Did they let you test drive before buying?

[chwood]

Cussing and saying **** this and that and saying i wouldn't buy the car was me blowing off steam. Some people don't realize how hard i've worked to get great credit and to have someone turn you down on a test drive just sent me reeling!!! I will try another dealer. Thanks to the guys from Cleveland and Cincy for the dealer info there. I will call and set an appointment up.

SEE - we can all get along!


Blowing off steam we can all understand - but they've ALWAYS fallen all over themselves to help me whenever I've had any questions or anything. The trouble is that they haven't had enough 1st had exp w/ the car to know much. I mentioned the stumbling and they were clueless. <shrug> That just takes time.

The appologized like crazy for not letting me have a test drive, but since I had decided on the car already, it was no big deal. I'd almost rather have a dealer a little anal about protecting the car (even if it is a $20k econobox ) than one that is flippant about maintaining the quality of the vehicle prior to handing me the keys.

 

[REMillers]

Wasn't saying you calling him a tool was as bad as his behavior in the first post. Just different circumstances from which the word useage was being applied.

Regardless of where the credit approval comes from it is still a lot more than what people would bring in only looking for a test drive. That alone should atleast give him some play room with getting a test drive even if just with the salesman. It helps to show that he is really looking to buy a car in that price range.

Not sure how your dealers are doing but around here the MSP's just are not really selling.

Limited or not he should have atleast gotten a chance for a small spin whether alone or with the salesperson.
Just seems like the dealer is being slightly stuck up about who gets to touch the "Mighty" MSP.

They probably are a good dealership but least with this example they didn't perform to customer expectations. But that doesn't doom them to being rated as the worst, just a mistake that they hopefully correct or learn from.

(drinks)

 

[liftmycurse]

SEE - we can all get along!


Blowing off steam we can all understand - but they've ALWAYS fallen all over themselves to help me whenever I've had any questions or anything. The trouble is that they haven't had enough 1st had exp w/ the car to know much. I mentioned the stumbling and they were clueless. <shrug> That just takes time.

The appologized like crazy for not letting me have a test drive, but since I had decided on the car already, it was no big deal. I'd almost rather have a dealer a little anal about protecting the car (even if it is a $20k econobox ) than one that is flippant about maintaining the quality of the vehicle prior to handing me the keys.

The thing is Chwood it would have been $$$ in there pocket. I have $6,000 cash plus the approval from Telhio Credit Union. They even have Telhio's paper work there to do the loan up. I will go somewhere else now to get the car. It's a shame becuase i felt the guy in service was nice. YOu might be the guy he was talking about that mentioned the hesitation problem when i brought it up.

 

[chwood]

(drinks)

I can't vouch for the truth of whether or not this directive really comes from Mazda or not, but that is the line I got, as have others from other dealers.

They don't even let the EMPLOYEES drive these cars there and, on the subaru side, they have 2 WRX's that are their "test drive" cars for the same reason.

Like the policy or not, think its reasonable or not, their behavior is consistent with the "protect the turbo" story. Couple that with how appologetic they were about it with me and that left me only with Mazda to complain to.

I've got 4400 or so on mine now - I've got the hesitation like everyone else, but I think I'm clunk free so far (crossing fingers).

I was serious though - if you want a spin in mine that's no biggie.

Just be sure to let of the steam before ya get behind the wheel...

 

[REMillers]

Should probably clarify why test driving a MSP is very important.
Looking at the numbers these cars do not really present alot to the common unknowledge buyer. Same price can get you better looking cars on paper.
However the MSP is a really enjoyable ride to have along with the rest of the Protege lineup. It is not till you drive one that you understand how nicely it balances out.
Just looking at it doesn't sell the cars, driving them does.
Seems most the people so far that bought one was 100% completely sold after their first test drive.

And that is why I think they are hurting themselves about being so strict with test driving it. If they are worried about it being abuse then let the salesperson ride along, and limit the drive somewhat.

