Me: "I'm interested in the 350z and would like to schedule a test drive"

Slimey Dealer: looking at me like a just kicked him in da ballz and stole his first born "are you interesting in buying?"

me:"uhhh yes"

Slimey Dealerr: "well we don't allow test drives, 350z buyers don't want a car with a lot of miles on it"

me: "so new Maxima buyers want a lot of miles on their new car?"

Slimey Dealer:"uhhh"

me"how am i supposed to know whether i want the car without test driving it?"

Slimey Delar:"uhhh"

me"buh bye, i'll find a dealer who actually allows test drives, thanks"

Did others experience a similiar thing, it aint like I was at the ferrrari dealership or something...this is a freaking Nissan for god's sake...i currently have a badass Lexus

 

i hope you actually kicked the guy in the ***** then... i'm sure i would have

 

Slimey dealer lost sale! I didn't have any problems with a test drive. I know when they first came out the dealers were a little tight with them but that certainly shouldn't be the case now.

 

you mean you got to test drive what the dealers beleive is the holy grail of modern automobiles?


i got to sit in one with the engine running
i got to rev the engine once
oh... im sure revving the engine isnt going to be as bad or worse as an actual drive


new Z owner: so, uhh... i bought the car yesterday... why is the engine all ... 'crappy' feeling? is that supposed to happen?
its like all jaggy feeling and stuff... i dunno
slimer: well, uh, sir, uhh... we dont know- you are the first to drive it, so uh, it should be perfect *customer service grimace*
new Z owner: grumblegrumblegrumble

 

Well, he was right about that point. But then again, buying a car without driving it first is like playing russian roulette, in a sense.

I mean me personally, I wouldn't want to have a test drive dog... especially a performance vehicle. Because I can guarantee most of those test drive miles were put on by annonymous people that were wringing out that motor like a chamois. Not exactly proper break-in etiquette. And so, the more miles that go on it, the less people want to buy it, and the harder they try to sell it to you.

Do what I do, take a ride in their test drive dog, and then order a completely different one! "Well, we'll have to do a dealership scan for a match." What, so I can have some other dealership's test drive dog?? Forget that, order me a brand new one- and I'm gonna be right here when it gets here.

 

dealers are over hyping the z... i could understand not being able to test drive a brand new lambo.. but comon.. it is a nissan.. 350z yes, but still a nissan.. nissan parts, nissan engine, nissan quality...

my salesman was stunned that i planned on swapping out the stereo...his exact words were "You're going to change the radio on a Z???"

i just could not believe what i was hearing

 

lol!


BUT ITS A BOSE!!!!!
it sucks, ... but... but still...
ARGH!






oh, and on the radio... what were they thinking?

 

stop bitching. i bought my Z without being able to test drive it. it had 5 miles on it - you just know it's a great car. sit in the driver seat. take other people's testimonial, do some research on the net/magazines. think about how many clowns are out there.... combine the clowns with careless salespersons. those that want to allow test drives, well be it.

 

A friend of mine in Nor Cal ran into similar probs a few months ago.

I've gotten test drives, but one dealer insisted on a credit check first because they wanted to make sure I was "serious about buying". I unfortunately hadn't done my homework and fell into the newbie trap of saying yes. Weird *** dealership, they were pushy like hell, it was the end of the June, and they kept insisting on MSRP.

I've put down my deposit for an 04 Enthustiast elsewhere and at a much better price.

 

About a month ago I stopped by a local dealer hoping to check out a 350 but they didn't have any at the time. The salesman told me he would give me a call when they got one in and that I could drive it. A couple weeks later I got a call from the dealership and went down to check it out. There was a new salesperson because the last guy no longer worked there. The car was out on a test so I talked to the new salesman. He told me how the Z was a 5 speed with 258 hp and a bunch of other crap that showed his ignorance about the car. When it came back I asked the woman who had test driven it how she liked it and she said "it's a man's car, too rough for me" and promptly left. The car was a silver touring and I'd already told the guy I was looking for Daytona blue, but the salesman said "so are you going to buy it?" I said not this one and I still wanted to check out a couple other cars before making a decision. He told me how I was being stupid for not buying the car and after I told him that I also looked at a Boxster he told me that Porsches are just Volkswagons and that buying one is a big mistake. Anyway, since he doen't give "joy rides" he wouldn't let me drive it and then out of nowhere says that the car is sold. Hopefully one day I can buy one from somebody else and stop by to show him the car he didn't sell me.

