Hi everybody, I'm a first time poster on this forum. I am very interested in the S2000 and went to my local dealer to try and test drive one. I went to Sierra Honda in Monrovia, CA. When I entered the showroom, I was given no attention. I sat and played around with a silver S2000 for over 5 minutes. Only after I shut the trunk did somebody come by and ask if I needed help.

I told him that I would like to sit in the car with the top down. Because I'm 6'1" and 190lbs. After a couple of minutes the salesperson had me sit in another S2000 because he only had the key for that one. Well the car fits me just perfectly. Any smaller and I would have almost no headroom. After a few questions, I asked the salesman if I could test drive the car. He told me he had to go ask his manager.

He came back a minute later saying that he needed to be sure that I would purchase the car if I were to test drive it. He said he needed to run a credit report to see if I am able to purchase the car. I told him I would need to test drive the car before I would purchase it and that I do not want him running a credit report because it worsens my credit. He apologized and said theres nothing he can do about it because this is what his manager said. I told him goodbye.

So I just want to know if all Honda dealerships are like this when it comes to the S2000. I have never been asked for my credit report and I have test drove numerous cars without a problem. Can anybody recommend another dealership in or around the San Gabriel Valley that will allow me to test drive the car?

And for any future purchasers, I highly do not recommend Sierra Honda in Monrovia.

 

yeah, go to another dealer.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jonstains
[B]Hi everybody, I'm a first time poster on this forum.

 

I have seen this at high-end dealerships (MB, BMW, Ferrari) but never for a S2000. I would have told them to f*** off, this is only a $32k car.

 

oh man, that sucks!!! Sorry that happened to you. You should have asked for me before you came in. I'd be glad to give you a test drive on the S2000! Ask for me, my name is John Ruiz. 800.404.2886

 

johnr - any chance you would approach your mang't to inform them what they are doing is unethical ? Nice of you to stand up and offer your help, but your kindness does not make up for the inadequate management there...

(sorry - I've been there when I bought my first car 14 years ago...)

 

I actually had trouble driving a used one at a Lexus dealership. The sales person told me that they would only let me drive the car after we had negotiated the price. I told him to get bent. The manager cost him a sale. He called back the next day to tell me that the manager had changed his mind and wanted to apologize. I let him ramble on and on about their policy on "SPORTS" cars then dropped the bomb. I already was driving my new one.

 

I had to sign all my paper work before i could take her out for a run..which i didn't mind at all..seeing how i am the only one that has put mileage on her. When i took her out she had 5 miles!

 

The first time I drove an S was when I drove mine off the showroom floor. Sometimes you just need a little faith.
If you must have the test drive, find a dealer with a used one.
I applaud my dealer for their similar policy....especially considering our cars breakin period.

 

Well, I had talked to management about the incident. The fact of the matter is, it's true. Most S2000 buyers would not like to have many miles on the car when purchasing. So it's very difficult to figure out if we should or should not let the customer test drive. The best advice is just to call and ask the dealership if they have a used one you can test drive or sometimes I offer customers my own personal car to test drive. But remember, that experience was based on that specific salesperson, and not Sierra Honda as a dealership.