Test drove an SRT-4 today...

[CHICO2003]

Why you ask??? Well, I've always been curious about the SRT-4s and my job takes me to a lot of car dealerships. I figured, while I was there on business, what the hell??? It was the perfect opportunity. Not only did they actually have one (very hard to find, I've called) but I was on business which meant not MSP in sight. If I had arrived in that thing it would have blown my cover!! Being in a suit made me look... well, unlike most of the punks who probably come in for a test drive! If you want to test drive cars, you need to look the part! When I was like 18 I used to dress up in my nicest duds, slick my hair back and go to the porshe and bmw dealerships of the world and take test drives. (even drove an hour to a ferrari dealership only to get turned down... oh well, it was worth the try!) So anyway... back to the topic at hand!

While in the middle of my patented "walk around, look in, walk around again, nod twice... then get in" the sales schmuck (and I mean that in the meanest possible way) comes up to me with a smug look on his face and just stares at me. I'm inside the car diggin the interior and nearly creamin in my pants over the seats (KICK ASS!!! I wanted to pry that sucker out and take it with me!) and all this dude can do is stand there with his hands behind his back and "shimmy" around as if he's enjoying this. After a couple minutes, I get out and start to ask him questions to set him up for the test drive. (gotta show some SERIOUS interest!) I'm asking him technical questions... of course he knows nothing. Can't take any points off for that since none of them ever know anyhting!! (though my MSP sales guy wasn't THAT bad)

Me: (looking at engine, pretending to know what I'm looking at) "How big is the turbo?" -of course I already knew!!

Douche: "I don't know, it just goes!!" complete with smug look and all.

Me: "Do you know what the PSI rating is?"

Douche: "Huh??? Umm... I don't know, it just goes!!" -I wish I was kidding!!

Me: (puzzled and a bit reluctant to ask the next question because I already know what's coming) "So what's the HP rating on this car?" -of course I already knew!!!

$10 to the person who can guess what he said!!!

No need to even write it... so at this point, I'm about as impressed with him, not as a professional salesperson (which he clearly was not) but as a person... as I am with the mound of dirt that's occupying my backyard in preparation for... well, it doesn't matter!! No, I take it back!! What I just said isn't fair to the mound of dirt I have in my back yard!! hahaha


So my goal all along was to take this pup out for a test drive. I was willing to play the game as long as I need to in order to accoplish my goal. I figured, I had just done business with these people and, though this guy didn't know this because he made no effort to strike up a conversation with me, I could always fall back on that if I needed to. So after trying desperately not to A) crack up and B) shake my head in disgust after his pitiful display of knowledge (or lack there of) I decided to go in for the kill...

Me: "You know... I've read so much about these cars. About how fast they are... about how well they handle :::cough cough::: about how well they corner. But ya know... none of that means anything until I drive it for myself." (Usually a line like this isn't needed since most sales guys actually TRY to get you to take a test drive for they know that at least has a chance of leading to a sale.) Obviously this guy missed that day in training so I had to take it upon myself to become the sales guy!! "So what do you say? I know it's in the showroom and all but I'm pretty interested. My company is taking away company cars next week and I need to find a new one. (big lie of course!)"

His response....


Douche: "Sure, you can test drive it. You can test drive it for 5 years."

Me: (more puzzled than ever) "Huh?"

Douche: "yeaaaaah... once you buy it, you can test drive it all you want!"

At this point I'm completely baffled.... it's one thing to KNOW NOTHING about a car... it's one thing to have NO SOCIAL SKILLS whatsoever. but to literally insult me with a comment like that??? I understand this car's in high demand and they don't want everyone and their mother's test driving it and racking up the miles. This is probably a line the sales managers trained them on. However, he probably instructed everyone to say it in a tounge and cheek manner. (which would have been dissapointing, but acceptable under those conditions) I tell you... he was as serious as a heart attack. (Something I don't wish on anyone... but this guy might change all of that!)

Me: You serious???

