Hey, im interested in the IS-F. i dont think i could really get it in the next few months. but i would still like to "pretend" haha, and by that i mean test driving it at a dealership. am i able to just walk in there and request to test drive it?

i only ask this question because my brother told me i would need like... 50000 in my bank acct to prove im a serious buyer of the ISF. which i thought was a little absurd and discriminatory.

Is there any truth to his statement?

 

Depends if the sales guys think your really going to buy or not... no proof of money is required, just a valid DL's at most places. GL!

 

That's probably one of the dumbest things I ever heard, most people put down 20percent not 50k as long as your not rolling up in a 87 ford escort u should be fine for a test drive

 

are they anxious to move these off lots now?

 

To be honest... and as sad as it sound... it really depend what car you drive, your age and how you dress when you arrival at the dealership...
I remember when I was younger (21 years old), I was interested to get a EVO 8 (when it first came out in 03) and got there with a 97 Integra, they refused to let me test drive it, said stuff like 'oh it's an exlcusive car, we ONLY let people who are ready to put down a down payment to take it out the road for test drive.'
Same thing with the STI and other 'exlcusive' or 'Special' model.
So I end up getting a used EVO from a private seller... and when the MR came out.. I had no issue took the MR out for a test drive (show up in my EVO)
But on the other end, you can't really blame the salesman, that's many many people simply just want to go to a car dealership test drive a high performace car for the fun of it (I know a few car buddy of mine actaully did that)...And it really wasted the salesman time and it might get them in trouble for not able to make the sale with all those test drive reqeust.

Anyway, my advice is, if you are serious about getting a F from that dealership, show up in a somewhata nice and decent car

Good luck !

 

just go to carmax and test drive.

 

No, absolute rubbish.

 

I've never had a problem test driving higher end cars but most places won't let you test drive a car until they run your credit report to make sure you can actually buy one. I've always brought a lot of cash with me to show im serious but no one has ever asked me for it and I've never had to pull it out because it's never been an issue

 

If you do get the chance to test drive, remember to push in the sport button!

 

Carmax actually has 11, kinda surprised lol


Iv got over night test drives on many nice cars when I was like 18, M3s and M5s, plus the multiple regular test drives. Had 2 dealers let me take a used F out alone when I was looking for mine. Just depends if the F is the most expensive car on someones lot or its nothing special and they have $120k+ cars they care about a lot more.

 

I showed up in lexus of riverside and the salesman let me test drive an 08 . I was in my work uniform they probably thought I was there to deliver or pick up a package lol

 

thanks for the input guys. yeah i told him hes an idiot and they dont require such a large sum of cash. everything you guys said makes sense. Im sure if i roll up in my 350, they will probably consider me a serious buyer.

just like in everything in life, if you go in confident, well dressed, and not driving a bucket im sure they think you are serious. all about perception!

thanks again. if i only waited a few more months to save instead of being inpatient i could have gotten the F. Only way for me to get it now is if i part out eveything and sell car and restart! haha. i;ve had the 2007 350 for 9 months. who knows what the future holds

 

As much as perception plays a somewhat large role in car shopping, it really shouldn't have a bearing. I inquired about my F back in 2008 in some basketball gear, with the first salesman I talked to was ready to escort me to the Scion dealership.

The salesman that actually took the time to help me and get all the buying documents out of the way didn't care how I dressed. He kept constant communication with me regarding when the dealer would receive its allotment and did not try to pressure me to add on dealer option, such as the tint or alternate wheels, or a exterior/interior protection plan, etc. I actually ended up taking delivery in my pajamas that evening when he said my F arrived at the dealer. He seemed more excited for me to arrive late at night right and drive off with the F when the dealer itself was closing.

I wouldn't consider it being impatient, as you needed a car right away. But they will run your credit to see where you stand when purchasing an F. My advice would be to be pre-approved with an auto loan when you're set to purchase one. That way, you won't have to settle for the Lexus Financial rate or be pressured to take their contract terms.

Best of luck in your search for an F.

 

I showed up at the dealership in a pair of sweat pants and t-shirt. A salesman greeted me with a smile and asked me what brought me in. I said I came to look at a 2013 IS-F and he turned around and got the key He then said "let's go for a drive!"
3 hours later, I drove it home

 

Thats great customer service! I wonder if the sales people get to drive the is-f when it comes out every year.