"Uug" (oogu)
06/05/2015 at 12:59 • Filed to: None
3
54|
"Uug" (oogu)
06/05/2015 at 12:59 • Filed to: None | 3
| 54 |
Story after the jump
I have time to burn and not much to do, so yesterday I was browsing Oppo and found some content on the Mitsubishi Mirage. I can’t help but sort of like the car; it is honest about what it is. These days almost every car is trying to move upmarket with more “standard equipment” and eyewatering option packages.
The Mirage is no mirage—it is a cheap car designed to move people and get great mileage doing so. I kinda want to test drive one equipped with the 5 speed, I think it’d be a cool city car. One issue: I have no intentions of buying one. Mitsubishi is struggling, and I’d rather not give a salesman false hope. I could very well be the high point of some guy’s workday...I don’t want to feign interest and have homeboy all happy that someone walked through the door
So, as the headline says: Is it wrong to test drive a car you have no intention of buying?
Rainbow
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:03 |
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Not at all. Dealers WANT you to. That way, they can try to make you fall in love with it.
TheHondaBro
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:06 |
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Yes, because you’re basically wasting the time of a salesperson who could be actually selling a car to someone genuinely interested.
Tesla is okay though. Test drives are their version of advertisements.
CaptDale - is secretly British
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:07 |
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That’s how dealerships work. I go just to see if maybe I do want a new car.
justAnother G6
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:08 |
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Pssssh. No. That is how I taught my wife how to drive stick. #thankyouVW #thankyouIAfornotrequireingsalespeopleridewithontestdrives #prettysureimdoingthisright #right?
Twism
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:08 |
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Yes.
that salesman is actually working, trying to earn money (and most of it comes from actually selling cars) so wasting 1-2 hours of his workday for absolutely nothing is bad.
Try to find someone you know who has bought one (they exist, I think) instead.
I used to do it a lot, but then I worked in sales and it karma teached me just how shitty this is.
There are usually drive events organized either by dealerships or the manufacturer itself; maybe you could find one of those? you can then drive all their car’s lineup for free (plus, there is sometime a small cone section so you can pretend you’re at an autocross!) and you won’t waste anyone’s time.
HammerheadFistpunch
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:09 |
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Nope.
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:14 |
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Yes. Because a good salesman is going to make you buy something you don’t want/need.
JKER
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:15 |
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It’s ok if you tell them upfront that you have no intention of buying but you ask politely to test drive it anyway. If they have time and don’t mind, then go for it.
However, if you act like you are thinking about buying it just to get a test drive, you’re an asshole.
RallyWrench
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:17 |
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From a dealer, I’d say yes as long as you’re clear that you’re shopping. From private party, no.
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Uug
> Twism
06/05/2015 at 13:19 |
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Yeah, as much as I want to drive one I’d rather not waste someone’s time. Somebody’s livelihood is more important than me behind the wheel of an economy car.
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Uug
> JKER
06/05/2015 at 13:20 |
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I see what you mean. If I tell them I have no intention of buying it then I’ll feel like an asshole the entire time though
thebigbossyboss
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:23 |
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Nope. Go for it. You’re trying to learn about the car. I don’t go around test driving all the cars, but it’s not wrong to learn about them.
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thebigbossyboss
> RallyWrench
06/05/2015 at 13:24 |
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Agreed.
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JKER
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:25 |
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Well feeling like an asshole is better than being one.
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Uug
> TheHondaBro
06/05/2015 at 13:25 |
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I don’t think Tesla would even let me finish a sentence haha
I’m in my early 20’s and pulling up in an old cr-v doesn’t help either
Dunnik
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:25 |
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Despite the fact they look pretty good, why would somebody put Honda wheels on a TL?
Anyway, yes, it is wrong. Don’t waste the salesman’s time, even though yes, Mitsu is struggling and he’s probably got time on his hands. It’s still wrong to troll somebody like that.
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thebigbossyboss
> Twism
06/05/2015 at 13:26 |
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I disagree. *someday* I will need a new car. Not this month, not next month. But maybe next year or the year after. How am I supposed to learn what I want without test driving stuff?
A test drive doesn’t waste that much time. 15 minutes does not make or break a salesman day, he has the whole day and you took up roughly 1/60th of it.
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TheHondaBro
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:26 |
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We pulled up in a 2000 Accord and test-drove a P85D.
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Uug
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
06/05/2015 at 13:27 |
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I’m a softie/pushover. I’d lie in the salesman’s face if he put in effort to pitch the car to me just to not hurt his feelings :/
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Uug
> CaptDale - is secretly British
06/05/2015 at 13:28 |
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My friends have told me this, but I still feel bad about it.