Douche: "blah blah blah blah blah" -something about them not wanting it to rack up miles/he wants it to be BRAND NEW when someone buys it.

At this point I glanced into the cockpit, hit the button and noticed there was 128 miles on the car... I pointed this out to him but he just stood there and said...

"I'm sorry." with, you guessed it, the smuggest of all smug looks!!! Made me wish I was wearin my Lugz... I could have used a lug to kick the stupid smug look off his ugly mug!! ok ok.. that was stupid!

So after arguing with him... trying to convince him, even though it clearly wasn't true, that I was serious about buying this car and was very much ready (financially) to do so. -obviously this guy doesn't know an Armani when he sees it! Maybe it would have to smack him in the face! Or maybe the wearer would. Either way... I wasn't getting anywhere with this guy. As I was walking away (I was in "ignore mode") I noticed the sticker....

MSRP: $19,995 (then written in hand -sloppily I might add-)
MARKET ADJUSTMENT: $4,999

I quickly went from "ignore mode" to "are you freakin kidding me" mode. actually... that's waht I said! verbatim

Me: "For this price you can buy an AWD WRX!!!

DB: "blah blah blah seats... blah blah blah wheels.... blah blah blah yellow is a hot color"


At this point I just couldn't take this guy's antics ANYMORE!!! Going back into "ignore mode" full time, I went back into the office and asked the nice ole office manager (person I was dealing with before) who the Sales Manager was. She kindly pointed him out (he was actually talking to the douche at the time) so I promptly walked over there and introduced myself.

After telling him how I can deal with incompetence and poor social skills from a car salesman but I can't deal with rudeness... he nicely appologized (mind you, the DB's standing right there) and blah blah blah'ed his way though a "please forgive him so I can keep my job" speech.


Loooooooooooong story short, (I know.. I'm sorry! it was just... amusing, what can I say?) They opened up the big side doors and drove the thing out to the lot for me to test drive it...


ONE WORD: EXHILIRATING!!!!


It was AS FAST AS A WRX. That's saying a lot for a $20k car. (that market adjustment BS was just that! I remember they had the same nonsense on my Speed. My (cool) sales guy looked at me, looked at it and tore it up in disgust!) Anwyay, this car was sweet! I know everyone here hates this car and all but guys... seriously... it's legit!! The seats... holy s***.... PERFECT!!! Not sure how they'd be on long trips but... for spirited driving they absolutely rule!! Seeing the boost gauge go up was a blast as well. Though I didn' t like the interior quite as much as the Speeds, it wasn't as bad as I expected. The point is: This is a pretty sweet car. definitely looks a bit odd from the outside (the wing is too wack and the wheels just don't work for me) Still, dual exhaust is kick ass and so is the (functional) air inlet on the hood.

I know I'm rambling so I'll shut up... But the thing I want to leave you with is this...


Since the sales manager ordered the DB to let me take it out for a spin, I ended the test drive with...

"I gotta be honest Ted. I absolutely LOVE this car!! If I hadn't purchased a Mazdaspeed 3 months ago I'd seriously consider buying this car. ...But not from you. Maybe Joe (sales manager) inside or one of the other guys here but definitely not from you. Don't take this the wrong way because... it's meant to be taken as literally as humanly possible... you need some help!! I'm in sales too and your sales skills are atrocious!!! I mean... REALLY BAD!!! You haven't sold one car yet have you? (no answer) Didn't think so! Loook... I'm willing to let all of this slide if you... cut me a break on this car. Sell it to me for $500 over invoice. You'll get a sale and I'll take my gypsy curse off you. hahaha just kidding Ted! So what do you say?"

he gets out of the car without saying a word, takes the keys from me and walks into the dealership with, not a smug look, a really pissed look on his face. I'm not a mean guy but he deserved the verbal ass kicking I gave him. Maybe he was having a rough day... maybe his wife left him and took his dog. I don't know! One thing I do know is... since there's only ONE Mazdaspeed dealership in the state, if the mazda sales guy treated me like that... I'd be driving a Honda Element around!! L8R

 

[Roywhitep5]

i wish i had viper seats too i think thats the only thing mazda ****** up on. the damn seats just dont hold!!