Haven't seent the Mazda no test drive policy in effect here. You can simply walk in and test drive one without showing much interest in the car. Its the driver impressions that they hope to sell people on. Otherwise the car just sits there gathering pollen watching all the other cars sell like hot cakes.

 

[SaaBaaDoo]

After dropping the F-bomb several times on one of the dealerships up around Columbia, MD, they actually pulled the msp out of the showroom and let me drive it. VERY short test drive though. When I returned...they were all excited and wanted to start working on a deal.

I returned 2 months later driving my Titanium msp and made sure to let them know how they screwed up a sale!

Dealerships should be kissing ass for car buyer's business.

 

[chwood]

The thing is Chwood it would have been $$$ in there pocket. I have $6,000 cash plus the approval from Telhio Credit Union. They even have Telhio's paper work there to do the loan up. I will go somewhere else now to get the car. It's a shame becuase i felt the guy in service was nice. YOu might be the guy he was talking about that mentioned the hesitation problem when i brought it up.

Well, that's IF you decided to buy it, not just for the test drive.
You COULD have taken it for a spin and passed, and they're left with zero. Of course, why would they expect you to bail on them for repeating the company line of "no test drives"?
Nah, right or wrong, they are stickin to those guns on that.

Unless they mistreated you, that only makes them assholes if its BS and they are making it up. <shrug>

I would say that nobody you or I talked to there made it up if it is in fact not from Mazda corp. Just like the poor girl at blockbuster didn't write that stupid fing noon return dealine (I HATE that!).

They prob were talking about me re: hesitation though - I just called last week sometime to ask about it. They didn't know anything though, so I told them I would get back to them if it continued (which it will of course).

 

[chwood]

After dropping the F-bomb several times on one of the dealerships up around Columbia, MD, they actually pulled the msp out of the showroom and let me drive it. VERY short test drive though. When I returned...they were all excited and wanted to start working on a deal.

I returned 2 months later driving my Titanium msp and made sure to let them know how they screwed up a sale!

Dealerships should be kissing ass for car buyer's business.

Have you asked them about all the fing hoops mazda makes them jump through to be qualified to SELL the damn thing though??
(Again, unless it was all BS from 3 diff employees)
Its pretty freakin nuts - I can't blame any of the dealers for being anal about it, since they risk losing that "elite" dealer status by bending the rules.

 

[AGR]

ASS CLOWNS!!

What is it with these ******* Car Dealers??!! They are so arrogant - they actually believe they are going to sell a car to me without me drivng it? I doubt it!! ASSCLOWNS!!

**** all dealers that play this game!

 

[chwood]

Should probably clarify why test driving a MSP is very important.
Looking at the numbers these cars do not really present alot to the common unknowledge buyer. Same price can get you better looking cars on paper.
However the MSP is a really enjoyable ride to have along with the rest of the Protege lineup. It is not till you drive one that you understand how nicely it balances out.
Just looking at it doesn't sell the cars, driving them does.
Seems most the people so far that bought one was 100% completely sold after their first test drive.

And that is why I think they are hurting themselves about being so strict with test driving it. If they are worried about it being abuse then let the salesperson ride along, and limit the drive somewhat.

Haven't seent the Mazda no test drive policy in effect here. You can simply walk in and test drive one without showing much interest in the car. Its the driver impressions that they hope to sell people on. Otherwise the car just sits there gathering pollen watching all the other cars sell like hot cakes.

LOL

I think so too!

But when I was in there to buy mine, there was some guy there looking at 6 - we were both sitting and waiting for something or other. Some 3rd guy was there looking at the speed on display and asked about it. This other dork waves him off "rides rough as hell, a real piece of crap." I about fell out of my chair laughing - "would someone please bring up a nice big lincoln continental with the cushy touring suspension for the goober in room one?"

So, I suppose some people WON'T be impressed by it. <shrug>
Go figure.

