Well, as the title says I went to a few dealerships (not buying anything soon, so for fun more or less). I actually went to a exotics type dealer first, they had maserati, ferrari, bently and jaguar. All nice cars, but being 20, they didnt really provide any service at all to me.

Next we went to a dodge dealer (right next door, figured why not). Salesman saw us pull up and when he saw the 8, he smiled as if he expected us to be looking at an upper end model.Basically told him what kinds of cars I would be interested in and he decided to show me the SRT-6 crossfire and a Z3. The salesman told me the crossfire was $23,000 (used with 16k miles) and said the msrp was $60,000. He then told me there are only 4 others in the country that havnt been wrecked. Some reason that number seemed low and I sense a bit of bullshitting. Also, if that price was accurate (and if there was nothing hidden about the car) then the resale value on those things must be worse than the rx-8. They said they dont let anyone test drive unless they are looking to buy in the next month-ish so we basically left after being shown the exterior of the SRT-6 and Z3 (werent even offered to sit inside). They did say they're getting a viper in next week, but said not even they are allowed to drive them.

Next we went to the honda dealer. Was actually really impressed with service. They actually treated us as if we were customers, not some bums off the street. They immediately showed us the S2000 and after answering a few questions we went for a test drive. I've always known they perform a bit better than the stock 8, but I must say I was surprised and impressed. Obviously had good acceleration and handled great. The clutch and tranny had a different feel obviously, but within a few minutes I was comfortable with it and liked the feel. Seeing as I have the RP short shifter, the S2000 felt like it had a decently long throw. I can actually see myself considering that whenever I am ready to get a new car. Assuming I dont need more or similar space to that of the 8, it seems like a great car. I never was a fan of the 350z, but the S2000 is definitely a honda I would enjoy.

Since we had a late start and were getting hungry we decided to call it a day. I was a little unimpressed with the service at the dodge, but was honestly a little surprised with how good the service was at the honda dealership.

Open for discussion or other somewhat recent experiences!

 

 

Because you should be offered to go drive a car you have zero intentions on buying if you actually did retail for a living you wouldn't go waste peoples time and complain when they don't let you joy ride

 

"the S2000 felt like it had a decently long throw"

I wouldn't call it long at all.....

 

Chrysler held an "inventory reduction" sale last year. People were buying NEW SRT-6 Crossfire's for around $30k. They retailed over $50 new, not $60. A local Dodge dealer was selling NEW Crossfire's [non-SRT6 models] for $20k last month.

Personally, I would never buy a Z3. There are pages upon pages on the BMW forums about a class action lawsuites against BMW for faulty welding on the rear differential mount, and tons of pictures and how-to's on fixing the problem. The rear diff would literally rip itself from the subframe.

 

Odd. Last time I was in a Honda dealer (22 at the time - last year), I got a sort of twisted version of the opposite experience. The dealership was VERY interested in talking to me, but it wasn't about sales.

After test driving a rather nice looking white SI, the sales manager came to talk to me. He spent probably the better part of an hour warning me of the dangers of driving "such a fast" car. He kept saying how even if I forgot to respect the huge power, spun wildly out of control, and got into an accident that I'd still be safe, but that I needed to be careful with so much power at my command.
(He wasn't quite so bombastic, but he was seriously making these points about how the SI was basically an uncontrollable monster.)

Personally, I was underwhelmed by the performance of the SI. It was better than a plain jane Civic, but nothing spectacular. I kept wondering if he thought I was 16 (I'm short with a young face, so lots of people think I'm younger, but usually not THAT young)...and then I wondered if he knew I had driven up in my RX8...I also wondered if he even considered that I've driven cars with more than twice the power of the SI. Oh well, I was ready to talk numbers, but after all his drivel, I was just done talking to him. On the way home, I saw a Speed 3, which I had forgotten about, so I went and test drove it.

 

someone's a bit uptight. I enjoy cars, I wont be keeping this car forever. Probably will be getting a new one shortly after I graduate or maybe even around the time I graduate which isnt too far off. While it's not like it's a few months from now, you dont just jump into buying a car. I researched many cars for about 2 months, and found I was interested in the RX-8. I then researched the 8 for about 4 months more before I was set on getting an 8. While it was not my purchase, I didnt make it with haste. I didnt request a car till I was 18. I had my license when I was 16 and a half and could have requested a car basically from that point on, and had even looked at cars a few times. My father has been deciding what car he's getting next for well over 8 months, and still isnt sure even though he has looked at many. He knows what time frame he would be ready, but is still considering.

