Test Drives/Dealing with Sales Guys

[papashango3]

Ive had my current car for 10 years and am rusty with this. What are the norms and expectations of test drives.

Do i need to call dealerships in advance and say i would like to test drive a car? Can i just show up say, in slower hours and ask about test driving?
Do i need to be clear in advance that i am going to check out other cars and am not in buying mode? Do i play nice and go sit their desk after the test drive and let him try to sell me the car? Do i owe them that or can i just say i have to run and i will be in touch if i decide it is the one for me. Years ago i test drove a vette and reluctantly went to the guys office after (i played along) and he tried to sell me the car and i had to say no like 10 times, its just not something i want to deal with. I just dont like the sales process in general and want to test drive quite a few cars so just want to know how everyone else handles the routine, assuming you dont have existing relationships at said dealerships. I pulled into a dealership the other day and just parked, and could tell the 20 something yo sales guy was eyeing me and waiting for me to get out of my car. I decided i wasnt in the mood for the whole experience and left! Am i alone in not liking to go to dealerships? How can i make this as painless as possible lol

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[NewTekBuzz]

Mine was a friend... He handed me the keys and said have some fun! Didn't even take my DL. Just be up front about what you are doing IMO

 

[Excelerater]

Ford is a hard sell,you take a test drive they will hammer you to death to buy ...Most annoying IMO,so the harder they pushed the more I made them wait.
For me its a game,I like to see them sweat . Then they had off to the fiance guy and
he is most often a liar and a cheat....fun

 

[BmacIL]

Just tell them what your intentions are up front. You usually avoid most of the pain that way.

 

[Ilovemyv8]

Each dealer is different. Mine was a easy sell. Took 6 months before they had one I wanted. They also gave me $500 more for my trade in than what I expected.

 

[papashango3]

Should I call in advance or do you guys just show up?

 

[natea]

Let them know that your "trade" is at home or don't bring in your trade. It will be hard to give you a price without all the needed pieces.

 

[GTP]

It helps if you know what you want among all the models and variations. (I thought I did, then I didn't, then I did, then I didn't, etc. It's been stable for 2 months now while I wait for my ordered car.) I think it is worthwhile to drive all the engine and transmission combinations, even if you think you know what you want.

If you know, it is helpful to you and the dealer to call ahead. Because they can have the car(s) you want to drive ready. You'd be surprised how they don't keep gas in the cars. They will have gas in it when you show up.

Important - another reason to call first is to declare yourself "an internet buyer". Literally use this precise phrase on the phone. You will be transferred to the salesperson that deals with this category of buyer, i.e. the one that expects price negotiation to begin at invoice, and then go down.

You don't want to be a "walk-up" buyer. Those salesman hope that you will decide quickly to buy what they have on the lot. Some people do this. I saw a couple wanting a Mustang because it was the wife's 50th birthday, same as the car.

It is helpful to find and go to the biggest dealer with the largest inventory. Then it is easier to compare models, take back-to-back drives, view colors and options, etc.

Don't worry about "loyalty" to the dealers at any time. They have to earn your loyalty. It all comes down to agreeing to a deal. Wherever you purchase, you will show loyalty to Ford anyway.

Still, it is never too early to sign up for TrueCar, or Costco, or other buyer services. These are more helpful to your cause than you realize now, and it will become clear why when you get closer to purchase.

I think car buying these days is easier and more pleasant than in the past. Never forget that you are in control right up until the minute you sign the sales agreement, so take your time and don't be pressured!

Oh, and www.Edmunds.com is your friend.

 

[Lowrider]

My experience with Ford dealerships was actually outstanding apart from one dealership that had a 20yr old Yo sales guy. OMG... the guy and his sales manager gave me a hard time after testing driving the GT. It was non stop pressure from them literally forcing me to buy the car but I refused.

However, the other dealerships were really easy to work with, no appointments, no driver license check, no questions. Just walk -ins and talk about my car of interest and I would be offered the test drive. The last car that I test drove was the one I bought and it had all the options I wanted. In fact prior to heading over to the dealership, I called to confirm it was still available. And they reserved it for me. I was impressed when I got to the dealership that it had my name tag hanging on rear view mirror.

 

[Renner]

Test drive and when they start giving you the hard sell say "are you willing to give me x plan + all incentives, plus knock .5% off your holdback and cut the advertising fee by 25% and split the destination fee with me, then I will take it" That will be every key word they don't want to hear and make you look like a somewhat knowledgable consumer ;)

 

[Herr_Poopschitz]

I'm upfront. I ask for a sales mgr, then say something like, "I want to drive x for at least y number of minutes...if a salesman must come along I want him/her to be quiet unless I have a question". It lets them know your time is important and not to f around. I prefer walk-in, as you don't have to give them any info vs making an appt for a drive.

As for dealing w/ a potential walk to the desk/office, I've found just using the word "holdback" is enough to deflate their excitement and attempt at pressuring a sale. If a salesman acts in any way I deem unfit, since I asked for the mgr from the start, I know who to go to to cut out the bs.

I've also found rural dealerships to be more willing to be upfront and courteous about moving Mustangs, since they usually focus on trucks and SUVs.

Oh, if you have a trade, bring two sets of keys incase they insist on taking it for a test drive. They'll get back, but not give them back until they've raped your ear and time. If after you ask for them back once and they dance around it, pull the second set so they see them and let them know an officer will be by to get the set they refuse to return. Just in case they're real assholes.

 

[chris_5oh]

I went to 2 different dealerships and both times they just let me test drive and didn't push too hard. I just walked up and asked to test drive. One of them rode with me and the other one just let me take it for a spin by myself.

 

[rktsnk]

I called ahead of time and scheduled a time to test drive on a slower day. I was clear where I was in the buying process and there was no pressure. If you're clear and they continue to pressure you to buy, then they aren't worth the business.

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[woode]

I've always just showed up on the spot to test drive. I am very very specific as to what car I want.

Most salesmen are clueless. I inquired about a GT Premium PP w/ 401a that it turned out the dealer had just sold. They had no more PP. The sales guy for 2 days straight leaving me text messages, voicemails, pictures, emails of all these other mustangs that were not even close.
Stuff like "I know you wanted the PP so I found this one on our lot that has 20s and the display screen, its the same thing except cheaper!" Mind blowing.

 

[ElAviator72]

Every Ecoboost PP I test drove showed an average economy of 12 MPG...what does that tell you?

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