Horrible, Horrible Experience at Exotic Motors Midwest!

With 20 extra miles...

 

Two sides to every story. I am not calling you out, just saying.

 

Most dealers that specialized in these exotic cars are always hesitant to just let anyone taking their cars on a test drive. There are just too many non-buyers out there that are just looking for a joyride. To the OP, I agreed with you that the seller shouldn't have talked down to you that way. Plus, he probably lost a great potential buyer. On the other hand, the dealer did accommodate to show you a car on Sunday and allowed you to test drive that one car. If you were not sold on the color, you shouldn't have driven it for 20 miles.

 

I guess if you take a 20 mile test drive, you're not allowed to change your mind?

 

This is a good point. I try to look at both sides. I think the owner at EMM was over the line in the way he treated the OP but I think the owner was tired of the OP shopping for his car. I know customers can be demanding, and they should be on a car of the scuds caliber, however the OP's decision to walk from the black car and then revisit and question the condition , history of the red car set the owner into a head spin.... I do agree that 20 miles is a HEALTHY test drive and I think it says that the owner was trying to sell the OP the best he could on his listing. In the end EMM will continue to sell great cars and the OP will find his car, this relationship just ended on the wrong note.

 

You are driving a Ferrari not a Honda and as you know everyone here is super critical of mileage, wear, etc. Every mile costs money on these cars and there is a potential for something to go wrong. The right answer is to be reasonable and considerate on both sides.

 

It is a Ferrari, not a Hyundai. I don't agree exactly with how you say they treated you but putting 20 miles on one car balking, then expecting to put another 20 miles on another car? I wouldn't be surprised at any exotic dealer to tell you to kick rocks... I bought my last Ferrari sight unseen. Actually, driving the car was the last thing on my priority list.

 

Put yourself in the seller's position as if you're selling your Scuderia privately. This guy came, checked out the car, loved it, price negotiated, and the last thing stood between the deal was the test drive to make sure the car drives perfectly. It did, but then he started to compliant about how he doesn't really like the color and decided to walk.

Of course you can change your mind after taking 20 mile test drive. Just don't expect the same seller to welcome you with opened arms and a kiss on the cheek when you're in the door to drive another car of his.

 

+1

 

Its like this, most dealers DO NOT allow test drives let alone 20 miles on any Ferrari unless you have a deposit in hand and seem very serious. Do you know how many people that could never afford a Ferrari would go in and take the car out for a ride. Its wear and tear, dealer has to clean it up again, something could happen to it etc, just more risk for the dealer on these high line vehicles.... No its not right to drive a car 20 miles and walk. The OP was not going to buy Nero Daytona so he should have taken it around the block or something and respected the dealer, salesman and the listing. and I think the owner should get some credit here, two sides

 

That's true. I can see how the guy would be a little pissed after allowing a 20 mile test drive and then the guy backs out over a metallic color. That's probably something you figure out first unless as he said, it's a joy ride.

 

I don't know about this no test drive thing, but I definitely test drove mine. I made sure it was the car I wanted. Went to the dealer multiple times to look, then went in one day and said I want a car. Drove multiple cars, more than 20 miles, and was treated nicely, and left with a car. I don't know about the miles usually, but all the cars I drove were 1-3k miles. If 20 miles is gonna break your heart, keep the car.

 

did they have a sales person to have the test drive with you? they normally did, they usually will tell you where and when to head back to the dealership. If they didn't, that means it is ok.

DL

 

Have to stand up for Midwest. I signed papers on the 2007 red spider on there site.it is being delivered this week.so far my experience has been great. They gave me a fair trade in value credit toward my purchase and made financing and delivery happen. Im hoping the car arrives flawless and im expecting it to be. I will comment again my end of week. I believe There may be 2 sides to this story.

Jh

 

Difference is you became a more familiar face and they figured you were serious which as it turned out you were. Plus you're local so they'll hopefully get you for service in future. Both those things will give you more leeway.

 

To the OP, I think you have to harden up a little.

Why do you need to do a 20 mile test drive to decide the colour isn't for you? Seems to me that can probably be decided before you go for a drive!