 

[enry]

I'm sure the 250 horsies wouldn't hurt either..
btw, if the SRT were a 2L I would be more impressed.

how was the overall drive of the car?

 

[jred321]

One thing I do know is... since there's only ONE Mazdaspeed dealership in the state, if the mazda sales guy treated me like that... I'd be driving a Honda Element around!! L8R

there's more than 1 mazdaspeed dealership in ct, mazdausa.com says there are 5. also, what dealership was the srt at? when i was looking to buy a car 2 weeks ago none of the dealerships i looked at had one on the lot, but they were all eager to say they could get me one.

 

[QwikSRT4]

Yea that's the bad thing about some of these Dodge dealerships. They had to send a rep to a school to learn all about this car even to sell it. Obviously this guy fell asleep when he got briefed the details. Salesmen are gh3y.

And the $4k markup? **** that. Buy a WRX for that. That's why I got mine in Florida, and not in Kansas. I got it 3 months before anyone in Kansas, and for below sticker.

I'm glad you liked the overall fit and finish. And yeah, the Viper seats are awesome. I love 'em. You aren't going anywhere in those bad boys. It's too bad you didn't get to drive it, you woulda been hooked right then and there. I would go elsewhere to find one if you're really serious about it.

I never even sat in my car before I bought it. I looked at pictures, watched videos, looked at specs, and listened to sound clips. I put so much faith in this car that I did all the paperwork over the phone. I owned the car for 3 weeks before I even got to drive it, since I bought it in Florida, and had it shipped up to Kansas. I'll never forget the day I saw my car for the first time. I had a smile on my face the whole damned day. I never thought it'd be possible to love a car as much as this.

But is just a Neon, right? (2thumbs)

 

[dficken]

Nice post.
Made for an interesting read.

 

[Synthesis5]

ditto, very interesting read.

 

[LinuxRacr]

QwikSRT4,

He did drive it.

 

[QwikSRT4]

Ahhh...totally overlooked that.

Well, so how'd you like it? Like I said, I didn't even have to sit in it and I was hooked. Sitting in the car, and turning the key and starting it and hearing the rumble of the exhaust hooked me more. And the first time I got on it, felt the acceleration, and let off only to hear the rumbling and the crackle upon deceleration, it sealed the deal. Did I mention I love this car? (crazy)

 

[CHICO2003]

The car was amazing!! I mean..... I definitely noticed a bit more body roll than my Speed and the absence of the limited slip was really noticeable. But who cares???? The thing was a blast to drive!!! So if I had to do it all over again... I'd probably still get the Speed but only because of the color/uniqueness, stereo and overall appearance inside and out. I feel the "handling performance" of the Speed is a BIT overreated. I don't know... I find myself on rather straight highways or roads most of the time. Once I'm finally on the twisty country roads... the superior handling becomes apparent and this thing is just a blast to drive! But how often do I get to do that? Usually I have to go out of my way to find them... I'm hoping I can get my Speed up to the level the SRT-4 is at that way I can have the best of both worlds. Hopefully it won't break the bank!! I'm giving myself $1500... otherwise it's a dumb move since I could have just bought a WRX!!

Anyway... congrats on your ride Qwik! Not many people would have the ballz to buy a car they never even saw in person. Obviously it worked out well for you so there's a lesson to be learned! My props to your car. The marriage between those incredible seats and that monster of an engine is truly amazing!! the feel of getting thrust into the back of the seat as you punch the gas... literally the same feeling I got when I test drove the Rex!! ****** A!!

 

[InitialDMP5]

hey jred321, dood that is freaking awesome you used my "turkey inside" for your avatar! hah, that rocks man!! thats what you get when you got 15 minutes to spare at work and you got nothing else to do but read thes forums and decide to play along...

