Went to test drive a Speed 3 today...

[yobrigidey]

And they wouldn't let me take it out!

Their excuses:
"The people who buy these cars want no miles on them"
"We let someone take out one and they wrapped it around a pole, now our insurance company won't let us do it anymore."
"People come in and purchase them without test driving them all the time"
"This is a special edition car, there are only 4,000 made, and we have 5 of them"

And my favorite:
"we don't want people just coming in to test drive them who aren't serious about purchasing one. We do the same thing with our vipers and Z06's"

Just a warning for anyone in the Wichita, Kansas area, stay away from Davis Moore Mazda. Funny thing is I was going to go test drive the Caliber SRT-4 afterwards to compare (at the Davis Moore Dodge) Instead, I just went straight home.

I also explained to them that I had already test driven a new Cobalt SS turbo. The dealership didn't have any left, so I drove the Gen. Manager's car. (A dealership that wants to sell cars...what a concept!)

What a joke.... Now I'll have to go give my business to a different dealership the next time I am in Kansas City.

[TreFlip999]

Damn...When I went a was just walking around the white MS3 that i was eyeballing and some dude came walking up and threw the keys at me...Awesome dealership

[MTuning]

my dealer gave me 2 test drives in 2 different ones to help me decide...but refused to give one to another local car forum member i know. How old are you/do you look btw? its true, there are only limited made.

[CWPspeed3]

I was told they would only let me test drive after I put a down payment of $500 on one. I ordered one and didn't drive one until the day my car came in and I drove it off the lot, strangely enough everyone at that dealer found it very strange that I never test drove the car.

[controlo]

And they wouldn't let me take it out!

Their excuses:
"The people who buy these cars want no miles on them"
"We let someone take out one and they wrapped it around a pole, now our insurance company won't let us do it anymore."
"People come in and purchase them without test driving them all the time"
"This is a special edition car, there are only 4,000 made, and we have 5 of them"

And my favorite:
"we don't want people just coming in to test drive them who aren't serious about purchasing one. We do the same thing with our vipers and Z06's"

Just a warning for anyone in the Wichita, Kansas area, stay away from Davis Moore Mazda. Funny thing is I was going to go test drive the Caliber SRT-4 afterwards to compare (at the Davis Moore Dodge) Instead, I just went straight home.

I also explained to them that I had already test driven a new Cobalt SS turbo. The dealership didn't have any left, so I drove the Gen. Manager's car. (A dealership that wants to sell cars...what a concept!)

What a joke.... Now I'll have to go give my business to a different dealership the next time I am in Kansas City.

that's just how some dealers are man. they act like its a fucking lambo or something.

i wish i just had a briefcase full of money and when they act like i'm not serious, open that shit. it's true that it kind of sucks buying a car that has a lot of miles on them but how do they expect people to buy a car that they have no idea how it feels to drive? i bought my car with 13 miles on it. :/ more than i wanted but that's ok.

[yobrigidey]

Well, I am 22 years old. I got there after work, so I was still in my business attire. I drove in my 2006 G6 GTP coupe (which retailed for more than any MS3 they had on the lot) Which I had just finished cleaning in preparation of an appraisal.

I told the dealer that I understand that they don't want to sell cars with many miles, which is why they should have one MS3 that they allow people to test drive and then sell all the others on the lot. I mean hell, they had one sitting on the showroom floor inside!

[MSLou]

they didnt let me test drive mine the first time i went to the dealer so they let me test drive a used ms6 they had on the lot i went in the next day and said i want the ms3 let me test drive and after bugging them enough they let me

[robin2660]

Well, I am 22 years old. I got there after work, so I was still in my business attire. I drove in my 2006 G6 GTP coupe (which retailed for more than any MS3 they had on the lot) Which I had just finished cleaning in preparation of an appraisal.

I told the dealer that I understand that they don't want to sell cars with many miles, which is why they should have one MS3 that they allow people to test drive and then sell all the others on the lot. I mean hell, they had one sitting on the showroom floor inside!

Ask to speak to the sales manager. You can also try the general manager or the owner.

[dandydaniel]

Never test drove the car, brought her home with 19 miles on the odo. Thats about 17 miles more than I would have liked...

[jbiird317]

i bought mine without even seeing ANY speed3 in person. I read about it online and said to the dealer "i want this car as soon as i can get my hands on it" first one they got off the truck i drove off the lot 2 hours later - no regrets!

[UHATEIT]

Funny thing is I was going to go test drive the Caliber SRT-4
I also explained to them that I had already test driven a new Cobalt SS turbo.

That would have been a funny thing if you ACTUALLY wanted to test drive a Caliber.... that car is GHEY.

And um a Cobalt SS... GHEY

Not sure why the speed3 was placed on the same linup of testdrives, might as well have thrown a GHEY civic si in the mix... or even better, a Scion TC turbo... ;) I love sarcasm

[Young Roids]

I did not test drive mine either. It's hard to get test drives alot of times. I just hate dealerships in general they are like ultra judgemental zones.

[FrequentFlyer]

I wonder what dealers are thinking when they deny test drives in a $22k economy car that happens to be fast.

[Rotus8]

I also bought the MS3 without a test drive. I drove a standard 3 with the 2.3 and 5-speed and it was actually quite a nice car, I probably would have been happy with it. But...... I Want More! I told the dealer if the 3 is this good the MS3 must be brilliant, order me one. I was right.

[Young Roids]

I wonder what dealers are thinking when they deny test drives in a $22k economy car that happens to be fast.

They like to size you up and they target certain demographics like a married couple for example is a big target demo for them. When they see a single under 30 year old guy red flags go up in their mind.

