I tried to test drive a CTR... no dice

Noize

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I drove an $85,000 Giulia without issue, but Honda dealers are funny about the CTR.

I ended up driving a used one before I purchase mine.

Mine had been sitting inside their showroom for over two months, presumably having been asked for more than 100 test drives!

I did the paperwork except for the final signatures, and I told them I wasn’t buying it until I can verify it didn’t have a second gear grind, LOL.

I took it on a really short easy drive, and it was perfect. I drove the car home that night.

In retrospect, I’m very happy they didn’t allow test drives. Especially to some Lookie Lous who weren’t serious enough to buy that day.
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Ice Age

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I drove an $85,000 Giulia without issue, but Honda dealers are funny about the CTR.

I ended up driving a used one before I purchase mine.

Mine had been sitting inside their showroom for over two months, presumably having been asked for more than 100 test drives!

I did the paperwork except for the final signatures, and I told them I wasn’t buying it until I can verify it didn’t have a second gear grind, LOL.

I took it on a really short easy drive, and it was perfect. I drove the car home that night.

In retrospect, I’m very happy they didn’t allow test drives. Especially to some Lookie Lous who weren’t serious enough to buy that day.
Good response and I think its funny should anyone here feel the ALFA ROMEO (JUNK BRAND) is really in the same class as the HONDA????? And I'm having fun not bashing you because I am huge FCA brand owner of Dodges and RAMS and Jeeps. And I sincerely looked at he Quadrifoglio and drove one and walked away not very impressed and sure I own Hellcats so that aint gonna hang with the power feel. But the point is I agree with all here it does seem silly these dealers are pretty tight in the test drive area. And I can understand since honestly anyone here excited about buying a new one with 50-100 miles on her. And you just know the car was taking down the road and maxed out on her performance capability. And the inventory is pretty slim for this car and not all Honda dealers have them. I did the exact same thing I found a used one in my area and drove it and was instantly sold on the car. And was very close to buying her but she had a really sketchy history of service issues. So for peace of mind I spent the extra 3k on a new one. And at the end of the day I had a deal done before I took the test drive of the used one to buy a new one and if I didn't like her once I drove her I could tear up the deal.

The end result for most here I think can all agree the odds are you will be very happy and something to think about as well:
The Honda dealer knows how popular this car is and its a really incredible car for value, technology, fun, reputation, unique, customer satisfaction they don't need to push the car out the door to sell. The car sells itself so that's the real story at the end of the day. And I think the ones sitting in the showroom really adds to the flare to the showroom floor and they secretly dont want to sell the car:D
 

Noize

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Good response and I think its funny should anyone here feel the ALFA ROMEO (JUNK BRAND) is really in the same class as the HONDA????? And I'm having fun not bashing you because I am huge FCA brand owner of Dodges and RAMS and Jeeps. And I sincerely looked at he Quadrifoglio and drove one and walked away not very impressed and sure I own Hellcats so that aint gonna hang with the power feel. But the point is I agree with all here it does seem silly these dealers are pretty tight in the test drive area. And I can understand since honestly anyone here excited about buying a new one with 50-100 miles on her. And you just know the car was taking down the road and maxed out on her performance capability. And the inventory is pretty slim for this car and not all Honda dealers have them. I did the exact same thing I found a used one in my area and drove it and was instantly sold on the car. And was very close to buying her but she had a really sketchy history of service issues. So for peace of mind I spent the extra 3k on a new one. And at the end of the day I had a deal done before I took the test drive of the used one to buy a new one and if I didn't like her once I drove her I could tear up the deal.

The end result for most here I think can all agree the odds are you will be very happy and something to think about as well:
The Honda dealer knows how popular this car is and its a really incredible car for value, technology, fun, reputation, unique, customer satisfaction they don't need to push the car out the door to sell. The car sells itself so that's the real story at the end of the day. And I think the ones sitting in the showroom really adds to the flare to the showroom floor and they secretly dont want to sell the car:D

It was a Quadrifoglio that I drove. Although I wish it could be had in the states with a manual transmission option, the reliability is suspect, and the depreciation is high.

Speaking of high, I think you are as well. lol. Hellcats (Failcats) are HOT GARBAGE. They are one trick ponies that are heavy as tanks. Don't handle worth crap, and are hopelessly under-tired. I would take a Quadrifoglio over any trash modern Mopar save a Viper.


Other than that, I think we agree.

Track specials are cheap as a match right now. The nearly departed C7 Corvette Grand Sport with a manual has my eye right now. Tons of track potential for not a lot of green.
 
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civicmanic

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No test drive? I'd laugh in their face and walk out, never go back again. It's a used car ffs!!
 

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so I have a buddy works for a honda dealer. not many come in asking to test drive the regular civics or suvs for fun or that arent looking to buy then. The type r through get asked to test drive it 14 times a day. Plus most dealers keep it in the showroom and are not gonna get it out every time someone wants a test drive. And like has been said no one wants to buy one that 37 people have TEST drove and aren't gonna buy anyway just wanted to have fun. I perfectly understand dealers not test driving them. Its not because they are acting like its a special car its because they would have 14 people a day that aren't buying that are just curious racking up 1000 miles on the car. as for tires and wheel... dont put some much stock into what is said on the forums.. i had mine 2.5 years and never had an issue and every road here is under constant construction. Maybe just get a thicker sidewall tire.
 