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Uug
> justAnother G6
06/05/2015 at 13:28 |
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#lolithinkso
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:30 |
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In my opinion, be up front with the dealer. Even say, I’m interested in the car but I have ZERO INTENTION of buying today, or even tomorrow. But if you have time I AM interested in X car and would like to try it out and see if I should be saving up for it. They may tell you to leave, but at least you’re not leading them on. They are aware every test drive does not equal a sale.
If it’s a private seller - absolutely not. Only serious inquiries should be made on private sales.
deekster_caddy
> Twism
06/05/2015 at 13:36 |
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It’s very reasonable (IMO) to tell a salesman “I’m not in the market right now, but I’m considering this car for down the road when I can afford it.” or something like that. If he’s good he’ll probably let you test drive without wasting his time, if he’s a jerk he’ll waste both of your time trying to close a sale that was never going to happen in the first place. But it’s okay to say “I’d like to test drive this but I have no intention of buying right now.” It’s all about the approach.
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deekster_caddy
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:38 |
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No, if you tell them you have no intention of buying it you are doing the right thing. You are asking for a test drive, that’s why dealerships exist. They may say ‘go ahead’, they may say ‘get lost’. I would expect a ‘get lost’ for an expensive sports car (obvious joyride) but not for this. Who are they to know if your test drive might or might not result in a completely different sale to a different person down the road... Absolutely no reason for you to feel like an asshole if you are upfront about what you are doing.
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deekster_caddy
> justAnother G6
06/05/2015 at 13:40 |
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damn, I had to teach my wife how to drive stick _AFTER_ the test drive, b/c nobody kept the car we wanted in stock with a stick. She learned like a champ though (I knew she would) and that car has 110K still on the original clutch.
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Uug
> Dunnik
06/05/2015 at 13:45 |
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Good eye. The picture (not mine, btw) was actually taken in Japan, so technically that is a Honda. Also that is a TSX, or their Accord Euro-R and I think those wheels are stock on that car.
And yeah I think you’re probably right, trolling in real life isn’t all that funny.
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Uug
> TheHondaBro
06/05/2015 at 13:45 |
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Hngggh don’t tempt me
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Uug
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/05/2015 at 13:47 |
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Yeah I wouldn’t dare ask a private seller unless I had asking price in hand. Your opinion is kinda where I stand. I think that if the salesman has any spare time and is willing I wouldn’t say no, but I’d have to be upfront that I’m not buying the car.
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Uug
> thebigbossyboss
06/05/2015 at 13:52 |
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Yeah I honestly just want to see what a 2015 true econobox is like. I’ve driven plenty of 90’s economy cars but none of the new ones
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Uug
> Rainbow
06/05/2015 at 13:53 |
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The thing is I’ll pretend to love the car if the guy tries to make me like it just so his effort doesn’t go unrewarded.
Shift24
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 13:58 |
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Kind of a catch 22. You find a car your interested in stats, reputation, or whatever but dont have the money or intention of buying one. Doubtful a friend has one so thats a no go, cant do it on craigslist (youll piss the wrong someone off) and if its a dealer he is losing time and money so you fell like an jerk.
The only real solution is Carmax. They rip people off left and right with their prices (i know two wrongs dont make a right but three lefts do..), they are not really supposed to force you into buying it, I think they are paid hourly (could be wrong), and its a Big corporation so they can afford to lose some time.
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Twism
> deekster_caddy
06/05/2015 at 14:01 |
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But if he has no intention of buying it, as stated in the question (and I hope so, it’s a freaking mirage), there’s no point for the salesman to lose its time for a test-drive.
what’s in it for him? he’s going to lose 20-30 min of his day on a pointless test-drive, and may get flak for wasting company fuel because he didn’t sell that Mirage.
If he agrees to a test-drive, it’s because he will try showing just how affordable the car is further down the line.
Tom McParland
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 14:01 |
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Here is the right way to handle this...call the dealer up and tell them you are a young person who blogs about cars and you are really interested to see how the Mirage drives so you can write about it. (I’m assuming you will write about it on Oppo). Say that you would be happy to mention the dealership in your post (All you have to do is say Thank you to so and so dealer for letting me drive the car ). You can also mention that you might be interested in buying one but not for a few years. Ask if you can maybe come in some time and take one for a spin. Usually dealers are pretty dead in the early mornings during the week. They might be open to it.
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thebigbossyboss
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 14:06 |
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do it.
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CaptDale - is secretly British
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 14:06 |
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I don’t. If anything it helps me give information about cars when people ask. Plus its fun
CalzoneGolem
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 14:07 |
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If you’re upfront with the salesman I don’t think it’s a problem. It doesn’t seem like much work to copy your license and hand you the keys.
JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 14:38 |
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I would just make it clear that you don’t really plan on buying.
