elanderholm,

too funny I went test driving last weekend. However, I don't think the dealers really buy the upgrade routine. I actually went with a friend who was looking for a sports car, so we drove up in my S and got to drive what we wanted.
We drove a 99 Vette, it was sweet, but kinda rattled, the doors we clunky, and it definately didn't feel stable at 100mph as my S does at 130mph. We then drove a Camaro SS, that was also pretty cool, I think it was actually faster than the vette. We tried the Porsche dealer but when we started talking shop my friend didn't know a thing about the Boxter, so it looked bad. Oh well, we will do it again.

BTW don't you get pissed off when someone asks how much you paid for the car? I do, you do your own damn research if you want to know.

 

I'm not a kid anymore but my favourite is to go into the dealer dressed in my grubbiest, rattiest clothes and park just out of sight of the show room, walk in and see what kind of response I get. Case in point: I went into the place that had my Viper in the show room and started to analyze the car from one end to the other. Almost all the salesmen stayed in their little cubicles reading their newspapers & such. There were no other customers in the showroom. After about 15 minutes of looking at and measuring the car for ground clearance, front overhang, etc., a lone salesguy came out from the back office and asked if he could "help" me. I said to him in a volume that all the other salesmen could hear that I like this car. "I'll take it and I have that 1 year old TT Stealth over there as trade". (Pointing over to the far end of the lot where I parked it.) The other salesmen just about sh$t a couple of bricks each. The sales manager himself then came out to talk to me. The owner of the dealership helped with the delivery, had pictures taken, the whole 9 yards. BTW, this was my salesman's 1st sale of his career. It was his 1st week on the job. The other "veteran" staff must have had tremendous headaches from banging their heads on the wall so hard after that. I just love playing with those guys.

 

From the time I turned 16 way back in 72 I've been able to pull into most dealerships and drive anything I wanted to. I never understood why I could pull up as a passenger in a rusty Vega and have them hand me the keys to a nice Corvette. My friends would get mad because they couldn't get a drive in anything. I guess I just had a lot of luck.

Keep in mind that not all sales people are jerks and many of them love cars just like we do. Many work on an "up" system that means they may not get to talk to more than a few customers each day. By taking up their time playing with them you may cost them a sale. On the other hand if you don't drive different cars how are you going to know what you'll want to buy next? When you take up a salespersons time and they treat you well keep their card and remember their name. If you know someone who is in the market to buy send them to that person. They may even pay you a "bird-dog" fee for sending them a buyer. When you get ready to buy give them a chance to really work with you.

BTW, the first time I drove a Viper I called a dealer about an ad I saw for some lower priced used sportscar. I went to look at the other car and saw the Viper. I told the salesman that I was afraid that if I ever drove one that I would want it. He said, in that case you've got to drive it. I did.

 

I've never had a problem getting a test drive. In fact I usually have problems getting out of a dealership without taking a ride. The last one...I pulled up in my '86 Beater pickup and checked out a 911. The sales person asked if I wanted to take one out. Brought it back a few hours later. Very nice ride.

 

xviper,
The same thing happened when I got my S in March. I walked in to get a lightbulb from Susie Morris Honda in Muncie Indiana and saw the Sliverstone/Red I was going to order in May for an '02. I didn't want a '01, but decided, dress in baseball hat and jeans, I would just sit in it so I could remember what it was like until I got my '02 in December. Nobody came over. I figured it was sold anyway, so I just enjoyed it. Finally the sales manager came over, and I had to run to a meeting so I said give me your card and I left. The next day I bought it, no test drive nothing. and again like you said the salesmen kicked themselves. F'em if they are going to judge people. My money is too hard to come by.