$500 to Test Drive?

[Milk Hauler]

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[Ballenxj]

  Yeah, I found a place in Los Angeles yesterday that manufactures fiberglass hightops and a new one will run you above $2K.  

That wouldn't by chance be a company named Rally Tops would it? If it is, I've dealt with them in the past on fiberglass tops for Suzuki Samurai's.
Good people that also manufacture tops for automotive factories. I believe they made the removable tops for the older Chevy Blazers in the past, and Ford's older Bronco's.
It would only make sense that they also make hi tops for vans.
I might still have their phone number somewhere.

 

[Wanderer]

Stopped and looked at a hi-top van yesterday.  For it's age, it looks pretty good.  After looking the van over, I stopped by the office and asked if I could test drive it.  I was told they don't allow test drives unless an individual has made a commitment to purchase the vehicle; i.e. a $500 non-refundable deposit.  They are willing to take the vehicle to a mechanic of my choice within a reasonable distance for a pre-sale inspection.  I just don't feel comfortable about the prospect of losing $500 if I decide I don't like how the vehicle drives.  What say ye, veterans?  The dealership is very small, if that matters.

Run...NOW!!!!

 

[highdesertranger]

I have never heard of such a thing. highdesertranger

 

[ArtW]

Some people like to joy ride with no intention of buying. I think the saying drive it like you stole it applies more to motorcycles than rental cars. So someone takes out a new bike, thrashes it about and returns it and says no I don't want to buy it.

Or crashes it
Even folks with motorcycle endorsements aren't necessarily good riders
I will buy new from a MC dealer without a test ride, but not used from an individual

 

[TooManyDogs]

$ for a test drive? No way. Heck, the used car dealership that I bought my van from let me take it home for the afternoon so I can have my mechanically inclined friend look it over. I live 50 miles from the dealership. All he required was my driver's license.

 

[Ballenxj]

$ for a test drive? No way. Heck, the used car dealership that I bought my van from let me take it home for the afternoon so I can have my mechanically inclined friend look it over. I live 50 miles from the dealership. All he required was my driver's license.

The difference between a descent, and a shady dealer.

 

[Big Gator]

Old Sage campfire advise, "Sometimes you just got to walk away."


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[Gadget728]

The lowlife auto dealer I bought my hi top from had a sign on the wall outside in Spanish & English: "TEST DRIVES OVER 15 MINUTES WILL BE CALLED IN AS STOLEN!" That should ave been warning enough to see what type of clientele they catered to, but I wanted the van badly, so I bought it.

 

[LeeRevell]

Bought my minivan from a major Dodge dealer, so no problem test driving. My buddy, who drove me there, rode along.
I bought my E150 from a small private dealer, and had no problem. Had my elderly Mom along, as she would drive her car back home. It was a five minute drive from her home.
No decent dealer should charge for it.

 

[VanGrrl57]

Stopped and looked at a hi-top van yesterday.  For it's age, it looks pretty good.  After looking the van over, I stopped by the office and asked if I could test drive it.  I was told they don't allow test drives unless an individual has made a commitment to purchase the vehicle; i.e. a $500 non-refundable deposit.  They are willing to take the vehicle to a mechanic of my choice within a reasonable distance for a pre-sale inspection.  I just don't feel comfortable about the prospect of losing $500 if I decide I don't like how the vehicle drives.  What say ye, veterans?  The dealership is very small, if that matters.

Sounds like a rip-off to me. :dodgy:

VanGrrl57

 

[rvpopeye]

I'd ask them if they would give ME $500 to try out a vehicle....
non refundable even if I didn't buy the thing !
No different than what they were asking IMO.

 

[introverting]

I'm actually a little surprised to hear that.  I would think that any body shop would have the equipment to install a high top.  You found the place that MAKES them.  They don't have a list of authorized dealers, or recommended places to have them installed?

I haven't seen any list on any manufacturer site I've come across.  I suppose I could email them and ask.

 

[introverting]

That wouldn't by chance be a company named Rally Tops would it? If it is, I've dealt with them in the past on fiberglass tops for Suzuki Samurai's.
Good people that also manufacture tops for automotive factories. I believe they made the removable tops for the older Chevy Blazers in the past, and Ford's older Bronco's.
It would only make sense that they also make hi tops for vans.
I might still have their phone number somewhere.

The company is called Discount Van - Truck - SUV - RV.