Driving with no intent to buy

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot)
12/22/2015 at 14:30 • Filed to: None

There’s a dealership near me that has a ‘13 Challenger for sale. It’s too high priced, I’m not looking for another car at the moment, but I’m curious on how it drives. I’m guessing it would be mean- spirited if I ask for a test drove it, right?

At least, I figure it is. I don’t know how dealers operate, but I just imagine me test driving would be wasting their time, right?

DISCUSSION (32)

d15b > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 14:34

If you can, go test drive a bunch of cars at a Carmax.

yitznewton > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 14:34

I dunno, I’m pretty loose about this. The qualifying question for me is, would you ever buy one? I test-drove a lot of different stuff, including a Porsche Cayman that I didn’t think I’d ever buy. Who knows, maybe you will fall for it? For that matter my first S2000 test drive was really more curiosity than intent, and I ended up buying one.

I wouldn’t have gone into a dealership and asked to test-drive a new Porsche or something, because I could never have afforded that.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 14:37

I’m kind of with you on this one - I personally wouldn’t go to the dealership with the intent to test drive a car I know I can’t/wouldn’t buy.

That said, I did test drive an FR-S after the salesman offered. I went in strictly to look, just wanted to see one in the flesh. I made it very clear that I was not in a position then, or anytime in the next year+ to buy a new car. But I struck a good rapport with the salesman and he basically said “It’s a really slow day here, I’m bored, let’s go for a test drive” so I took him up on it.

Rainbow > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 14:40

They want you to do that. Most people (in general. It’s probably a lot smaller here) have no intention of buying the car that they end up buying. Part of the dealership’s job is to make you fall in love with a car that you didn’t know you wanted, and giving you a test drive is the easiest way to do that.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 14:40

I think it’s fine to test drive a car (especially a non-unusual one) if you would ever buy one. Doubly fine if it’s a used car, rather than a car they are trying to deliver to the ultimate buyer with minimal miles.

Twinpowermeansoneturbo > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 14:44

Only the worst kinds of people go test drive without any intention to buy. That is the salespersons livelihood, and in the time he’s wasting with you, he could potentially lose a sale.

zeontestpilot > Snuze: Needs another Swede
12/22/2015 at 14:48

That’s what I figured. To my understanding, for a dealer time should be spent making a profit, not spent on people who won’t buy. Of course, this is the same dealership who keeps asking/bothering me to sell them my pt cruiser, so...yeah...

zeontestpilot > yitznewton
12/22/2015 at 14:50

It’s about $20k, and I don’t feel comfortable spending more than $10k on a car. I’m really just curious to try other cars, since I drive a fwd.

zeontestpilot > Rainbow
12/22/2015 at 14:52

Ah, but there's no way I can afford it, which is why I'm hesitant in the first place. Its $10k too much for me to consider even buying. I'm just really curious about this, and the other cars on the lot, and how they drive.

Porsche was my first word > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 14:52

So you’re interested in a Challenger. What happens if you like it? You consider buying one. If the dealer gives you a nice experience you tend to come back. So it’s a investment in future, erm, investment. Not mean at all.

edit: Even if you don’t like it it’s not mean. You wouldn’t buy it then even if you were up to a new car.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 14:53

Call and ask if you can first. Say you won’t be buying anytime in the next year. See if maybe they have a slow time because you don’t want to keep them from paying customers. Maybe when they first open on Saturday, tell them it’s a car you’re aspiring to and want to know if you should bother saving up for one.

Up front and honest should make this ok. I know a lot of people get really worked up about it, but as long as you’re up front there shouldn’t be a problem. Sales guy can tell you to hit the bricks if he’s busy.

Nerd-Vol > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 14:53

As someone who sells cars, it’s not a nice thing to do. Especially if the dealership is busy. I would be unhappy to know that I might have missed a chance at selling a car to a real customer and putting bread on my table so that someone could go on a joy ride.

Go on a Wednesday morning. Typically a slow time.

traderQAMobileTestAutomationMobileBoostOn > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 14:54

It constantly feels big, you need to get used to that. At first it was hard to find the right spot in the lane. But now it’s just like any other car.

Power is plentiful but never overwhelming with the 5.7, although it does take a moderate stab of the throttle to kick it out of 4cyl mode when I want to speed up. No feedback from me on the V6 or SRT8. The 5-speed auto does the job well, nothing too exceptional.

The C-Pillars produce large blind spots, but the mirrors can be adjusted to get around that.

