Did you test drive a Prelude before buying one?

[rexracer6]

Did you buy your Prelude before test driving it?

I went to a Honda dealer to test drive a Prelude. The dealer I went to will never get my business for a couple of reasons. First reason is they originally had $5K of additional dealer mark-up. That must not have gone so well because they have had that car for a long time. On the way out the door the price dropped. Now it is discounted about $2K off msrp. I will never buy from any dealer who charges ADM. I mean I will never ever consider them again for any car. The second reason is the same dealer does not allow test drives on Preludes. No way will I ever buy a car from a dealer who does not allow a short test drive. Two strikes! They don’t get a third one. lol.

 

[Kguy15]

No, but drove a Civic Touring Hybrid to get a feel for the drivetrain. I've driven plenty of Hondas' and they all drive similar (Acuras' included)...with different levels of sportiness I'd say. It all worked out, because it drives great ! Not the quickest thing (it's not slow though, I've had some dog-slow cars, and this ain it), but the handling is phenominal. Between the shortened wheelbase and Type R suspension, slowing down for turns is more of an option than a must do. And, I love the S+ shifting, just adds more fun to the package.

I paid msrp, no bs dealer games, as I bought my last Honda from the same dealer/salesman. Just put my name on it, did the paperwork, and picked it up when it came in (about two weeks total). There were none on the lot. Only one I saw available was a used one (somehow), also asking above msrp at another dealer. I think they forget they're selling Hondas' not Ferraris'.

 

[Passfeller35]

Yes I did test drive it before ordering. It's common practice over here. Expessed my interest in driving one in February, was called by the dealer when he got a blue one in to drive in May, drove it in May & loved it, ordered one and recieved it in June. Dealer took in my Lexus for a very good price plus I got some discount on the sticker price (as is common practice here, too). All in all it was a fully satisfying experience. Should there be future iterations of the Prelude (different features, new design/colors, more power) I'd definitely get mine from the same dealer again.

 

[Alfettaman62]

I had two test drives before I ordered my Prelude.

For the first one, I turned up unannounced at my local Honda dealer and they kindly let me have a brief (15 minute) drive. They also arranged for me to borrow their demonstrator for a couple of hours the following week.

Negotiated the deal and placed my order that same day, and took delivery of my new car three weeks later.

I've never bought a car without driving it first!

 

[rexracer6]

It looks like Honda dealers in other countries have dedicated demo Preludes for customers to try. We don’t have that in the US. Any cars available for test drives is out of regular dealer inventory.

Here in the US 99.99% of the time customers test drive cars before buying. Prior to the pandemic most cars were discounted under MSRP and even under INVOICE on many cars.

 

[GoZoner20]

No test drive - I didn't even ask - my wife and I just sat in it and a Type R and finalized the Prelude decision. That one and only local Honda dealer's car was white; I wanted red. Searched the entire US, found one (which was under MSRP but that didn't really matter), had it shipped, put it in the garage and waited for the snow to clear. That was in January.

 

[Liverfluke12]

Test drove their demo car for an hour, alone.
Ordered mine within five minutes of getting back.
I cannot understand being expected to buy this kind of car without a test drive.