Was Not Allowed to Test Drive Car

[bigslim]

Today I went to a local dealer here the Metro Detroit area to test drive a SRT-8 300C. The sale manager there said that I could not drive one because they are a "Specialty Car". He said that they don't even let the salepeople drive them. I then contacted another dealer that I have done business with and said that he would let drive one only because I had purchased a car from them before.

My question is "how is a person suppose to know if they like a car without driving one?" I can understand the car being a Specialty Car" but it is still a $40,000 to $45,000 car. I can go right down the street to a Lexus or Jaguar dealer and drive a $60,000 to $75,000 car with no problem.

I guess this is why the foreign car dealer networks are kicking our aZZes.

BTW, I contacted Chrysler Customer service about this.

[bobs turbo pt]

that is strange[:I] my father was looking into that car drove it, he also drove the srt 8 charger

[fritz_t_coyote]

Short answer: They would rather just sell it Undriven.
Long answer: If they don't see you as a sure-to-buy customer, they don't want to rack up the miles on a demonstrator.

So the question becomes: How do you become taken seriously as a Potential Fat Commision Check? I mean customer?

Look the part:
Dress like you can make the payments for the car, and every option the dealer can lard-on.

Start talking Deal.... look at it, ask about it, and make the salescritter see himself spending the commission.
Make sure you don't bat an eye when he meantions the 'x' dollars per month, or how this one has a lot of extras in it.
About the time they are ready to go for the kill, mention you would have to test-drive it first, of course.

Then when they say no, and you walk away, the sales manager will be shoving the keys into your hand and begging you to drive it.

quote:Originally posted by bigslim

Today I went to a local dealer here the Metro Detroit area to test drive a SRT-8 300C. The sale manager there said that I could not drive one because they are a "Specialty Car". He said that they don't even let the salepeople drive them. I then contacted another dealer that I have done business with and said that he would let drive one only because I had purchased a car from them before.

My question is "how is a person suppose to know if they like a car without driving one?" I can understand the car being a Specialty Car" but it is still a $40,000 to $45,000 car. I can go right down the street to a Lexus or Jaguar dealer and drive a $60,000 to $75,000 car with no problem.

I guess this is why the foreign car dealer networks are kicking our aZZes.

BTW, I contacted Chrysler Customer service about this.

[umaxman]

If I couldn't test drive it I would tell them to Kiss my*** and move on to a different dealer, Then a quick phone call to Chrysler and let them know
Maybe they are not as good as they think so they want you to buy before you drive

[bobs turbo pt]

i would love to know what chrysler would have to say about not being able to test drive , im sure they would come up with some line of crap !!

[bigslim]

Chrysler Customer Service said that the dealers are independent and can set their own rules about driving cars. They even called the dealer while I was on the line to see what their policy was. I told the Customer Service Rep that the dealer is doing a poor job at representing their company. He said that they would investigate further.

[calicranberry]

my two cents, i do not think it is all that strange. like fritz said, who would want to buy a car, a limited edition high performance car, that had more than a few miles on it, knowing that every person that was in it before was taking it for a joy ride? when i got my cruiser, i looked at a DC2 (still my favorite cruiser) and the dealer said i could drive another turbo but not the dream (of course he also knew my budget and that the DC2 was not in it). perhaps if the dealer thought you were a serious customer he would have given you the chance.
also there was an article recently in car and driver (i think) about how to get a test drive, and that they are becoming less common for lots of reasons, including the high cost of most cars, safety and security of the salesperson, and any accidents that may be caused by someone hot rodding.
and that is not why "the foreign car dealer networks are kicking our aZZes.", i'm sure it has more to do with the quality, reliability, and resale value of their brands.

[bigslim]

I went to a Dodge dealer Monday and test drove a SRT-8 Charger. Also, the dealer that I bought my PT from said that I could drive one of theirs. I guess that dealer did not want my future business.

[Wally]

I bought the PT Cruiser sight unseen in 2000....dealers didn't have any and you could only get'em by ordering them at MSRP or above.

Still driving it.

[bobs turbo pt]

what did you think of the car ??