credit check + 500$ + meet director to test drive

[omadab]

Hello guys, I am back. I am sorry if I am annoying with all these questions, but I tend to get lots of helpful advice from this great community

So, I've been looking for a car. When I called the sales man today, I asked to make an appointment for a test drive which he immediately responded with no we don't do test drives. I asked him how I am expected to buy a car without test driving it and he told me that to test drive it, we need to do a credit check, we need a 500$ payment and we need to meet the director. I have never experienced anything like this before (me and my father have bought 3 cars together before). My dad has a very good credit score. I don't understand why they need to check the credit score + take 500$ (refundable) for a test drive. It is also very rare for someone at my age to buy a sports car (idk if that has anything to do with it)

Thanks

[WC-BRZ]

Turn around, pass some gas in their faces and just walk away. What a bunch of hogwash! I shopped around for almost an entire month, test drove plenty of cars and although met a lot of clowns (aka "car salesmen"), never experienced anything like what you've described.

I wouldn't just simply walk away from these clowns you described but I'd probably give them a piece of my mind as well.

Also, does "QC" mean Quebec? If you're Canadian you need to go to Unhaggle right away and get the invoice pricing for the BRZ. I used this approach and filled out the pricing sheet that Unhaggle provides and emailed a copy of the sheet to every dealer near my area - they will come chasing after you and especially for something like a BRZ which just sits on their lots as sales have slowed down quite a bit. They are actually more desperate to sell these than you might realize!

When you send out the worksheet to them, the "ball is in your court" so to speak. Once you walk into a dealership with no plan you DO NOT have multiple dealers competing for your business, instead they will manipulate you and make a fool out of you and will mostly play around with stupid offers like $500 off lol! Riiiight! As if $500 off a 28-33k car makes any sense.

I bought mine in September 2018 and here is the worksheet Unhaggle provided me:

[Tangizdope]

Go to another dealer man. They shouldn't give any hassle to test drive. I recommend going with your dad to make them take you more seriously too.

[mazeroni]

What kind of dealership is this? Is it a small used car lot or a larger dealership? What does Google reviews/ BBB/ etc., say about them? Is the advertised car price "too good to be true" and that is why you are looking there? If yes, be skeptical and consider saving yourself the headache and move on to something else.

If you're 16, it would make sense that they would want to protect their ass because they probably do get people coming in and thrashing the cars. They probably plan to make it hard to get the money back by pushing the sale. Seems like they are "priming" you with all of these hoops, hoping to get a sucker that they can milk during and after the test drive.

[Stephen W.]

Different dealers have different rules but it's all to protect against theft and/or repair costs for damages incurred due to a test drive. To my knowledge all new car dealers in Ontario take a photo copy of your drivers license and insurance card for your present vehicle. Deposits vary and yes, likely due to age. In the past I have been asked for anywhere between $100 to $1000. I never did get to test drive my 2006 STi. The first time I drove it was when I was leaving the dealership AFTER I had bought it! However, I made deals on my last two BRZ's without any drama or cash deposits. Zero money down! My wife did the same with her last two WRX STi's. But, we're both over 60.

[Leonardo]

My car was in the show room. They had to pull it out of the show room for me to test drive it. The salesman bragged that he had told three college kids "no" that day. I guess, since I showed up with my wife (and a Lexus to trade in) that they took me seriously.

[Sapphireho]

Every time I've been at a car dealer they try like hell to get me in a car to test drive. I've never heard of such a thing.

[omadab]

Originally Posted by WC-BRZ

Turn around, pass some gas in their faces and just walk away. What a bunch of hogwash! I shopped around for almost an entire month, test drove plenty of cars and although met a lot of clowns (aka "car salesmen"), never experienced anything like what you've described.

I wouldn't just simply walk away from these clowns you described but I'd probably give them a piece of my mind as well.

Also, does "QC" mean Quebec? If you're Canadian you need to go to Unhaggle right away and get the invoice pricing for the BRZ. I used this approach and filled out the pricing sheet that Unhaggle provides and emailed a copy of the sheet to every dealer near my area - they will come chasing after you and especially for something like a BRZ which just sits on their lots as sales have slowed down quite a bit. They are actually more desperate to sell these than you might realize!

When you send out the worksheet to them, the "ball is in your court" so to speak. Once you walk into a dealership with no plan you DO NOT have multiple dealers competing for your business, instead they will manipulate you and make a fool out of you and will mostly play around with stupid offers like $500 off lol! Riiiight! As if $500 off a 28-33k car makes any sense.

I bought mine in September 2018 and here is the worksheet Unhaggle provided me:

the car is used :p. but this isnt my first rodeo. I've bought cars before and I know how everything works. I also show I know what I'm doing. Isn't that enough to take me seriously. I know what to look for and I know how the car buying process is like.

[omadab]

Originally Posted by Tangizdope

Go to another dealer man. They shouldn't give any hassle to test drive. I recommend going with your dad to make them take you more seriously too.

my father is an incredibly busy person. He wants me to do all the dirty work and have him come in at the end to sign the papers. ez pz lemon squeezy

[omadab]

Originally Posted by mazeroni

What kind of dealership is this? Is it a small used car lot or a larger dealership? What does Google reviews/ BBB/ etc., say about them? Is the advertised car price "too good to be true" and that is why you are looking there, then yes, be skeptical and consider saving yourself the headache and move on to something else.

If you're 16, it would make sense that they would want to protect their ass because they probably do get people coming in and thrashing the cars. They probably plan to make it hard to get the money back by pushing the sale. Seems like they are "priming" you with all of these hoops, hoping to get a sucker that they can milk during and after the test drive.

i agree with everything you said. It's a big toyota dealership. the car isnt CPO so i want to do all the checks on it myself (aka drive it lol). I am far from 16, but I could look like it if you get my bad angle XD.

The price is above average, but I hope to haggle it down 1000$. the hoops are what I dont want because I dont want to have to struggle to get my 500$ later if the car sucks

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by omadab

i agree with everything you said. It's a big toyota dealership. the car isnt CPO so i want to do all the checks on it myself (aka drive it lol). I am far from 16, but I could look like it if you get my bad angle XD.

The price is above average, but I hope to haggle it down 1000$. the hoops are what I dont want because I dont want to have to struggle to get my 500$ later if the car sucks

Find another car/dealer. There's no way I'd spend another second of thought on a dealership with those requirements.

[Tcoat]

The salesmen almost tripped over each other getting me a car to test drive.

[omadab]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

The salesmen almost tripped over each other getting me a car to test drive.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by omadab

I picked the one with the short skirt and tight sweater!