Who got to test drive their Z or soon to be Z?
01-07-2003, 08:18 AM
#1
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Who got to test drive their Z or soon to be Z?
A point brought up in another thread got me wondering. How many of you bought the Z car w/out test driving it...
How many of you are insistent on test drives before buying?
How many didn't care and just felt it was the right car w/out a test drive?
I'd love your feedback, even if just a short note.
My personal experience lent to this question. When the new beetle came out, i wanted a test drive. But to no avail, they weren't going to let me drive them anywhere in town. They were just too new and limited availability. Now I didn't really consider a beetle to be *THAT* special so I refused to purchase a car I couldn't drive. Later down the road I was ready to sign the papers on an S2000 based on nothing but reviews (also not available for test drive) but didn't agree with the numbers at that time. So I'm not necessarily consistent.. some cars need a test drive... but the S2000 had nothing but rave reviews and awesome feedback... the Z car also is hard pressed to find a negative press release about the vehicle... winning awards left and right, and still in high demand...
Just my personal feelings on the subject.. what are yours?
Jessie.
How many of you are insistent on test drives before buying?
How many didn't care and just felt it was the right car w/out a test drive?
I'd love your feedback, even if just a short note.
My personal experience lent to this question. When the new beetle came out, i wanted a test drive. But to no avail, they weren't going to let me drive them anywhere in town. They were just too new and limited availability. Now I didn't really consider a beetle to be *THAT* special so I refused to purchase a car I couldn't drive. Later down the road I was ready to sign the papers on an S2000 based on nothing but reviews (also not available for test drive) but didn't agree with the numbers at that time. So I'm not necessarily consistent.. some cars need a test drive... but the S2000 had nothing but rave reviews and awesome feedback... the Z car also is hard pressed to find a negative press release about the vehicle... winning awards left and right, and still in high demand...
Just my personal feelings on the subject.. what are yours?
Jessie.
01-07-2003, 08:23 AM
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Before ordering, I test drove a Z just to get the feel of the cabin layout, check out the shifting, and feel a little bit of the handling. When my Z came in later, however, the first time I drove it was to put gas in it for the dealer - not a real test drive, especially since I'd already paid for it.
Good luck!
WayneTN
Good luck!
WayneTN
01-07-2003, 08:27 AM
#4
I'm a stickler for driving anything before I buy.
Having said that, I put down my deposit for a Z after only sitting in one. A local member then let me drive his Z a month or two later. Now my Z is currently on a boat somewhere in the middle of the Pacific.
Having said that, I put down my deposit for a Z after only sitting in one. A local member then let me drive his Z a month or two later. Now my Z is currently on a boat somewhere in the middle of the Pacific.
01-07-2003, 08:28 AM
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I wasn't going to hand over that kind of money without knowing what I was buying. So, yes, I test drove a Z before I ordered one--of course the test drive made me want the car even more. 
01-07-2003, 08:36 AM
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Originally posted by jessielude
Did all of you who test drove the car buy the one you test drove? Or was it a higher mileage version?
Would you want to buy one that everyone's test drove?
Did all of you who test drove the car buy the one you test drove? Or was it a higher mileage version?
Would you want to buy one that everyone's test drove?
You also asked, "Would you want to buy one that everyone's test drove?" I think you know the answer to that already. Right, Jessie?
WayneTN
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01-07-2003, 08:52 AM
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I think there were ~7000 pre-orders who ordered Zs before the first one was even made! I drove mine before I signed the final papers, but it was just driving my car, not a test drive.
01-07-2003, 09:25 AM
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I rented one, and really put it through its paces, and put my deposit down immediately after. I did test drive the one I bought, a bit, though at that point, something would have to have been seriously wrong with that particular car for me not to buy it.
01-07-2003, 09:26 AM
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7811 people bought them (or at least put a deposit on them) without driving them OR EVEN KNOWING WHAT THE FINAL SPECIFICATIONS WERE GOING TO BE!
For us 7811, knowing that Nissan was going to do it right was enough. If we didn't like our car when it arrived, there were plenty of people waiting to pay a premium for our car (for not having to wait for spec cars to come in).
I personally know of a person who paid $6300 over sticker for a pre-order that was not accepted by the orderer.
For us 7811, knowing that Nissan was going to do it right was enough. If we didn't like our car when it arrived, there were plenty of people waiting to pay a premium for our car (for not having to wait for spec cars to come in).
I personally know of a person who paid $6300 over sticker for a pre-order that was not accepted by the orderer.
01-07-2003, 09:33 AM
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I am buying one in the spring and I have already test drove a Track super black Z. I did have to go to 3 dealership's before I got the test drive. Guess what dealership I am buying my Z from, ya, the one that gave me a test drive. Some dealerships don't know how to do business. BTW, if anyone lives in the Boston area, do not go to Quirk Nissan in Braintree. Rude sales manger!!
01-07-2003, 09:37 AM
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Like others, I would never buy something I have not driven.....got one dealer in Milwaukee to let me drive one....thought it was very stiff at first, but liked it anyway, because of the speed, shifting and handling.......bought from this dealer (under MSRP, by the way), took delivery 1/3/03...Silver Performance model.......absolutely love it. Looked at TTss and Boxsters, liked the 350 for value.
01-07-2003, 09:44 AM
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Originally posted by MSOsr
I personally know of a person who paid $6300 over sticker for a pre-order that was not accepted by the orderer.
I personally know of a person who paid $6300 over sticker for a pre-order that was not accepted by the orderer.
I guess I'm in the minority - I did not pre-order and I did not test drive. First time, I just sat in a CS at the dealership, fell in lust, but somehow walked away.
Came back 2 weeks, sat in a Brickyard, burned w/ even more unrelenting desire, and bought the car I sat in.
I had read all the reviews, and I'm not a racer and I figured it was going to be enough speed and handling w/o me needing to put it through its paces.
01-07-2003, 09:46 AM
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Bought it without a test drive though this is the ONLY car I've ever done this with. I'm a huge fan of the past Z's, and knew I had to have this car faults or not (though the magazine reviews did help dissapate any of these fears).
01-07-2003, 12:24 PM
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I test drove a cancelled order on Oct. 19. It was a Touring AT and there was no way I was buying an AT. But this allowed me to feel/experience the engine and the ride. The car actually sold a week later.
Mine will arrive next month!
Mine will arrive next month!
01-07-2003, 12:55 PM
#20
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Ordered back on Feb 2, 2002 without a test drive, a final HP number, a final weight, and going only by estimated performance numbers (0-60 less than 6 seconds). I just wanted a Z, and I had complete faith in Nissan to do it right.
I can't really think of any other cars I would buy without a test drive, now that I've got the Z. At the time I was driving a pickup and a Paseo, so practically anything would have been a huge step up in the sportiness department.
The only other car I was considering was the S2000, but I didn't want a convertible, so there wasn't really anything else for me to get.
-D'oh!
I can't really think of any other cars I would buy without a test drive, now that I've got the Z. At the time I was driving a pickup and a Paseo, so practically anything would have been a huge step up in the sportiness department.
The only other car I was considering was the S2000, but I didn't want a convertible, so there wasn't really anything else for me to get.
-D'oh!