4 ms·

>Can you drive a car for free (for 5 - 8 hours) until you decide that's the car you want to buy? This is a perfect analogy. I went to a Chevy dealer once, ask

by vba616 4y ago

>Can you drive a car for free (for 5 - 8 hours) until you decide that's the car you want to buy? This is a perfect analogy. I went to a Chevy dealer once, asked if I could test drive a car and they wouldn't even let me take it off the lot. I was allowed to trundle around the rows of cars at walking speed with a salesman in the passenger seat. I went to a Honda dealer, and they let me take a test drive with a chaperone, but only around a short designated loop of streets "for insurance reasons". I went to a Mazda dealer, and the salesman said he was busy and tossed me the keys and said have fun. An acquaintance went to a Subaru dealer, and took the car they were considering home overnight. You a Chevy.

version_five 4y ago
Going further off topic, it amazes me how cagey some dealers can be about test drives. Same as you, I've had some just toss me the keys, without even wanting to see my drivers license, and that makes an infinitely better impression than wanting to come with me or wanting to talk about my needs first. I don't understand why it's not standard. I think it's more up to the individual dealer than a policy of a given brand
- KerrAvon 4y ago
  It's sometimes useful if the salesperson can tell you things about features of the car while you're driving, but usually I know more about the car than they do.
- zeroonetwothree 4y ago
  I'm sure that some brands/locations have essentially zero risk of theft while for others it's a bigger concern. It's similar to how some places you can just pay in full with a personal check and they are fine with it (even not doing a credit check), while others won't accept that.
KerrAvon 4y ago
Insane. You've got to at least test drive on a highway. Some years ago, a Nissan dealer offered to let me take a high-end crossover home for the night without any prompting. Ended up buying it. Would buy again from that dealer if I were still in that area.
- phist_mcgee 4y ago
  If it's insured, it's no skin off their nose. Gestures of goodwill go a long way in sales, that's why people love to pay for coffee or lunch when out with potential customers.
- zeroonetwothree 4y ago
  I've bought three cars in my life and never drove any of them before buying. I know it's unusual but they've all been great. I did do a lot of research ahead of time though.

by vba616 4y ago

version_five 4y ago

Going further off topic, it amazes me how cagey some dealers can be about test drives. Same as you, I've had some just toss me the keys, without even wanting to see my drivers license, and that makes an infinitely better impression than wanting to come with me or wanting to talk about my needs first. I don't understand why it's not standard. I think it's more up to the individual dealer than a policy of a given brand

KerrAvon 4y ago
It's sometimes useful if the salesperson can tell you things about features of the car while you're driving, but usually I know more about the car than they do.
zeroonetwothree 4y ago
I'm sure that some brands/locations have essentially zero risk of theft while for others it's a bigger concern. It's similar to how some places you can just pay in full with a personal check and they are fine with it (even not doing a credit check), while others won't accept that.

KerrAvon 4y ago

Insane. You've got to at least test drive on a highway. Some years ago, a Nissan dealer offered to let me take a high-end crossover home for the night without any prompting. Ended up buying it. Would buy again from that dealer if I were still in that area.

phist_mcgee 4y ago
If it's insured, it's no skin off their nose. Gestures of goodwill go a long way in sales, that's why people love to pay for coffee or lunch when out with potential customers.
zeroonetwothree 4y ago
I've bought three cars in my life and never drove any of them before buying. I know it's unusual but they've all been great. I did do a lot of research ahead of time though.