How hard is it to get a test drive? Seriously!?!

[gecko2k]

Ok guys,

my wife and I really like the Tiguan and the only thing which stops us from ordering are the 'not very helpful' dealerships! I won't mention any names, but due to our location we can only consider 3 of them for ordering as we would otherwise have to pick one up Brisbane and drive it up etc.

When I call up the dealership I tell them what we are after (132TSI, DSG, etc) and that we would like to test drive one as soon as possible so we can make up our mind and put an order though. But it just feels like most dealers don't want to sell their cars or talk to customers at all

1. Dealership: Only wants to sell me the 155TSI as they don't have any other ones in stock. Ordering? Yeah possible but I should take the 155TSI instead. Sure thing. Basically the whole conversation was about the 155TSI and my requests (132TSI, DSG...) didn't get acknowledged at all. Sorry, but I won't buy something that I don't want! They guy was borderline rude and didn't take me seriously at all. I stayed friendly the whole time, but this guy made me angrier then any complimentary phone calls from Optus.

2. Dealership: Only one Diesel in stock. No offer to check at least out the interior. I was promised a call back the same day about possible new stock arriving. Never heard back from them.

3. Dealership: Actually quite helpful, but no DSG models in stock and test drives can't be booked too far in advance as the cars apparently turn over quick. Also doesn't know when new stock comes in, so he won't be able to inform me on it. Never received a promised follow up email with further details...

What worries me a lot is: I am always friendly on the phone, we know what we want and we are ready to order a brand new car as soon as possible. But nobody really wants to make an effort to sell a car?

Am I doing something wrong?

It feels wrong that I have to chase up a Seller and nag them to take our money....

[frozze]

Not sure if you've already tried this dealer but could be worth contacting the sales manager, Rob. He just joined the forum and I've already seen a few members here recommending him/the dealership.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f117/gold-coast-volkswagen-southport-tweed-heads-nth-nsw-67429.html

[team_v]

Not sure if you've already tried this dealer but could be worth contacting the sales manager, Rob. He just joined the forum and I've already seen a few members here recommending him/the dealership.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...nsw-67429.html

Since the OP is from Ayr i doubt that Gold Coast VW can help with a test drive.
I was under the impression that the 132's for hte first half of the year weren't available with DSG due to production problems so that could be why there aren't any in stock.

You could always just test the 155 DSG since the engine is the same just slightly de-tuned.

[frozze]

Oppss.. Sorry.. didn't know where Ayr was. For some reason, I assumed it was near GC. My bad!

[gecko2k]

@team_v

that was my same impression too. I even checked mavericks page several times. But 2 of the 3 dealers said 132TSI only comes with DSG and DEFINITELY without the old automatic.....

[team_v]

Very odd.
You could always shoot a message to Rob at Gold Coast VW to answer your questions and then use that info to go to your local delaer with.

Still if they only have hte 155 DSG available then testing that wouldn't be much different at all to testing the 132.

[gecko2k]

yeah I know. ECU tune is already planed. The thing is that they only want to sell the 155TSI and he made pretty clear that they have no real interest in selling a 132TSI.

[team_v]

yeah I know. ECU tune is already planed. The thing is that they only want to sell the 155TSI and he made pretty clear that they have no real interest in selling a 132TSI.

So you test drive the 155 DSG (if no 132 DSG) is available and then start to deal on the 132 if you like it.

If they won't play ball then you contact other dealerships (make it known you will talk to other dealerships as you aren't interested in the 155) and see what they can offer.
My local wasn't willing to play ball on a base spec Tig so i went elsewhere and they were more than happy to get a customer.

[mutare 23]

We bought our 132 DSG without a test drive, relying on detailed reports and a drive of a mates 103 DSG to provide the background information. Took delivery of ours on 3 January, so it would appear there are definitely 132's with DSG's available.

Cheers

PS I love it and will wait until about 3 to 5k before getting the APR flash

[z1000]

Having just secured a 132TSI DSG with tonnes of hassle, I can tell you there aren't many 132 DSG left in the country, ones built in Oct/Nov 2011 (arriving this month) are all sold out. The one I got is the preconfigured Aug 2011 built.

[gecko2k]

@z1000:

Yeah I like the idea, but I wouldn't be able to convince my wife to do so

@mutare:
Yeah the wait is annoying, this is why I want to get things sorted asap. God....I even told the dealers that we want to sign a contract asap and nothing...

I guess we are also gonna wait for a while before getting a new tune. Or I'll get a tune and always turn it off for when my wife drives the car.

@team_v
yeah I guess you are right. It's a shame that transportation is so expensive, because otherwise I wouldn't mind ordering from Brisbane or further south. I guess it's time to pick up the phone again and start nagging the dealers about any new stock they got delivered since my last call.lol

[mutare 23]

@z1000:

Yeah I like the idea, but I wouldn't be able to convince my wife to do so

@mutare:
Yeah the wait is annoying, this is why I want to get things sorted asap. God....I even told the dealers that we want to sign a contract asap and nothing...

I guess we are also gonna wait for a while before getting a new tune. Or I'll get a tune and always turn it off for when my wife drives the car.

@team_v
yeah I guess you are right. It's a shame that transportation is so expensive, because otherwise I wouldn't mind ordering from Brisbane or further south. I guess it's time to pick up the phone again and start nagging the dealers about any new stock they got delivered since my last call.lol

Gecko

We didnt order ours, but bought it from a list provided by the dealer of vehicles that they had in stock. We did exactly the same thing with the Polo GTI that we bought the same day. So after searching for months, we signed for two cars and took delivery of both within 4 days. The Tig is October built with November compliance, as is the GTI. For once, we reckon we were in the right place at the right time

Cheers

[gecko2k]

Well good news: After calling up all the dealers again and again, there is all of a sudden a Tiguan available for test driving. Like it popped up from out of nowhere.

Looks like things are progressing slowly

@mutare:
That's pretty good luck, that you got your cars in the specs you wanted so quickly!

[Mister_E]

Well good news: After calling up all the dealers again and again, there is all of a sudden a Tiguan available for test driving. Like it popped up from out of nowhere.

Looks like things are progressing slowly

@mutare:
That's pretty good luck, that you got your cars in the specs you wanted so quickly!

Test driving the car of choice is one thing. It's the waiting that's the real pain!! I test drove, and purchased my yet to be built Tiguan 103 TDI on Oct 22, 2011 - the MY2012 release day. Admittedly, yes, i've added a whole swag of options that probably has delayed the procurement of my car, but honestly... Oct 22, 2011 (contract sign) to a May 2012 (Delivery) ETA! yes, NADCON has been updated from DLRSPEC to BUILD. Now that's a long wait!!

So I empathise trying to secure a test drive in your model of choice. Lucky the dealership had an MY2012 diesel with 7SP DSG on the day for a test drive. It's the wait time that will kill you

I just wish we followed the North American model and created specific models like SE or SEL's with options specific to each model. That way, if you simply want a base, choose the SE, otherwise if you want the bells and whistles variant, choose the SEL or higher spec. Less wait time and more time to enjoy your purchase.

[mutare 23]

Well good news: After calling up all the dealers again and again, there is all of a sudden a Tiguan available for test driving. Like it popped up from out of nowhere.

Looks like things are progressing slowly

@mutare:
That's pretty good luck, that you got your cars in the specs you wanted so quickly!

Gecko

The bride and I werent particular about inclusions of this or that. The vehicles that they had were fine, dare I say it in particular the GTI (because they are as scarce as hens teeth).

Cheers