[Silver Ecstasy]

I am sympathetic to your feelings as I was denied a test drive on a 2008 Caliber SRT-4. They said "Trust me, when you drive it, it's gonna be fast". I'm like "how will I know if I will like it or not, when I can't drive it?".

But it's true, why would someone buy a car with a lot of miles on it? I wanted one brand new so I waited for one to be ordered. My gf is buying a MZ3 and instead of buying the Metro Gray Metallic 3 S with 75 miles on it, we're waiting an extra 3 weeks to get one fresh off the truck.

My sales guy let me test drive one of their older ones with alot of miles on it, but I test drove my MS3 twice before I was able to seal the deal. Had to make perfectly sure nothing was up.

[controlo]

I am sympathetic to your feelings as I was denied a test drive on a 2008 Caliber SRT-4. They said "Trust me, when you drive it, it's gonna be fast". I'm like "how will I know if I will like it or not, when I can't drive it?".

But it's true, why would someone buy a car with a lot of miles on it? I wanted one brand new so I waited for one to be ordered. My gf is buying a MZ3 and instead of buying the Metro Gray Metallic 3 S with 75 miles on it, we're waiting an extra 3 weeks to get one fresh off the truck.

My sales guy let me test drive one of their older ones with alot of miles on it, but I test drove my MS3 twice before I was able to seal the deal. Had to make perfectly sure nothing was up.

i would have liked to got one off the truck but i live in a city where there aren't any speed dealers.

i pretty much called the nearest few cities to get some rough numbers and what kind of stock they had and just went and picked it up.

when i got my scion tC, it had 1 mile. :)

i didn't let 12 miles break the deal though. i just wanted it.

[GoFast]

that sucks. when i went to the dealer to buy mine i told that i wanted a speed 3 and he asked if i wanted to test drive one first. of course i said yes and he suggested that i pick out the one that i want and test drive a different one so i dont beat up on the one im actually going to buy. lol

[Silver Ecstasy]

12 miles is fine though! I had 9 miles on my car when I got it. I couldn't figure out how but I couldn't complain either.

GoFast, I did that without suggestion from my sales guy, but I wasn't going to buy the one I drove anyhow because I was waiting for the alcantara 08.5 refresh.

[KaiserSoze]

When my wife and I went to pick up mine, not only did they let us test drive it, it was so fresh off the truck they hadn't gotten around to putting the shift knob on. It was odd shifting with threads in my hand. And my paperwork showed 14 miles on the odometer. Most of which I put on during the test drive.

[Stu C]

I had to put a $500 refundable deposit down to test drive it. Seemed fair to me.

[aaronc7]

Your dealer is just gay. I drove one last year when I was 21. No questions asked or anything.

How was the SS Turbo??

[CTGrey02]

I test drove two of them at different dealerships. I wanted my wife to test drive one as well before buying to make sure she liked it too. I then ordered a new one. I'm one of those people that dont like cars with mileage on them when I'm paying a premium. Car is great for the money.

[Stu C]

I test drove two of them at different dealerships. I wanted my wife to test drive one as well before buying to make sure she liked it too. I then ordered a new one. I'm one of those people that dont like cars with mileage on them when I'm paying a premium. Car is great for the money.Me too, although it was mostly because I didn't want white.

[Vindikacione]

True Story: Bought my MS3 over the phone at a Honduh dealership of all places. I was in Germany at the time and getting a transfluid change for my Accord. (The Honduhs were nice, but too slow and dainty. Besides I couldn't bring a Euro-Spec version back home with me anyway. Sidenote: US-Spec Civic has nothing on the Euro-Spec version.)

Never even met my Mazda dealer in person. About 35 days later I got a GT for around $24K (long boat trip and I was in the field when it arrived). I didn't need a test drive. Almost any car that can generate 250+hp for less than $25K is a steal. Not to mention all the good press it was getting in the media. You'd be an idiot to settle for a lesser car for more money or to pass up the fact it was only going to be offered for 2 years.

Bottomline: Test Driving is truly unnecessary, unless you don't have the money to buy one. Then test drive all you want, because you'll never drive a better car for that price and for that year group. Period.

Of course I may be just a wee bit biased. ;)

[FrequentFlyer]

I'm sure dealers get kids in there just looking for a joyride, but the whole "people like to buy cars with no mileage" is BS. In the scheme of things, <100 miles on a brand new car is nothing. I picked mine up from the dealer with 94 miles on it. I drive 80 miles a day. When the car's got 75k+ miles on it, do you really think I'm going to look back and say, "I wish I had ordered the car so I can sit my ass in a seat that's only got 8 miles of farts in it instead of 50.". No. Honestly, I didn't care when I picked the car up a 6 weeks ago, never mind now with 2,800 miles on it. When I'm spending a substantial amount of cash on something, like a car, you better believe I want to test drive it. You don't buy a house without walking through it a half dozen times and most likely getting a home inspection done by a professional. I'm not laying down $20 grand without driving a car and not being able to get out of the deal if I don't want it. I was looking at buying a new VW GTI last year. I walked into the dealer very serious about buying because I really liked the way they looked, inside and out. Well I actually decided not to after test driving it. It wasn't fast enough, I didn't want the DSG tranny and the manual tranny/clutch felt like crap. So, there you go. No, I don't know what may have happened to my car in those 80 some odd miles I didn't drive it, but it's got a warranty.

[Moultese]

I didn't even test drive mine. The dealership I went to had 3 MS3s. I sat in the one in the show room and it felt comfy. I went through the gears and started her up for a second. I was like "okay, what other colors do you have." Showed me a white one and I was like "where do I sign." Car only had 16 miles on it. I can see why they do it. The Speed3, while just a "souped up economy car" is a true enthusiast machine, and I know I like the idea that some punk kids looking just to drive one around didn't drive my car before me. It's something stupid, but I like being pretty much the only person to drive my car.

