How To Get A Test Drive?

Chris, come up to Atlanta and I'll let you and your dad try out my "Gatorrari"!

Chances are, considering your age, FCF will let your dad drive a car but I'd be guessing that they won't let you. And do they actually have a 328 and 308 on hand? Usually the dealers don't get in cars that old. In the last year, FoA got in one very nice 328 GTB, but they admit they rarely get cars to sell that are older than 1990 or so.

Jim

 

These Ferrari salesperson work on commission. They want to let you drive but they want to make sure you are serious about buying the car. It's an individual technique to act in such a way that people respect you. Not in such a way that you are nice but you have the money to buy their cars.
" Stores are never nice to people, they are nice to credit card " They are in business to make money, not to make friends. Sure they all saying they are nice and want to make friends and all. But at the end of the day, their success is to sell you their car. So act like a million buck, don't say " Can I have a test drive "... but say " Where is the key?? Man, How do you expect me to spend my money if I cann't drive this thing??? ".. you get the picture.

 

I would just go up there and ask to test drive the cars. It might be better to show up with your dad but it shouldn't matter. C'mon it's not like you're asking to drive an Enzo or something. I think it's silly you were declined a test drive from you local Nisan dealership, LOL! I guess it's the type of car kids want to take for a joyride. I hope you didn't buy your car from THAT dealership. I wanted to test drive a WRX sti here in Raleigh a couple of years ago and the f*cking guy would not allow it, WTF? He stated it was dealership policy so I ended up buying a TSX as my daily driver. It wasn't like I showed up in some POS car... I think I drove my 996 Turbo that day. It's amazing to what extent people will go through to NOT get your business.

 

I had a similar experience years ago over a Boxer. Salesman would'nt even let me sit in it.

You have to understand that F car buyers are looking for low milage, pristene cars. Test drives can rack up the miles pretty fast. Then there's the insurance.There are just too many people out there looking for a joy ride with no intention to buy.

I can relate about the Nisson. When I asked to test drive a BMW M3 with SMG, the salesman drove me to an empty park-way before letting into the drive's seat.

Keep in mind that I have purchased 5 BMWs from this dealer over the years and I arrived in my 348! The salesman said it was because of the insurance.

They used to just hand me the keys and say,"Bring it back when you're done."

 

We've have nothing but very positive experiences with the dealerships where we bought the Ferrari and two Mercedes. The first time at MB, we knew exactly what we wanted ('04 C320C) and that it would be a special order. We took a demo ride in a C class and yes, the salesman drove it off the lot. Second MB was also a special order (SLK350) from same person who is MB manager. When the demo SLK350 arrived, we went by and were given the keys and told to go have fun. He was a bit surprised that we were not gone longer (about 30 minutes). When we took the car back to be pinstriped, again we got the keys to his demo and were told do what we needed to do while in town - so we got some shopping done. While at the dealership waiting on the Ferrari, we were given the keys to a super cool yellow F1 Maserati Cambio with a map to restaurants so we could go have lunch. I believe that how you present yourself is a major key in the test drive equation.

Carol

 

Yup...

That's with ANY dealership too.

 

Give Martin a call. He is down in Miami, so about a 5 1/2 or 6 hour drive for you. If you are serious, thats a short drive to find the right F-car.

Go Gators!

 

The days of seeing 308s and 328s in dealership lots are over. The cars have now fully depreciated, and its extremely tough for a dealership to sell one with enough markup to make a profit. The newer cars are easier to flip (because they need less maintenance before they're ready for the showroom floor), so unless its a Daytona or 275 or a GTO, you probably won't see one parked at a dealership.

Eight years ago, getting to test drive a car was pretty easy if you had a relationship with someone at the dealership. It helps if you drop by the dealership and spend some quality time with a sales manager and actually talk to the guy for an hour or two. Dropping by several times and talking with different people also helps. Let them know what you're looking to spend, how much you have in cold, hard cash, and what you'll be financing. If you really want to demonstrate you're viability as a serious client, walk in with a certified bank check addressed to the dealership. Nothing gets a lazy salesman off his pompous ass faster than cash money laid out on the hood of a car. Treat the sale like a drug deal.

About a year or two ago, something happened at Algar that changed everything. One fellow pulled up to the Philadelphia dealership out-of-the-blue in a Limo wanting to see the F-50 they had advertised. He looked the part of 'Big Money', fancy clothes and all, so a salesman took the guy for a test drive. The car never came back - during the driver switch, the prospective 'buyer' gunned the car and ditched the salesman before he could get back into the passenger seat. He completely disappeared with the $750,000 car, leaving no ID and no secured funds at the counter. Algar had to eat the cost of the vehicle, as it was not insured for theft. The F-50 has never been recovered, to my knowledge.

If you really need 'stick time' to buy a 308 or 328, your best bet would be to join FCA or FOC and talk with current owners. Someone will be glad to take one out for a hard spin. From my own perspective, I never once drove a Ferrari before I bought both of mine. Not exactly the smartest thing in the world, but I can say this: NEVER have I been disappointed. Both cars are THAT GOOD.

 

I have never purchased any cars from my Dealer although have deposits for an Aston and 575 replacement,yet he just gives me the keys with a blessing to have fun.
Now,that breeds loyalty to that dealer in my book.