A glance in the mirror to see the rear haunch behind the quarter window is one of the best parts about the car.

zeontestpilot > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
12/22/2015 at 14:55

Is a challenger non-unusual? It’s the 3.6L engine. But I wouldn’t buy it, I prefer 4 door cars, since family.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 14:55

There are a ton of them in rental fleets, so unless it’s a Hellcat I say nope.

EDIT: Or wait, yep? Whatever answer means “they are not unusual”. :)

zeontestpilot > Twinpowermeansoneturbo
12/22/2015 at 14:57

That’s what I figured. if he was salary and not commission, I’d be more willing too. Bummer, looks like i need to find a challenger owner and be best buds with him then.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 15:02

It depends on the traffic at the dealer. If the dealer is accustomed to a bunch of tire kickers, they will want to screen you to see if you’re even remotely interested in buying a car. This happens a lot where I am in California; it’s routine for a dealer to be reluctant to let you put miles on their inventory unless it’s a slow-selling non-special-edition.

I actually test drove a ‘15 Challenger R/T, but it took some convincing. I’d like to buy one someday, and that’s enough of a justification that I’m not there to waste their time.

zeontestpilot > d15b
12/22/2015 at 15:09

Unfortunately there's none in my area, or even my state (I think).

zeontestpilot > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
12/22/2015 at 15:14

Huh, I like this angle a lot. I think I'll try this.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 15:15

Tell them you’re not looking to buy yet but you’re also considering this because you want a coupe but also something big enough to occasionally take the kids. Bring a child and a baby seat. *They’ll baby. They’re actually pretty huge*

You won’t be disappointed. The Pentastar V6 is pretty quick. The RT is nasty, and the 392 is just amazing.

zeontestpilot > Nerd-Vol
12/22/2015 at 15:16

That’s what I’d like to avoid, wasting their time.

Nerd-Vol > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 15:18

They open Christmas Eve?

That's a really slow day.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 15:19

I would just give them the opportunity to say no, if you’re not interested in actually buying then I can’t waste their time.

If they say, sure we’ve got nothing going at this time, go then. And if you get there and he has a real customer, say i’d be happy to wait until they are done so you don’t take away from a sale.

Tripper > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 15:24

Take it for a spin! The TD is part of the deal if you show some interest in a car. Test driving with no intent to buy is no different than test driving it and deciding you can’t afford it after you have had some time to think about it.

I think the biggest thing for car dealers is to get you on the lot. Once you are there, they have a barrage of tactics to get you to buy a car and the TD is just one of them.

I called about a test drive in a BMW 1M Coupe when they were being released, and the saleswoman said that the only way to guarantee a TD in such a limited production car was to put down a deposit. I told her that I probably couldn’t buy it but I that I did really want to drive one. She said “you never know, and even if you can’t we have lots of other fun cars”.

I put a deposit down with every intention of driving it, but I was out of the country when my number came up. They returned my deposit and told me that the could not hold it until I got back, and it sold the same day for above sticker!

zeontestpilot > Nerd-Vol
12/22/2015 at 15:25

Umm, no idea, but I'm working that day. I think I'll try MontegoMan's way, call ahead and be upfront and honest.

Nerd-Vol > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 15:31

That would be fun. I'd tell you to come in and ask for one of my coworkers by name. Lol.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Nerd-Vol
12/22/2015 at 16:13

What would you say to me if I walked in and made my intentions perfectly clear? As follows:

1. I have no intention of buying today. Maybe not even for a year or so.

2. I want this test drive to see if I should spend money modding my current vehicle, or if I should save up to later get the one I want to test.

3. I have no intention of buying today.

Nerd-Vol > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
12/22/2015 at 16:27

I have no issue with folks not buying today.

I’m usually pretty nice, so I would oblige you with a short drive if it’s slow.

That said, if people are a year out on a used car that isn’t common to our lot, I’ll usually not offer a test drive.

It's difficult. I want to provide great customer service, but I don't want to waste time with someone who has no interest at all.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Nerd-Vol
12/22/2015 at 16:32

OK, that’s good. I would say I have interest (For the record, I’m thinking of the Duramax Colorado. I’m currently driving a 1st gen with the V8.) but I’m not quite sure which option I would enjoy more, the LS 5.3 vs the turbo diesel.

When are dealers usally slow? I’ll try to bug them then :)

Nerd-Vol > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
12/22/2015 at 16:37

Tuesday-Thursday mornings tend to be slow.

Hopefully I didn't come off as a grump or anything.

911e46z06 > zeontestpilot
12/22/2015 at 17:08

I do it all the time.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Nerd-Vol
12/22/2015 at 17:31

No, you came off fine. Thanks