credit check + 500$ + meet director to test drive
 

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 :)

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:

http://i65.tinypic.com/30mpch4.png

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.

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.

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. ;)

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

:lol::lol::lol:

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

I dont think ive seen a salesperson of that description before XD. id probably be test driving more cars if that were the case :D

If it is a big dealership, then they are full of shit about the policy. It is just because you are young.

Anyway, we are talking about a used car, right? What salesperson would lose out on a sale over a test drive? Especially a used car that probably has a fat margin and isn't super rare.

I agree that it might help to have your dad strong arm them a little. He might not want to do it. You might not want that either, but it could put things in motion.

If this is the hassle they put people through for a test drive I do not want to see what would happen for a warranty claim!


Walk away and find a new one.

I think I'm going to simply make an appointment with another salesman. I really want this specific car. It is the best in the city from what I've seen.

You didn't mention your age but I am guessing you're young, probably under 21. Sad to say most dealers won't take you seriously. Their loss! Bring your business elsewhere. Not all car salesmen are shady but it does take some looking. Perhaps try corresponding through email first so they can't immediately judge you based on age.

This is what I do to get taken seriously...


https://i.imgflip.com/2sujaq.jpgvia Imgflip Meme Generator

Okay a little update.
Called back and told them I'm willing to do the credit check + 500$. now they want me to also sign a contract (im assuming to buy the car) before I even get to test drive it. idk if thats how they work or if theyre trying to hide a problem with the car and force the sale onto me.....
I'm really bummed cuz its the nicest in the city and I can't even fucking buy it. I'm trying to give them my money but they don't want it....

How hard is it to go in? Might get somewhere else then besides calling.

But honestly I would just find another dealer to do business with

That's interesting, I was able to test drive a BMW M4 in a Stick Shift without doing anything of those things, mind you it was an 80K fully loaded one at that.

I doubt they are locking you into a sale with the contract and you'll be able to get the money back, just make sure you read the contract twice.

But yea, they are doing everything to get you comfortable with the idea of buying and killing your negotiating power. I'm assuming they'll "make it easy" with some "great financing" and a "killer monthly payment." I mean, you already put 500 down. You must really want it!!!

So yea, you just have to be really well prepared to walk and not get too eager to sign whatever they put in front of you.

that why it's the nicest. because they're making it such a pain in the ass for anyone to buy it.

NEVER sign a contract for something that you're only kicking the tires on--i remember an article somewhere that the dealer was doing that, stating it was just 'standard' to sign a contract pre-test drive, but it was really a contract to buy, and they screwed over a good number of people by forcing them to buy a car they didn't want.

and i would only put the $500 deposit on a credit card that i could dispute later.

unfortunately, if you're under 25, or in my case, look like you're under 20(i'm 30 now, but my baby face still gets carded way too often), most dealers are going to assume you're there for a joyride and a waste of their time. the only way around that is really to have an old-looking adult with you. i suggest taking your grandfather out for dinner or something...

This sounds like the antics of a buy here pay here lot (assuming they have those scumbag places in Maple Syrup and Timmy Ho's land) not a large toyota dealership.

The last time I had an idiot refuse to let me drive a car (because I wouldn't guarantee I'd buy it...) I simply found another car and bought that. I don't understand why you aren't doing the same.. and unless you NEED a car right now just wait for the right one from a dealership that isn't full of ****heads.

The policy is to weed out flakes.
It seems to have worked.

all that it does is get suckers, which is easy money for them. car salespeople are class traitors and scum of the earth, whos only goal is to take as much money from you as humanly possible

OK that's going to far, even for Quebec. Note the area I made BOLD in the following from:
https://www.opc.gouv.qc.ca/en/consum...e/used-dealer/


Before purchasing a used vehicle, you should test drive it and have it inspected.
Have it inspected by a mechanic you trust. Test drive it for a sufficient length of time: driving around the block is not enough.
Merchant refusal

The merchant is required to accept your request. Do not go through with the transaction if the merchant does not allow you to test drive the vehicle or have it inspected. This merchant may be trying to hide a serious mechanical problem from you. You could also report the merchant to the Office de la protection du consommateur as this practice is prohibited by regulations.
If the vehicle is being sold without a warranty of fitness (vehicle category D), it is even more important to conduct a test drive.
The consultation with a mechanic is done at your expense. This expertise will allow you to have a clear picture of the vehicle’s condition.
Price of the vehicle

Focus on the problems you have discovered following the inspection and test drive as you negotiate the price of the vehicle.

don't do it don't do it don't do it.




go find another one on cargurus.com




everyone here is warning you. please listen!

