# Test driving very expensive cars. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 20, 2009, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080 "2009-05-20T16:05:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/21 "2009-05-21T04:43:46Z")
If you have your heart set on the Porsche and want to travel a few hundred miles, I know a guy who owns a Porsche racing team and will let you take a few laps for $10k. Just don’t let him or his driver take you on the street in their 2-seater, it is _terrifying_. I’ve driven (not owned) a lot of exotic cars. As far as Porsche goes, they all feel the same putting around town, except the Cayenne, of course. Ferraris are a little sleeker and rarer, but I haven’t been around many late models. Practice getting in and out of your clothes dryer a few times before making a fool out of yourself trying to get into a Lotus, and don’t bother with the Elise. ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/22 "2009-05-21T05:08:06Z")
> [@Fubaya](#): > > Practice getting in and out of your clothes dryer a few times before making a fool out of yourself trying to get into a Lotus, and don’t bother with the Elise. Right leg, ass, ducktoavoidconcussion, and left leg when you are ready. Switch the legs for RHD. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/23 "2009-05-21T05:12:15Z")
Considering I am only just 5’ 10’ and 72 kg its not an issue for me (I won’t say anything about double wide 'merkans ok?) The Exige is the most “fun” car I have ever driven - its just 7 shades of awesomness. For the elise - it runs the same engine as my MPV (although admittedly retuned by Lotus) so the standing joke around me is that I own a Lotus MP:eek: ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/24 "2009-05-21T05:27:33Z")
> [@sharding](#): > > The exception was the BMW dealer who acted like he had better things to do. Yeah, I know that BMW dealer too, or a similar one. I walked into a BMW dealership about 15 years ago (I was 32), dressed casually but well, and asked to drive a 3-series. The sales geek said something along the lines of “we don’t just let cars out on joy rides.” I asked for the manager, complained about this little shit, and departed. I’ve since owned three BMWs, none bought from that dealership, and I shall never, ever darken their door. The other two dealers I’ve been to have been aces. I mean, Jesus. A 3-series is the fucking Ford Pinto of the BMW line. What the hell? ---
**Author:** ![sharding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90db22/32.png) [@sharding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sharding)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/25 "2009-05-21T05:43:19Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Yeah, I know that BMW dealer too, or a similar one. I walked into a BMW dealership about 15 years ago (I was 32), dressed casually but well, and asked to drive a 3-series. The sales geek said something along the lines of “we don’t just let cars out on joy rides.” That’s a lot worse than my experience. We drove a 3 series and a 5 series. The guy was on the phone with a friend while he was getting the keys for us, and didn’t seem to want to talk when we got back (he just took the keys). I don’t know if he thought we couldn’t afford it and were wasting his time, or what. In any case, we ended up buying an Audi instead. That’ll show him! ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/26 "2009-05-21T09:39:59Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > [Nitier nikpick]It was a real Ferrari. In fact Selleck did so much for Ferrari’s popularity in the US that Ferrari gave him a car (But not a 308). You are correct that he didn’t fit in it with the roof up. It was a Mondial[/nitier nitpick] The confusion was probably with the black Spider? on Miami Vice which was a replica. I understand that when they made the switch to the white Testarossa, Ferrari asked them to use a real one and gave it to them. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/27 "2009-05-21T10:36:47Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > The Exige is the most “fun” car I have ever driven - its just 7 shades of awesomness. For the elise - it runs the same engine as my MPV (although admittedly retuned by Lotus) so the standing joke around me is that I own a Lotus MP:eek: By that rationale, my dad used to drive two Rolls Royces _at the same time_. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/28 "2009-05-21T13:19:17Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > The confusion was probably with the black Spider? on Miami Vice which was a replica. I understand that when they made the switch to the white Testarossa, Ferrari asked them to use a real one and gave it to them. Yes, that’s what I was thinking of… the black Daytona Spyder was a replica. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/29 "2009-05-21T13:35:27Z")
IMHO you also need to consider the moral implications of driving their car under false pretenses. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/30 "2009-05-21T14:08:02Z")
> [@Baracus](#): > > There was an article in the local newspaper last year about a new Bentley dealership opening in the area and that is what it basically said. If you didn’t look and sound like you could afford one, they weren’t even going to let you in the door. I imagine it would be like that at any high-end dealership. I mean, who wouldn’t like to test drive a Lamborghini? > > [/HIJACK] If you want to look like you belong in a Bentley you should go in looking like a rapper or a drug dealer. ---