[EvilJen]

They like to size you up and they target certain demographics like a married couple for example is a big target demo for them. When they see a single under 30 year old guy red flags go up in their mind.

That's not necessarily true. My husband and I drove to the dealership where he bought his MSP brand new in '03 IN our MSP and the dumbass salesperson wouldn't let us test drive the MS3. He even looked at our car and asked us if we modded our Protege. We had to explain to him that it was a Mazdaspeed and we bought it that way. Once he asked us what an STi was, I walked away.

Went to another dealership about a month later in our dirty ass P5 and the guy walked out and handed us the keys to an MS3.

[ms3jake]

And they wouldn't let me take it out!

Their excuses:
"The people who buy these cars want no miles on them"
"We let someone take out one and they wrapped it around a pole, now our insurance company won't let us do it anymore."
"People come in and purchase them without test driving them all the time"
"This is a special edition car, there are only 4,000 made, and we have 5 of them"

And my favorite:
"we don't want people just coming in to test drive them who aren't serious about purchasing one. We do the same thing with our vipers and Z06's"

Just a warning for anyone in the Wichita, Kansas area, stay away from Davis Moore Mazda. Funny thing is I was going to go test drive the Caliber SRT-4 afterwards to compare (at the Davis Moore Dodge) Instead, I just went straight home.

I also explained to them that I had already test driven a new Cobalt SS turbo. The dealership didn't have any left, so I drove the Gen. Manager's car. (A dealership that wants to sell cars...what a concept!)

What a joke.... Now I'll have to go give my business to a different dealership the next time I am in Kansas City.

Dealers are liers. I never buy cars without test driving them. I personaly had to test drive 2 different Ms3's before making my final decision. They never gave me any issue about test driving. I am 32, if that means anything. If you want to test drive any thing go to carmax they are cool and dont work off commission. I test drove an 07 zo6 there that was kept inside the building (Amazing car by the way)good luck finding an Ms3 there though.

[SwampAss]

I showed up at the dealership dressed in khakis and a button up with my wife in a suit. I had a hard time getting a test drive out of them and I'd bought two cars from them previously.

They threw me the keys to an MS6 and said take it for as long as I want. heh. With the MS3, they wanted to go with me. I told them no. The sales lady insisted that she had to go. The sales manager came out immediately and told us it was no problem.

I looked at the Caliber SRT4 and the salesman was just short of begging me to take it out. Our local dodge dealer has had the same two SRT4s sitting out front since Jan/Feb

[FrequentFlyer]

I didn't even test drive mine. The dealership I went to had 3 MS3s. I sat in the one in the show room and it felt comfy. I went through the gears and started her up for a second. I was like "okay, what other colors do you have." Showed me a white one and I was like "where do I sign." Car only had 16 miles on it. I can see why they do it. The Speed3, while just a "souped up economy car" is a true enthusiast machine, and I know I like the idea that some punk kids looking just to drive one around didn't drive my car before me. It's something stupid, but I like being pretty much the only person to drive my car.

Ok, what's to say your car didn't have 16 miles of clutch dumps and WOT romps down the road without a proper warm up? You don't know and that's why it's not worth obscessing over <100 miles on a brand new car. Sometimes they drive them from dealer to dealer. The dealer franchise I bought my car from has two lots roughly 20 miles away from each other. Maybe they drove my car from one lot to the other to balance their inventory? Who knows? Lots of things can happen in 16 miles. I bet I could break something on this car in less than 1/4 mile. Just like buying a used car with 24k miles, you have no idea what may or may not have happened to that car without your rearend being in the seat, which is even more of a reason to take a test drive in the vehicle you are buying. Would you put it past a dealer to sell you a car that has something broken on it? I wouldn't. Then they'd turn around and void your warranty the next day and accuse you of abusing the car.

[Moultese]

I think I answered your question in the last part of my post. I like being pretty much the only person to drive my car. I know with 16 miles that isn't true, but are you telling me if you had to choose between two identical cars, one had 100 miles and one had 16 you wouldn't choose the car with 16 miles?

[jwdp54]

I started looking at the ms3 when I saw they had released the white ones. The first dealership had just the sport one and told me I was not allowed to drive unless money was down. So I told them f that.

That next day I went to a different dealer to ask if that was a rule that mazda had. He laughed at me and tossed me the keys to this black one outside and told me to have fun. Went back the next day and purchased a white one they had that was a gt. Since I was so pissed off at the other dealership I took that one by to show them that they missed out on my money. They weren't to happy. That dealership still has the same white one since the end of March. They even have it sitting in the show room on the top lift in the window that you can see from the highway.

by the way new member to forum not to the car though. just never signed up til now.

[Vindikacione]

I looked at the Caliber SRT4 and the salesman was just short of begging me to take it out. Our local dodge dealer has had the same two SRT4s sitting out front since Jan/Feb

No surprise there.

Welcome JW.

Fact of the matter, is that not all Car dealerships are the same. However, they are all capitalists trying to make a buck, so you can't slight them, especially the way gas prices are.

Yeah, I'd be pretty pissed if I decided on a GTI, SRT4, Caliber, or Cobalt, I'd lose sleep at night, which is the most precious commodity going these days.

Test drive them all, you'll still end up loving the MS3, but never forget that a good dealer can actually sway you to drive a sucker car, -any of those forementioned. The Zoom-Zoom can't be beat, yet. (usa)

[Bu11dogg2]

OP,

That sucks.... sounds like you got profiled.

