Originally posted by Nsxotic:
The reason that they didn't let you test drive the car is when a dealership only has one...(or any amount of NSXs for that matter), they usually work the deal first (AND sometimes even sign the deal), then do the test drive.
Todd I totally agree I think it's unreasonable to expect a dealer to just hand over the keys to a rather expensive car without qualifying the buyer.
However I was able to test drive all the cars I considered "buying". The process was every time the sales GM was involved with the deal for understandable reasons. He would take my license, insurance card, my credit card and looked at my credit information before moving forward.
He would always ask if I liked the car would I buy it on the spot. I always replied no. If I thought the car was sound I would pay to have it inspected. If it passed the inspection without finding problems that were not disclosed I would buy the car. It was amazing how fast some dealers started tell me things that they had not offered before hand.
With this response I was able to test drive the cars. I was a little surprised by 2 dealers who ask me to drive the cars off the lot.
Anyone who expects a dealer to just hand over the keys to a rather expensive car better have rather large wad of $1000 in their hand or be prepared to go through the process to be qualified.
So I don't understand why the dealer would have reacted the way they did if his info checked. Now I'm a 40+ out-of-shape business man who usually wears slacks and polo shirts.
On a side note we've owned Acura cars since the original Legend came out in 1986. I've been going to the same dealer for the past 10 years to buy and service my cars. I've owned 2 Legends, 1 Integra, an RL and my NSX.
The other day I was in getting my NSX serviced and saw 2 used Yellow NSXs on the show room floor. I ask one of the sales guys what year they were and the asking price. He said one is sold. I said what about the other one. He said I don't know the GM is drives it. Now it had balloons on it and was on the show room floor. This guy didn't even get out of his chair.
I walked back to the service department and spoke the service GM and ask him to call the GM for the dealership into his office.
I ask him if the car was sale. He said yes and gave me his card and the price. I told him that if I hadn't been a loyal customer for 10 years and bought 4 cars from him I would have never come back to his dealership.
Since then my wife had an unpleasent experience with the sales staff and decided to buy a new MB SLK320 instead of an Acura. So I don't know for sure but I'd say in the last year my experience with the sales departments at my dealer has gone to hell.
[This message has been edited by hejo (edited 04 November 2000).]