Summary: I might not be buying a car, tomorrow, next month or the month after that. But I plan, therefor if I'm impressed, I'm more likely to buy. I dont blame maserati, it's clear I couldnt afford those. An S2000 on the other hand is not so far fetched, in fact it's quite realistic. It wasnt a joy ride, I seriously considered the car for what it is, and was impressed.

While I honestly wasnt all too interested in the SRT-6, for those into performance, the way the car drives means a lot. I wasnt interested in it before, and even less now since I dont know how it feels and probably wont. As far as I'm concerned, the honda dealer impressed me and I would recommend them and when I'm seriously ready to buy, I'll be keeping them in mind. If that's not the point of a test drive, then I guess I missed the point.

 

I guess you told him!

 

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry after reading this..
I guess that's our country now. Have to print "HOT" on the sides of coffee cups.

Uncontollable monster. A Civic Si. Fail.

 

Seriously. I was tempted to ask him to show me this mystical super-power band, as I seemed to have trouble finding any appreciable power on my test drive. I couldn't even imagine it spinning its wheels, let alone flying out of control because I glanced down for a second. I know they're supposed to be comparable to the RX8 with their acceleration, but it didn't even seem to come close.

 

fwd? no thanks? The S2000 is really the only car I'd consider from honda. The 350z performs well also, but I just dont like something about the look of it and considering how similar it performs to the RX-8, I wouldnt consider it a worthy enough upgrade if an upgrade at all (I know I wouldnt consider it an upgrade compared to my 8 with nitrous...). I will admit the new civics (Si's more so) have a more aggressive sport look to them compared to a lot of the older models, but I just couldnt bring myself to buy one. Maybe the mugen... maybe. Probably not though.

 

Lol, great story. I think I was still shunned by car salesmen no matter where I went until I was almost 30. "Bring your parents up here and we will get serious" or "Where's your dad/parents." It's good to see you were taken serious at Honda.

I bought and payed for every car I ever owned (of course when I was 16 my Dad did have to sign for me). It used to **** me off royally how I was ignored at dealerships through my 20's when looking for cars.

I enjoy looking around even if I wasn't getting something that day. I enjoy correcting the bullshit the salesman will feed you about certain cars when you know all about the car in question.

Seriously looking or not this gives you a good idea of where not to go and you have the right to look/test drive anytime so when you do decide to get something else then you already know about the car/dealer can get down to business.

On the Crossfire, it's funny how he told you the MSRP was $60,000 as if you would say, "Well this is a hell of deal, then - I'll take it!" when in reality it shows they can't get rid of it to save their lives.

 

yeah, I was like "if it's such an awesome deal, how do I know nothing's wrong with it" and his only reply was something along the lines of "nah, it's just a deal we managed to make" lol. I wasnt very impressed with the dodge actually. The salesman was somewhat helpful but he didnt really show me much of anything, I could have walked on the lot and seen exactly what I saw with him. That and none of the cars were clean. Some reason I see it being hard to sell a bunch of brand new dirty cars as apposed to a brand new shiny car. Oh well. I wasnt honestly interested in the dodge to begin with. I figured I'd give honda a chance, they make good cars, just most arent what I'm looking for lol.

 

Well then, I see two of the remaining four SRT-6's in my parking lot at work almost daily, and I just happened to drive by the third yesterday.

 

lol SRT-6 ...

Let me talk about my experience.

When I Was shopping for cars 2 something almost 3 yrs ago, I've been to a lot of dealerships. I can even name it all all

Koppel Mazda, Paragon Honda, Potamkim Honda, Lexus of Manhattan, Toyota of Manhattan,Manhattan Mazda, Yep I've never thought about getting any American or European made car. I dont like them, simple.

First, Koppel Mazda, wow, What a Bunch of #)$@)#$*@ working there. That time I was 25, I walk in, no one Even gives a **** about me like Im invisible or something. At first I was looking at a Mazda 3, then a salesman approach me and told me if I want to buy it, I was how much and he said he will only sell it at MSRP, I was like ok and I start looking at RX8, then I said can I get a test drive, then he was looking at me like Im crazy or something, and then he was like "Let me know if u need help" and then turn around and ignore me !!! I was like what the **** ? Does it look like I cant afford it ? Its only 30K ish car, **** I can even buy something 4 times the price of this. I got mad pissed and left. (Their service department is HORRIBLE as well, but lets not get into that for now)

