Test drives

[SithSolo1]

What do most regular car dealers(chevy, mazda, scion, nissan) ride along when you take a test drive but "luxury" dealers(acura, infiniti, bmw) just toss you a set of keys and say have fun?

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
What do most regular car dealers(chevy, mazda, scion, nissan) ride along when you take a test drive but "luxury" dealers(acura, infiniti, bmw) just toss you a set of keys and say have fun?

I've never test driven a new luxury car from a luxury dealer, but I did test drive plenty of new cars from "regular" car dealers. When I went to Toyota, the dealer rode along with me. At Subaru, the dealer rode along with me. When I went to Honda, the guy just tossed me the keys. I even went back a second time to Honda before I purchased the vehicle because I wanted to test drive the car again. A different dealer tossed me keys again, without riding along.

 

[Funyuns101]

The Lexus and Toyota dealers near me "tossed me the keys" and said "have fun"... but both had almost no gas left in the tank!
A different Lexus dealer sat in the car w/me.
Subaru, Honda, and Mazda all sat in the car.
*shrugs* depends on the dealer I guess~

 

[bruceb]

They probably figure the people who are looking at $40K
cars are very trustworthy. And as said, the cars will not
have lots of gas to go far with. And if you do not return,
they likely have at least a copy of your Driver License and
of course, the car you came in.

 

[caspur]

How can a Lexus or Toyota dealer toss you keys and say "have fun"??? They don't even have any fun cars. What a bunch of [Edited by moderator].

Call them "idiots" if you like, but let's avoid slurs like the one I just edited out of your post.

AnandTech Garage Moderator Zenmervolt

 

[Baked]

It's not the dealership, it's the person taking the test drive. Guy above me probably has his whole family riding along on the test drive.

 

[DougK62]

It all depends on the dealership and the circumstances. When I roll up in a newish car in my nice work clothes they almost never ask to ride along with me. Drive up a beater in your yard clothes and they'll always tag along.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: caspur
How can a Lexus or Toyota dealer toss you keys and say "have fun"??? They don't even have any fun cars. What a bunch of fags.

You drive a Veyron, right?

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: caspur
How can a Lexus or Toyota dealer toss you keys and say "have fun"??? They don't even have any fun cars. What a bunch of fags.

You drive a Veyron, right?

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[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: caspur
How can a Lexus or Toyota dealer toss you keys and say "have fun"??? They don't even have any fun cars. What a bunch of fags.

You drive a Veyron, right?

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:laugh:

 

[KDKPSJ]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: caspur
How can a Lexus or Toyota dealer toss you keys and say "have fun"??? They don't even have any fun cars. What a bunch of fags.

You drive a Veyron, right?

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:thumbsup: :laugh:

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I think it also depends on other factors, such as the car you drove up on, and I hate to say it, what you're wearing. If you show up in a 3 year old Mercedes at a Lexus dealer wearing a suit, they're more likely going to toss you the keys since they have a nice late model car to use as collateral.

Now, if I showed up with my 6-7 year old truck wearing my usual T-shirt and pants, they don't want to let that car out of their sight.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I think it also depends on other factors, such as the car you drove up on, and I hate to say it, what you're wearing. If you show up in a 3 year old Mercedes at a Lexus dealer wearing a suit, they're more likely going to toss you the keys since they have a nice late model car to use as collateral.

Now, if I showed up with my 6-7 year old truck wearing my usual T-shirt and pants, they don't want to let that car out of their sight.

I have to agree with this. When I was shopping for my new car, I pulled up to a few dealerships in my 10 year old Ford Escort. I was lucky to have a dealer come outside to greet me. Then I started going to dealerships in my fiancees 2004 TSX. I know it's not a Rolls Royce, but dealers rushed outside to greet me every time. I wasn't offended though; I understand completely.

 

[woodie1]

I was in a couple of Toyota stealerships last month. Neither had a clue as to what I was driving. When I ask for a test drive both salesmen wanted to see my license and make a copy for their records. I asked if they were going to ride with me. Both said yes so I declined to show them my license. Left the 1st place without a drive. Second salesman said ok, got the keys anyway and away we went.

 

[T2urtle]

inetersting reads, when i was 18 i went to a chevy dealership to test drive about a 8 year old toyota avalon i had my gf at the time with me. They threw me the keys and said enjoy. When i was 19 i went to a caddy dealership with the gf to drive a 8 year old nissan maxima, they came along...

i completely enjoyed the avalon test drive. the maxima drive was iffy. In the end i was going to buy the avalon if it wasn't bought 2 days before and i took home that maxima after walking out on that dealership.

looking at 04-05 g35's tomrrow one at a dodge and one a toyota. most likely taking the gf, figure one would throw me the keys.. since now i'm 22.

 

[rh71]

3 bmw dealers, 4 different people attended to me in 5 different test drives (varying options damnit) - they all sat with me. I dressed pretty professional and 2 dealers I'm 100% sure they did not see what car I arrived in at the time.

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.caranddriver.com/re...car_test_drive_feature

 

[iamwiz82]

As far as I can recall, the only time I have had a salesperson sit with me was in a Prius, of all things.

 

[fstime]

I think it has more to do with the sales person strategy rather than anything else.

Some like to sit with you and explain features and various things about the car as you drive, others let you do your own thing.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
http://www.caranddriver.com/re...car_test_drive_feature

Interesting read. I had no idea salesmen cared so much.

Also, if you read page 5 with all the personal stories, it's really no wonder people are left to go driving alone.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
http://www.caranddriver.com/re...car_test_drive_feature

Interesting read. I had no idea salesmen cared so much.

Also, if you read page 5 with all the personal stories, it's really no wonder people are left to go driving alone.

If any dealer was as anal as that with me I'd not buy from them.

I've had the prescribed route crap before. Didn't buy the car. Don't really mind the salesman coming along. I like scaring them.

 

[LTC8K6]

I don't take test drives at all.

The sales staff sure hates it, too!