03-07-2011, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Alexander

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.

This has been my exact approach and it works most of the time. The only test drive I didn't get was for a c63 because it was "too powerful". No joke that was the sales person's excuse. I did what wad exactly said above like always at a BMW dealership and the sales person offered me a test drive without me even asking. It depends on the dealer alot I think too

and79 · 03-07-2011, 05:31 AM

When I was looking for another car I went to BMW to test drive a 335i, they sorted a drive for me in 10 mins which went well. The salesmen also offered me a drive in the M3, which was was the car I bought in the end!

Since then I've walked into Porsche just to have a look around and a hour and a half later I'd had two cups of coffee, a test drive in the Boxster Spyder
(very nice) and the 997 gen 2 GT3 Clubsport (

) and was given a hard backed book detailing the history of the 911!

I've also had a 30 min drive in the enhanced '11 spec Nissan GTR. Again it was a case of just walking in having a look around and being offered a drive!

I'm 30 by the way.

We'll see what happns when I walk into Aston Martin............

m1keash · 03-07-2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroFear

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?

I wouldn't buy a car I couldn't test drive. I got off the Shelby GT kick for that reason. I test drove an M3 and the salesman had as much fun as I did. It wasn't a track run but we did a run from 60 to 120 on the interstate, took 90 degree turns at 50, tested the brakes from 60 to 0, fishtailed down the street from a dead stop, got comfortable with the high revving engine. It was a great test drive and sold me on the car. Now I've just got to place the order.

ksoze · 03-07-2011, 08:55 AM

Test drive turns deadly with car salesman at wheel
PHILADELPHIA | Sat Mar 5, 2011 1:26pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A Pennsylvania car salesman who drove 100 mph during a test drive to show his customers "how it's done" but crashed, killing one of them, faces criminal charges, police said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...72423B20110305

jmflukeiii · 03-07-2011, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksoze

Test drive turns deadly with car salesman at wheel
PHILADELPHIA | Sat Mar 5, 2011 1:26pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A Pennsylvania car salesman who drove 100 mph during a test drive to show his customers "how it's done" but crashed, killing one of them, faces criminal charges, police said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...72423B20110305

Wow... that's awful.

knifegun · 03-07-2011, 10:06 AM

Test driving an M3 or GTR is cake. Try test driving an GT3 or Ferrari.

TysonRa · 03-07-2011, 10:47 AM

no problem with getting a M3 for testdrive,but getting a cayenne turbo s was a problem!

