Did you test drive a Prelude before buying one?

[CiceroGirl1]

My long-time salesman at my long-time Honda dealership (who knew I was unhappy about the horrible interiors of both the Type R and Civic Si, wanted to go back to driving a fun, sporty car (because I had previously had a Prelude that I regretted selling) let me know when he found out they were getting one at the end of January, and even sent me updates on its transportation from the West Coast and a photo of it still all dirty when it first came off the truck, so I was the first to see it. I test drove it, and bought it then and there (three days after it arrived).

 

[CiceroGirl1]

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.

One of the two dealers where I live (which has a TERRIBLE reputation for treating customers poorly and potential fraud on servicing vehicles) also says they don’t allow test drives of the Prelude or the Type R! I sat in the blue one in the showroom that they got in before the other dealership (my long-time dealership) had one coming in, but because I told him that I didn’t like the dual color interior, they wouldn’t let me test drive it. I told him there was no way in hell I was going to buy a $40K+ car without test driving it, and the salesman told me that lots of people buy $40K cars without driving them. I said “not me” and walked out. Three days later, my usual dealership told me they had a black one on the way. I bought that one when I test drove it 3 days after it came off the truck. (My long-time salesman even sent me a photo of it, still dirty, as soon as it came off the carrier! Easiest sale he ever made.)

My first stop on the way home with the new Prelude was at the crappy dealership to let them know that I will NEVER buy anything from them with the way I was treated at their dealership.

 

[pillred44]

My long-time salesman at my long-time Honda dealership (who knew I was unhappy about the horrible interiors of both the Type R and Civic Si, wanted to go back to driving a fun, sporty car (because I had previously had a Prelude that I regretted selling) let me know when he found out they were getting one at the end of January, and even sent me updates on its transportation from the West Coast and a photo of it still all dirty when it first came off the truck, so I was the first to see it. I test drove it, and bought it then and there (three days after it arrived).

I drove mine today on my own for the first time. It really is a nice car to be in. I was able to get a feel for what the car can really do. What surprised me was that, despite having the same engine and electric motors as my Civic, it feels very different to drive; that really surprised me, in a good way.