[Stealthman]

I contacted large Corvette dealer in area and they said that they have no C7's to test drive, and suggested that I rent a C7 to try it out from local rental company - which costs $350.00 for 4 hours / 100 miles. Since I never sat in or drove a Vette before I really need to experience a test drive before spending $60K - $70K on it. Is it common for dealers not to have a C7 to test drive? Should I call around to other dealers or is that a waste of time? Have others rented the C7 to try it out?

Not looking to be a cheapskate to avoid the rental charge, but I've never experienced this before with any other high end cars that I purchased in the past, and I know that the C7 is new so supply is fairly limited right now - so wondering if there is a different approach with the dealer to schedule up a test drive?

Thanks

 

[mjw930]

I contacted large Corvette dealer in area and they said that they have no C7's to test drive, and suggested that I rent a C7 to try it out from local rental company - which costs $350.00 for 4 hours / 100 miles. Since I never sat in or drove a Vette before I really need to experience a test drive before spending $60K - $70K on it. Is it common for dealers not to have a C7 to test drive? Should I call around to other dealers or is that a waste of time? Have others rented the C7 to try it out?

Not looking to be a cheapskate to avoid the rental charge, but I've never experienced this before with any other high end cars that I purchased in the past, and I know that the C7 is new so supply is fairly limited right now - so wondering if there is a different approach with the dealer to schedule up a test drive?

Thanks

Sad but not uncommon and will probably remain that way until people who don't need to test drive stop buying them off the lots and dealers need to do more to make a sale. BTW, where can you rent one?

There's a 4 page thread about this here: http://www.stingrayforums.com/forum/stingray-corvette-discussions/2089-test-drive.html

 

[Stealthman]

Thanks MJW for link - didn't see that thread. There is a place here in Mass that rents them the dealer told me.

 

[Stealthman]

I am in Mass (just added that info to my profile too) - large dealer in NH has 10 or so on the lot and another 20 in transit -- but said none available to test drive now. In fairness, this was email communication that I had with the dealer trying to set up time to come in and test drive - I didn't go into the dealership in person asking to test drive.

 

[mjw930]

I found that Mass rental deal with a google search as well as a few others. Nothing close to me, oh well.

You can't blame the dealers. Most Corvette buyers don't want to take delivery of a car with ANY miles on them so they see it as limiting the customer base if they let one out for demo service. What it usually takes is for the GM or owner to put one into demo service for their own use and schedule times for potential customers to drive it. There is typically some saving on their floor plan costs for vehicles placed into demo service but they have to be willing to take a hair cut when they put it up for sale a few months down the road and none are willing to do that just yet. Then again, with a lot of dealer stock cars being delivered this may change by summer.

 

[Redc7]

The only chance is maybe when and if one of these dealers gets a used one in. Otherwise dealers are selling these so no reason to let people test drive them yet. Maybe by summer someone local to you that bought one might let you drive theirs.

 

[Redc7]

I am in Mass (just added that info to my profile too) - large dealer in NH has 10 or so on the lot and another 20 in transit -- but said none available to test drive now. In fairness, this was email communication that I had with the dealer trying to set up time to come in and test drive - I didn't go into the dealership in person asking to test drive.

By the way this large dealer is NH happens to be in Nashua they have from 100 to 150 in stock with 500 more coming.

 

[Grandsport]

The only chance is maybe when and if one of these dealers gets a used one in. Otherwise dealers are selling these so no reason to let people test drive them yet. Maybe by summer someone local to you that bought one might let you drive theirs.

Lol.My local Chevy-Ford store is going to have one soon!

 

[Redc7]

You know I just had another thought. You mention you never drove a Corvette before. Maybe what you can do is test drive a C6 instead? The ride and handling and such should be pretty close. At least you're find out if you even like driving one knowing the C7 will be that much better.

 

[mjw930]

You know I just had another thought. You mention you never drove a Corvette before. Maybe what you can do is test drive a C6 instead? The ride and handling and such should be pretty close. At least you're find out if you even like driving one knowing the C7 will be that much better.

Actually, I've driven both and they are completely different cars. I suppose a lot will depend on your point of reference, if you have never driven a high HP, rear wheel drive sports car then yes, they are similar enough for comparison but if you have thousands of miles under your butt in these types of cars they are like night and day.

 

[jmc]

I hate to say this, but if you like what you see just buy it and you will will will enjoy it. that no test drive is a corvette thing that just goes with the territory. just do it!!

 

[fpetricca]

Even if u do test drive where will you go? Around the block into traffic?
If a test drive is a deal breaker maybe you should go in another direction.
Maybe get yourself a mustang. Plenty of those to test drive .



Alias Frankie!

 

[Stealthman]

Porsche will let me test drive...

 

[glen e]

Porsche will let me test drive...

go to a Porsche dealer that has a brand new model that is on their high end, in the 1st 3-4 months of production and see if they let you drive....

you will be able to drive all you want after the hype and pre-orders recede in the spring.....

 

[Stealthman]

I hear ya glen - good point

 

[rdslon01]

Mark in post #2 and glen e directly above hit the nails on the head.

 

[rdslon01]

By the way, depending on the regional market and dealer, you can probably find some non Z51 available now for test drives without too much difficulty. Some non Z51 are now sitting, and they are offering 2-3 k off MSRP in certain places.

 

[Georgio51]

No test drive for me... ordered in July based on reviews and hype. Dealer tried to squeeze me into a new C6 which I did drive but wasn't impressed. Finally got my C7 in November and couldn't be happier with it.

I worked for Nissan during the first few years of the GT-R and was the designated specialist in the area. Since only ~1800 were produced in the first year, and the car had absolutely no history in the US, test drives were offered only to those who were deemed qualified to buy...meaning they already "knew" the car, had experience with some sort of high-end 'super car', and were perceived to have a check in hand. Even then, I was required to drive first and gently demo cornering, acceleration, etc. The customer drove next but certainly couldn't drive the car on the streets the way it was meant to be driven. Keep in mind that test drives sometimes turn into disasters...costly ones. One of my cusotmers totalled a Z. That wasn't pleasant for anyone!!!

 

[Jeffse]

I will admit that I had not driven a high powered sports car like the C7. I had never driven a corvette. I had not even sat in the C7. Never even considered the C7 until my wife and I saw one on a showroom floor. We were there looking at something else. It was already sold and the dealer was actually closed so were window shopping. It was love at first sight. Went home. Called many dealers and none to be found. As I was searching the internet I found one in a city 2 1/2 hours away. Deal had fell through for some one else. Turned into my luck. Now we are driving a black on black Z51 3LT. We absolutely love it. Even without the test drive. At first I also thought I needed a test drive. Now I realize why they don't let you test drive and I realized I didn't need one. Just Do It.


Sent from my iPhone using Corvette Stingray Forum

 

[Dusty Starbucks]

go to a Porsche dealer that has a brand new model that is on their high end, in the 1st 3-4 months of production and see if they let you drive....

you will be able to drive all you want after the hype and pre-orders recede in the spring.....

Porsche's high end sits in a little different category than Chevy's