No test drive policy on 08s?

shakes_94133 · 12-22-2007, 10:28 PM

Hi all - first post!

Anyone else running into dealers not willing to offer test drives? I've gotten this at 2 out of 2 dealers in CO so far because I'm not 100% ready to pull the trigger yet. I kind of understand the desire to minimize looky-loo miles, but come on - how can I really decide if I can't drive the freakin' thing?

BTW I'll just say up front that I'm really digging the hatch, flame away if you must...

**Kevin** · 12-22-2007, 11:46 PM

I don't think you will get a lot people flaming you for liking the hatch. Most of the members, unless I am grossly mistaken, have come to appreciate it for what it is.

Good luck in finding one to test drive. If you are serious, let them know that you have narrowed your choice down to X cars, and tell them which cars they are and why you like each one and what you could do without for each one. Explain what is attractive about the STI and your reservations. Ask if putting down a deposit would make them more comfortable with letting you drive the car.

stickytires · 12-23-2007, 12:29 AM

Try scheduling a test drive through email or phone. If you sound serious and show up looking serious they'll let you test drive. I never had a problem test driving all STIs I test drove.

Rootus · 12-23-2007, 12:43 AM

Normal. The reasons why:

1. For Subaru, it's their fastest car, so dealers treat it like it's exotic.
2. High performance cars are popular targets for joy riders.
3. A lot of people are like me, and are only interested in the "6 mile" car if we're paying the brand new price. I don't want the test drive whore, beating on the car is *my* privilege.
4. These cars aren't produced in enough numbers to glut the market, they are easy to move. The dealer doesn't worry about offending people into not buying the car. Those of who want it will get it.

That said, if you are persistent and show you're serious, it shouldn't be that hard to get a test drive. Try the Internet/Fleet manager. I went in to get mine and told him straight out that before I was signing on the dotted line we were going for a drive or I was leaving. No problems at all. On an earlier occasion when I talked with the floor salesmen they said "Hell no."

STI_VT · 12-23-2007, 06:42 AM

its not uncommon for all the reasons stated above. I ran into this when I was trying to buy my 04. I went in with my wife and told the sales guy that I was sold on the car, but they had to convince my wife who wanted to test drive it first. She never drove the car for the test drive, but I did.

polyol · 12-23-2007, 07:49 AM

What I do is this...

Show up early in the morning at the end of the month. Wear nice clothing, watch, be well groomed. Show up in your current STi if you have one...or your nicest car. Tell them you are going to buy a new STi or EVO or 3-series and cannot decide and will be trading in your current STi (insert other car). Its going to be hard this early in the release of the STi. They were the same way when the 04's came out. By 07 they would hand out test drives of STi like I change my socks.

shakes_94133 · 12-23-2007, 08:15 AM

Thanks everyone for all the tips. I'll give it another go soon.

EarTears · 12-23-2007, 08:50 AM

I'll second the dress and groom nicely. Make them think you have more money than you do, or show what you do have. Has always worked nicely for me when buying a car.

polyol · 12-23-2007, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarTears

I'll second the dress and groom nicely. Make them think you have more money than you do, or show what you do have. Has always worked nicely for me when buying a car.

Oh yeah...I show up to the Subi dealership with my STi and the salesmen are on me like flies on stink...

Go on days were no one is out...like rainy days...early mornings...etc...sometimes they are bored and just want something to do themselves.

sujak · 12-23-2007, 09:00 AM

...When test driving a car, show up in a nice car, like a Porsche to the dealer. Never had problems test driving when doing that.

When buying a car, take casual car. Toyota/Mazda/Honda

They see expensive car and their eyes light up

TuffStuff · 12-23-2007, 09:00 AM

bring a checkbook to show your serious. They gave my dad a credit check b4 we test drove an evo. There was no way they would let me test drive it if I had went by myself even if I had money in hand.Bring a parent.

toogood · 12-23-2007, 09:02 AM

i can imagine it being hard since these are out in few numbers at the dealerships...all i did was hang around the car then when a salesman approached me i looked at him with a serious face and said...i want this car...an he said ok lemme get the keys so that we can test drive it...

