Hi all! Just wondering if anyone has test drove a TL without the salesperson going along. I normally take my hubby along and I remember the last couple times when I went out looking at cars (in NC, now live in DC area) the sales reps would let us take a drive by ourselves. Sometimes I just feel more comfortable because hubby and I can talk about things (even more personal stuff ie. financial, what we REALLY think, bargaining strategies etc.). I have driven the TL once but it was a quick get out on the highway, turn around and go back fast trip. I would really like to test drive one again especially to look at the "blind spots" etc. since I do a lot of driving to DC every day! Anyone able to do this? Thanks!

 

Mostly salesman came with me, but once they let me take the car without them.

 

They almost never go with me. And if they do, I drive it for 3 minutes and then ask to go by myself. Usually I tell them I want to show my wife. It's never been a problem.

 

Salesman at Acura of Dayton, no salesman at Columbia Acura (Cincinnati). Guess where I ordered my Acura.

 

My sister lives near Dayton - she was telling me the Dayton Acura Dealer gives you a membership to a clubhouse you can use for free. Thought that sounded interesting.....

 

Yeah, that was kind of cool. It's actually for all the owner's other dealerships also (including Acura of Dayton), although I can't remember what other nameplates he has. The first salesman I rode with had me drive over there to check it out. They have a climate controlled bay where you can go and wash your car--nice during the winter--and they have a two-level "clubhouse" (almost like a little business/leisure center) you can reserve for free. They have a little HD home theater setup, popcorn machine, billiard table, meeting room, minibar.... It might be worth it if you expect to be in Dayton for a while. I'll probably move in a couple of years, and I got a much better price and overall experience from Columbia Acura in Cincinnati.

EDIT: I should mention that once a month or so, Columbia opens on Sundays to let people come in and look and test drive, but no sales. That's the day I came in to drive a 6MT test vehicle, and to play with the DVD/Bluetooth in their dedicated demo car. That went a long way with me.

 

Area by area, it's always different...

In NYC area, I know Valley Stream would let you test-drive by your own.

A long time ago, I even heard someone test-driving 10-30 miles for 30-45 mins in mid-west... what can I say? Flight there for test-driving...
:o

 

I put 80 miles on my car on a test drive, alone. I have a route that I use to test drive cars I am considering buying. That made up my mind, and I bought the car I test drove (after a knock down, dragout battle over selling price).

Funny thing is, I didn't feel any vibrations or flatspotting until I joined this forum, which was the same day I bought the car.

 

So, Ron A, you purchased the one you test-drove... did you floor hard in your 80 miles route? Or, you know it could be the car you're going to buy, so drove it cautiously... ?

Just curious. Thanks.

 

Acura of Columbus, this one still annoys me, I practically had to suck five people's d!cks to get them to let me drive the car, the salesguy finally pulls the car around, opens the door up, and says "you want me to show you what it can do?!?!" These people wanted so bad for me not to drive the car it was sick. I said "No, I want to drive the car". In the end the guy let me take it out alone though. Really bothers me, I think they don't take me seriously as a TL buyer. I'm 27 but could probably pass for 20 and I assume they don't think I have the financial wherewithal to buy it. What really gets me though is when I went in there some time back to look at the TSX, I was taken seriously. What are we talking about here; their stereotyping skills are so honed that they've decided I can afford a $29K car that probably sells for every bit of sticker but I can't afford a $33K car that may sell for around $31K? It's going to kill me to buy a car there on general principle.

 

Head on down to Cinci! No reason to plunk down $31k to someone with whom you're not comfortable doing business. Just imagine how uncomfortable you'll be when you have problems with your car.

I'm 27 also (actually ordered on my 27th birthday) and no hesitation from Columbia at all on test driving it alone. I had it out for about 30 minutes--some backroads, some interstate. No vibrations I could detect--crossing my fingers for when mine shows up.

 

My salesman let me take the car home overnight before I bought it.....awesome dealership!

 

Yeah, I bought mine at Acura of Dayton and a salesperson went with me. I was a little pissed at first because neither Lexus of Dayton nor Infiniti of Dayton had salespeople go with me. I took it very personally as I'm not some teenager wanting to joyride. It almost turned me from buying the car, because they told me it was Acura policy. I liked the car, but I didn't go back there for a few months before I decided to buy it. I still don't care for the dealership that much, but since they are the only one in town, I'll live with it.

The Reserve is the name of the facility to which all Tom Harrigan customers (Acura, Infiniti, Chrysler/Jeep) have access. It is a very nice perk I admit, but there's just something about the Acura of Dayton dealership that rubs me the wrong way. The Infiniti dealership is a completely different experience (my wife has an I30 and I had a J30) - great sales experience, great service, no BS. I hope all Acura dealerships aren't like Dayton's.

 

I drove it carefully, like it was my own. I didn't know I was going to buy it at the time because I left it there and went home to think about it. Bought it the next day.

