Test Drive & Purchases...

[mrjoshyman]

So I've been doing research for the past several months and I'm pretty set on the Mazdaspeed 3 to replace my 98 626....

Today I went to my local Mazda dealership and they refused to let me test drive one. They said that due to the limited quantity available they are only allowing test drives once a deposit on the car has been made. Is this standard procedure? Or is this dealership ridiculous?

Also I'm probably going to be looking to get the 2008.5 GT which is basically at the 25k price level. Due to the limited quantity are the speed 3's selling over MSRP? Has anyone been able to get anything knocked off the MSRP?

Thanks so much in advance 4 ur responses...

 

[hilmar2k]

I had no problems getting a test drive, and paid MSRP less $1000.

 

[NCZ13]

i know that the dealerships near me had a tag on the speed3s in the showroom saying that the cars werent allowed to be test driven...

 

[blkMs3th]

the dealership that won't let me test drive is the one that just lost my business. Same for requiring a credit check or deposit.

 

[Nismothecat]

they had a used one on the lot when i bought mine. that was the only reason i got a test drive. i bought it last night so im sure they still have it. if your in so cal its at Browning Mazda at the Cerritos Auto Square

 

[aaronc7]

I'm 22 and they let me drive it right away... I set up the drive online though, so that might have helped/trick them lol

 

[stageup]

everywhere i went they practically threw the keys at me, this is in socal.
i was wearing shorts, tshirts and slippers.

i also got 1000 under msrp

 

[RXMmazdaspeed]

i test drove one that had just come off the truck and hadn't even been prepped. no way in hell i'd ever put a deposit on a car before a test drive. go to a different dealership.

 

[Super Unique]

I paid 22k for the gt package 2008.5 model, and had no problem at all getting a test drive.

 

[Moxhair]

I test drove 3 of them on the same day. Any dealership that won't let me test drive a car before I buy it won't be getting any of my business.

 

[Super Unique]

Just tell the mazda dealer that subaru or mitsubishi would love to sell you a FASTER car than the speed3, and won't give you any BS stories about limited anything. Limited my ass is the phrase I would use on em. they sound like self righteous snobs. It's a mazda for crying out loud.

I could understand the snobbery if it was a ford GT, carrera 4s or veyron. NOT a hot hatch....

 

[mrjoshyman]

I paid 22k for the gt package 2008.5 model, and had no problem at all getting a test drive.

22k?!? where was this? did you have a connection @ the dealership? or amazing bargaining skills?

 

[Rany]

I paid 22k for the gt package 2008.5 model, and had no problem at all getting a test drive.

pics of the sales slip or it didn't happen

 

[MikeHTally]

I had no problem with a test drive. In fact, I went back five hours later and bought one! Crystal White Pearl Mica, wheel locks, cargo net, and HomeLink. Been wanting one for a while. I was going to wait 'til spring '09, but I found this one with everything I wanted, an' nothin' I didn't.

 

[Kobyoshi]

Just got my 2008.5 TR GT for $23.5K + TTL and I went to four different dealers and test drove one at each with no questions asked.

BTW, she's a day old and a pic can be seen HERE

 

[FrequentFlyer]

Yeah it's standard. Standard procedure by shady car dealership. Find another one!

 

[haberdashery]

i wish my local dealers wouldn't let people drive whatever car they wanted to, but they do. and when i find one, it always has 100+ miles on it. im not buying that, are you ******* crazy?

they should have one designated to drive, and thats it.

 

[neox.286]

lol, Im 18 and Ive had multiple dealorships let me test drive the speed3

granted one of them knows me a lot because I buy a LOT of parts through them for my MSP (as well as my MSP), but still...the others didnt seem to mind

I also got offers of 22k on a speed3 from the same dealorship I bought my MSP from

 

[Yoo Shin]

Wow I had an incredible dealer/test drive experience with both the dealer that sold my wife and I the CX7 and recently when I test drove a MS3. 2 different dealers in 2 different states.

Both dealers encouraged me to "drive" the car pointing me down roads that would either challenge the cars handling or road manners.

The dealer I drove the MS3 at had a test route for their demo MS3. Without it I wouldn't be actually posting here, instead looking for a Subaru dealer that would actually let me drive the 08 STI. With just putting around in traffic I wouldn't ever know how this car can actually perform in real world conditions. Oh, and this particular Mazda dealer met my initial offer of invoice pricing, though I'm waiting to see the White GT model that they're expecting this month before making my final decision.

 

[mrjoshyman]

lol, Im 18 and Ive had multiple dealorships let me test drive the speed3

granted one of them knows me a lot because I buy a LOT of parts through them for my MSP (as well as my MSP), but still...the others didnt seem to mind

I also got offers of 22k on a speed3 from the same dealorship I bought my MSP from

22k offer on a sport or gt? hmm...i wondering if the dealership was being shady b/c i'm 18