...but i really was interested i just wanted to see how the customer service part would work out an it did in my favor

skark_burmer · 12-23-2007, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakes_94133

Hi all - first post!

BTW I'll just say up front that I'm really digging the hatch, flame away if you must...

you are ghey. anyone that likes hatches are ghey.
Just kidding!
If it wasnt for the hatch i would not have even bothered looking at the 08's and was ready to buy a A3.
I have also found that age is an important factor. If you are younger you are seen as less serious, less likely to buy and given less respect as a serious car buyer. I am just now starting to break out of that (im 34) so now when i go to car dealers they are a lot more interested in talking with me. If you are younger it is going to be tough to overcome. Dress and attitude will decide this for you.

when the second wave of STI's come in (45-60 days?) you should have better luck driving one. But like posted earlier, new car, fastest car... less test drives. and when i bought mine i passed over 4 that had a lot of test drive miles on them. One had almost 100, and the test drive loop was 3 miles!

shakes_94133 · 12-23-2007, 11:30 AM

Yeah, the showing up in a nice car bit is a problem for me, I'm rockin' a clapped-out '98 VW Passat at the moment and the wife drives a high mileage '98 Accord. The irony of course is that we're looking to buy a new car precisely because our current rides are getting to be a bit dumpy. OK a lot dumpy in my car's case. Anyone want to lend me their new Porsche so I can go car shopping?

Yeah so I know I've got the scratch for an STI, I guess I just need to flaunt this a bit more to dealers to be taken more seriously...

shakes_94133 · 12-23-2007, 11:35 AM

Too funny skark. BTW I'm 37 so age shouldn't be a factor. I guess I dress pretty poorly for a middle-aged fart. Kinda funny that I have to dress up to go car shopping but I guess everyone here is right - first impressions do go a long way...

12-22-2007, 10:28 PM	#1
shakes_94133 Lurker Car: Red 08 STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Location: Denver, CO Posts: 5 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	No test drive policy on 08s? Hi all - first post! Anyone else running into dealers not willing to offer test drives? I've gotten this at 2 out of 2 dealers in CO so far because I'm not 100% ready to pull the trigger yet. I kind of understand the desire to minimize looky-loo miles, but come on - how can I really decide if I can't drive the freakin' thing? BTW I'll just say up front that I'm really digging the hatch, flame away if you must... This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

12-22-2007, 11:46 PM	#2
Kevin Admin Car: Silver 2004 STI Fav Mod: The Driver Location: Southern California Posts: 12,023 Join Date: Jan 2001 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: No test drive policy on 08s? I don't think you will get a lot people flaming you for liking the hatch. Most of the members, unless I am grossly mistaken, have come to appreciate it for what it is. Good luck in finding one to test drive. If you are serious, let them know that you have narrowed your choice down to X cars, and tell them which cars they are and why you like each one and what you could do without for each one. Explain what is attractive about the STI and your reservations. Ask if putting down a deposit would make them more comfortable with letting you drive the car.

12-23-2007, 12:29 AM	#3
stickytires Senior STI Driver Car: 05.75 WRX STI Fav Mod: Protune Location: Boston / NH / RI Posts: 349 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: No test drive policy on 08s? Try scheduling a test drive through email or phone. If you sound serious and show up looking serious they'll let you test drive. I never had a problem test driving all STIs I test drove.

12-23-2007, 12:43 AM	#4
Rootus S204 Racer Location: Mahan, OR Posts: 2,904 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: No test drive policy on 08s? Normal. The reasons why: 1. For Subaru, it's their fastest car, so dealers treat it like it's exotic. 2. High performance cars are popular targets for joy riders. 3. A lot of people are like me, and are only interested in the "6 mile" car if we're paying the brand new price. I don't want the test drive whore, beating on the car is my privilege. 4. These cars aren't produced in enough numbers to glut the market, they are easy to move. The dealer doesn't worry about offending people into not buying the car. Those of who want it will get it. That said, if you are persistent and show you're serious, it shouldn't be that hard to get a test drive. Try the Internet/Fleet manager. I went in to get mine and told him straight out that before I was signing on the dotted line we were going for a drive or I was leaving. No problems at all. On an earlier occasion when I talked with the floor salesmen they said "Hell no."