I would never abuse a car on a test drive, especially a new one with less than 100 miles on it.

 

With my experience is that luxury brands usually let's you test drive alone. When I test drove the Altima the salesman came with me. When I test drove the G35 and the TL(2 times) I went alone with my gf. I didn't even have to ask. The salesman just asked me if I wanted to test drive it.

 

6mtV6, I bet your experiences are all from dealers not in MYC 5 borough...

 

The Infinity dealer let me have a G35 for about two hours solo. TL salesguy went with me for a 10 minute trip. The G35 guys really wanted my business.

Too bad for them, all the salesmanship in the world couldn't make me want the G35 over the TL even with a hefty discount on the G35.

 

Your right rets. It was all in NJ except for the Nissan dealership which is in LI.

 

I guess I've been lucky (I look older - so maybe they think I got money!)

The salesguy gave me the keys of an Anthracite 6MT + NAV and told me...
"go home and show it to your wife, then bring her back to sign the papers "

I came back with my checkbook and I bought it! - same day.

the car was assigned to another person on waiting list, but they told me the client was on a trip, so they decided to sell it to me, and get another one for him...

 

No salesman on my test drive. In fact, it was very strange. I had met the salesman at the local auto show where we had a brief discussion about the merits of the TL. Our conversation ended with him saying that I had to take one out for a drive. I went in for a test drive the next day and he just gave me the keys. He didn't ask for my name or any identification. He didn't take the keys to my car. Nothing. I guess they had my old car sitting in their parking lot as providing some form of assurance that I'd come back.

In general, I've found most car dealers are fine with letting you take the car out by yourself. Quite a change (at least for me) from how things were 10 or so years ago.

 

Which dealer? I'm originally from the Twin Cities and may end up back there.

 

NOX 3.2, your dealer told you to "go home and show it to your wife??" My crappy dealer WOULD NOT let me test drive a 3.2 TL-S alone, even though my wife 1) was 3 months pregnant and 2) it was mid-August, so it was very hot and she did not want to be out. I had to take the salesperson TO MY HOME (6 minutes away from the dealership) to show my wife the car. At least I know now that this is not an Acura policy, just a crappy dealership policy. At the end of my lease, I'll consider getting another TL, but I'll certainly go either to Columbus or Cincy next time.

 

That's why I though it was cool that the dealer I went to had a TL set aside for test drives with 4200+ miles on it. He said stomp on it if you want.

Probably just another hook. He knows what a sweet sound our engine makes at high revs.

 

Nope. Just me and 'da wifey...salesman must be too scared to drive with me -

 

Bring your kids so there's no room for the sales rep to sit. If you don't have kids, brings someone else's.

 

I am not in your area but some dealers let me go by myself and some wouldnt. I wound up buying from the one that let me drive by myself for an extended drive. I told them upfront that I wont even bother to come down if I cant drive it by myself. I would have bought a saab 9-3 if it werent for the chatty salesperson that ruined the experience. This was of course before I drove the tl which I didnt realize I could get close to invoice.

 

Last year, I test drove MB C32. Super charged 350HP, 4 door sedan. I got to drive it alone. Lets just say i had a goodtime. I did 0-80mph in a heart beat, car handles much better then the TL as well.

Reason why I didn't get the car was RELIABILITY!!!

 

Must just be the region I live in, but I've purchased an Acura ('99 TL), 4 Lexuses, an Audi, and an Infiniti in the past 5 years and only the Audi dealership has let me test drive the car alone. I didn't even ask... Audi just offered. I need to move to your part of the country!

 

Buerkle Acura in Brooklyn Park. I was very pleased with the entire sales process. I haven't had the car back for service yet so I cannot comment on that end of the operation.

 

I don't know if you went to Miami dealerships but since Miami does have a port that might have something to do with it. I'm in Cal so I have no idea how busy the Miami port is, but it's easier to get a car out of the country pronto in that manner. Might have something to do with letting people test drive a car on their own in your area.

 

Three car dealers in Great Necks, Long Island, Infiniti will let you ride by your own (we tried three times, G35 sedan, coupe, FX45), Jaguar will let you do too (X-type 2.5, 3.0, S-type), but Audi won't... we have 4 ppl testdriving on that day and the saleman insisted to go with us, you can think how terrible situation in that little A4 would be, then A6 is better...

 

All they need is a photocopy of my license. I'm also sure that they didn't do a credit check on me first.
I read somewhere that before you go test drive cars, make some photocopies of your license and on the paper write "No Credit Check Allowed". Some dealers will run a quick credit check on you first to see if you can get financing before letting you test drive. Stay away from these shady dealers.

 

Cheese,

I test drove the TL atleast 4 times and even kept it overnight. At no time was the sales guy with me. I live in the south though so that may have something to do with it...you know since we are all related and such.

 

OMG, overnight... u're the man...