When I’m car shopping I just want to go into a dealer and drive a car for 15 minutes. I hate the talk in the beginning.
Some dealers flat out refuse test drives when I mention I need to test drive 3 competitors before I make a decision.
I’ve had quarter-mile test drives, engine on and off test “drives,” and flat out no drives even for an appointment.
What the secret of getting the keys ASAP?
I’ll be shopping hard Q4 of this year and getting a headache thinking about it.
If you show up in a hoopty in shorts and sandals, don’t expect a 15min joy ride in any high end vehicle. Would you want a new Maserati with high test driven miles?
Maybe drop your “need to test drive 3 competitors bs”
Or bring a bag of CASH, then everyone and their mom will be all over you
Or Carmax
Just call ahead and make an appointment specifically to test drive
Straight up tell the sales person politely you would like a test drive. Save them time and they will more likely give you a test drive. Lastly avoid test drives on Saturday unless you have to.
Specifically with the internet department. They’re usually more conscious that buyers will cross shop and be more price sensitive.
I just wear normal button shirt and slim jeans.
Also, why is test driving 3 competitor cars a bs? I always drive 3-5 cars before I decide on one. This year it’ll be 340, S4, Q50rs, and 2 other wild cards.
@Jtamayo. You have a point. I do go in on weekends. I should aim for weekdays.
I think they meant that telling the dealership that you’re test driving competitors isn’t the best way to approach things. I personally made appointments on weekday nights and told the dealerships I was in the early stages of my car buying process. I made it very clear I was only there for a test drive and didn’t even bother getting price quotes until I had chosen which car I wanted.
Be presentable, not wearing a suit, but maybe polo etc. Roll up in a nice car, make sure the keys are visible to sales person
Went to a Ford dealer, they wouldn’t let me drive a Ford ST. As I was hopping in my car, a current model Mercedes at the time, the salesman comes running out saying he’ll let me drive one.
let me save you the test drives. buy an S4 its hands down the best out of the three, if you wants a lease hacker worthly lease payment get a Q50RS.
And the 340i is the best balance between the three in terms of payment vs performance 
yes, and far as getting a test drive, don’t go on the weekend is your best bet.
Setup an appointment during lunch time and tell the salesperson you only have 20 minutes blah blah blah, this isn’t rocket science. And don’t tell them you’re driving every car under the sun, tell them as little as possible, keep their hopes up.
Most dealerships you can set up an appointment online on their website.
Good tip on that one.
I’ll go weekday, lunchtime, appointment, work clothes, and in a newer model car. I like it.
Oh yea. And keep my mouth shut on other cars… 
I don’t see anything wrong in telling the salesperson you’re looking at 2-3 other cars. Their job is to sell you their product on its merit, and if they have an issue with you comparing their car with others then maybe you shouldn’t do business with that company. My Mercedes test drive totally put me off that car a few years ago and then again last month when I gave them another chance to win me over.
So basically you’ll write off a car because of one particular dealership? Hate to break it to you but most dealers are independently owned and operated(I know some are not). I think the OP just wants tactics for in and out test drives. I know everyone wants to be treated like gold, but this is car sales, keep your interactions at the dealership to a minimum.
Nah, it was more the driving experience of the car but the attitude of the salesperson didn’t help either.
Why not try Carmax? If you live in a major city they usually have current year/1 year old models.
Am I missing something?
I’ve never had to ask for a test drive; most salesmen straight up offer to drive it shortly after the conversation starts. I don’t look like a million bucks and dress rather casually. Granted, I’m not test driving Q7s or Maseratis, but for the most part I’ve actually had to decline test drives much more than I’ve had to ask for them.
Is difficulty getting test drives a thing? I was completely unaware.