[camrycev6]

Interesting... I have never a problem getting a test drive on any car I purchased. I guess the Infiniti G35 coupe I got was the most expensive, but they encouraged me to take it right out. I was only 30 at the time.

On my MS3... the first one I purchased had 15 miles on it. Unfortunately, the second one --- to get what I wanted --- had over 600 miles on it. They cut $200 off the price. Best I could get them to do.

[Moultese]

Funny, when I was car shopping, one of the cars I was looking at was a used Evo8. Dealer let me test drive it no problem. I would have got it too, but the car was in not-so-good shape. And the salesman knew NOTHING about the Evo. He didn't even know it was turbo charged.

[Silver Ecstasy]

I started looking at the ms3 when I saw they had released the white ones. The first dealership had just the sport one and told me I was not allowed to drive unless money was down. So I told them f that.

That next day I went to a different dealer to ask if that was a rule that mazda had. He laughed at me and tossed me the keys to this black one outside and told me to have fun. Went back the next day and purchased a white one they had that was a gt. Since I was so pissed off at the other dealership I took that one by to show them that they missed out on my money. They weren't to happy. That dealership still has the same white one since the end of March. They even have it sitting in the show room on the top lift in the window that you can see from the highway.

by the way new member to forum not to the car though. just never signed up til now.


I did that to the Dodge dealer, only I didn't end up buying anything. I just called and told them why I wasn't buying at their dealer and why another dealer earned my business instead.

[MikeHTally]

I went by the local dealership last May, just to see what they had. Ragged t-shirt, mangy shorts and sneakers with no socks (I'd been working on my truck earlier and was on my way to get my fur trimmed). They insisted I drive the white one I was looking at and even pointed me toward a road nearby that has some cool off-camber turns. I didn't beat the car up 'cause it only had a few miles on it and wasn't fully warmed up. I went back that afternoon and bought the other white one which was a dealer trade with 325 miles on it. Decent deal considering they're the only Speed dealer in 200 miles.

[SwampAss]

At Richmond BMW, I was given the keys to everything on the lot with nary a concern. I drove a 65k M3 vert. I got the gas face when asking to drive a 23k MS3 heh.

[stephani3]

I test drove one of the first MS3s that hit the lot in WV back in October or November of 06... I had no problem getting a test drive. Then I went back about a year later, last November and tried to test drive a red 08 GT. They wouldn't let me. The funny thing is, I'm pretty sure that I'm driving that car that they refused to let me test drive (bought slightly used at a Ford dealership)

[imac]

i'm 21, but they let me test drive mine before i bought it. i also happened to be running errands with my dad when i went there the first time, which i'm sure helped, plus they ran my credit before we went out too.

a couple of days later, i stopped at a dodge dealership to compare the CSRT-4 much like yourself, and they wouldnt let me drive it. i was alone this time, but the guys at that dealership were complete a-holes. they said that all 3 of the ones they had on the lot had either been bought or had deposits on them, which had to be bull shit (i've still yet to see a single on on the road 3 months later). and the guy tried baiting me to buy because of the $2.99 gas guarantee. how does someone sell cars for a living and not even know their own promos as well as the customer (for those who weren't aware, the $2.99 gas doesnt apply to srt models)

i should have had him give me something in writing saying that i could get the $2.99 gas deal and come back a week later with my uncle, got it at the employee discount, and made them give me the gas guarantee. would have saved a hell of a lot of money.

btw - i did get them to let me sit in the car, and their "world class" seats were enough for me to go out and buy the speed. not to mention the clutch feel... i depressed it numerous times, and when you let it out, it hits the catch point and shoots up off the floor. i can see why so many people can't stand that clutch.

i'll stick very happily with my speed 3.

/end fanboy rant.

[Vindikacione]

At Richmond BMW, I was given the keys to everything on the lot with nary a concern. I drove a 65k M3 vert. I got the gas face when asking to drive a 23k MS3 heh.

Interesting. Maybe its a cultural thing. Perhaps there is a Japanese influence that all things made in Japan are fragile and require respect. While the Germans appreciate, to an extent, self-punishment and S&M.

[chacon101]

I test drove one here in Tampa that they had to pull out of the showroom. I ordered a new one that I picked up a week later in Philly.

When the car actually arrived (which was a day earlier of the truck), it had like 2 miles on it. Then, the techs or whoever took it for a check run to make sure there were no issues and I drove it off the lot with 11 miles.

I really never looked twice at this car until I drove it. Then, I simply had to have it and I am soo not an implusive kind of buyer.

Then again, I do carry around a suitcase full of cash.....

[jersey_emt]

I'm 27, but don't look a day over 20. Before I bought my MSP back in 2003 (so I was 22...but looked 17), I went on a test driving rampage. I had no problems test driving cars that were way out of my price range. M3, S4, etc. And before I bought my MSM in 2005, I walked into a Lotus dealership and was thrown a pair of keys to an Elise.

The only time I ever had a slight problem was when I went to test drive a Neon SRT-4. At first, they said no, but after a few minutes of politely and calmly explaining that there is no way that I would even consider purchasing a vehicle that I have never drove, I got the keys to that too.

The line that worked for me (as well as some other people) was something like "a car is, behind a house, the 2nd-most expensive purchase that the average person makes in their lifetime. And you want me to make the 2nd-most expensive purchase in my lifetime on nothing more than your word that the car is great?"

