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| - I've been in the market for a new vehicle since I sold my truck a few weeks ago and wanted to get myself back in to a fun sporty car like my M3 I had a few years back. I had my mind torn between an Audi S5 and a BMW 335i but of course I needed it to be manual transmission. Lone behold Fantasy Auto Sales had the S5 I was searching for and it was in my Budget($20000-25000) with not to bad miles. I packed up my cash($15000) from my truck sale and made my way across the Valley to take a test drive.
So the loner vehicle that I have been driving isn't a very nice flashy expensive car. In fact my moms old 2002 Chevy Suburban is anything but. However it is her spare car and its something to drive with A/C until I find that perfect car for myself, Riding the Harley in this heat is brutal right now. Anyways, I'm a 30 year old Hispanic male driving an old suburban into a "high end" car lot. I know what this may look like and what they may be thinking, but they are professionals and should treat people as equals. I am a young professional here looking to purchase a car, I'm not here to waste your or my time.
As soon as I parked the big red monster on the lot it seemed as if they were ignoring me on purpose. I made my way to my future ride and opened it's doors, made myself comfy and checked under the hood, making it VERY obvious I was interested. I even made eye contact with an older guy on the lot but he made no effort to ask questions so I assume hes just another customer. Finally! I was approached by a lot attendant, who I assumed was in sales and I asked to take it for a test drive. He said we need to get a sales guy. Awesome, I am ok with that. Finally a sales guy comes out and its the older "gentleman" that i made eye contact with a little bit ago, I ask him now... I want to take the S5 for a test drive. He proceeds to give me the 3rd degree:
How am I going to pay? Mostly Cash,
Hows your credit? Very Very Good, (upper 700, possibly low 800s at this point)
Have you ever purchased a car before? I get a new vehicle about every 2 years.
Ok now I have purchased many cars from dealers and I wanted to get the best deal possible. I tell the sales guy I came in to look at an Audi A5. And I understand the S5 is a bit of an upgrade but might be "too much car for me" but it is in my budget. Thinking hey the price will come down because its "not" the car I'm interested in (*wink wink nudge nudge) but in actuality it is very much the car I want. I drove about 45+ minutes to drive the car and make sure there were no weird rattles or silly things.
I finally ask again, can I take the car for a test drive. He said since I came looking for an A5 not the S5 that he wont let me test drive it because I may get in an accident or I may blow an engine and that's company policy. That is what insurance is for, accidents happen. I have personally never been in an accident and I didn't plan on that happening today. Also, if you're paranoid that a 5-10 minute test-drive may blow one of your engines, then I'd be hard pressed to purchase any vehicle on your lot because even your sales staff thinks its unreliable. But I digress, apparently, you "can't" drive a car you are interested in!?
At that point its quite obvious they are an extremely judgmental car sales company. Had I been driving one of my old cars, TX Baja Edition Toyota Tacoma, my Cadillac CTS, or my old M3 I probably wouldn't have had any problems whatsoever. I'm officially done, I pull out my envelope full of $$$ and tell him. I came here to buy a car and the way I've been treated is disrespectful.
I felt profiled almost from the beginning, I think they thought I couldn't afford the car but in fact this may have been one of the least expensive cars I would have purchased over the years, outside of my first high school car or some of my projects like my current 1967 C10 pickup which is a never-ending money pit lol. Needless to say old man rivers had my adrenaline pumping.
As I turn my back he asks if I still want to take a test drive? I respond with a H*** NO.
That isn't the only car like that out there. And until I find the next one, I'm perfectly happy driving this old Suburban.
My money is going to a quality company with morals.
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