test drives - anyone been able to score one w/o a deposit or guaranteeing purchase?
 

Can't buy the car without a test drive (just can't, pls no comments on that requirement).

Can't find a dealer who will let me test drive without actually ordering the car first.

Has anyone had such luck, anywhere? Just trying to see what your experience has been, especially if you were able to snag a test drive without any commitment to purchase.

Thanks for your replies

Did not have a deposit down, was talking about my trade trying to get the numbers I wanted was going to leave (was on lunch).

Salesman said well let's go take it for a spin...


Got back and magically the sales manager decided to pay off my 2009 TC lease 11 months early..

Left with it 2 hours later...:thanks:

My local Subaru and Scion dealers both wanted a deposit. So I reached a little farther out and found a Subaru dealer who had what I assume was a "demo" car, as it had a hundred or so miles on it. I was able to drive it without a deposit.

Got a call that theres a virgin raven frs came in with 0 miles after there business hours.. test drove the car signed papers no down and drove the car home same night. Norwalk Toyota!

The 2 Scion dealers I have visited have just handed me keys and said "Let's Go!" I drove 2 manual FRS' with a buddy of mine and we are both 18, so I was kinda surprised...


I guess it all depends on how relaxed/bored your dealer is at the time...

Went to my local toyota/scion and saw that they got a Whiteout. When I asked about it, they were more than happy to let me drive it without a deposit. They even let me head over to the nearest "mountain roads"(they're more like really big hills) so I could see what it really could do. I didn't even buy the car when we were done since I don't like to do that kind of stuff on impulse. I came back a week later to buy the car. Though to be honest I just couldn't hide my excitement for this car so I guess they knew I was going to buy it sooner or later.

It depends on the dealership or the sales person really. If they have one available to show you, I would assume they're more likely to let you drive it if you assured them that you were interested in buying it. If they have to order it JUST for you to test it out, then they would need a deposit since even having it transferred from one dealership to another costs money (which will usually be the deposit they asked you for)

You have to realize that they probably get a ton of people who just want a fun joy ride in the new 86. If you don't show interest then they have no incentive to let you drive it since they don't know if it will be worth it. It doesn't help that you already missed the first wave rush.

well i have tried to explain why i absolutely must test drive first, and they keep giving me the runaround, "limited production, high demand, corporate won't let us give test drives"

not really sure what to do =\

based on responses thus far, seems like those who got test drives live out in the middle of nowhere (no offense) so maybe demand isn't that high in those areas

I've looked at the car at three dealerships and two of them let me test drive. The other kept theirs on the showroom but the salesman remembered me from three years ago and said if I really wanted to test it they could bring it outside. I have not however been able to find an AT to test but I ordered one anyway. It's like Skyhound said, as long as they think your interested they should let you test one.

I was able to get a test drive at my local dealership as they ended up with a dealer traded FR-S with over 300 miles over. I understand that most dealerships want to keep mileage on their cars as low as possible (after all, how many of us are willing to take a car with more than 25+ miles at delivery?).

I was in your boat about not wanting to put down anything on a car you've never been able to drive - which unfortunately for me now has me searching/waiting for an available BRZ.

Call the dealership, tell them you want to buy a car but you want to test drive it first. you will go in and they will let you test drive it. then after test drive u can say you dont like it and go home. or if you do like it they will bring you inside and try to work out a deal.

that is what I did. and they let me test drive it. but say you will order is after test drive i you like it. i had to call 8 diferent dealers. some told me yes but when ever cars come on the lot. some told me yes you can come right now.

Salesman offered but I passed on the test drive. Salesman offered but I really just wanted to get everything rolling and get out of there. I sat in it and made sure I fit and everything was where it should be...a five minute test drive wasn't going to tell me anything I didn't already know. I think I was out of there in under an hour...fastest car buying experience EVAR!!! :)

edit: and this was in Northern VA/DC Suburb...so not in the middle of nowhere...

The dealership near me let me test drive one without a deposit. I even told the guy out right that I already had one on order and was just waiting for it to come in and wanted to drive one. It was an Ultramarine AT. Ironically that dealership still has the one I test drove, as well as another Ultramarine AT and an Asphalt AT.

If they give you shit about taking a legitimate test drive, buy the car from some other dealer that values customer service. After you buy it, go back to the dealer(s) (in your new FR-S) that wouldn't let you take a test drive and let them know that they missed a sale.
BTW, as you get older, things like this seldom if ever happen. I can understand a dealership being reluctant to hand the keys over to a teenager, so if you are young (or look very young) and are serious about buying and not just taking a joyride, take a parent, uncle, or an older looking person with you. I know it sucks, but that's the way the game is played.

Yeah, my dealership didn't make a fuss about it at all.

I went in looking to test drive one, they didn't have any in, but took my number and called me when they did come in.

This is in metropolitan Phoenix, not the middle of nowhere. If they want to be ****s about it, take your business elsewhere IMO.