[Eracer]

Ok, what's to say your car didn't have 16 miles of clutch dumps and WOT romps down the road without a proper warm up? You don't know and that's why it's not worth obscessing over <100 miles on a brand new car. Sometimes they drive them from dealer to dealer. The dealer franchise I bought my car from has two lots roughly 20 miles away from each other. Maybe they drove my car from one lot to the other to balance their inventory? Who knows? Lots of things can happen in 16 miles. I bet I could break something on this car in less than 1/4 mile. Just like buying a used car with 24k miles, you have no idea what may or may not have happened to that car without your rearend being in the seat, which is even more of a reason to take a test drive in the vehicle you are buying. Would you put it past a dealer to sell you a car that has something broken on it? I wouldn't. Then they'd turn around and void your warranty the next day and accuse you of abusing the car.

If you have ever been to one of the ports where they off-load cars from the ships you will know one thing. They are anything but gentle! Do you think when they have hundreds of vehicles to off load they take the time to warm the vehicle up. Here is the process. Start car throw it in gear and mash the pedal, drive like a nut through the lot park and repeat process. Lets not even talk about the monkeys that port install some of options. I can tell you they are even worse. Then there are the lot jockeys at the dealer. The point is the first few miles of your cars life have been anything but gentle.

[Vindikacione]

^^^SO TRUE! Especially the part about the monkeys. I was watching a team of guys off load a ship at the Houston Docks. It would appear, the faster they offload, the more money they made. Hmmm. What a novel concept.?!

[FrequentFlyer]

i'm 21, but they let me test drive mine before i bought it. i also happened to be running errands with my dad when i went there the first time, which i'm sure helped, plus they ran my credit before we went out too.



What makes you think they ran your credit? If you didn't sign a consent form, they shouldn't have ran your credit and you could go after them legally for doing so. Besides it actually lowering your credit score by getting a credit check (funny how that works, huh?), it is none of their friggen business what your credit is to go take a test drive. They've got dealer plates on the car and have insurance for such activities. Usually they take a copy of your license, which makes sense, but I don't think they can run a credit check off your driver's license number.

I showed up to my dealer with my own financing, ready to buy. I whipped out my loan approval letter for up to $65,000 and said, "I won't need your financing, thank you.". My bank did a credit check on me, so there was no need for another one at the dealer. The only time they really need to do a credit check on you is if you're going with their financing or leasing and really then, it's the financing company that should be doing the credit check, whether it be Mazda American Finance or whoever.

They should have given you the $2.99 gas deal on the Caliber SRT-4 because they'd probably be saving money over having to pay someone's gas to drive a Durango around getting 15mpg. I believe the Caliber get's better MPG than the Speed3.

[CWPspeed3]

Side note about the SRT-4 $2.99 gas deal, the offer is only good for regular and diesel so if the SRT-4 requires premium the deal wouldn't work anyway.

[Moultese]

Honestly, who wants to be caught driving around in a Caliber?

[Vindikacione]

Honestly, who wants to be caught driving around in a Caliber?

The guys that want cold drinks in their glove box. And with big "L's" tattoed on their foreheads. (second)

http://www.dodge.com/en/2008/caliber/interior/interior_storage/

[FrequentFlyer]

Side note about the SRT-4 $2.99 gas deal, the offer is only good for regular and diesel so if the SRT-4 requires premium the deal wouldn't work anyway.

Ha! and diesel is more money than premium. Makes sense!

[imac]

What makes you think they ran your credit? If you didn't sign a consent form, they shouldn't have ran your credit and you could go after them legally for doing so. Besides it actually lowering your credit score by getting a credit check (funny how that works, huh?), it is none of their friggen business what your credit is to go take a test drive. They've got dealer plates on the car and have insurance for such activities. Usually they take a copy of your license, which makes sense, but I don't think they can run a credit check off your driver's license number.

I showed up to my dealer with my own financing, ready to buy. I whipped out my loan approval letter for up to $65,000 and said, "I won't need your financing, thank you.". My bank did a credit check on me, so there was no need for another one at the dealer. The only time they really need to do a credit check on you is if you're going with their financing or leasing and really then, it's the financing company that should be doing the credit check, whether it be Mazda American Finance or whoever.

They should have given you the $2.99 gas deal on the Caliber SRT-4 because they'd probably be saving money over having to pay someone's gas to drive a Durango around getting 15mpg. I believe the Caliber get's better MPG than the Speed3.

he told me that they did when i was there to buy the car, im assuming from the info on my driver's license because i don't think they had anything else on me. i could care less if they ran a credit score on me... i was going to buy a car anyway, and if they didnt want to be the ones to sell it to me, then that would be their problem. luckily everything worked out, and i really had no problems with how the mazda place went about doing business.

[Nismothecat]

^^^SO TRUE! Especially the part about the monkeys. I was watching a team of guys off load a ship at the Houston Docks. It would appear, the faster they offload, the more money they made. Hmmm. What a novel concept.?!

Longshoreman make loads of money with out even doing any work. my ex's parents both drove cranes(the ones that offload ships) for the port. 4 hour days making over 140k a year working maybe 4 days a week.

[imac]

Side note about the SRT-4 $2.99 gas deal, the offer is only good for regular and diesel so if the SRT-4 requires premium the deal wouldn't work anyway.

yea, but i was still shocked that the salesman didnt know about it. he didnt know anything really...

but, as frequentflyer already mentioned, if they are going to offer the deal on diesel, i dont quite understand why they wouldnt offer it on the SRT's, or the SRT4 at least. i've been averaging at least 25 mpg in the MS3 thus far, so i'd imagine the dodge's numbers to be remotely similar. and the way dodge does it is to take a certain mileage they expect you to drive (i believe it's 12k) and divide it by the average mpg they expect you to get, and that's how much fuel you're entitled to under their $2.99 price. so, even if you took premium and diesel to be the same price (call it $5 for argument's sake) dodge would have to put out $2 a gallon for up to 12k miles. if the SRT4 got 25 mpg, that would be $960 dodge saves you on gas. for something that gets closer to 15 mpg on diesel, that number would be $1600. they'd lose a lot more money on each vehicle that gets shitty mileage that they offer the deal on, regardless of the fuel that goes into it.

not that that would have been a deal breaker for me, i just never quite understood it.