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I'm going to be using it all :thanks: :thanks:

However, I think this is the go to strategy. Even though this is the best car in the city (favorite color + all features) Bye bye Toyota, I'll be keeping my eye on the market for a better deal :)

Good call dude

bibbity boppity give me the zoppity

They haven't refused to let him test drive it. They have just set conditions he does not (and should not) want to meet. The dealer would walk away laughing from any investigation.

No, the dealership has changed it's conditions. They now require him to sign a contract. In essence they keep moving the goal posts each time he gets close. I would like to think that this sort of unfair practice is exactly what the Office of Consumer Protection was set up to investigate and stop.


Well I'm sure the dealer would make anyone suggesting they would report them to think that way. But... I don't bluff. I wouldn't even give them a hint of what I might do. I'd just move on while also reporting these "children of unwed parents" to the authorities! But that's just me. :)

What kind of contract is it?
Did your even ask?

The fake contact was enough to weed out your fake joyriding arse!

Credit check is standard protocol to weed out joyriding ricers who ain't buying squat.

Is your were serious about buying a car, you'd be AT the dealer lot, not calling around looking for a free joyride.

GO TO THE DEALER

Then tell us if your get shot down the same

I wouldn't put up with it either but that doesn't mean they didn't meet the requirements. They just have "conditions" and even if they change they have not refused him a test drive. Is it unfair? Yes. Is it slimy? Yes Will any board decided they broke the rules? No.


Any dealership that would pull that sort of scammy process has accepted shady and discriminate practices as part of their business ethics and it no doubt stretches to all aspects of how they deal with customers. I may report them but doubt it will do anything so I would just be sure to let everybody I could know just how bad they are. I have done so in the past.

Final update
I decided to go to the dealer for fun to simply check out the car. I did not make an appointment, neither did I speak to anyone before going there. This time I was smart enough to dress more professional :). Boy was I glad that I went because even though the car looks immaculate, there are a lot of hidden problems. Doesn't feel like a missed opportunity anymore.

When I went to check out the car, I peaked underneath the car and noticed that the front left jack point was completely mangled. I don't know how the jack point can possibly have this much damage done to it unless the car was in an accident. After that I realized there is a fluid leaking somewhere near that jack point. A salesman was intrigued by why I was peaking under the car and I was able to get him to start the car for me (inside the show room). Once he started the car, I removed the oil cap and put my hand over the fill tank to feel for engine blow by. Oil was spewing out and there was a lot of air being pushed out. Right away, I knew that the piston rings were worn. Not only that, but the mechanic that inspected the car didn't clean the inside of the fill cap well enough, there was still oil/coolant residue inside the cap. There's probably a head gasket leak. Also, the dipstick had a black residue on it. I don't know what black residue means, but it didn't look normal.
Even though the car looked great, it was in bad condition. I've learned from this experience that how you dress really makes an impact on how people perceive you and not to always give up when you run into a wall. Even though I was getting nothing but red flags from this dealership, I am still glad that I still decided to go check out the car. I've learned from my mistakes, and this car doesn't feel like a missed opportunity anymore :D That;s a win win to me.

oma

Good call on gong there and also dressing better. The tactic the dealership was using was because they put you in a never going to buy just looking to drive the car category. The other issue may be do you have full coverage insurance on another car? When you test drive a car the dealer does not want you on their insurance.



Pulling the cap while running on this engine will not tell you anything, they all will spew. Also moisture buildup at the cap is normal.



Anyway keep an eye out you will find the one you want that is in good shape.

I did not realize you went to the dealership before. I thought you only called in the phone

I was going to let that slide but since you brought it up...
All engines will have some air come out when you open the oil cap. Some way more than other. There are a pile of parts moving around and the oil system itself is pressurized. Normally all that air will pass through the various vents for the emission control system but when you open the cap it is the path of least resistance so out it comes. I would be much more worried if I popped an oil cap and there was no air movement or oil "spew".
If your rings were so bad and causing that much blow by you would know it. The air coming out would reek of fuel, you would have a very dense cloud of blue smoke billowing out of the tail pipe and if really bad you would actually hear the hiss during the compression stroke. How do I know? I have been there with other cars. More than once.