03-06-2011, 12:44 PM	#23
mindless.spades Private 13 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I think it really depends on the dealership. The first time I tried to test drive the M3 the dealership wouldn't give me the time of day. This happened to me at the MB dealership when looking for a C63 and Nissan dealership for a GT-R... Lexus was more than happy to give me a test drive of the IS-F on the spot. The second BMW dealership set me up with a test drive right away (and that's where I fell in love with the ///M). Same thing at the second MB dealership... as for the second Nissan dealership they basically told me to go away. Strangely, Porsche dealerships for me have been the most accommodating and sometimes I spent over an hour in dealership just talking about cars.
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03-06-2011, 12:48 PM	#24
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 613 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	I remember test driving a 450 SL when the ticket price was a mere $9,000- Canadian up and down the Trans Canada Highway in Montreal that was moons ago when my salary was just over $3,000- Canadian/Year I had no problem taking the car out I knew more about it then the salesman also it must have helped that I spoke German Anyway, I never had problems test driving high end cars. I purchased my new M3 yesterday without test driving her. I know the quality that goes into it to build it after visiting the factory. If I wanted to really test any high end sports car I rent one in Vegas for the day take it to the Mohave Desert for a good test drive (the roads there are A1 like glass in short like the Autobahn). __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found
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03-06-2011, 12:54 PM	#26
theriz Brigadier General 406 Rep 3,583 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ventura County, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2017 F80 M3 [0.00] 2011 335i M-Sport [4.00] 2015 M3 [0.00] 2009 X5 [10.00]	^^^^ +1. They sell 80+ k cars and drive a Ford Focus. lol where do you live? geez im 19 i dress in jeans and a polo with some nice shoes. I have driven M3, 335is, 335i, Z06, C63 AMG, Porsche s. I live in Cali. not sure how everywhere else is.
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03-06-2011, 12:55 PM	#27
mpm3 Captain 70 Rep 819 Posts Drives: 2007 M coupe Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (7) Garage List 2007 BMW M coupe [10.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	test drove the m3 for the entire day and then placed my order __________________
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03-06-2011, 01:03 PM	#28
Chowster E60_to_E90 36 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Surrey, BC, Canada iTrader: (2)	My CA gave me an E93 M3 loaner for the day when my E60 was in service. Respect for others takes you a long way. In all aspects of life. __________________ 2011.5 E90 Dinan M3, SS II, M-DCT, EDC, M Drive. 20" MORR VS8.2 wheels Performance Mods: Dinan St.1 suspension, exhaust, intake; TTPs; BPM St.II, DCT, servo tunes Cosmetic Mods: OEM CF splitters, mirrors, center console, spoiler; Arkym CF diffuser; LUX; tint
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03-06-2011, 01:26 PM	#30
drey Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 222 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 Sedan, JZB/BB Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Norcal iTrader: (0)	I was given a test drive at a big dealership in the Sacramento area and it sold me on the car. Interestingly, the same dealer didn't really want to 'deal' when it came time to negotiate on a new car, so I bought one elsewhere...
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03-06-2011, 01:30 PM	#31
drey Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 222 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 Sedan, JZB/BB Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Norcal iTrader: (0)	Should also point out if no one else has (sorry don't have time to scroll thru the posts) that many if not most dealers may have one or two M3s on the lot and don't have the luxury of a 'demo' M3. I would make contact with the biggest dealer in your area, do a little schmoozing, and try to set up a test drive ahead of time. If they think you're a serious buyer they'll probably hook you up, regardless of your age.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-06-2011, 02:15 PM	#32
shchow Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 294 Posts Drives: 2010 CTS-V sedan, black raven Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hainesport, New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Cars I've tested over the years... E60 M5, E9x M3, W212 E63, V8 Vantage, Bentley Convertible, Panamera, Jag XK, Quattroporte, CTS-V. I've never had any problems. The one exception is my local Audi dealership. Bunch of asshats. As already mentioned. Depends on the dealership... __________________ Current rides: 2010 CTS-V sedan, black raven; 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV, black raven Gone but not forgotten: 2008 M5, metallic sapphire black, SMG; 2004 645ci, metallic sapphire black, SMG
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03-06-2011, 02:47 PM	#33
jeff@autocouture BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 966 Rep 13,780 Posts Drives: 2002 E53 X5 4.6is Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I just walk in with sweat pants and a hoody, if they don't take me seriously well..... It's on to the next one, I've never really had any issues though Last edited by jeff@autocouture; 03-06-2011 at 02:58 PM..
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03-06-2011, 04:59 PM	#34
TRY...M3 Major 86 Rep 1,430 Posts Drives: Depends on the day Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: PA iTrader: (2)	I test drove 3 M3s before mine no questions asked...oh and if your ever bored on a Saturday take ur M to different dealerships park right in front of sales and watch how quick they are to let u test drive whateverrrr you want. No interest in selling my car but I love just comparing it to other cars __________________ e92///M3 TT Lamborghini Gallardo INSTAGRAM: CHRISTIANPERLES Lamborghini-Talk.com: Christian.
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03-06-2011, 09:02 PM	#35
Mhirsch Private 2 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 2010 M5 - 2011 M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	It's all about the relationship with the dealer and establishing loyalty. If the dealership and salesman/manager are smart and proactive they understand a test drive will help for all future transactions. They did let me test drive the M5 and after driving that car I did not need to drive the M3 before purchasing. __________________ 2010 E60 M5 - BSM, Loaded 2011.5 E92 M3 - AW, 6MT, ZCP
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03-06-2011, 09:14 PM	#36
///M Ryder Grown Azz Man 430 Rep 3,021 Posts Drives: GT4 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (8)	One of my local dealers tossed me the keys to their first X6 ///M right after it came off the truck. I was told "just bring it back in 1 piece. But as someone else posted, I've been at this for sometime now. I've even been given cars for the weekend.............Phil __________________ 2016 GT4.....Sapphire Blue Metallic, Platinum stitch Leather/Alcantara interior, Carbon Fiber Trim, PCM w/Nav, Guards Red Belts, 2 Zone Climate, Sport Chrono, LWB, Smokers Pack, Big Gas Tank, Light Design Pack, Bi-Xenon w/PDL, Auto Dim Mirror, Clear Side Markers, GTS Clear Taillights
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03-06-2011, 09:38 PM	#37
ad90drew@gmail.com New Member 3 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2008 e90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Castle Rock, CO iTrader: (0)	I was 20 when i test drove one but i pulled up in an 08 s4 that was in mint condition so they new i could drive a nice car and had money to pay if i crashed there car. __________________ Loving the M power
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03-07-2011, 05:31 AM	#39
and79 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 45 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Gloucester iTrader: (0)	When I was looking for another car I went to BMW to test drive a 335i, they sorted a drive for me in 10 mins which went well. The salesmen also offered me a drive in the M3, which was was the car I bought in the end! Since then I've walked into Porsche just to have a look around and a hour and a half later I'd had two cups of coffee, a test drive in the Boxster Spyder (very nice) and the 997 gen 2 GT3 Clubsport () and was given a hard backed book detailing the history of the 911! I've also had a 30 min drive in the enhanced '11 spec Nissan GTR. Again it was a case of just walking in having a look around and being offered a drive! I'm 30 by the way. We'll see what happns when I walk into Aston Martin............
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03-07-2011, 08:55 AM	#41
ksoze Major 376 Rep 1,223 Posts Drives: 2018 M550iX Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Don't let the salesman do the driving... Test drive turns deadly with car salesman at wheel PHILADELPHIA \| Sat Mar 5, 2011 1:26pm EST PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A Pennsylvania car salesman who drove 100 mph during a test drive to show his customers "how it's done" but crashed, killing one of them, faces criminal charges, police said. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...72423B20110305 __________________ 2018 M550iX-Dinan Stage 1 \| 2011 E93 M3 Convertible \| 2002 E46 M3 Convertible \| 2002 E53 X5 3.0 \| 2000 E39 540i \| 1998 E36 M3 \| 1988 E28 M5 \| 1987 E28 528i
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03-07-2011, 10:06 AM	#43
knifegun Major 83 Rep 1,108 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: May 2008 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Test driving an M3 or GTR is cake. Try test driving an GT3 or Ferrari.
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03-07-2011, 10:47 AM	#44
TysonRa Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 242 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Competition Package Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ra iTrader: (0)	no problem with getting a M3 for testdrive,but getting a cayenne turbo s was a problem! __________________ .
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