SRT8Man denied test drive of new SRT8!

[JonW]

Originally Posted by srt8man

This experience has really turned me off and given me a negative impression of Chrysler.

Shouldn't your sentence above relate to the dealer and not Chrysler? It's not Chrysler's policy at all, it's that specific dealer.

[ahemi2]

Hey I bought a 2006 300 SRT a little over 3 years ago from a Cadillac/Volvo dealer and he wouldn't
let me test drive it. And I'm 60 yrs old. Go figure.

[srt8man]

Originally Posted by JonW

Shouldn't your sentence above relate to the dealer and not Chrysler? It's not Chrysler's policy at all, it's that specific dealer.

Yes, but here's the problem. I've walked into many other dealerships (Ford, Mercedes, Cadillac, BMW, etc) and never had this kind of experience. The fact that a Chrysler dealer treats me this way is bad for Chrysler, not just that specific dealer. It gives me a negative impression of the brand in general. I can't help what I feel.

[mmc]

Did you ever end up talking/send a letter to the manager at the Chrysler dealership? It would be funny if you drove up to the Chrysler dealership with a Mercedes or the CTS-V

I always seek some sort of satisfaction when I'm treated that way. Good luck though with the purchase you go with. I don't think you could go wrong with any of the cars you mentioned.

[Keithyhome]

Originally Posted by srt8man

Yes, you would think that when I told him that I presently own a 2008 300C SRT8, he would go check if he can make an exception and let me test out the new model. Instead he just says "I have no control over the policy". Their policy really defies all logic. I could understand if I was a teenage kid, but I'm an adult. Some dealers just don't get it.

Totally agree! Do what I did with a dealership started acting stupid. I once had to return a part which the dealer placed an incorrect order for; it was their mistake but they insisted that I pay a restocking fee. I had been working with a salesman for a few weeks on the deal for the new SRT but because of the sales department, I purchased the car from another dealer then drove over to the original dealer to show it off. Stupid is as stupid does.

[srt8man]

It's really a bizarre policy. I explained to the salesman that not only do I own a 300C SRT8, but that I bought it from his dealership 5 years ago and was considering an upgrade this fall. I even went on to say that I like to buy all my cars from local dealers and that I live right down the street. What more do they need for me to get a test drive? Should I offer them one of my kidneys to sell on the black market? LOL

[stanwood]

Definitely a dealer issue and not a Chrysler issue. I bought mine in September at a local dealer in Fort Worth. I went in to look at the 300's knowing I really wanted the SRT8. After talking to the salesman a while he convinced me that I needed the SRT8 and I should take it home for the night for an extended test drive. I did. And exactly what he and I both knew happened the next day. I bought the car.

[Lunchbox660]

thats a reall bummer man. I hate when dealers get so touchy about the cars. The fact that so many enact these "no test drive" rules makes me sick to my stomach to think that they expect you to just shell out bucks for a car you didnt really even get a proper feel for.

[Torian]

When I was at our local Chrysler dealer, I saw they had a new Jeep SRT8 in the showroom. They are a high volume dealer in the area, and were only able to get ONE when I was speaking to the GM. Nice looking ride...there was a guy driving 2 hours to test drive it. I got the impression that test drives were for serious buyers only. I can see it both ways. He did come down on the price either...MSRP...and the dude paid it.

[srt8man]

There are very few buyers that make up their mind about a car without test driving it. I can understand the "serious buyers only" mentality, but it's bad for business to turn away what could be a repeat customer. The test drive is supposed to be an opportunity for the sales person to sell how great the car is, and without it all he can do is brag about how it's so great that you can't drive it.