[Cisco240]

The nearest local dealer said they wouldn't let me test drive a MS3 because it was a "special" car. & that they had to run my credit to see if I would even be able to qualify to purchase the car. I said go ahead & run it, just let me test drive the damn thing. On top of all that, they were blabbing about a $3995 premium mark-up for the MS3.
I ended up going to another dealer and they internet sales guy there practically threw the keys at me to drive the car. I didn't though since I had already done so. Ended up buying the car from him.

[CWPspeed3]

I never really understood anything Chrysler does. Why kill off the neon srt4 and bring out a caliber srt4? They are in big trouble and are trying to move cars, it doesn't make sense to do diesel but not premium by cost but I think the reasoning behind that is people with "normal" 87 octane cars could then put premium in all the time even if it wasn't necessary and Chrysler would lose more money, but diesel you cant put in other grades... Just my thinking don't know if it makes sense to anyone else.

I cant stand the dealers that try and get a $4000 premium for these cars its ridiculous. I walked out of a dealer because they said they wouldn't go lower than MSRP, I know I didn't get the best deal out there but I was happy with my experience and I love the car so I don't care.

[Vindikacione]

Longshoreman make loads of money with out even doing any work. my ex's parents both drove cranes(the ones that offload ships) for the port. 4 hour days making over 140k a year working maybe 4 days a week.

That's 140K combined or per parent?

[Nismothecat]

That's 140K combined or per parent?

per parent. most people start out at 35 an hour moving trucks from one spot to another. its a really hard job to get. you basically have to know someone.

[Nachtsturm]

I have bought 37 cars, and you could imagine how much shopping/test drives I have done. Some serious, some not(at the moment).

I have only been denied twice for a test drive.

1. When the EVO VIII came out....they had to get the manager's approval just to start the damn thing. I was 20 at the time, but I was driving a 56k BMW M3. Was thinking about going cheaper.

2. A used corvette coupe auto, asked me what I did for a living etc. I even programmed their damn remote for the car. What was funny I just got done test driving new vettes at a sister dealership. Then after we left, and saw the car we were driving in, they tried to get us back. We did not come back.

I will never buy a car without test driving it. NEVER. I went to the dealer and 20 minutes to close, i asked if they had any in stock, they said yes. I asked if he would do supplier pricing and if so, after i take it for a test drive and like it, I'll buy it. And that is how it went down.

I am still pissed that white came out afew months after I bought the car.

If you want to test drive nice cars your best bet is to do it at higher end dealerships. For instance, you might not be able to test drive a 911 at a nissan dealership, but at a Jaguar dealership they could care less.

[camrycev6]

per parent. most people start out at 35 an hour moving trucks from one spot to another. its a really hard job to get. you basically have to know someone.

It must be very hard to get. At 4 hours a day, 4 days a week, you are looking at 16 hour weeks. Assuming they get a very typical 4 weeks of vacation a year, that means they work 48 weeks x 16 hours = 768 hours a year. At $140K a year pay, that is $182.29 an hour! That is more than most doctors, professional white collars, lawyers, etc., make an hour.

To put it another way, it is the same as an average person working 40 hours a week and making $350,000 a year. That is in the top 1.5% of the nation. I never recall seeing crane operator in the list of the highest paying jobs. Amazing.

[yobrigidey]

Holy Jesus I sparked a 5 page thread over night!

Okay to answer a few questions:



I am 95% sure that I will not like the Caliber SRT-4, but I still want to test drive it for the experience more than anything. Who knows, maybe I'll like it?

I do find it funny how a few of you are quick to point out Chevy's quality reputation, while you are driving around in a car that is notorious for turbo seal and interior vibration problems. I'm not trying to start a fight, you all are obviously biased, I would be too.

I am really torn between the Speed 3 and Cobalt SS. Neither car blows me away in the looks dept, but the power/handling/price will more than make up for it.

I LOVED the interior of the 08.5 Speed3 that I was "allowed" to sit in. I just need to know how bad the rattles are, because they will drive me crazy, more so than not having an armrest in the cobalt.

The Cobalt SS was an awesome ride. The interior sucks, but its a 24k car. One thing that does sway me towards the cobalt is the GM attitude of aftermarket parts. While mazda is busy voiding warranties, Chevy is producing stage kits that retain factory warranty. This is a HUGE factor in my buying decision.

There are two things that I don't like about the Cobalt: No center consol/arm rest and no telescoping wheel. I have long legs, so i have to sit further back from the wheel, and it is uncomfortable for me to hold my arm up and out.

Now, if I could actually get a damn test drive, I could make a decision and purchase something.



One more thing that I forgot to mention that is kind of ironic:

I left the mazda dealership after being told by the sales manager that I couldn't take the car out for a test drive prior to purchase.
I left the chevy dealership after being told I could keep the car for a night prior to purchase.

[Vindikacione]

I left the mazda dealership after being told by the sales manager that I couldn't take the car out for a test drive prior to purchase.
I left the chevy dealership after being told I could keep the car for a night prior to purchase.

Hey, if you live in the KCK or KCM area, you can drive the dog shi7 out of mine. It'll convince you. Can't have a fellow American walking around with a "L" on their forehead.

