Can't Get A test Drive - Phoenix

[ProjectDD]

I have called/visited all of the Honda dealers in the Phoenix area(that currently have an FL5 on hand) and none will allow me to test drive the car. The best I got was one dealer that said I could drive it "around the block" if we agreed to a price and signed a contract. I didn't bother because they were askign for a 10k ADM.

Has anyone had any luck test driving an FL5 in the Phoenix area? If so, what dealership? Any tips on how I can get them to let me drive one? I am 37, so I hope I don't appear to be a kind coming in for a joy ride.

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[TypeRD]

That’s normal. Your best bet is to make a friend here on the forum or find a used one to test drive.

 

[AspecR]

Find a used one, do a test drive on that

 

[Clark_Kent]

This is standard fare and especially in the Phoenix market. I don't think you'll find many dealerships who will allow test drives on a new FL5. The advice I give is to find a pre-owned car and you'll have a better chance at a test drive. Also, many here, myself included, bought the car without a test drive. So long as you know and accept what the car is and what it isn't, I don't think you'll be disappointed with it. Good luck!

 

[p_h]

I have called/visited all of the Honda dealers in the Phoenix area(that currently have an FL5 on hand) and none will allow me to test drive the car. The best I got was one dealer that said I could drive it "around the block" if we agreed to a price and signed a contract. I didn't bother because they were askign for a 10k ADM.

Has anyone had any luck test driving an FL5 in the Phoenix area? If so, what dealership? Any tips on how I can get them to let me drive one? I am 37, so I hope I don't appear to be a kind coming in for a joy ride.

I have called/visited all of the Honda dealers in the Phoenix area(that currently have an FL5 on hand) and none will allow me to test drive the car. The best I got was one dealer that said I could drive it "around the block" if we agreed to a price and signed a contract. I didn't bother because they were askign for a 10k ADM.

Has anyone had any luck test driving an FL5 in the Phoenix area? If so, what dealership? Any tips on how I can get them to let me drive one? I am 37, so I hope I don't appear to be a kind coming in for a joy ride.

I was fortunate enough that the sales person, and a service tech at the dealer both owned FL5s. When I showed I was a serious buyer, the sales person brought his in and let me drive it.

 

[ProjectDD]

That's dissapointing to hear. I hadn't thought of trying to find a used car to test drive, I will give that a shot. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Tickle]

Do the process their way...

Have you tried to discuss and agree to numbers first?

If not..

It may go something like this... "I will purchase this vehicle if we can agree on price and I can drive it before committing"

Hopefully that will get you some traction. Don't hesitate to speak with a sales manager or if you have a contact through the dealer explain it to them.

My dealer doesn't want people to drive it and the people who do want to drive it before commitment are few. However if a previous customer inquired I have a hard time believing we wouldn't do it.

That said... It's a Honda Civic. It costs less than the average new car sales price. The Pilot, Odyssey and Ridgeline can cost as much or more.

Maybe try a Type S?

 

[Zone47]

Test driving one kills any hopes of a mark up for many dealers. I got my at MSRP and they still wouldn't allow a test drive. If every dealer had 5 of them on their lot, it might be a different story then.

 

[Tickle]

Test driving one kills any hopes of a mark up for many dealers. I got my at MSRP and they still wouldn't allow a test drive. If every dealer had 5 of them on their lot, it might be a different story then.

Test drives?

Mark up dies for a few reasons... Hype dies down, competiton from other makes or even other dealers to name a few...

Plenty of used FL5s in the U.S. that are over MSRP.

 

[UCF120]

I was actually very surprised when a dealer here in Orlando (Coggin Honda) allowed to me test drive a new one they just received. Was shocked actually cause not one previous dealer would allow one. I was genuinely gonna buy the one I test drove also but we couldn’t agree on price.

 

[[Js]]

Couldn’t test drive in the Milwaukee area either and I have personal friends who are salesmen.

 

[TurboZed-R]

Picked my 24' FL5 last Friday with 2 miles on it. I asked the sales manager if they allowed test drives on the R, he said not a chance, someone will buy it either way.

 

[blazindominican]

No one wants to buy a type R that's been test driven unless its discounted significantly (which they wont do) and these cars aren't so plentiful that they can just have a demo one laying around.

On the other hand, most people in the market for this car are convinced they want it and definitely don't need a test drive so its easy to sell. There's no incentive for the dealer to let you drive it unfortunately, if you don't buy it someone else definitely will and they wont be needing a test drive.

 

[AZCWTypeR]

I have called/visited all of the Honda dealers in the Phoenix area(that currently have an FL5 on hand) and none will allow me to test drive the car. The best I got was one dealer that said I could drive it "around the block" if we agreed to a price and signed a contract. I didn't bother because they were askign for a 10k ADM.

Has anyone had any luck test driving an FL5 in the Phoenix area? If so, what dealership? Any tips on how I can get them to let me drive one? I am 37, so I hope I don't appear to be a kind coming in for a joy ride.

I wouldn't have bought a car others had test driven without a discount.
Sales manager said the biggest issue with test drives was many drivers didn't know how to use a manual transmission and he'd previously had cars come back with burnt clutch smell.
My previous car was an FR-S. I test drove a used one before buying new.

 

[Nothing]

This is the unfortunate case for most cars where demand outstrips supply, at least at the attempted price point. For reasons others have stated it stays that way.

You can also consider test driving an FK8 or asking someone to let you take a spin in theirs, to broaden your search. I don't think you'll find appreciative differences on a test drive. Maybe someone is renting out theirs on turo.

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