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2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

Who got to test drive their Z or soon to be Z?

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Old Jan 7, 2003 | 08:23 AM
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I test drove a Z before buying. Yes, it was important to me.
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Old Jan 7, 2003 | 08:23 AM
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From: TennessZee
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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
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Old Jan 7, 2003 | 08:27 AM
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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.
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Old Jan 7, 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.
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Old Jan 7, 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?
I test drove one that was sitting in the showroom. They took it out of the showroom for me. It was fairly new, but had been driven before.

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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Old Jan 7, 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.
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Old Jan 7, 2003 | 08:57 AM
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we were ready to buy it, they knew that. all we had to do was drive it, last thing, we all knew the test drive wasnt gonna change our minds, so they let us. 2 seperate drives actually. and it was the car we were buying.

we obviously like it.
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Old Jan 7, 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.
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Old Jan 7, 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.
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Old Jan 7, 2003 | 09:32 AM
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Test drive! Ha! I hadn't even seen one in person when I pre-ordered my Z - I ordered almost a year ago (1.15.02)!

-Ethan
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Old Jan 7, 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!!
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Old Jan 7, 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.
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Old Jan 7, 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.
Wow, CRAZY!!

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.
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Old Jan 7, 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).
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Old Jan 7, 2003 | 11:16 AM
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My dealer let me drive before I signed. I came back to the dealer with 47 miles on the car! I think he knew I was keeping her!
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Old Jan 7, 2003 | 12:17 PM
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I preordered and when it came in 'was so excited I forgot to test drive.
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Old Jan 7, 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!
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Old Jan 7, 2003 | 12:55 PM
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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!
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