[yobrigidey]

Hey, if you live in the KCK or KCM area, you can drive the dog shi7 out of mine. It'll convince you. Can't have a fellow American walking around with a "L" on their forehead.

Well, next time I am in KC I am going to try my luck at a dealership there. If that fails, I may have to take you up on that!

[Vindikacione]

Well, next time I am in KC I am going to try my luck at a dealership there. If that fails, I may have to take you up on that!

No Worries. They're designed to go fast. Hell, it's been on the German Autobahn. You can't dog it more out than going over 140+mph for as long as the other drivers let you. If it was supposed to break, it would've broken already. Just let me know when you're in the area and you can get your zoom-zoom on. lol (drinks)

[phillyb]

i can't read all of this thread...but i will share my experience

i am 24, have tattoos, long hair and a beard. i showed up at a dealership with my three year old kid and said i wanted to drive an ms3, no questions asked, they let me drive. i drove it about 2-3 more times that day and bought the car. but if they didn't let me drive the car, i wouldn't have been an ms3 owner.

i used to sell cars and i loved the kids who wanted to test drive the faster, more performance based cars (i sold hondas, so we're not talking a lot of performance, but kids coming in to test drive the si and the s2k)

[MSelo]

Look, make whatever decision you want. Either is a great choice, not a big fan of chevy due to past vehicles I've owned, however, that wouldn't had stopped me from giving the cobalt ss a shot had it been out when I was shopping for a car. Notorious for turbo seal and interior vibration problems eh? Hmm...so a couple of people on this forum had issues when they modded their vehicles (read: couple) and now apparently this is a known fact per you?

Sorry to hear about the dealership thing, I never experienced it when I went to test drive and hope you can at least find a dealership that will let you take it for a spin before you pull the trigger on an automobile.

Best of Luck

P.S. - my cobb sri, springs, and engine mount were all recommended by my Kings Mazda of Cincinnati mechanic, his name is Kevin

[phillyb]

I do find it funny how a few of you are quick to point out Chevy's quality reputation, while you are driving around in a car that is notorious for turbo seal and interior vibration problems. I'm not trying to start a fight, you all are obviously biased, I would be too.



Notorious for turbo seal and interior vibration problems eh? Hmm...so a couple of people on this forum had issues when they modded their vehicles (read: couple) and now apparently this is a known fact per you?


i would agree with mselo...our car is not known for messed up seals and vibrations. most of the problems with turbo seals were caused by aftermarket down pipes (i think some stock turbos might have problems without an aftermarket dp, but hmm)

and the vibrations mentioned are a result from an upgraded motor mount...it doesn't come from the factory like that

[Nismothecat]

It must be very hard to get. At 4 hours a day, 4 days a week, you are looking at 16 hour weeks. Assuming they get a very typical 4 weeks of vacation a year, that means they work 48 weeks x 16 hours = 768 hours a year. At $140K a year pay, that is $182.29 an hour! That is more than most doctors, professional white collars, lawyers, etc., make an hour.

To put it another way, it is the same as an average person working 40 hours a week and making $350,000 a year. That is in the top 1.5% of the nation. I never recall seeing crane operator in the list of the highest paying jobs. Amazing.

unions are awesome.

[ericrapp]

You guys got it good my dealership was alloted 7 for the year. I waited 3 months for mine. My dealership even told me when it got on the boat. Built March 07. nobody within 150 miles had one to test. as if I cared.

[speed5hornet]

i walked in to the dealership, a 19yr old punk in cargo shorts, plain white t shirt with some stains on it and after oogling the ms3 for a bit, a guy came out and said "wanna actually drive the thing?" of course i did, so i did! easy as that....it kinda helps when the guy giving you the keys as sold 3 cars to your dad, and actually held you when you were baby and your parents were buying there first car from him....and then when i was 16 i bought my p5 from him ;)

[FrequentFlyer]

unions are awesome.

Not in the airlines. Starting airline pilot makes $20k a year and works 90 hours a month, but I digress. How's that for union support? But I digress...

[Silver Ecstasy]

Holy Jesus I sparked a 5 page thread over night!

Okay to answer a few questions:



I am 95% sure that I will not like the Caliber SRT-4, but I still want to test drive it for the experience more than anything. Who knows, maybe I'll like it?

I do find it funny how a few of you are quick to point out Chevy's quality reputation, while you are driving around in a car that is notorious for turbo seal and interior vibration problems. I'm not trying to start a fight, you all are obviously biased, I would be too.

I am really torn between the Speed 3 and Cobalt SS. Neither car blows me away in the looks dept, but the power/handling/price will more than make up for it.

I LOVED the interior of the 08.5 Speed3 that I was "allowed" to sit in. I just need to know how bad the rattles are, because they will drive me crazy, more so than not having an armrest in the cobalt.

The Cobalt SS was an awesome ride. The interior sucks, but its a 24k car. One thing that does sway me towards the cobalt is the GM attitude of aftermarket parts. While mazda is busy voiding warranties, Chevy is producing stage kits that retain factory warranty. This is a HUGE factor in my buying decision.

There are two things that I don't like about the Cobalt: No center consol/arm rest and no telescoping wheel. I have long legs, so i have to sit further back from the wheel, and it is uncomfortable for me to hold my arm up and out.

Now, if I could actually get a damn test drive, I could make a decision and purchase something.



One more thing that I forgot to mention that is kind of ironic:

I left the mazda dealership after being told by the sales manager that I couldn't take the car out for a test drive prior to purchase.
I left the chevy dealership after being told I could keep the car for a night prior to purchase.

