Did anybody else NOT test drive their FR-S/BRZ before purchase?

[PStaff716]

Test drove an AT on Thursday and ended up choosing the MT that was at the same dealership but a different part of town. Didn't even know what color it was lol. Turns out it is Raven black, and I get to pick her up tomorrow after work!

1.8 miles in that AT and I fell in love..

[shirker]

Originally Posted by thill

I am surprised how many people did not test drive. Shocked actually. I test drove everything under the sun and then some. Probably 15+ cars before I bought the BRZ. I just love cars, and any excuse to take one out was good enough for me

I'm equally shocked; I was expecting maybe 10 or 20% not ever test driving before purchase, not the majority. Those who test drive the FRS/BRZ and other cars just speak louder apparently, but then again who's gonna post about their experiences not driving the car.

Probably safe to say most/all people on the forum "just love cars" otherwise they wouldn't a) buy a sports car or b) be on a sports car forum, but I guess that doesn't translate to test drives.

[DarkSunrise]

Yes, I would never buy a car without test-driving it first. Even after doing the FR-S autocross event and ordering my FR-S, I still insisted on test-driving my actual car before signing for it.

I also test-drove a bunch of other cars before deciding on the Scion:
- Mini Cooper S
- 370z
- Evo X GSR
- Cayman S
- Mustang GT 5.0
- S2000
etc.

[Nevermore]

I ordered mine sight unseen. I had access to the order process before they were available and my dad (who works for Toyota and who's benefit this is) told me if I wanted to make sure I got one I should order it right away, so I pulled the trigger. I did test drive one a couple of months after placing my order though. Ordering early didn't get it to me any faster unfortunately. But I still ordered it without the test drive.

[Jertronic]

I drove an AT and have a 10 series MT on order. Seems odd to me that one would not test a car before purchasing it. But, I guess if you have driven similar set ups and know your Japanese RWD cars then why bother. This is a new engine though, no?

This is a first for me. A light-ish RWD car. I had a RWD 328 back in 1999-2001. This is the main reason that I am getting another RWD. I loved that car.

[AznBRZer]

Personally, I find it crazy that so many people bought it without test driving it first. Granted I didn't go crazy because I wanted to see how it drives on my typical DD-ing and testing the suspension on bumps.

[shirker]

Originally Posted by zaptorque

nope, creeped these forums for a few months, i knew i would love it regardless

This. This forum was the very reason I was able to buy mine without test driving one first. From car comparisons to problems and gripes and owner impressions, I more or less knew what to expect (and not to expect). Hell, I hadn't even seen one in real life until after months of browsing the forums and already deciding I would get one. Thanks FT86!

Originally Posted by 86BRZ

Only sit inside it once when mine arrives.
The test drive is the moment I first own it.

Likewise. That feeling was satisfying as hell.

[Scionshaun]

Test drove a 6MT, never test drove the 6AT, I knew I'd love the 6AT and got it without even driving it.

[YamahaR86]

Drove Manual twice in my life. But I've rode my motorcycle for 4 years everyday so it should have been simple. Still was afraid to test drive.

Worked out the deal, drove it off the lot and peeled out. Couldn't find reverse and a guy came over and showed me.

I knew I made the right choice though, all the car magazines and reviews raved about it so I didn't need to test drive it.

[Skyhound]

I have no idea how people can be proud of the fact that they didn't test drive their cars before buying them. That's like saying that you should buy a new suit with trying it on.

I got mine with the very first wave that came to the US. I was the second person who ever even looked at the car and they tried to get me to just jump on it right away. However, I HAD to test drive it.

You all have to realize that the car could have easily been a huge flop when it first came out. Being proud of not test driving a car is silly. :/ It's ignorance at best.

[shirker]

Originally Posted by Skyhound

You all have to realize that the car could have easily been a huge flop when it first came out. Being proud of not test driving a car is silly. :/ It's ignorance at best.

I don't find anyone saying they're particularly "proud" of not test driving it, more the fact that they did not test drive and things worked out just fine. Also, buying a new car w/o a test drive at it's initial release vs. a year later is a very different scenario, if only for the sheer difference in available information.

True ignorance would be purchasing the car without test driving it OR doing any research whatsoever on what you're putting your hard earned money into.

[YamahaR86]

Originally Posted by shirker

I don't find anyone saying they're particularly "proud" of not test driving it, more the fact that they did not test drive and things worked out just fine. Also, buying a new car w/o a test drive at it's initial release vs. a year later is a very different scenario, if only for the sheer difference in available information.

True ignorance would be purchasing the car without test driving it OR doing any research whatsoever on what you're putting your hard earned money into.

This is true. I'm not entirely proud of not test driving it it's just I didn't have enough confidence to drive manual yet. But I knew the car isn't a flop it was right for me especially since my dad loved his Toyota's.

[michaelosx]

Originally Posted by shirker

This forum was the very reason I was able to buy mine without test driving one first.

I watched numerous videos reviewing and testing the car before visiting a dealer.

Test drives make me a little nervous. I HATE the feeling I get driving someone else's car. The accident I passed turning into the dealer made matters worse.

Finally, I had my two boys with me. There was no way the three of us plus a salesman would fit in the car, and I would not have left them alone at the dealership. Sitting in the car and hearing the engine run was good enough for me.

[jarviz]

I wanted to, I saw the car twice and both times my brother drove it. Didn't know how to drive stick then haha.