I took a test drive in a new 2001 for over an hour at a dealership in MD. My friend came with me and we each took it for half an hour. All I did was call up and say I recently got a pay raise (I really did) and was looking to upgrade my civic (I really am, my deposit is down at another dealer for MSRP). Just make sure you ask if there is one available to test drive because you never buy something without...(insert line of BS here). The salesman was older and more mature, he didn't even take any ID from me or my friend and we're only 22.


As for the best way, I agree with TexS2K, find an owner with a broken in S2000. If you drive a new one, you can't vtech it and even if you did, it wouldn't be nearly as exciting as an engine that has been properly broken in. I haven't done this, but hopefully will get to at the April 7th meet in MD since mine doesn't show up until April/May.

Good Luck, I think you'll love it to death as everyone on this board does. I know I'm obsessed!



Steve

 

Thanks for all of your input. I'll keep my eyes open for any used S2K's at the local dealerships (northern NJ). In the mean time, I'll be polishing up the BMW, making it look great for maximum trade-in value (just ordered a replacement back plastic window). I know the dealer will try to knock the listed Blue Book value down, but I'll be prepared...

 

If a dealership did not allow me to test drive a car, I'd walk out and never return. That simple. The competition is good enough here that I find at least 3-4 Honda dealers in a 40 mile radius. And guess what? Consumer spending is way down, so if they want a sale, they have to make you happy.

Don't put up with it. Show up at the dealer in your BMW, tell them you're already approved for financing, ask for the test drive, if they don't hand you the keys after photocopying your license (and expect a dealer to ride along)- simply say thanks, but you're serious about the car and you want to see how it handles compared to the Porsche Boxster S you just test drove, and say if they can't provide you with a test drive you'll have to go to another dealership.

Maybe its the area you live (high theft rate or something), but around here that would never happen. They would never prevent you from driving that car unless you are under 18 or your license was invalid.

JD- try some of the plastic polishes (Blue Magic or Plexus) on the rear plastic Window. They really do work and you can see the difference on a scratched window.

-B

 

I too have experienced the "no test drives". But I did fortunatly happen upon a small town dealer who had a used one with 13K miles (broken in) & he let my wife & I spend an hour in it. When my wife took her turn I encouraged her to get into the VTEC & she grinned like a high school kid on prom night! The dealer offered to do MSRP on my order. I since have found a few others doing MSRP & two at 1K UNDER MSRP. You just have to be persistant & patient in your shopping. I am already beginning to salivate on my keyboard thinking that I'll finally have mine in 5 months after lusting since 99. Good luck! Jealousy abounds to all you owners!!!

 

bguernsey -

I agree with you wholeheartedly. There are plenty of competing Honda dealers around. Even if a car is sold at MSRP, they're still making quite a nice profit over their invoice. I'm old enough to remember the days when the Miata first came out, and how people were willing to pay upwards of $10k over MSRP to have the priviledge of being the first on their block with one. A more recent example is the "new beetle"...anyway, while I hold the cash in my hands, I have the power. If the dealer wants me to pay MSRP, they will have to give me what I ask for, which is a !@#$ test drive!

BTW, regarding the plastic back window. I've been using Meguiars Mirror Polish and Mirror Glaze on it for the past three years. It works well, but age has caught up to the window. It's six years old now, been out in the elements, folded against itself a lot which caused that nice horizontal line across the middle, and has developed cracks. It's worth the expense to replace it ($260 from Bavarian Autosport) and have the car "cherry" for the trade in.

Question: Is the S2K window a zip out, or does the entire top need to be replaced?

Thanks all.

 

The S2000 window is a "zip down" not out. . .

Anyway I must be one of the only ones that got THE FIRST test drive on my car before purchase by myself.

Nov. '99 they let me take it by myself with only my name, not even a drivers license or copy . . .

I need my entire top replaced because of the zipper.

 

There is a zipper in there somewhere?

What is the purpose of zipping down, but not out?

-B

 

There's no zipper on the Stooks window. I'm not sure if you could actually get it replaced without replacing the whole roof but I know that there's no zipper there.

Cmnsnse- Do you have a special top or something??

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cmnsnse
[B]
Anyway I must be one of the only ones that got THE FIRST test drive on my car before purchase by myself.

 

When I test drove my car, I was living in North Carolina, but also owned a house here in Indiana and was in Indiana for the weekend. My Wife and I decided it was time to go check out the S2000. I had emailed the dealership already and told them I would be in town that weekend and would like to come by and see them.

We stopped at the dealer, asked if we could arrange for a test drive (the car was in the show room). They said "sure" and opened up the showroom doors and called a mechanic in to pull the car out of the showroom. They had to move tables and everything.

The first drive I took was with the dealer in the car and I chose the route (twisty back-roads)...which was about 10 miles or so. Then I dropped off the dealer and picked up my spouse and we took the same route again.

I asked the dealer if he had driven it and he said that noone working in the dealership was allowed to test drive them and this is the first time he had ridden in one.

When I got back from the drive I decided to buy the car and negotiated for$34,500. It seemed high, but dealers in North Carolina were selling used S2K's for 33K and new ones for 39K.

I suppose the following helped:
A. I was dressed well when I showed up
B. I brought my wife
C. I drove another convertible car
D. I called/emailed in advance and spoke to my dealer
E. I signed my email with my job title to seem richer and more important than I am hahaha

But really I think the people in this area are just a little more down to earth.

-B