Test driving a car without buying it
- Thread starter Mayfriday0529
- Start date
Just asking for advice... our last two cars have been bought from the same dealership. Hell we got the Nissan Altima 2005 without test driving it. We were returning a 2001 model and we picked the color and dealt with the internet web manager.
jimbob200521
Diamond Member
- Apr 15, 2005
- 4,108
- 29
- 91
Are you planning on buying a car at all? If not, then you shouldn't be test driving other cars. I'm not trying to be mean, just the way it is.
Edit: Otherwise, just tell them that you are just looking around, and seeing what options are available to you. You just happened to noticed this car, and thought you'd give it a shot.
Edit: Otherwise, just tell them that you are just looking around, and seeing what options are available to you. You just happened to noticed this car, and thought you'd give it a shot.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,550
- 940
- 126
Don't test drive American cars?
I've never had a problem test driving cars. The worst hassle I got was after test driving a Pontiac GTO. I got the usual lines like, "what's it going to take to put you in this car." and other stupid cliches the salesgoons use to try to keep you there thinking about it.
I've driven Mustangs, a Vette, Nissans, Infinitis, Acuras, Toyotas, Hondas and Subarus with no trouble though.
Don't be surprised if you get some bad reactions from it. I was looking for a car to replace my Accord wagon not too long ago. I was looking for something inexpensive. A boat of a car with a nice ride for cruising. Something like a used Crown Vic/Grand Marquis, Impala, maybe a Bonneville. I went around to several dealerships and explained the situation. I had no plans on buying right now, I just wanted to test out some cars and see what I liked.
Some sales people were okay with it. They didn't try to hard, they wished me luck when I left if I didn't like what I drove, and that was that. I had a few places though where the guy was determined to get me inside to start working out "financial ideas." At one place when I kept refusing, the guy ran inside and got his manager and they both came out and started pecking at me. Finally I made up a very obvious "Oh whoops, look at the time, I really have to go guys. I'm late for blahblahblah."
Just be up front. Tell them that you're not buying today. Don't lead anybody on, thinking that they're actually building up for a sale. Don't be a pushover. Don't let them drag you inside. If you get a word in, ask for the guys card and say that you'll keep him in mind. Most sales people will be happy if they can just get their card off to you, and if you ask for it before they offer it, they'll usually soften up and be easier to work with.
Some sales people were okay with it. They didn't try to hard, they wished me luck when I left if I didn't like what I drove, and that was that. I had a few places though where the guy was determined to get me inside to start working out "financial ideas." At one place when I kept refusing, the guy ran inside and got his manager and they both came out and started pecking at me. Finally I made up a very obvious "Oh whoops, look at the time, I really have to go guys. I'm late for blahblahblah."
Just be up front. Tell them that you're not buying today. Don't lead anybody on, thinking that they're actually building up for a sale. Don't be a pushover. Don't let them drag you inside. If you get a word in, ask for the guys card and say that you'll keep him in mind. Most sales people will be happy if they can just get their card off to you, and if you ask for it before they offer it, they'll usually soften up and be easier to work with.
I can't afford a mercedes, but I'm still going to go to a dealer after school just to drive one
sl500 or something. The key is: don't give them any of your info.While it clearly is related to the dealership and not the brand, I must say every GM dealership I've been to is like that. However so is the Subaru dealership here but, they are true jackasses anyway.
Last time I was looking for a new car, it was back around 2001. I went to the local GM place to look at their new Blazers. After spending a little time with the salesman, I asked him if I could test drive it. He literally gave me the keys and told me to keep it for the weekend (was in there on a Friday to look at them). Had never heard of that before but I took him up on it. I wound up buying elsewhere but kind of enjoyed really spending a weekend with it, to know if it was what I truly wanted. Not sure how common that practic is though. I'd think it would be pretty rare. He wasn't even around when I returned it. I pretty much walked in on Monday, dropped off the keys and left.
Yeap. I was actually doing it for a friend. He ended up not liking it. He'd rather have a vette.
Test driving is not a big deal. At least at any dealers I've been too. Younger dealers will tend to be pushy because they're new, more experinced dealers will be very lienant and know you're not there to buy.
For the person that said it's pushy at GM dealers, that has been not my experience, I mainly troll the GM dealers and personally I have the same experience as I did when I went to the Honda/Acura dealers.