 

[jred321]

haha, yea it's sweet, i stole it from you in the other thread. thanks for makin it! good work! (2thumbs)

 

[anarchistchiken]

When I was looking for my car, we went to dodge and the guy must have been the same guy you dealt with, or maybe his brother, cause he didnt even know what an SXT was. I know all you guys might not know, but its the mid level model. Anyway, he took us over to an ES and after two minutes of me going "This isnt an SXT" and him reading the features (rear defogger, AC, and tape player (no CD)) I gave up and walked away. I wish I had had the presense of mind to mess with the guy, but i was tired. I'd allready been to ford, honda, nissan, and toyota that day.

 

[Turbo Matty P]

just a quickee here....the ram air on the hood isn't functional. If it even allows air into the engine compartment it won't cool anything or force air into motor, or blow across an intercooler. THAT would equal function. It's purely a style choice....poor one at that.

just my $.02

 

[1sty]

It blows air across the turbo behind the engine from what I have read although never varified it, so no it is hardly functional in the traditional sense.

 

[jred321]

i believe there is a part that can be cut out in the hood that directs air from the scoop right over the stock air box. as is though it just cools the turbo

 

[loj68]

yeah, the handling and steering feedback on the MSP is really lightyears above the SRT....I notice it more each time I swap back and forth between the 2. I'm considering getting the $1300 coilover kit for the SRT and then it should be pretty equal ground.

 

[orangezoom]

The car was amazing!! I mean..... I definitely noticed a bit more body roll than my Speed and the absence of the limited slip was really noticeable. But who cares???? The thing was a blast to drive!!! So if I had to do it all over again... I'd probably still get the Speed but only because of the color/uniqueness, stereo and overall appearance inside and out. I feel the "handling performance" of the Speed is a BIT overreated. I don't know... I find myself on rather straight highways or roads most of the time. Once I'm finally on the twisty country roads... the superior handling becomes apparent and this thing is just a blast to drive! But how often do I get to do that? Usually I have to go out of my way to find them... I'm hoping I can get my Speed up to the level the SRT-4 is at that way I can have the best of both worlds. Hopefully it won't break the bank!! I'm giving myself $1500... otherwise it's a dumb move since I could have just bought a WRX!!

Anyway... congrats on your ride Qwik! Not many people would have the ballz to buy a car they never even saw in person. Obviously it worked out well for you so there's a lesson to be learned! My props to your car. The marriage between those incredible seats and that monster of an engine is truly amazing!! the feel of getting thrust into the back of the seat as you punch the gas... literally the same feeling I got when I test drove the Rex!! ****** A!!

i I thought the 2004 was going to have a LSD

 

[Monstermile]

I love reading stories about incompetent, smug, uneducated car salespeople. And when I have dealings with them I just want to kick that smug, stuff-shirt attitude right out of them.

Reminds me of when I went looking at an SVT Focus. This guy had no clue. I already knew everything there was to know about the car. I played dumb just to see how much he knew. Not a damn thing except that is was faster than a regular Focus. Rattled off a 200hp number. I had to hold in laughing in his face. And I also inquired about the upcoming (at the time) 5 door SVT Focus. He had to go ask his sales manager, who didn't even know anything about it. I just shook my head and walked out.

On the flipside of that when the Evo was first released I went to the dealership to look at one. The salesman must've seen the droll as I walked into look at the one in the showroom because he said "this guy knows what he is here for." Told him I just wanted to check it out. I was in no way looking to buy. He said "help yourself" and let me basically tear the car apart. He was showing me different things on it as well. He knew the car and I could tell he was a car guy not just a salesman by the gleam in his eye when he was pointing out this or that. This was an older guy too. I could tell he appreciated the Evo for what it was. Not just a commission. I wish they were all like that.

 

[loj68]

i I thought the 2004 was going to have a LSD

It does.....I've got a 2004.....I think he must have been test driving a 2003 cuz there's still a handful sitting around......people are waiting for the 04's cuz of the LSD.