LOL, My truck had 37 miles on it when I bought it, and the dealer did replace a rear tire from "damage", maybe I got it.

 

Klutch8-

So, in summary, not all dealerships want you to "Rob out" their vehicles.

 

I never test drove mine. I knew what I wanted and I knew what the Lightning was all about so for me no reason to test drive it. It’s wasn’t like I was going to get some wimpy Lariat if I didn’t like the ride…

However, the dealer did ask if I wanted to take it for a drive and I said no. He asked are you sure, and I said yep now sit down and let’s talk some numbers…

Brand new Lightning 2003 with 3 miles on it for $24,300. Maybe not the best deal but a pretty got damn good deal in my eyes…

It was the perfect time for buying a brand new Lightning because the dealer had 7 or 8 of them sitting on the lot and had been there for approx. 5 – 6 months. It was when everybody anticipated the new Gen III coming out so those really serious about purchasing a Lightning was waiting for the Gen III’s to come out and thus the temporary glut on the dealers lot and them wanting to sell them for what ever they could to get rid of them.

 

When I was either by myself or with a freind, most dealers didn't take me seriously let alone let me test drive one (most I got to do is sit in one and start the motor). Funny when I had my grandfather with me their attitudes changed and they where all excited to let me take it out for a test drive thinking that my grandfather had money and was going to buy his grandson a new truck which wasn't the case because not only does he not have any money and on SS, but no credit as well, lol.

But there was one dealer that let me take a Lightning (2000, used) home for an entire weekend to test out, lol... I wound up waiting a year later and getting a 03 with 1,175 miles on it... the wait was well worth it. When I seen that mint 03 Sonic Blue L sitting on the floor, first thing I said, I'm not even going to test drive it, I'm taking it.... It's funny how I always wind up with a vehicle I'm 100% satisfied with are the ones I know I don't need to test drive to make up my mind.

But you can't blame a dealer with not wanting to let a bunch of young punks go out and beat on brand new performance vehicles... I know I wouldn't want to let them.

 

I am not some young punk though and im hard on any car especially on a test drive besides how else you gonna sell to young people?

 

Drove by the lot in my 98 STX F150 and stopped to see this black L......I told the salesman that I liked it and would be back tomorrow for another look.
got there the next morning and he handed me the keys.... I left my truck at the dealership all day......until I came back and bought it that night.

oh...and I couldn't quit smiling........funny.

 

It may not seem like it now but, take it from someone twice your age... you're a young punk!

 

Mallon Ford in Tacoma, Washington wouldn't even pull one out of the lineup to let me look in it. Salesman said he didn't really have time and they were probably too much money for me to afford anyway..... lol (I had a purchase order in my pocket)

That pretty much sealed it for me. I drove up the freeway about 40miles. Told the salesguy my story. He pretty much tossed me the keys and said go have a good time. Wife and I took a 50 mile test drive up I-18 to Tiger mountain and back and decided to buy one.

And just in case your wondering... I did go back to Mallon that afternoon, to let the GM know how I was treated. I can't say he really cared though. Amazing differences in customer service between Mallon and Scarff. Also about 6K difference in the price at the time.

I wouldn't buy one from anyone who wouldn't let me drive it first.

 

I didn't drive mine first either. I'd been on these boards for four years and read countless articles on the Lightning. I'd supercharged my '98 F150 and knew pretty much what to expect out of a Lightning. They wanted me to test drive it but like '01, I was interested in talking numbers. Unfortunately I didn't get as good a deal as '01.

Similar story here, except I found my L on the internet and it's silver. I think they gave me a pretty good trade in on my '98 STX F150.

In my last Car and Driver there was a pretty good article about getting a test drive. It's from the salesmans perspective. I tried to find a link to it but couldn't find it.

 

first time I laid eyes on my black L, it was in the repair shop at the local dealer... Got a fender chewed up by the right front wheel cuz some jackass hit a speedbump wrong. (The L had a 5/7 drop) Long story short, took it for a test drive, came back a week later with my friend to show him how sweet it looked, they told me it was sold and my heart was broken. Came back to look at other cars with my dad that night, the L was sitting out front, sales manager tossed me the keys, and my dad said "don't you dare tell your mother how much I paid for it"

 

It has been my dream truck since the originals, i saw the true blue on the floor and said I'll take it (6 mi.) I didn't need a test drive, but my salesman couldn't belive someone would buy one without ever hearing one even run, so he insested on taking out thier demo taking us a few miles from the Dealership and telling me to give it hell before we sign any papers (he just loved the whine )

Now the Funny part, when the first sc Harley came in the owners would'nt let anyone but the new car manager and themselfs drive it cause it was to Special and expensive

 

I was at Sound Ford in Renton the other day. I had just got done signing papers on a new Focus.... The finance manager asked if there was anything else he could do for me. I said a test drive in the black GT would be nice...He just kind of laughed and said.. "they won't even let me sit in it."

I didn't hold that one against them.

 

Well About a year an a half I bought my first truck on my own. I still had my Father with me because he didn't want me to get stuck with something I couldn't afford. So , I stop at the dealership in my town and asked to test drive a 2002 Black L with 15,000 miles he said come back in an hour because they just got it in and they need to clean it up. (ok) So I come back drive it for 30-40 minutes and liked the way it drove. I didn't like that it was black ( i live in florida) and I didn't like that they wanted 28,000 for it.
Next I went in sat down and talked with the guy and he game me a 24,999 out the door. I said ok but i want to trade in my 96 gt. He said you didnt tell me that. He comes back 10 min. later and said I just had the manager look at it and it is worth 500.00. I pretty much told that delarship to F-off.

I drive the next day down to Miami (3hours) and found a silver 2002 16,000 miles. They guys says here take it for a drive and don't bring it back until you like it. (wink). The sticker price was 29,999. and unsale for 26,999 needless to say I took it home for 22,000 even with my trade in and a like talk.

I drove straight back to the first dealership and did a burnout in front of the sales center.(with the salesman watching)

You can always find another one is the moral of the story.

 

That's is out it was with my 03' Cobra. I had never driven one but knew I wanted one. Did the deal over the phone. Got there and the car was still on the showroom floor. Pulled it out, drove it to a gas station to fill it up, signed the papers and went home with a smile on my face. Man I miss that car. -Mat-