 

I can see it both ways...

As posted before https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=35428

see my thoughts, 6th post

Peace

 

My dealership has a black touring that they use for test drives. The engine was broken in by a salesman and is very strong. He told me to run through 4 gears to redline on a straight nearby. It was awesome, the attitude of the salesman and the performance of the car. I ordered a Lemans Sunset roadster loaded from this guy. He said, let er rip. directed me to a parking lot where I could try the ABS, the positraction LSD. I even went around in figure 8s at 30 MPH in the lot and the car was tight.

This guy knew how to sell a car to an enthusiast like me. I drove up in a 2000 celica. Nothing special. I loved the car and bought one. Now I wait. and wait. and wait. (GOD I hate the waiting!!!!!)

Red

 

I was driving by the local Chrysler dealer yesterday and noticed a Crossfire out front. I pulled in and three salesman nearly knocked each other down coming over to check out the Z.

As soon as I asked for a test drive of the Crossfire, one of the sales guy asked if he could test drive my Z!!!! That's the first time I've ever heard that one!!

By the way, about 15 seconds later it started to rain like crazy, so I told them I'd come back and drive the Xfire.

 

I plan on finding a new dealership...I'm itching to trade in my Lexus es300...this time I'll pull up in a limousine with some fake hired dudes in suits, black sunglasses and greased up hair yelling "step away from Mr. Wiggler" to all the slimey salespeople...i'll carry a mysterious chrome briefcase and wear my cell phone earpiece and mumble phrases like "sell 50,000 shares immediately you twit"...then i'll yell "i need a test drive of the Z immediately or one of my body gaurds will kick you in da ballz"...how's that sound?

 

Should have went in and told the general manager that you are sorry that your salesmen don't allow test drives of the Z that you are ready to buy...BUH BYE.

 

I wasn't even in the market for the Z yet. I walked up to a dealer, acted like I knew exactly what I wanted, a SS Track. They only had a Black Track, and I insisted I wanted the SS one. I knew everything about the car so the guy didn't even try to talk stupid to me.

I asked if I could test drive....he paused for 2 seconds then said you can drive the enthusiast. Got to go for a couple of miles. I told him I was only interested in the SS Track and wanted to know when they would have the Nismo parts....until then I wouldn't commit to anything.

So, in the end I got a free test drive and only had to put on a little show, wasn't even at the dealer I am going to buy from when the time comes.

 

FREE??!?!..are some dealers actually charging or something?

 

Free only in the sense that I didn't have to work at that hard...didn't have to put any deposit or credit check, or say I was definately going to buy it.

 

KraZ, good job! What TERRIBLE advise. Go out and plunk down $30K+ on a vehicle you have never driven. That's the stupidest thing that I have ever heard. If someone wants to drive the car they are about to buy, that's hardly bitching.

Dealer's shouldn't be too stingy with their test drives at this point...the market has definately calmed down for the Z. A couple tips on getting the test drive...

One: Call ahead, talk to a salesperson, I like dealing with the fleet manager or internet sales myself.

Two: Wear nice clothes, look the part and they will be more inclined to humor you. If you have any gold teeth or thick necklaces...put them on!

 

I had these problems at Grubb's and Bankston Nissan in the DFW area, when I went in with a friend (he's 23, I'm 21). They kept telling me that it was considered an "exotic" car and that they had to run numbers with me before I could test drive one. It's not that I don't consider the Z a kick *** car, but when I think "exotic" I think 911 Turbo, Ferrari, Lamborghini.

Anyway, I went back two days later with my dad, and before I was even in the door at the same dealership they were asking if I wanted to test drive on of their Z's. So I got to test drive a slightly used Daytona Blue Track Z.