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I test drove my GT-R as a requirement from the dealership I purchased it from. The CTR is a car everyone with something in or around class would want to come in and drive for comparison alone and to avoid all the time wasters they just say no and if you’re serious you’re going to be talking price way before test drive. You don’t accidentally come in and stumble on a CTR and decide to buy one or hey this looks nice let’s take it for a ride.
 

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I drove an $85,000 Giulia without issue, but Honda dealers are funny about the CTR.

I ended up driving a used one before I purchase mine.

Mine had been sitting inside their showroom for over two months, presumably having been asked for more than 100 test drives!

I did the paperwork except for the final signatures, and I told them I wasn’t buying it until I can verify it didn’t have a second gear grind, LOL.

I took it on a really short easy drive, and it was perfect. I drove the car home that night.

In retrospect, I’m very happy they didn’t allow test drives. Especially to some Lookie Lous who weren’t serious enough to buy that day.
This is pretty much exactly what I did - down to the short test drive to check 2nd lol.
 

Ice Age

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Here’s another idea for the OP maybe their is a forum member who lives close by and or a meet up of the Civic crowd locally. Reach out to someone here and possible you get to ride in one and or hang out with the crowd and get the low down.
 

Dipz

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My dealership allowed test drives only to qualified buyers. It had 12 miles on the odometer when I purchased it.
 

6starwars

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I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the dealership did you a huge favor by not letting you drive one:D
Trust me and I mean sincerely trust me you don’t need to drive this car because this is the baddest ass non v8 car I have ever owned. And I have owned a lot of cars and still do. Like the Toyota Supra 2020, Ford Focus RS 2018, Jaguar F-Type R 2017, Dodge Hellcat Redeye, Dodge Hellcat Charger, Ford Mustang GT....etc I’ll bore you. And anyways the Civic Type R just amazes me on how fun this car is you will not be disappointed and truly once you drive her you will want her today. So not knowing is a better position if you have to wait a 1/2 year and or more and I feel your pain. And oh yeah my GT500 which I ordered last year still hasn’t come in and that’s aggravating as all hell :mad:
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That’s a nice collection of cars, and your statement about the R says a lot. How do you like the Supra? What part of VA do you live, if you don’t mind me asking?
 


Ice Age

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That’s a nice collection of cars, and your statement about the R says a lot. How do you like the Supra? What part of VA do you live, if you don’t mind me asking?
The Supra is a lot of fun and has more power than you think. And she’s super light in the rear and just wants to dance which I could see crashing this car on some serious back road challenges. Jay Leno wiped her out lol during his preview on a track. The interior is pretty tight and the wind noise with windows down is really bad. The Civic R is so much roomier and feels more confident and better balanced and nimble over the Supra. The Supra will get the attention and compliments on her appearance but the R is the sleeper and just as fun if not more. And I live in Leesburg and thanks for the nice comments.
 

Zeffy94

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The Supra will get the attention and compliments on her appearance but the R is the sleeper and just as fun if not more.
I don't think anyone thinks of the Type R as a sleeper...:rolleyes:

RE: The Supra, I remember one of the things I read was the horrible wind noise and buffeting. Definitely a major turn off that I hope Toyota can resolve.
 

Ice Age

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I don't think anyone thinks of the Type R as a sleeper...:rolleyes:

RE: The Supra, I remember one of the things I read was the horrible wind noise and buffeting. Definitely a major turn off that I hope Toyota can resolve.
Yes the wind noise is unbearable snd right the R ain’t a sleeper looking car but the average person would see the Supra as the better handling car which it is not and that was the meaning.
 

civicmanic

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so I have a buddy works for a honda dealer. not many come in asking to test drive the regular civics or suvs for fun or that arent looking to buy then. The type r through get asked to test drive it 14 times a day. Plus most dealers keep it in the showroom and are not gonna get it out every time someone wants a test drive. And like has been said no one wants to buy one that 37 people have TEST drove and aren't gonna buy anyway just wanted to have fun. I perfectly understand dealers not test driving them. Its not because they are acting like its a special car its because they would have 14 people a day that aren't buying that are just curious racking up 1000 miles on the car.
The car in question is used and has 1500 miles on it. There is no telling how many people have driven it. A "no test drives, period" attitude from the dealer means I won't be buying anything from them. Ever. If they are too stupid to be able to differentiate between a joy rider and genuine interest, then they're going to be difficult to deal with for everything else too.
 

Harlaquin

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The car in question is used and has 1500 miles on it. There is no telling how many people have driven it. A "no test drives, period" attitude from the dealer means I won't be buying anything from them. Ever. If they are too stupid to be able to differentiate between a joy rider and genuine interest, then they're going to be difficult to deal with for everything else too.
I wouldn't exactly say someone who is looking for 12 months out is a serious buyer.
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