How it works?????

[General Lee 01]

How do you get to test drive a new cartruck?

Are there certain "Rules"?

Like Age requirements, Distance limitations, Costs?????

[Frank S]

Most of the time a salesperson will want to go with you although this is not always the case.

They usually hold true to that rule when it involves a younger person.

There shouldn't be any cost to the person wanting to test a vehicle for there is no commitment by the person who wants to test the vehicle because dealerships usually understand you want to drive before you buy.

[General Lee 01]

Well, let me put it this way.

Let's say I walk into a dealership tommorow, and ask to test-drive an HD, what would happen?

[Frank S]

Seeing as how you are 16,they probably wouldn't let you drive the truck unless you have a parent with you at the very least.

[Jpshostr]

As long as you are of legal age to drive the vehicle and show some interest in actually buying it you should have no problem.  

Even though I am only 19 a few months back on a slow afternoon down at school I went over to the GMC dealer a few blocks away from where I lived.  Asked if I could take a Duramax for a test, he said sure.  He knew all along I had no intentions of buying a truck with a ?K sticker, I just wanted to have some fun.  He rode with me and let me take it out of the city and do what I wanted, I bet I put 20 miles on it.  

My point being, if you find the right salesman you will be able to test anything you want.  Heck, at a farm machinery show last fall I tested out a ?,000 Case IH STX tractor.  Had quite a bit of fun with that one as well.

[76BBSub]

When I was in high school I used to make a little "hobby" out of test driving the hot cars of the day...drove a Mustang 5.0, Firebird Formula 350, Dodge Conquest TSi, Dodge Daytona turbo, etc.  I'd go to the dealership (usually on my motorcycle since my car was a total piece of crap and would give away that I couldn't afford any of the cars I was "testing")and play like I was interested in a new car.  If you go during the day when they are normally slow they will probably be a little more friendly.  On the evenings and weekends they are too busy selling to REAL customers.  Anyway, just look at it, ask a lot of questions, usually they'll get the keys after about 5-10 minutes.  After the drive they'll want to talk price, and if you say you're still thinking about it or whatever they'll want your phone number, etc.  And they usually want to photocopy your license before you can drive.  A couple of guys let me take cars alone, usually they rode along though.

Jeff

[RyanbabZ71]

i test drove about 6 silverados before i bought mine.

First time i was 19 i was driving past and said what the hey.  Guy asked for my license made a copy and gave me the keys (copy in case i stole it it had all my info)

next time guy went with me (dealership policy)

All the other times i went myself.  Just giving my drivers license.  Never had any problems i always showed interest in buying which i planned on within the yr.

 

[LT]

I have bought from the same Dealer for almost 30 years. Some of those vehicles were fairly expensive.

I research the vehicle I'm interested in on the internet, cost etc. I know what I want, The dealer knows that I'm not going to haggle about price because I know what my limit is. If they are out of line, I tell them that they have to work harder to sell.

LT

[Zane]

I test driven 3 vehicles. A 2000 Silverado, Z71, a 2001 Camaro SS, and a 2002 TrailBlazer. Funny Enough, they only time a salesmen rode with me was in the Silverado. I was 19 then i think. Since then, our sales guy knows we have a ton of vehicles from them, and i was alowed to drive then on my own. (Like i would do anything to them anyway).

[LT]

Quote: from Mervz on 10:45 am on May 21, 2001

I test driven 3 vehicles. A 2000 Silverado, Z71, a 2001 Camaro SS, and a 2002 TrailBlazer. Funny Enough, they only time a salesmen rode with me was in the Silverado. I was 19 then i think. Since then, our sales guy knows we have a ton of vehicles from them, and i was alowed to drive then on my own. (Like i would do anything to them anyway).

Mervz, How did you like the Camaro SS?

(Edited by LT at 1:38 pm on May 21, 2001)