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Smart Shopper Test Drives & Dealership Promotions
144 messages, Last post on Mar 10, 2006 at 9:02 AM
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Replying to: driftracer (Sep 23, 2004 9:26 am) It might not work as well, if you are selling Foci and Cavaliers.... but, for anything over $25K... it seems to work.. Of course, your local area will have something to do with it.. Bowke works in Louisville, but if you go over to Lexington, the dealers can't send a car home with you fast enough... even Fords and Nissans... regards, kyfdx |
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Replying to: alfox (Sep 23, 2004 9:26 am) |
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There is even a name for the overnight test drive sale, it's an oldie but a goodie....it's known as the "puppy dog close" When you get that "puppy" home, it looks great in the driveway, your neighbors stop by to take a look. Now it's hard to give it back. haha |
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Replying to: bp3959 (Sep 23, 2004 9:24 am) |
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That would seem to penalize the local dealers with the overnight test drive, but not the more distant ones. Also might introduce significant inconvenience to yourself, and possibly service issues (since dealers sometimes balk at servicing a car sold by a competitor.) Out of curiosity, where are you located? |
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I don't have a problem with a quick drive to see if a car that I have never driven before makes the initial cut. But, I can see asking for a little longer drive to check it out in my conditions, including seeing if it fits in the garage (and even if it does, can my wife get it in/'out). This is a particular concern because we are looking at minivans now, and the Sienna and '05 Ody have gotten overly wide. Even on a car I know will pass the garage test, I still want to get it on some kind of highway for a few minutes. The local Toyota dealers I've been to both have a "4 rights" loop, all local streets, where you are lucky to hit 40. I personally won't buy a car thats primary purpose if travelling w/o seeing how it feels/sounds at 65. Even Terry says to take a real road test, 30 minutes on your road, etc. In the past, I have had dealers that did the initial ride along turn the car over to us for a longer unaccompanied drive, but I wouldn't even bother to ask unless we really have that vehicle on the short list. Now I just have to convince the dealer to let me borrow an Ody for an hour, or hope someone I know buys one.
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Almost forgot. Some dealers here do set aside certain cars for test driving. That way only 1 unit ends up with a few hundred miles on it, and the rest stay fresh. I prefer this method, since I hate the idea of buying a car that someone else has driven.
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Replying to: stickguy (Sep 23, 2004 9:55 am) |
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I actually took a test drive today at lunch (new Ford Freestyle, and yes, it's on my wifes short list). She wasn't there (I just went to check it out in the showroom), but the salesguy/SM really encouraged me to drive it anyway (also wasn't busy today). I capitulated (hey, twist my arm!), and did a quickie around the block. THe salesguy actually suggested to take the long route with some highway, but I declined (not enough time, and have to do it again with the wife anyway). basically, the drive accomplished 2 things. 1) I got enough seat time to decide if it short remain a contender, and 2) the salesman made #1 happen, so now I have some "investment" in the car. |
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| I was hping to like it. We have a '99, and it's been very reliable. Plus, my neighbor is the GSM of a Nissan dealer, so it's an easy buy process. My wife, however, can't stand the interior (the exterior might be OK) so it's off the list. | |
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