Test drove before buying?
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,209
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From: Anchorage
I did get to test drive my car before I bought it, however, it was used (1840 miles on the ODO), and had been returned by a guy whose wife wouldn't let him keep it (poor bastard).
The dealer generally didn't do test drives, even with the used S2000, but when I pulled up in a 2001 Merc. SLK (a loner car while my wife's M class was being serviced no doubt!) he agreed.
Like most, I had read every comparison I could find and I felt like a "well educated" consumer with respect to this car. I knew the "test" would be fun, but had no idea it would be THAT much fun! The drive only lasted about 20 minutes, 15 minutes longer than I needed to know that I'd be buying this car.
300 miles later, now all I want is more time & good weather to drive! It is with out a doubt one of the better fun/cost values out there IMO.
Would I have bought one without a drive? Yeah, probably.
If you need to be ABSOLUTELY sure, than yes, get a test drive. If there is any doubt when you buy one without a test drive, there won't be half hour after you drive it off the lot.
Cheers -
The dealer generally didn't do test drives, even with the used S2000, but when I pulled up in a 2001 Merc. SLK (a loner car while my wife's M class was being serviced no doubt!) he agreed.
Like most, I had read every comparison I could find and I felt like a "well educated" consumer with respect to this car. I knew the "test" would be fun, but had no idea it would be THAT much fun! The drive only lasted about 20 minutes, 15 minutes longer than I needed to know that I'd be buying this car.
300 miles later, now all I want is more time & good weather to drive! It is with out a doubt one of the better fun/cost values out there IMO.
Would I have bought one without a drive? Yeah, probably.
If you need to be ABSOLUTELY sure, than yes, get a test drive. If there is any doubt when you buy one without a test drive, there won't be half hour after you drive it off the lot.
Cheers -
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Beaver Dams UPSTATE NY
I put down a deposit on 1/11/99, sight unseen. The car arrived at the dealer on 9/27/99. That evening, the PDI was complete, but the accessories were not installed and the paperwork was not complete.
The salesman knew how anxious I was to get the car, so he told me to come down and take it for a ride. I drove about 17 miles on some twisty back roads, and I knew I made the right choice. But, I wouldn't really call it a test drive. In my mind, the car was mine in January. This ride was just to make up for the fact that I had to wait another day for delivery.
The salesman knew how anxious I was to get the car, so he told me to come down and take it for a ride. I drove about 17 miles on some twisty back roads, and I knew I made the right choice. But, I wouldn't really call it a test drive. In my mind, the car was mine in January. This ride was just to make up for the fact that I had to wait another day for delivery.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Burbank, CA
I called my local dealer at made an appointment for a test drive. When we arrived at the dealership the car was in the showroom. They opened the large double doors to move the car outside. When they got the car out, the dealer handed me the keys and said; "drive it like you stole it." He didn't even ask to see my drivers license!
My wife and I took the car for a half hour test drive and fell in love with it.
We then had to purchase it from a dealership out-of-state in order to get it at the price we were willing to pay.
My wife and I took the car for a half hour test drive and fell in love with it.
We then had to purchase it from a dealership out-of-state in order to get it at the price we were willing to pay.
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Swurvydel
S2000 Talk
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Feb 16, 2001 01:47 PM