Test Driving a C6 NOT Allowed at Dealer?

[pgtr]

A friend of mine who is into high end performance cars said he was thinking about getting a new car. I asked if he was considering a C6. He said yeah absolutely but... the local Chevy dealer wouldn't let him test drive any of their C6s. He had just left the Maserati/Ferrari dealer and test drove several of their cars. The Chevy place was nice but firm that no test drives unless it was 'already a done deal' on the specific C6. (he's scrupulous to a fault and will not misrepresent committing to buying a car just to get a test drive and back out) He test drove some Porsches (salesman tossed him the keys and didn't even ride with him), BMWs, Infinitis etc. Drove a ways to try another Chevy dealer and got the same results.

So is this a common issue? No test drives? Or can 'qualified' shoppers test drive in some places? or ...?


Thanks for info or your experiences in test driving a C6 before buying...



PS: Oh yeah, I just now got to take a spin behind the wheel of his new Maserati! Pretty neat! Yep, Chevy missed out (but I'll take a C6 thank you) I think he was genuinely interested in the C6 too. We'd been talking about Corvettes off and on over the months before I knew he was in the market for a new car.

 

[Stinger !!]

This seems alittle odd to me...the Chevy dealer I bought my '07 from here in central FL had no problem with test drives! As a matter of fact they pushed me into one...go figure!

I also got to test drive a yellow Z06..had about 1500 miles on it and it was a demo car that the owner was running around with...that was a mistake driving that thing... if I wasn't putting a couple of kids through college I would have stepped up!!

My advise, tell your buddy to go to a different Chevy dealer as this sounds like a 'one only' dealer decision...:crazy

 

[B17Crew]

I’d say that’s out of the norm... I’ve have had salespeople (on multiple occasions) ask me if I had “time for a test drive”, or if I wanted to “take it out for a test drive.”

It’s been more common to receive an offer to test drive a C6 rather than asking.

B17Crew

 

[pgtr]

Guys I'm glad to hear this. I was kinda concerned. Well when my turn comes to get serious about a new one I'll search out a dealer who will let me take a test drive.

Thanks!

 

[whitehedr]

When I was in the market phase to purchase my 2006 C6 I went to two different local dealers, Bill Jacobs in Joliet, Il and Phillips Chevy in Frankfort, Il. Both of those dealers were more than happy to let me take a test drive. At Jacobs I drove more than one before pulling the trigger on the deal. They also allowed me to take it home to show my bride before I decided on which one I was going to buy.

I can't imagine a dealer refusing a test drive. How do they expect to sell cars if you can't even take one around the block? Very strange.

RWW

 

[fine69]

Not a problem here in the Maryland/Washington D.C. area... done it with every new year since C5.

 

[WNH]

I don't know if my dealer gives test drives.
I ordered my C6 and never asked for a test drive.

 

[kgelliott]

I knew it was a bit hard to get a test drive around here, I guess if you don't look too overly ready to sign. I did get one and bought my car from the man 2 months later.

 

[BruceBed]

My buddy went to buy a C6 at the local Chev dealer. They not only gave him the keys, they let him take the car unescorted for the afternoon. Granted, he did buy his daughter an Equinox the month before. Still, it's a car. I've never bought any car without test driving it first. That's why they have demo's.

 

[Gersh]

Before I bought a C5 Z06, I looked at a used one (2000 miles) and the dealer wouldn't let me drive it without being a definite buyer. That was right after the 2002 405HP came out and the salesman thought it was pretty special. (It was torch red, which isn't my color). Since it was used, I figured they were ashholes and didn't deserve my business anyway, so I found a better color with fewer miles at a lower price.

Similarly, I recently bought a new Kawasaki ZZR600 street bike. My local dealer said they never let anyone test ride new bikes--they don't road-prep them until sold and they don't want to sell used bikes as if they were new. I kinda like that concept, since some car dealers will sell "new" cars that the dealer has been using as his personal ride for a month or two.

 

[Tuna]

Check with you local Vette club members also. I'm sure someone in the club will let you test drive a C6.

 

[Chrisr]

Here in NJ, I've had no problem test driving a C6. Both my local dealers will gladly hand you the keys for a terst drive. The service manager from the local dealer who sponsors our Vette club, showed up with a C6 Z06 for us to drive!!!!

WOW!!!!! What a kick in the pants that car is!!!!!!!

 

[donsar]

No test ride - no buy!! Very simple. If they don't want the business, go to another dealer. Case closed.

 

[jrose7004]

I've test driven them in OKC.

 

[hzl6cm]

I had a couple of different test drives before buying my '04 Z06. Even looked at a low (less than 1600 miles) '03 that the dealer told me to take home for the weekend and show it to my wife - the second time he told me that I took advantage of it!

 

[Red Vette]

I think it depends on the dealer, as the posts indicate. When I went to purchase a vette in 05, I stopped by Burt Chevrolet in Denver area. Saleman said they did not have one in stock, but he would call me when one arrived and I could "sit" in it. Nice salesman, even went to back room to get a brochure for me. Went to Bozarth in Lone Tree afterwards and purchased a used red convertible. They offered to let me test drive any model of the the vettes they had in stock, even the new C6 on the lot. Wonderful experience. They told me that if they did not what I wanted, they would search for one and get it for me. All that I told them was that I wanted to purchase a corvette. A week later when I got the call from the Burt salesman to come in and "sit" in their latest arrival, I thanked him politely, but declined the offer and told him I was going to sit in my vette and drive home. Much later, was at Stevinson in Golden and was talking to salesman, and he told me they don't allow everyone to test drive a corvette, but since I was wearing a corvette ball cap, had my vette in for service, and evidently knew a great deal about the corvette, the salesman said the dealership would have no problem letting me test drive a corvette. In short, it depends on the dealer's philosophy and the way they view the perspective customer. Otherwise, everyone would be in to test drive without any intention of buying. I like dealerships that evaluate the perspective buyer and then accomodate his/her wishes. A flat "no" means that I will never go to that dealer again. Just my opinion.

 

[NORTY]

I was offered the key fob and told to "Go enjoy the car!" I told the salesman I would really like a "Z06." (I thought I just saved myself $45,000!)
Damn if he didn't call 6 days later and say,"We've got a Z06 in here that's available."
I asked what color it is.
He said,"It's burnt orange"
I told him I'd be down in a half hour to look at it.
I get there and there are about 5 guys hovering over the car.
I drove it home in 1 hour...at MSRP!

Now I have 1 of 282 DSOM Z06's.

 

[Gersh]

Now I have 1 of 282 DSOM Z06's.[/quote]

Congrats! (Best color)
Gersh

 

[Evolution1980]

I agree with Red Vette. The dealers more often than not use their instincts to determine who gets to drive and who doesn't. For a while, I recall hearing that no dealers allowed test drives of the Z06's (pick a year.)
If you are kinda young looking like me and drive up in a daily driver of so-so status, they ain't gonna toss you the keys to a $70K Z06 and say "Come back with it and tell us what ya think!" They sniff you out and size you up ahead of time. If they don't think you aren't even a 'potential' buyer, don't expect a test drive. I question whether or not I could even get a test drive if I drove up in mine...

 

[XS-Style]

After going through sales training at our local caddy dealership, I can say Evo's correct. Everything they do is pretty much a 'feel you out' proccess. Of course, Im counting on that When my finances allow for the purchase of a new 'vette, I intend on going to the chosen dealership in the biggest POS car I can borrow, wearing my shorts and t-shirt, and then pay cash. Maybe I enjoy messing with people more than I should, but I did something similar when I bought the firebird... it was hillarious