 

[chwood]

Re: ASS CLOWNS!!

What is it with these ******* Car Dealers??!! They are so arrogant - they actually believe they are going to sell a car to me without me drivng it? I doubt it!! ASSCLOWNS!!

**** all dealers that play this game!

<sigh>



omg not again...


(hand)

 

[REMillers]

LOL!

Oh and don't mind AGR#7 he has multi-personalities and sometimes they get let loose in the boards.

This other dork waves him off "rides rough as hell, a real piece of crap."

LOL I'd probably do the samething, lucky no one got to look at my car since it rolled directly off the truck. No fingers but mine and the dealer touched it

*runs off to find AGR's pills*

 

[SaaBaaDoo]

Have you asked them about all the fing hoops mazda makes them jump through to be qualified to SELL the damn thing though??
(Again, unless it was all BS from 3 diff employees)
Its pretty freakin nuts - I can't blame any of the dealers for being anal about it, since they risk losing that "elite" dealer status by bending the rules.

No hoops man, just asswipes! While one guy was telling me that I had to have a certain amount of income to test drive, another was telling me I had to be at least 21!. :wtf: It's not an 80K car!

One of the guys was sitting there telling me how much of a piece of s*** it was compared to the stock WRX!

 

[liftmycurse]

Chwood i'll meet up with you thursday or friday to take a spin in yours. I work till 6pm tomorrow night. What side of Columbus do you live on? Don't worry i won't rag on it if you let me take a sort drive. I'll bring my license and insurance card. hahahaha!

 

[AGR]

LOL!

Oh and don't mind AGR#7 he has multi-personalities and sometimes they get let loose in the boards.

LOL I'd probably do the samething, lucky no one got to look at my car since it rolled directly off the truck. No fingers but mine and the dealer touched it

*runs off to find AGR's pills*

Hey! Just speakin' the truth!!!! (but RE; - you got me laughing my ass off!!!!!) (rofl)

 

[REMillers]

hehe

anyone know the number for Oakland, TN's mental ward? We have a live one here...

 

[AGR]

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!

(cheers) (chair) :'( (k) :mad: :wtf:

 

[Captain KRM P5]

I read a copy of the Mazda sales newsletter just before the MSP came out. It had a rundown of all the other sport compacts pros and cons, and ways / things to say that sales people were told to do - wish i still had that copy from my dealership. Mazda did say "let the customer get a feel for the car...let the customer have a solid test drive in the car...explain and compare the virtues in detail..." I can't say for 100% certainty, but something like that is verbatim what was on that corporate sales flyer.

Believe me, corporate Mazda does NOT want dealers to strong arm people. Anything said like that is merely feeding you a line. The problem is that in this country, dealers have the ultimate power over things like service, pricing, sales, etc. Laws protect them. Case in point; Ford has tried to get dealers to drop the After Dealer Profit on the Thunderbird since it came out in 2001. Some dealers charge as much as $20,000 over MSRP and for the most part, dealers ignored Ford's pleas. People were also (including myself) being deined test drives. The car basically never took off because of things like that and now is being discontinued.

 

[REMillers]

And above we see the many different personalities of Greg:
Quick run down:
=The confused child not sure of anything in the world
(cheers) =The Irish drunk who's fav pass time is consuming Guinness
=Mister happy always with a smile, though for other reasons (Notice you never see his hands...)
(chair) =The anger filled demon who's only thought it beating people with chairs
:'( =The cry baby
(k) =The Women

 

[REMillers]

:mad: =Self-Deluged manic
=Mister scared of his own shadow and practically anything
:wtf: =The Mime who's only communication is via signs, normally directed negatively
=The is the brother of Mister Even bigger smile normally cause he is planning a trick on you.
=And the guy who believes in nothing.

Stay tune next week as we dig deeper into this twisted world of the guy who constantly mutters:I LOVE MY MAZDASPEED.
A tactic which we believe helps him suppress the above personalities