Ok, well me and some friends got bored today so we went to the local Ford dealership and I test drove some trucks. The first one was a 2002 f250 4x4 crew cab. It was fine and dandy, drove excellent..but the brakes were a little touchy. While I was driving it the salesman was telling me about bein careful when parking it because big trucks are hard to park. I'm like yeah yeah I know. Well he was parkin it at the dealership and he hit a new explorer!! I felt bad for the guy but it was funny anyhow. The other truck I drove was a 2002 f350 4x4 crew cab dually. I think I am in love with this truck!!! It drove PERFECT, and the power! Ohhhhh the power....guys, I've fallen in love with yet another Ford.


Gig'em

 

How would you like to do some "to the point" test drive articles?

(Or anyone, for that matter)

Go to dealers, and try the new toys, then write up your impressions of the latest and greatest for us....

(Could be fun, and a lot cheaper than "Magic Mountain"...)


Also take notes on the terms that are offered.

(And before you mention it; YES! I'm a terrible influence...)

 

Very VERY good idea...what would I tell the dealership for them to allow this?


Gig'em

 

Suggestions (for everyone)

Just walk in like an ordinary customer, and ask about trucks.

Some ideas that occur to me are:

Load capacity

Options

Air Bags

Suspension Upgrades

4 X 4

Transmissions

Warrantee Packages

Towing Options

Sound Systems

Average Road Noise

Fuel Consumption

Digital Dash Options

Fuel Capacity

Bed Liners

Overdrive

Rust Proofing

(if I think of more, I'll add them on)


*waggezz tail*

 

Hey, sounds good to me! I recently drove a new Explorer Limited, with the V8. It was very nice, and quite lively. The kids had lots of room, and I even tried to sit in the third row seat. I couldn't believe how roomy it was back there! It had leather interior, which was very nice. I then threw the family into a new Lincoln Navigator... HOLY COW! What a sweet rig! It was loaded up, and it had a feature I've never heard of; besides having the heated seats, it also had air conditioned seats!!! It drove very well and had little to no road noise. It seemed a little more stable on the highway than the Excursion I drove a couple years ago on a long trip. We really liked the 'Gator, and it's roominess. We would go for the optional rear buckets seats with the center console. You can't get the DVD entertainment center and navigation with the sunroof option, but I would just buy aftermarket DVD and flat screen headrests. The power was very good with the 5.4L, but I would buy and install the supercharger similar to the Lightning. (I like power!)
The only flaw we found was a piece of chrome trim on the passenger side window exterior, when the driver side had the black trim! Quite odd.
Mark


https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=5362&.jpg
Ford started it; Ford will finish it!

 

I was thinking about test driving a Dodge 2500 or 3500 with the diesel. Just to see how it accally feels for power.
I still would never buy a D@# Dodge. So it would be just for fun.

 

Coming from an ex test drive for fun person to a truck and car salesmen I now realize how badly you could be wasting the salesmens time. Most dealerships take turns when a customer comes on the lot. First in gets first customer, second gets second and so on. So when the person the comes on the lot just for fun and wants to go for a tes drive then that could mean missing 2 or 3 serious buyers. Which also means a smaller paycheck. I am not trying to give crap here because I used to do it and I probably still will if I left this job. But just remember not to take up to much of there time. It sure is fun though.

 

No problem with that here. They just throw you the keys, toss on a plate, and your gone! (Waste maybe 1 minute)
Mark


https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=5362&.jpg
Ford started it; Ford will finish it!

 

>No problem with that here. They just throw you the keys,
>toss on a plate, and your gone! (Waste maybe 1 minute)
>Mark

Same here. I haven't test driven for fun, yet, but the salesman we've dealt with since 1991 just gives us the key to the lock boxes on the vehicles and lets us drive whatever we want. When we're ready to make a deal, we just go into the showroom to talk. He's a good guy to deal with, not pushy, knows what he's talking about, etc.

That would be a sweet idea to do road test reviews for FTE. Ken, what do you think?

 

Sorry, but I think taking test drives for road test reviews is a bad idea.... you could be wasting someone's time and you're putting miles on what will end up being someone's pride and joy. A 5 minute drive doesn't do a vehicle justice. Ford has vehicles specifically set aside for media reviews.

 

When I test drive, my intentions are always to buy. But, it takes driving a few vehicles (even in the Ford lineup) to decide what I want/need. I don't see the harm in it, if you're gonna buy one anyway.
But yeah, for just testing, I wouldn't even bother...
Mark



https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=5362&.jpg
Ford started it; Ford will finish it!

 

Ken put it the best, and as for just throwing the keys to the lock boxes thats not right, at our dealership we go with the customer on the test drive so occasionally it takes up a good hour of the salespersons time for one simple little test drive. If your intentions are to buy then drive as many vehicles as you want, thats totally different. If someone is about to spend upwards of $20,000 then yeah you are more then able to drive 3 or 4 vehicles.

 

Yeah, the Navigator was a surprise when the keys were thrown at us. It is $67,000 CAD with the options! But, when you show up with your wife, two small children with carrier seats, they pretty much know you are looking to buy!
We are still looking to get the financing on it... If it doesn't work out, then the Explorer Limited (V8) is next on the list!
Mark

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=5362&.jpg
Ford started it; Ford will finish it!

 

When my wife traded in the mini van and wanted a sports car...I drove everything out there. What a blast. I keep asking her,,,are you ready to trade it in yet?