I don't have to be biased to recognize that a $24k MS3 GT is a much better option compared to a rattle-box, poorly-built, typical slap job Chevy Cobalt SS. Leather/Alcantara, room for 4, huge trunk, HID's, Bose. Why not? I don't need "No lift shift" or "launch control". There is just no comparison between the SS and the MS3.

And as far as quality with the MS3, most everyone who has had issues with the turbos have resulted from mods. Maybe I can put it this way: modifications arn't always safe! They're a modification of how your car was originally designed for or built for. Just because a performance company says it's safe and makes your car better, doesn't mean it always is. Every car is designed the way it is, right down to the wheels and tires. They're weighted and picked exactly to compliment the cars handling. Alter that with larger wheels or tires, and you'll see a performance decrease.

I'm not trying to sound one sided, but Christ, after being in the domestic world for so long, I feel like i'm finally driving a quality automobile!!!!

[camrycev6]

Not in the airlines. Starting airline pilot makes $20k a year and works 90 hours a month, but I digress. How's that for union support? But I digress...

That can't last too long though. Airline pilots are listed as one of the highest paying jobs out there.... averaging 150K / year.

[TonyMS3]

the OP asked about dash rattles... although i know some people have them, I don't. Not a squeek or rattle anywhere. If you do have a rattle, they can be fixed with a little felt backed with adhesive.

[Jon45189]

I went to the local Mazda dealership for an oil change today, so naturally I went out in the lot and checked out the cars.

Not even a minute after I stopped to look at the MS3, a salesman came out with a set of keys asking if I'd like a test drive.

I went right after work, and I work for a mechanical contractor, so I was just wearing a T-shirt and a pair of jeans. I'm also only 18 years old. Unfortunately, I couldn't test drive the car because mine was just getting out of the garage.

[buildabong]

And they wouldn't let me take it out!

Their excuses:
"The people who buy these cars want no miles on them"
"We let someone take out one and they wrapped it around a pole, now our insurance company won't let us do it anymore."
"People come in and purchase them without test driving them all the time"
"This is a special edition car, there are only 4,000 made, and we have 5 of them"

And my favorite:
"we don't want people just coming in to test drive them who aren't serious about purchasing one. We do the same thing with our vipers and Z06's"

Just a warning for anyone in the Wichita, Kansas area, stay away from Davis Moore Mazda. Funny thing is I was going to go test drive the Caliber SRT-4 afterwards to compare (at the Davis Moore Dodge) Instead, I just went straight home.

I also explained to them that I had already test driven a new Cobalt SS turbo. The dealership didn't have any left, so I drove the Gen. Manager's car. (A dealership that wants to sell cars...what a concept!)

What a joke.... Now I'll have to go give my business to a different dealership the next time I am in Kansas City.

lmfao that happened to me also.. so i went back the next day just looking again at them and they finally let me test drive them.. lol, maybe cause i bought an 07 mazda3 i 2.oL from them and they where like well ok. =)

but then 2months later i got the speed3 haha

[FrequentFlyer]

That can't last too long though. Airline pilots are listed as one of the highest paying jobs out there.... averaging 150K / year.

They obviously get that average from the top 10-20% and it really depends on the company. If you can get through an airline pilot career without getting furloughed or your company going bankrupt once, twice, three times in your life, maybe. After buying a 4 year degree and about $45k in flight training, you land yourself a $20k a year job as a copilot flying regional jets for 3-5 years. At the 5 year point at a regional, you may be a captain and make $55k. Go to a major airline from there and spend your first year on union probation as a copilot again, making $35k. Year two jumps you up to about $55k again. The real money comes when you make captain at a major airline, but that can take as little as 3-4 years or 6-7+ years. It's all about a seniority number and whether or not people are moving out up top and in below you. Once you make captain at a major, the salary goes up over $120k+, but again, if the company goes under or merges with another company, it's all about seniority number and you could end up starting all over again. You cannot take your seniority number from company to company or even your experience, like most other careers out there. So, if you spend 20 years at airline X and decide you want to go to Airline Z, you can't because you'll start back down at the bottom as a copilot making $35k again.

[ON TOPIC] I'm going to start bringing some sort of recording device the next time I go to a dealer so that when they tell me that they've only made 4,000 of a car, that it's a limited edition and too special to test drive, when it's time to trade the car in 5 years later, I can use that for when they low ball me on a trade because it's "just a Mazda3" and there are tens of thousands of them out there. :)

[camrycev6]

They obviously get that average from the top 10-20% and it really depends on the company. If you can get through an airline pilot career without getting furloughed or your company going bankrupt once, twice, three times in your life, maybe. After buying a 4 year degree and about $45k in flight training, you land yourself a $20k a year job as a copilot flying regional jets for 3-5 years. At the 5 year point at a regional, you may be a captain and make $55k. Go to a major airline from there and spend your first year on union probation as a copilot again, making $35k. Year two jumps you up to about $55k again. The real money comes when you make captain at a major airline, but that can take as little as 3-4 years or 6-7+ years. It's all about a seniority number and whether or not people are moving out up top and in below you. Once you make captain at a major, the salary goes up over $120k+, but again, if the company goes under or merges with another company, it's all about seniority number and you could end up starting all over again. You cannot take your seniority number from company to company or even your experience, like most other careers out there. So, if you spend 20 years at airline X and decide you want to go to Airline Z, you can't because you'll start back down at the bottom as a copilot making $35k again.

[ON TOPIC] I'm going to start bringing some sort of recording device the next time I go to a dealer so that when they tell me that they've only made 4,000 of a car, that it's a limited edition and too special to test drive, when it's time to trade the car in 5 years later, I can use that for when they low ball me on a trade because it's "just a Mazda3" and there are tens of thousands of them out there. :)

Thanks for thie information! I never knew....