Hell, we were at the Honda dealership the other day testing the HRV and CRV. While we waited for them to do an appraisal, the dealer let us test a manual Fit and the Civic SI!
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 14:43 |
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I had no intention of buying a BRZ when I test drove it. I just wanted to see what the hype was all about. Now I own a BRZ.
nerd_racing
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 14:51 |
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As long as you are up front that you are browsing and not really in the market to buy the car. You are just looking to test drive it to see what it’s like, then no, there is nothing wrong with it. Heck that’s how I bought my Mazda 2. I said hey I want to drive one of those. Mentioned to the dealer that I wasn’t interested in buying one but I liked them and was curious how they drove. I loved the experience, they ran my credit, and a couple days later I committed to pay for it over 5 years.
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SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 15:02 |
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If it’s a cray cray neon color, how could you
not
love it? For how shitty all of the reviews are, it seems like a surprising number of journalists are giving their press Mirages names.
sm70- why not Duesenberg?
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 15:10 |
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We do it sometimes, but there are stipulations as to when I think it’s okay.
1. You only do it from a dealership. Never bother someone who is trying to sell their own car if you don’t want to buy it.
2. Don’t make it ridiculous. We might test drive something slightly out of the question for us, but we’d never ask to drive a Ferrari or something.
3. Tell the dealer up front that you will not be puling the trigger on this car in the near future, and that you just want to see it.
4. Don’t drive the car like it’s some sort of joy ride. That goes for any test drive.
5. Pick a day and a time when the dealership is slow, like mid-afternoon on a week day. Don’t go Saturday morning or a busy time when you’re preventing a salesman from helping an actual interested party and making money.
6. If that dealership is helpful and accommodating when you come to see a car you don’t actually plan on buying, keep them in mind and maybe give them business when it does come time for you to buy a car.
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Uug
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
06/05/2015 at 15:12 |
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lol inb4 I own a Mirage in a year
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Uug
> nerd_racing
06/05/2015 at 15:12 |
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I respect it. I think that’s what I’m going to do sometime this week
52ndstate
> deekster_caddy
06/05/2015 at 15:14 |
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“I’m not in the market right now, but I’m considering this car for down the road when I can afford it.”
Sorry, that I just can’t get onboard with. You’ve pretty much led off by saying you can’t afford it, and the salesman’s mind, pretty much guaranteed that you never will be able to in a reasonable time horizon. I have no problem test driving and making it clear that I’ll be in the market “in the next year” or something like that sets reasonable expectations, but I want him to at least think there’s chance of a sale at some point.
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Uug
> sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/05/2015 at 15:44 |
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Those are some great stipulations, and yeah I’d never bother a private seller unless I had cash in hand ready to buy the car at asking (or a priorly agreed upon) price.
I’m scared of asking VW to test drive a GTI (even though I’m sort of in their target demographic for one) so I’ll definitely keep it realistic (Mirage/Chevy Spark/Fit range).
Thank you
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Uug
> Tom McParland
06/05/2015 at 15:52 |
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Brilliant. I actually screenshot your reply so I can have it on hand if/when I call.
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Uug
> Shift24
06/05/2015 at 15:56 |
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If I go to Carmax, lord knows I’ll be test driving something more than a Mirage.
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Uug
> JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/05/2015 at 15:56 |
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Yeah that seems to be the consensus. How was the Fit? I actually kind of like the new ones, but the first gens still catch my attention.
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JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
> Uug
06/05/2015 at 16:14 |
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Way nicer than I expected. Blows the previous gens out of the water. Really good manual and more than enough power from it. I enjoyed it
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deekster_caddy
> Twism
06/05/2015 at 16:30 |
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I’ve been on a test drive where I explained that I wasn’t buying today and didn’t want to waste anyone’s time, and was handed the keys to a car with a dealer plate and “be back in 20 minutes please”. No salesman came with me, he asked a few polite questions when I came back, that was it. I see no problem with this, and I was better able to explain that car to somebody else another day.
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deekster_caddy
> 52ndstate
06/05/2015 at 16:32 |
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Okay, right. Either a little white lie, or just say “I’m just curious about it. I have no intention of buying.” And they may let you, or may not. Either way, no harm done, no implied sale.
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Twism
> deekster_caddy
06/05/2015 at 16:42 |
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That’s nice, although it’s the first time I heard about a dealership giving away a car just like that (and it was strictly against policy where I worked).
But if it’s done like that, I see no problem with it.
MonkeePuzzle
> Uug
06/15/2015 at 16:10 |
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what a pretty civic you have provided for me to gaze upon. I do adore the content from the chronicles
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Uug
> MonkeePuzzle
06/15/2015 at 20:32 |
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Yeah bro, the chronicles is my ish. I don’t care about style as much as he does but I can’t lie, the content and cars are top notch.