**Author:** ![Discipline](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Discipline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discipline)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/31 "2009-05-21T15:16:40Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > Trust fund brats in Oakleys with popped collars drive Porches. > > And idiots that are fond of walking drive Lotuses. (I still want one. I got lots of practice with the MG) Hey! I don’t own any Oakleys. And the (new) Lotus will be better than you expect, at least as far as the engine goes. > [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > IMHO you also need to consider the moral implications of driving their car under false pretenses. Yeah, consider it all the way up to the point your right foot hits the floor. That said, it’s probably easier to find a local car show and befriend an owner. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/32 "2009-05-21T19:16:14Z")
Contrary to a lot of the stories around here I have to honestly say, I’ve never been able to take a car on a test drive by myself. The salesman always comes with so he can rattle on about how great the car is. The only exception to that is when they let me borrow a car for the weekend, but I had to sign a ton of papers and leave my car there during that time. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/33 "2009-05-21T19:44:08Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > I read a book about this (fiction) and the guy went out and rented a Cadillac, then he used that to drive up to a Porsche dealer, which of course saw the Porsche and allowed him to drive the next class of fancy cars and then he did that and worked his way up. Just wondering.. did he replace the dealer plates before driving to the next place? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/34 "2009-05-21T20:04:53Z")
Once upon a time, every time I took a friend with me to go shop cars, the salesman would ride with us. Every time I went alone, the salesman just photocopied my ID and tossed me the keys. ?? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/35 "2009-05-21T20:45:48Z")
> [@Myrrajh](#): > > I did something similar with a very expensive show home in a very exclusive new neighborhood. I wasn’t dressed to the nines, but I walked in like I knew just what I was looking for. There was no one else there, so the sales rep came with me through the house and I asked all kinds of questions and harrumphed about “oh, I would definitely need upgrades on this and that.” When the tour was over I inquired about waterfront lots and how soon I could get a house built. When she asked about financing, I just said, “No, no, we won’t need to finance.” Then I made up some BS about being married to an oil executive and having 3.5 children (yes, I asked about schools, too.) She just about fell over her own feet rushing her business card into my hand and I said I’d be in touch and would be back with my husband. > > I laughed all the way home, wondering if she saw me driving away in my 15 year old beater car. 🙂 That was fun. It was probably a hoot for the person whose time you wasted, too. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/36 "2009-05-21T21:14:37Z")
For some reason here the salesmen have to drive the car off the lot , then they let you take over and drive. ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/37 "2009-05-21T21:29:00Z")
Jman - I’m in C-bus too. I’ll be your pseudo-wing man. I’ll hand-cuff a briefcase to my wrist and speak as your representative. MeanJoe: Mr. Jman would like to test drive that Lambo. Salesperson: _Looks past me to Jman_ Jman: _looks indifferently at the sky avoiding direct eye contact with salesperson who is clearly below his station_ MeanJoe: _snaps fingers_ Sir, do not attempt to speak directly to Jman. I will be facilitating this transaction. Now, can you assist Mr. Jman in his request or shall we speak with another sales person? Salesperson: Yes, of course. Let me get the keys and I’ll glady take you on a test drive. MeanJoe: That will not be necessary, I will be accompanying Mr. Jman. Alone. _MeanJoe and Jman drive off in car with all appropriate enthusiasm_ _MeanJoe extends middle finger of hand attached to arm that is out the window_ _Jman laughs_ _Sales person weeps_ MeanJoe ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/38 "2009-05-21T21:44:32Z")
FTR, about three months ago I got the Bum’s Rush at a Toyota (!) dealer. I pulled up in an old beater, and within seconds the salesman was telling me how I’d find _much_ better deals at their pre-owned lot across town. I won’t be patronizing either place, BTW. So, apparently, the car you arrive in _does_ play a part. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/39 "2009-05-21T22:29:52Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > Contrary to a lot of the stories around here I have to honestly say, I’ve never been able to take a car on a test drive by myself. The salesman always comes with so he can rattle on about how great the car is. The only exception to that is when they let me borrow a car for the weekend, but I had to sign a ton of papers and leave my car there during that time. I’ve only been on one test drive in my life but that’s what I’ve always seen happen as well, unless you are a known and loyal customer of the dealership. That’s why I mentioned “putting around town” because that’s likely all the test driver is going to reallt get to do. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080/40 "2009-05-21T22:40:35Z")
> [@Fubaya](#): > > I’ve only been on one test drive in my life but that’s what I’ve always seen happen as well, unless you are a known and loyal customer of the dealership. That’s why I mentioned “putting around town” because that’s likely all the test driver is going to reallt get to do. All but one of the test drives I have been on have included the sales guy. I test drove a Saturn once where they photo copied my license gave me the keys and sent me on my way alone. > [@Bijou Drains](#): > > For some reason here the salesmen have to drive the car off the lot , then they let you take over and drive. Some places they want to drive off the lot and others I drive off the lot. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-driving-very-expensive-cars/497080.md?page=3)