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Test Drives & Dealership Promotions

157 messages,  Last post on Mar 29, 2012 at 1:13 PM

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Messages Page 13 of 16

#120 of 157 130 on public roads? by ateixeira

Sep 29, 2004 (2:16 pm)

I hope you stopped accompanying him on test drives. On any drive, actually.
 
We're opposites. To me the drive is key, everything inside is basically just ballast.
 
-juice

#121 of 157 ateixeira...err..juice by perna

Oct 01, 2004 (1:23 pm)

I typed that tongue-twister name before I realized I could have just put in j-u-i-c-e.. haha
 
Anyway, yes, the old man has driven the Maxima only once since then and my mother was with him. I had no choice, since it was at my sister's wedding and I was riding with the wedding party. I bet it killed him, since she will actually scream in his face when he does what she considers unsafe (which is about 5 mph over the speed limit). He wanted to drive my wife's new Explorer, and I let him, but nobody went with. When he was gone we were doing the various stages of "monkey see".

#122 of 157 oops by perna

Oct 01, 2004 (1:29 pm)

About the auto shows, I go over the "time consuming stuff" like seat comfort, playing with the sound system, looking under the hood, etc... on the test drive I can ascertain the following in about 15 minutes: wind noise, body integrity, handling, and amount of GO. I'll never forget the Maxima's test drive, my wife swapped with me on the way back and she turned into a wild woman in that car. She thinks Mazda should be sued for false advertising, because "surely no car they make has the 'zoom' this one does!".
 
The wind noise thing I had to learn the hard way. My last car was an Olds Intrigue, and it was really quiet around town. Got it on the highway for the first time, though, and my heart sank. None of the seals (windshield, doors) were all that great, and one of them even caused a continual whistling noise that drove me nuts. Dealer never did get that car right.

#123 of 157 Lexus Test Drive Event by ateixeira

Oct 04, 2004 (9:22 am)

Yeah, gotta get in a long test drive of the exact car you are buying. That can be hard, though.
 
I somehow got on the list and was invited to this Lexus event:
 
https://www1.travelhq.com/registration/lexustasteofluxury/pretrip- /home.mtc
 
Sounds like fun. Check out the list of cars you can potentially drive:
 
Lexus ES 330, GS 300, LS 430, GS 430, IS 300, SC 430, GX 470, LX470 and RX 330; Acura MDX and TL; BMW 530ia, 745i, 545ia, 330ia, X5 4.4i and X3; Land Rover Range Rover HSE; Mercedes-Benz C320, E320, S430, E500 and ML500; Infiniti G35; Jaguar XK8 Cabriolet; Cadillac XLR and Escalade; Volvo XC90.
 
-juice

#124 of 157 Re: Lexus Test Drive Event [ateixeira] by jlawrence01

Oct 04, 2004 (2:30 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 04, 2004 9:22 am)
This past weekend, GM sponsored an "Auto Show in Motion" which offered the ability to test drive 100-150 different GM and competitor models. What was disappointing was the relative few number of cars (vs. trucks and SUVs), and the few number of DCX and Ford models.
 
Generally, you got a great opportunity to test drive the GM models as the lines at the imports were a lot longer.
 
I like these massive test drive shows (like the one that Edmunds.com held in 2000) as it allows me to drive vehicles that I would not generally consider. I always find that my evaluation of the performance of certain vehicles often vearies with what I read on forums and reviews.

#125 of 157 Test Drive Question by which_brand

Oct 04, 2004 (8:08 pm)

Individual dealer websites now have "schedule a test drive". Should I do this or just go in? I am able to pop in at unusual times, but I don't know what the non-busy times are during the week!
 
Thanks.

#126 of 157 Re: Test Drive Question [which_brand] by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

Oct 05, 2004 (5:46 am)

Replying to: which_brand (Oct 04, 2004 8:08 pm)
I'm sure you'll get more advice from those in the biz, but from my perspective, if you think you're pretty interested in a particular vehicle, then scheduling a test drive is a good idea.
 
If the opportunity to make an appointment is available, then it seems that the salesperson would be able to prepare for your visit by having any print material related to the vehicle ready, be prepared to answer any questions about the vehicle and current pricing/promotions, and would have set aside enough time to spend with you without interruption.
 
As many of the salespeople who are members here will tell you, be sure to make the appointment when you KNOW you can make it No-shows stink.
 
kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

#127 of 157 by ateixeira

Oct 05, 2004 (6:59 am)

Absolutely Joseph, I quite often disagree with what a reviewer writes. You can't take their word for everything, you gotta sample things for yourself!
 
Schedule a test drive?
 
If you're seriously looking into that car, sure, by all means. If you are just casually shopping, I don't think I would. I'd just drop in.
 
-juice

Messages Page 13 of 16

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