2016 Golf R test drive--no dice

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by SCA

Congrats on the S3! I really like this car and have been meaning to visit the local dealer for a test drive. I have built one on Audi's website a few times and it appears reasonably priced.

I read somewhere recently that for the 2017 MY it will receive a facelift and a minor horsepower increase (10-15). Judging from the photos I could not tell much of a difference from a '16.

Hmm. Should have done multiquote. At any rate, it would be great if they would bring the S3 convertible to the US.

[JST]

Update: Still no test drives allowed.

Originally Posted by VW Dealer

Customers that purchase Golf Rs are a very particular and insist on being the first to drive it. Therefore we do not permit test drives of the vehicle. In all the years of selling these cars I have not had one single person regret their purchase. We do have a car in the showroom for you to take a look at.

Originally Posted by JST in response

I won't buy a car without driving it, of course--precisely because I am very particular.

I'm disappointed that you aren't interested in selling me a car. That's too bad, particularly since I actually am a Golf R owner.

Thanks for your time.

[ff]

That's so weird to me. It's not like we're talking about a high-$$$, limited-production exotic.

When I was looking at a new GTI in Tampa a few years ago, the VW salesperson was practically begging me to test drive the R.

[JST]

Originally Posted by ff

That's so weird to me. It's not like we're talking about a high-$$$, limited-production exotic.

When I was looking at a new GTI in Tampa a few years ago, the VW salesperson was practically begging me to test drive the R.

I hate these fuckers almost more than I hate the Trump administration.

FWIW, this particular dealer has 4 of them in stock, all discounted online.

[ff]

Originally Posted by JST

FWIW, this particular dealer has 4 of them in stock, all discounted online.

I'm not sure how this all works, but doesn't a dealership use short-term loans of some sort to purchase the vehicles into their stock? So the longer it sits, the more interest they pay on those loans?

[kognito]

Floor plans vary by MFG and models, but, yeah

[FC]

That's stupid (that they won't let you drive an R). Reminds me of this a-hole who refused to let me drive a Corvette years ago. It (and the whole experience in a Chevy dealership) really ruined my desire to buy or own a Corvette.

I must say that I felt similarly slimy at Ford, Toyota, and Honda dealerships. Beautiful new buildings, but I felt like cattle.

I must say I had a pretty good experience at the VW dealership.

[Jeff_DML]

what does the new R buy over your old one? Seems like the driving dynamics are about the same so just want something shiny and new?

[JST]

Originally Posted by FC

That's stupid (that they won't let you drive an R). Reminds me of this a-hole who refused to let me drive a Corvette years ago. It (and the whole experience in a Chevy dealership) really ruined my desire to buy or own a Corvette.

I must say that I felt similarly slimy at Ford, Toyota, and Honda dealerships. Beautiful new buildings, but I felt like cattle.

I must say I had a pretty good experience at the VW dealership.

I'm sure it varies from dealer to dealer, but as a general matter buying "high-end," limited-production vehicles from a mass market manufacturer is pretty hellish. The customer service isn't what it should be, and these guys treat the cars like they're Ming vases.

It's not helped by the VW enthusiast crew, who generally approach the cars the same way. I mean, the Golf is a nice car, but come the fuck on. You won't buy one if someone else has driven it?? I've literally never applied that metric to any of the cars I've purchased. They're cars. People drive them. That's what they are for.

[JST]

Originally Posted by Jeff_DML

what does the new R buy over your old one? Seems like the driving dynamics are about the same so just want something shiny and new?

Honestly, I don't know the answer to that question without driving one. My current one is 5 years old and has 28K miles on it. I can (and probably will) keep it for the foreseeable future (or at least until it starts costing money to fix), but at some point I'll have to get something else.