After all they're in the same profession and that's to sell cars.
Oh and to the orignal question.
Here's how I do it.
Me: I'm here to test drive this car.
Sales: Are you intrested in buying it?
Me: That's why I'm here to test drive, here to look around just got off work. Don't have too much time though.
Sales: Ok. (Gets keys to test drive)
Me: Hmmm...that was an intresting drive, reminds me of X car that I drove yesterday.
You got a card? Write the price on it.
Sales: Sure, intrested in it huh?
Me: Maybe just cross-shopping now. Really price will be a big factor, think you can work on that?
Sales: Of course, a couple of BS bucks.
Me: Alright I'll seeya.
You'll be on the dealer lot a whole 10 mins.
Keep in mind if you really don't want to deal with salespersonel, go to the corporate drive events.
I know GM and BMW have really good ones.
Here's how I do it.
Me: I'm here to test drive this car.
Sales: Are you intrested in buying it?
Me: That's why I'm here to test drive, here to look around just got off work. Don't have too much time though.
Sales: Ok. (Gets keys to test drive)
Me: Hmmm...that was an intresting drive, reminds me of X car that I drove yesterday.
You got a card? Write the price on it.
Sales: Sure, intrested in it huh?
Me: Maybe just cross-shopping now. Really price will be a big factor, think you can work on that?
Sales: Of course, a couple of BS bucks.
Me: Alright I'll seeya.
You'll be on the dealer lot a whole 10 mins.
Keep in mind if you really don't want to deal with salespersonel, go to the corporate drive events.
I know GM and BMW have really good ones.
Originally posted by: acegazda
I can't afford a mercedes, but I'm still going to go to a dealer after school just to drive one
Man, that car rocks. I was in one, they're really expensive.. And they can go fast as hell. I'm not really a car person, but I just thought it looked really nice.
Start slow, go to Target and look at toasters without buying. Then go to the clothes department, try on clothes without buying.
Then, go to a street corner downtown, look at the prostitutes without purchasing.
Then, go to a street corner downtown, look at the prostitutes without purchasing.
I want to see if I like the Nissan Versa.. if yes probably before January i'll get it. If I don't like it i'll just move on and stay with my current car for a while.
Dr. Detroit
Diamond Member
- Sep 25, 2004
- 8,469
- 872
- 126
Go to the dealership decently dressed.
Drive your car, going on foot is bad!
Bring a few of your prior months paycheck stubs or a bank account showing some cash savings (helpful if you want to drive Porsche)
Explain to the salesman you are looking at other cars and have test driven _______ and want to see how this and _____ and _____ compares.
Don't say you are cross shopping Mutangs wtih Aveo's and Civics.
Act truly interested in the cars ergonomics, adjust the seats, mirrors, get a feel for the car before you drive it. Sit in the back seat, look at the trunk, ask for a brochure.
And when the ask you to run your credit after the test drive to see how they can get you into the car, explain you have been pre-approved through your Credit Union for a 6% loan at $XX,XXX and will not be needing financing. You then ask for the Salesman card tell him you will keep in touch and you are going down to the ________ dealer for more test drives.
Drive your car, going on foot is bad!
Bring a few of your prior months paycheck stubs or a bank account showing some cash savings (helpful if you want to drive Porsche)
Explain to the salesman you are looking at other cars and have test driven _______ and want to see how this and _____ and _____ compares.
Don't say you are cross shopping Mutangs wtih Aveo's and Civics.
Act truly interested in the cars ergonomics, adjust the seats, mirrors, get a feel for the car before you drive it. Sit in the back seat, look at the trunk, ask for a brochure.
And when the ask you to run your credit after the test drive to see how they can get you into the car, explain you have been pre-approved through your Credit Union for a 6% loan at $XX,XXX and will not be needing financing. You then ask for the Salesman card tell him you will keep in touch and you are going down to the ________ dealer for more test drives.
Vic
Elite Member
- Jun 12, 2001
- 50,422
- 14,337
- 136
Easy. Tell the salesperson in advance that you are shopping and just want to test drive. This way at least he was warned. Then, after the test drive is over, thank him for his time and leave. Whatever you do, DO NOT go inside the dealership. That's it.
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