Credit check before test drive?

[KARR_956]

The Ford dealer near the university I go to is requiring a credit check before you can test drive any Mustang. According to the salesman, they are trying to limit the number of miles driven on the cars before purchase and that hopefully you commit to buying it. Has anybody else had a similar experience with their dealer when wanting a test drive?

Sponsored

 

[Tamadrummer88]

The Ford dealer near the university I go to is requiring a credit check before you can test drive any Mustang. According to the salesman, they are trying to limit the number of miles driven on the cars before purchase and that hopefully you commit to buying it. Has anybody else had a similar experience with their dealer when wanting a test drive?

The only time i had an experience like that is when the 2003-2006 Pontiac GTO's hit the lot. Dealer wanted to do a credit check on me for a test drive. Its their way of making sure they get a committed buyer and if other buyers see a lot of mlles on a new model they may not buy.

 

[petraman]

After so many hard checks, it starts to affect your credit score... it's affected mine before. Would have just walked out at that point; there are plenty of dealers out there who would be pleased with you test driving it.

 

[TiE2000]

I have not been told that since I was in my late teen's early 20's. Like other ave said they are trying to
A - decrease the number of miles on the new cars.
B - make sure only serious buyers are driving it.

To be honest, I would go to another dealership. My local Ford dealership, has been awesome. I've been there probably 7 times since they 15's started hitting the lots. For the first week or two I would just look. But over the last week I've driven a few 14's a couple EB and last night was able to drive a 15 GT with PP.

Also I found it was easier to test drive them during the week, when they are slow.

 

[KARR_956]

After so many hard checks, it starts to affect your credit score... it's affected mine before. Would have just walked out at that point; there are plenty of dealers out there who would be pleased with you test driving it.

I told him that I would contact him once my sister gets her license and she gets my car. The problem is that the other dealer close by (but not close to the university) is also doing the same thing and the dealer where I bought my Focus has not contacted me like they said they would for the test drive I requested through Ford Marketing.

I have not been told that since I was in my late teen's early 20's. Like other ave said they are trying to
A - decrease the number of miles on the new cars.
B - make sure only serious buyers are driving it.

To be honest, I would go to another dealership. My local Ford dealership, has been awesome. I've been there probably 7 times since they 15's started hitting the lots. For the first week or two I would just look. But over the last week I've driven a few 14's a couple EB and last night was able to drive a 15 GT with PP.

Also I found it was easier to test drive them during the week, when they are slow.

I went today which is a Tuesday, but I'm guessing they are also doing this since they are selling very quick. They had 2 EB's and a V6 that were just finished being prepped for pick up. The only Mustang left was a base DIB EB. So far they have received 7 Mustangs and that one is the only one left

 

[Colleton]

The Ford dealer near the university I go to is requiring a credit check before you can test drive any Mustang. According to the salesman, they are trying to limit the number of miles driven on the cars before purchase and that hopefully you commit to buying it. Has anybody else had a similar experience with their dealer when wanting a test drive?

The highlighted portion of your post provides the answer, I think.

I've never had a credit check done for a test drive. When I test drove the '15 I ended up buying they tossed me the keys and said "have fun". The car hadn't even made it out to the lot yet. Then again, we have a long standing relationship and they know me.

 

[RisingForce]

After so many hard checks, it starts to affect your credit score... it's affected mine before. Would have just walked out at that point; there are plenty of dealers out there who would be pleased with you test driving it.

you would need 10-15 inquiries in one week to bring your score down drastically. one inquiry doesnt hurt it one bit.

The dealer is trying to screen the drivers, but even with credit check you wont keep the miles off the vehicle. You just need to count on 50-80 miles on a stock unit. Simple as that. They just should limit the test drive to couple miles per customer and have a sales guy go with each test drive.
Credit Check is no kind of commitment, its more or less discriminiation and if anyone wanted to push the issue, they could get the dealer in deep poopoo.

 

[stoli]

Several dealers I know of in Fla are doing the same thing.

 

[KARR_956]

you would need 10-15 inquiries in one week to bring your score down drastically. one inquiry doesnt hurt it one bit.

The dealer is trying to screen the drivers, but even with credit check you wont keep the miles off the vehicle. You just need to count on 50-80 miles on a stock unit. Simple as that. They just should limit the test drive to couple miles per customer and have a sales guy go with each test drive.
Credit Check is no kind of commitment, its more or less discriminiation and if anyone wanted to push the issue, they could get the dealer in deep poopoo.

That serious?

 

[Rbaeza9]

What dealership are you talking about? Im from south texas. And purchased one from Hacienda Ford it should arrive tomorrow, I've done plenty on test drives I tested them all lol 5.0,ecoboost and v6 with out a problem from my sales man

 

[KARR_956]

What dealership are you talking about? Im from south texas. And purchased one from Hacienda Ford it should arrive tomorrow, I've done plenty on test drives I tested them all lol 5.0,ecoboost and v6 with out a problem from my sales man

Exactly that one. Hacienda Ford.

Btw I'm glad I'm not the only user from the RGV on here lol

 

[Rbaeza9]

Hum they didn't ask me for no credit check ? And I'm 18 lol I guess since my parents are old Customers of that dealership they just let me test drive them like nothing? Literally I just walked in and asked to drive the ecoboost and my salesman handed me the key lol

 

[KARR_956]

Hum they didn't ask me for no credit check ? And I'm 18 lol I guess since my parents are old Customers of that dealership they just let me test drive them like nothing? Literally I just walked in and asked to drive the ecoboost and my salesman handed me the key �� lol

Who was your salesman and when did you test drive them?

The first salesman that approached me today told me it was an order from the Sales Manager

 

[Rbaeza9]

ask for niko , he's by far the most friendliest and helpful sales man I've meet , and last week , I've driven a couple of them actually , my white ecoboost premium should arrive tomorrow if all goes well . there service was great with us and worked with our payment

 

[KARR_956]

Eh, it's a necessary evil for some performance cars. I've had them ask before, so have a bunch of friends. Most of the time they will only do that if the first thing you ask is for a test drive. If you talk with the salespeople and establish that A) you're interested in purchasing a car B) you've put thought into the fiscal considerations and C) that car is one you have researched and are considering, they usually won't give you any issues about it.

Then again, I treat dealers like the enemy - so if I get to the point that I'd even accept an offer for a test drive, they know I'm not fooling around.

I had gone before about 2 weeks ago and explained them the situation. I was really committed to buying the Mustang but not till March. However, I made it clear that I knew what I was talking about and that I had done the research about the car and of course my financial plans to get a good down payment. He told me to come back in 10 days when they were to receive new inventory and that a test drive would not be a problem. But today I was approached by a different salesman who told me about the credit check.

Sponsored