Test driving a car without buying it

[shoRunner]

grow some balls?

 

[Toastedlightly]

dont' waste the dealer's time. Just let them know you want to test drive it, perhaps to buy it at a later date.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Syringer
Try not to do what this guy did.. http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=5552273&nav=0zHF

Pretty brilliant fella there.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Step #1: Be prepared to walk away.

I went though about half a dozen car dealers before I got one that wanted to play ball my way. (read: I'm willing to wait 8 weeks to get EXACTLY what I want). In the course of that, I did a couple test drives. Sometimes the dealers just don't get that I don't want them to force whatever is on the lot onto me, in those cases, the dealers also don't get my buisness. Tough nuts to them.

 

[Dunbar]

I've test driven dozens of cars, just say you're looking around but not in any hurry to buy. I usually tell them I'm also considering other brands and need to drive those before making a decision. You have to really be firm or you can be pressured into hanging around for a long time after the test drive as they try to get you to buy. And don't give them your real phone number or they will keep calling. Don't feel too bad since 80% of people visiting a dealer don't buy from them (go during a slow time if you feel guilty)

BTW, I don't really do this any more since the older you get the more hassle it becomes just for a 10 minute test drive.

 

[Platypus]

Just tell him you're trying out some cars and don't really care to be sold a car today. You only get walked on if you let it happen Jnetty99.

If he persists, simply walk out.

I usually have the following conversation before I even step foot in a car: "I'm here to drive a specific car that I'm comparing to Car X, Y, Z. I want to test drive it without a conversation in the car and I fully intend to test the car's capabilities. If this is something you're not interested in I will go visit X dealership instead. If you can follow these guidelines and I do end up liking the car, I will come back and see you in particular."

This has never failed me anyway.

 

[new22003]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
To quote Nancy Rayguns:
"Just say NO."

I second that. I often wonder why people let salesmen talk them into things.

 

[Kelvrick]

I just contacted the dealerships over the phone and made an appointment to come test drive the cars.

 

[Dacalo]

When I was around 19 years old, a buddy and I went to a dealership which was selling Hummers. A saleman came by and asked us, "Do you guys want to drive this?" We answered, "Sure."

His reply, "Go join the army."

 

[Conky]

Originally posted by: Dacalo
When I was around 19 years old, a buddy and I went to a dealership which was selling Hummers. A saleman came by and asked us, "Do you guys want to drive this?" We answered, "Sure."

His reply, "Go join the army."

Good for him. :thumbsup:

Some people want to waste a saleman's time and then call him a douchebag when he tries to sell you something. :roll:

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: AdamK47 3DS
I test drove my Pontiac GTO with the intention that I wasn't going to buy it.

Haha, 10/10 :thumbsup: OP, just ask. Saturn has a policy where they won't let you test drive if you're not going to buy, but if you ask nicely they'll probably let you (I at least got to go for a ride in their SUV, hehe).

 

[Dobbs]

My girl and I test drive cars all the time, lol. The best one is still the Dodge Viper out of everything we drove. The biggest surprise was the Toyota Prius. Although butt ugly, it had more pep than my PT Cruiser but the fuel milage is nothing as claimed. I had a 78 Honda Civic with a 5 speed that got better milage when it comes down to it.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: AdamK47 3DS
I test drove my Pontiac GTO with the intention that I wasn't going to buy it.

Haha, 10/10 :thumbsup: OP, just ask. Saturn has a policy where they won't let you test drive if you're not going to buy, but if you ask nicely they'll probably let you (I at least got to go for a ride in their SUV, hehe).

If that's true, which I personally doubt, then that's the most ridiculous sh!t I've ever heard from a car company.

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: Beachboy

Originally posted by: Dacalo
When I was around 19 years old, a buddy and I went to a dealership which was selling Hummers. A saleman came by and asked us, "Do you guys want to drive this?" We answered, "Sure."

His reply, "Go join the army."

Good for him. :thumbsup:

Some people want to waste a saleman's time and then call him a douchebag when he tries to sell you something. :roll:

:roll: yourself.

We weren't there to test drive or anything. We had a conference for a business organization and we were just walking by and sightseeing.

Obviously, when I was shopping for a new car few years back (ended up with G35 coupe) that douche was still there. I doubt he remembered me, but I made sure he didn't get my sale.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Jnetty99
What's best methods to get to test drive a car and not get sucker in by the salesmen?

Come on to him. Hard. Or . . .

Bring a Bible or a box of Amway soap powder with you and pester the living sh1t out of him.