Paragon Honda, I walked in, there was a lot of customers, after I walk around I look at Civics and S2K, some dude came up and ask me if I need help, after maybe 5 minutes of chat and got some catalog, I ask if I can get a test drive on either one, then he was like "let me see what I can do", he came back in 2 minutes and like *oh sorry there is no test drive cars today, but if you really want to buy one, after you put your deposit down we can let you test drive the car you want!*
AGain, wtf? Test drive suppose to happen b4 the buy, why do I have to put a deposit down b4 I can test drive anything ? So I was like ok and left never turn back(then after a while I check Honda forums, many many ppl complain about Paragon Honda saying that they rip customers off and stuff, phew)

Lexus of Manhattan, I went in, Well, ppl looked at me like "wtf is a young dude doing in here", but still greet me and ask if I want help, then they called some Chinese dude down, I was looking at IS that time, he explained everything to me in detail, and took me to his office, after we talked about price and stuff, he told me there is no Manual for the car ... he can order it and put me on waiting list, but I was like I have the money and I still have to wait probably 4-5 months? hell no and I left. They have good service, but I just dont have the patience to wait for a car to come. Excellent Dealership btw. Even tho I never test drove the car

Toyota Of Manhattan, I was looking at Matrix at first, then the dude came up, and actually show me a Scion xA, I asked for a test drive, no 2nd question he turn back and took The car out for me, drove for couple of blocks in circles, it handles ok and stuff. So I put deposit down and at first he promised me I will get the car in less than a month ... fine. It was the limited blue edition, my favorite color so ahh I Wait.

but after a month something, still no car, not even a VIN number, I got sick and call to cancel. They treat ppl ok, at least I got a test drive. ITs just that again, its too long for the wait

Then I went to Manhattan Mazda, saw the Shinka with nothing else on, damn thats what I've been looking for, cuz I know I will mod the car later if it already has stuff like Spoilers and stuff, its gonna be a waste. so I talk to them about the price, they made a mistake on the price LOL, and drove it off a couple of days later. The sales manager of that time(I heard that he got fired cuz of me, lol) actually took me out and show me how to drive the car, but again, thats after I paid for it, I dont blame them, cuz the car is like in the middle of the showroom so if I ask them for a test drive it will be a big mess. back then that was the only rx8 they have @ the whole dealership.

Potamkim Honda, Same as the other Honda's Experience. actually a bit worst, cuz they treated me like Koppel Mazda did.
\

 

When ever my girlfriend & I go to dealerships, they don't even bat the eye at here. When we bought the RX8, her Acura & Mazda3, the salesman would talk to me.. It is very annoying considering the fact that she could have bought any of the cars we have outright, to include my G35.

I also love when I go some place & they try to get me to finance with them. So I show them my pre-approval & say can you beat this & they shake their head & forget they said anything. Like with my G35, I got 28K @ 72 months @ 6%. Not bad for my medium credit & a used 2004, I'd say.

 

I love calling salesmen out on their lies. It really shouldn't take all that BS to sell a car. As long as you're at a major dealer, just about every car has REAL selling points that people can appreciate. They make up this crap to replace the knowledge that they don't have. Grrrrr....

Only 4 SRT-6's in the country? Suuuure.

A Civic SI is "fast" or "dangerous"? I laughed out loud pretty hard at this one.

No test drives today? Bullshit. You're supposed to commit to buying a car with no knowledge on how the car feels to drive? No thanks.


This kinda stuff happened all the time at the Mazda dealer I went to. The service people told me I had to let my rotary warm up because it's "such a high perfomance engine".

At least when I was looking around for a Camaro, the sales staff was more straightforward. After talking about the car for awhile, they flat admitted, "Well, it sounds like you know much more about this car than we do. We'll just do what we can on pricing, and let you judge the vehicle quality. Let's go on a test drive."

 

heh, the best way to be treated nice is, go through the internet department. show up with a lil black folder(interview kind) with the car's info on it. and dress decent.. not like ripped jean + t shirt. oh, a major corporate company's id tag accidentally left hanging on ur belt always attract salesman to u like moth to fire o.O...

and my little rule of thumb is, if i walk in and no one greets me within 3 min if they are not busy or 10 min if they busy, back out i went, they don't deserve a chance of my money (granted i still ended up buying from private seller XD...)

oh finally... don't be the kind of guys tat walks around looking at the cars on the lots, walk straight into the office area and the second they ask if they can help you, say that you are in a market for "insert car type here", then request test drive of "specific vehicle here" (unless u pre arranged a meeting with a specific car, and u see the car pulled up waiting for u.. when i see that i will go to the car 1st than the salesman)