12-23-2007, 06:42 AM	#5
STI_VT STI Driver Car: 04 WRX STI Location: St. Albans, VT Posts: 270 Join Date: Jan 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: No test drive policy on 08s? its not uncommon for all the reasons stated above. I ran into this when I was trying to buy my 04. I went in with my wife and told the sales guy that I was sold on the car, but they had to convince my wife who wanted to test drive it first. She never drove the car for the test drive, but I did.

12-23-2007, 07:49 AM	#6
polyol Spec C Club Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: Motor Mounts Location: Eugene Posts: 2,265 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: No test drive policy on 08s? What I do is this... Show up early in the morning at the end of the month. Wear nice clothing, watch, be well groomed. Show up in your current STi if you have one...or your nicest car. Tell them you are going to buy a new STi or EVO or 3-series and cannot decide and will be trading in your current STi (insert other car). Its going to be hard this early in the release of the STi. They were the same way when the 04's came out. By 07 they would hand out test drives of STi like I change my socks.

12-23-2007, 08:15 AM	#7
shakes_94133 Lurker Car: Red 08 STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Location: Denver, CO Posts: 5 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: No test drive policy on 08s? Thanks everyone for all the tips. I'll give it another go soon.

12-23-2007, 08:50 AM	#8
EarTears Amateur STI Driver Car: 06 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Me in the driver seat Location: Florida Posts: 21 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: No test drive policy on 08s? I'll second the dress and groom nicely. Make them think you have more money than you do, or show what you do have. Has always worked nicely for me when buying a car.

12-23-2007, 09:00 AM	#10
sujak Professional STI Racer Car: 05' AW WRX STi Fav Mod: Passport 8500 X50 Location: Illinois Posts: 733 Join Date: Jun 2007 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: No test drive policy on 08s? ...When test driving a car, show up in a nice car, like a Porsche to the dealer. Never had problems test driving when doing that. When buying a car, take casual car. Toyota/Mazda/Honda They see expensive car and their eyes light up

12-23-2007, 09:00 AM	#11
TuffStuff Grassroots STI Racer Car: 07 OBP WRX-STi Fav Mod: Girl in the backseat Location: Cudjoe Key,FL Posts: 595 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: No test drive policy on 08s? bring a checkbook to show your serious. They gave my dad a credit check b4 we test drove an evo. There was no way they would let me test drive it if I had went by myself even if I had money in hand.Bring a parent.

12-23-2007, 09:02 AM	#12
toogood Silver Member Car: wrb 06 STi Fav Mod: wingless and mis-fires Location: lackland afb, texas Posts: 1,030 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: No test drive policy on 08s? i can imagine it being hard since these are out in few numbers at the dealerships...all i did was hang around the car then when a salesman approached me i looked at him with a serious face and said...i want this car...an he said ok lemme get the keys so that we can test drive it......but i really was interested i just wanted to see how the customer service part would work out an it did in my favor

12-23-2007, 11:30 AM	#14
shakes_94133 Lurker Car: Red 08 STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Location: Denver, CO Posts: 5 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: No test drive policy on 08s? Yeah, the showing up in a nice car bit is a problem for me, I'm rockin' a clapped-out '98 VW Passat at the moment and the wife drives a high mileage '98 Accord. The irony of course is that we're looking to buy a new car precisely because our current rides are getting to be a bit dumpy. OK a lot dumpy in my car's case. Anyone want to lend me their new Porsche so I can go car shopping? Yeah so I know I've got the scratch for an STI, I guess I just need to flaunt this a bit more to dealers to be taken more seriously...

12-23-2007, 11:35 AM	#15
shakes_94133 Lurker Car: Red 08 STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Location: Denver, CO Posts: 5 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: No test drive policy on 08s? Too funny skark. BTW I'm 37 so age shouldn't be a factor. I guess I dress pretty poorly for a middle-aged fart. Kinda funny that I have to dress up to go car shopping but I guess everyone here is right - first impressions do go a long way... This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.