The dealer has to sort out joy riders from real buyers. Sometimes he may get that wrong. He probably thought the red one was great, maybe he did know the car well. Tell the guy what you want, then they won't show you cars that you obviously won't buy.

 

My apologies if I was snarky to your first post... welcome and beautiful car!

 

Got to understand having a join date in Oct and defending a dealership as your first post is kind of odd to other F members.... I never buy from dealers they seem shady or don't think I'm not a potential buyer cuz I'm really young(I could be wrong) just a preference I like buying from loving owners in private party sales

 

I bought my CS sight unseen from an fchatter. Never even sat in a CS before mine showed up on the truck.

I think some of you guys take this stuff too seriously.

 

I try and avoid haggling price before I see the car and decide I want to buy it. Its wasted effort until the vehicle is qualified.

This is a sticky subject, here is what I do personally, not to be misconstrued as advice. I look at the car like its a rare diamond, ask 100+ questions, review maintenance records, etc. Then the salesperson ASKS ME if I would like to go for a test drive. I say yes, if and only if I am sure I want to buy the car. I treat the test drive as the last step in the purchase decision and will buy unless the test drive turns up something thats a show stopper. You can see it would be different if I show up at a dealer and say "I want to drive car X"

True Story: While I was at Ferrari of Palm Beach on purchase day, a guy wanders around the showroom looking at several Ferraris, then asks to take a test drive in one. Salesman says no, guy gets pissed and argues with him, gets pissy, makes a small scene, then walks out. I shrug it off. About 4 hours later (yes I was still there and in the process of buying my F430 and enjoying every minute of it) the police show up and ask 20 questions about the guy that caused a scene. I assumed that the Ferrari dealer had called the police, which I thought was weird, but what had actually happened was this guy had left pissed, walked across the street to the Infinity dealer, asked to test drive a car, and stolen it!
Take Away: You cant let everyone test drive a car, you must filter.

Test Drive Mileage: I actually dont like long test drives. I was a little annoyed when my salesperson insisted we go out on the interstate.

Test Drives in General: I will not test drive a car I am not 100% set on buying. Heck I wont sit in a car I am not interested in buying.

Respect: The seller / buyer relationship is based on respect and trust. Respect and trust is a two way street and builds with the relationship. When I feel I am not being respected I just vote with my $ and walk.

Last Story: I recently called a realtor on a 1.3M home. They talked price before I had ever seen the home (-1) then asked if I could afford such a house (-1), then refused to let me schedule a showing with my wife unless it was on Friday at 3:30pm. I said my wife needs to be there and we have kids, and our baby sitter can be at our house until 4pm because of school. He said no-way had to be 3:30pm (-1). I said thank you very much, good luck selling the home. He called me a few weeks later asking if I was still interested, I told him that I was not interested in working with him. (I always use the listing agent, get more inside info). So the home is still on the market 6 months later, now reduced to 1M. His failure was to find out who I was and meeting me for a showing is a great start, or asking what I do for a living, or where I currently live, all would have gave him the info he needed. It sounds like the owner made the same mistake with the OP. A little light conversation will go a long way to qualifying prospective buyers.

 

I kinda have to agree. While I think the dealer was offensive to say the least, I as a customer would not expect any more special treatment because I drove 10 miles or flew 6 hours. Once I walk through their front door, I expect them to me (and everyone) the same - and be professional. I would not expect a dealer to roll out the red carpet because I drove all day.

I also understand why a dealer is hesitant about test drives and for me 20 miles is a bit excessive. When I drove a Challenge Stradale, I fell in love. This was back in 2004. When I decided to finally take the plunge in 2006, I checked out the car, the service records, tires, clutch, ect..and didn't do a test drive. I honestly didn't see the point.

 

x10

 

+1

Fully agree.

To the OP
I would not have let you drive anything either. I see the dealers point. You give the impression of a time waster.

For example,,, if you knew you didn't like the color, then why did you drive the car at all,,,,,, let alone 20 miles?

 

Carfax? Helps before giving your uncle a 6 hour joyride. You drove there in what?