Hey all. I've been lurking on this site for a couple of weeks now, thinking about picking up a GTO soon. I finally got off my ass to go test drive a GTO yesterday. Went to the Pontiac dealership near my house, and started checking out the car. A salesman came up and unlocked it, let me start the engine and sit in it. I was falling in love with it already. The interior is amazing for a domestic vehicle. The sound of that engine when I started the car was beautiful. So I told the guy I wanted to test drive it. THE ******* SAID NO! He stated that unless I was prepared to buy that day, and would fill out paperwork before-hand, that I could not test drive the vehicle. I immediately turned off the car, got out, handed him the keys, and left.
I'm 23, but look several years older than that. I pulled into the dealership in my '06 Explorer (which will become my wife's if I get the GTO.) So I don't know if it was an age thing or not.
Did this happen to any of you when you were looking?
btw:: ROUTE 1 PONTIAC-BUICK-GMC, INC was the dealership if anyone else lives in the Woodbridge, VA area.
I've not personally ever been refused a test drive, but I have been through experiences where they don't take you seriously.
Sad to say that I'm sure some dealerships "type cast" people due to their age, appearance, race, etc. If you're under 25, and male, you're probably on a high risk list for taking out a 400HP car.
It's hard to believe they still wouldn't let you take it out with the salesman- - -
Come on down to Harrisonburg, VA. Last time I drove through, they had about 4 or 5 GTO's. That's a LOT of GTO's for this area. Charlie Obaugh Pontiac. They're straight down I-81 from you. You can google their address and mapquest the directions.
There are several other dealerships within 30min of here that I am going to check out, but thanks for the invite ;-) I think the salesman was shocked as hell when I immediately got up and left. That at least gave me a small bit of satisfaction.
I had the same thing happen when I was looking at a WRX a few years back. I would have bought that car THAT DAY if the sales punk had not been such an ass. I wanted to test drive it and he said I could drive a used one if I was gonna buy the new one. I walked.
The funny thing is I had that happen to me when the new GTO came out and I'm 51 now. It was the same story, "Its the only one we have...if you want one you have to get on a waiting list...sign the papers old man...blah, blah, blah..." Same with the Crossfire when it was new, even though I had just bought a 300M for my wife from the same dealer just a couple of months prior. Its that was with the Saturn Sky right now. Dealers are scum. Always have been, always will be. Until the companys wise up and just sell cars over the internet and turn dealerships into delivery/service centers, that is the way it will be.
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I wasn't trying to wreck him, I was just trying to rattle his cage.
That is exactly why GTO sales are down because of salesman like that. THey could of given you a chance. Once you drove that car it would have been SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately, there's MANY dealerships like that. The Saturn dealership I work at does, though, nor did the Pontiac dealership that I bought mine from do that. Infact, (and I'm 21 but look younger) I told them I was here to look at the GTO, and they grabbed the keys and basically told me we're going for a testdrive. haha But, ya, find another to go to. And write to GM, they're starting to crack down on their dealerships finally.
I had the complete opposite experience yesterday.(11/18) I pulled up with my dad and a sales rep took me right over to the GTOs. I told her I was interested and she took a copy of my liscence while I pulled the car to the front of the building to wait for her. Green Brook Pontiac on rt 22, for those around the Jersey area.
I had the complete opposite experience yesterday.(11/18) I pulled up with my dad and a sales rep took me right over to the GTOs. I told her I was interested and she took a copy of my liscence while I pulled the car to the front of the building to wait for her. Green Brook Pontiac on rt 22, for those around the Jersey area.
So, how's was your experience at Green Brook? Did you make a deal? I am on the Jersey Shore (Asbury Park area). Is it worth my while to trek up there to make a deal?
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I walked.
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