So let me get this straight. After you read that a dealership is trying to potentially rip buyers off by having them negotiate on-site purchases before even allowing them to test drive the car, has enticed you to consider buying said car...

I would like to publicly state that I have made a huge mistake. I no longer think that Felix Cadillac deserves the asshat of the month award. Clearly there are bigger asshats than them.

Enjoy your CTSV's....

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"When two people agree on everything, one of them is not necessary" - Arliss

No, I said that I wanted to go drive the car. I read above (again, in several posts from different members) that the vehicle has really come a long way. A lot of people ask me for recommendations on what car to buy. I have never recommended a Cadillac before. I would like to understand what the fuss is all about. It is not really my kind of car, but an open mind never hurt anyone. You should try it.

Your post is mistitled, as several others have pointed out. You wanted to slam US automakers, when your real issue should be with your local dealer. Your post gave me a chance to hear again about the car itself. There is zero chance that I am going to your local dealer if I do want that test drive. I don't much care for LA.

I deleted from the quote that portion of your response that seemed to be calling me an asshat. I think this board should be better than that, and it is beneath you. Grow up.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue

Not sure it's a reverse effect....I think it's more about what level of service will we get. In fact, I'll be sure to take the Cooper S and not the 650i....Phil

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2011.5 Dinan ///M3:
SSII DCT
Competition Pkg
Convenience Pkg
Premium Pkg 2
Heated Seats
Enhanced Premium Sound
Black Kidney Grills
BMW M Performance Steering Wheel
BMW Carbon Fiber Performance Spoiler
BMW Aluminum Pedals
Dinan Exhaust
Dinan Mid-Exhaust (x-pipe)
Dinan Carbon Fiber Intake
Dinan Performance Tune
Dinan Pulley Kit
Dinan CH-R Wheels
Dinan Carbon Fiber Strut Tower Braces
Arkym Front Lip
Carbon Reflectors
Lux H8 V3
Brembo 365mm BBK

B-Line:

Well, I understand your position clearly. The only comment I would add is one I made above, that you are assuming they could let you demo those vehicles in their showroom.

Having worked many years ago with a dealer who was going under, with all of the inventory owned by either the manufacturer or the banks, I saw firsthand how tough it was to sell something in that environment. The manufacturer (who owned the inventory on a floor plan) wanted signed sales orders with deposits before releasing anything out the gate, as it was the only security they had. The banks put convenants on all of their financing, and it could take 3 days to get a machine released. There certainly weren't any demos. If there was a used machine in the shop, or a rental machine available, they were the demos. Short of that, it was cash first. Yes, the dealer in that case went under, but the behaviours described were the last step before closure, and did not describe their preferred operating model.

Or, you could be right, and they are just jerks and their inventory financing lines are strong, they have a good balance sheet, and they are just waiting for those LA high rollers to come in with wads of $$$. Could be. Maybe it is an LA thing.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue

I don't think they said you couldn't drive it, just that you had to negotiate/understand the price. They wanted to limit the number of causal drivers that just wanted to drive it for fun.

I understand you desire to test drive a car and wish that you could rent them for a few days. I hate the idea of driving a car for only 2 miles. One of the reasons I purchase my BMW from Habberstad is that they truly let you drive the car. The BMW place in Southampton pulled out a new X5 which was not prepped and took me on a very limited test drive. I can remember looking a MB ML in Queens and the dealer kept trying to qualify me and I walked out pissed. My point is that its not just US dealers.

I bet if B Line drove up in his BMW and acted serious they would let him drive the car.

So someone should have to drive up in a BMW in order to be allowed a test drive in a CTSV? Maybe I should have also rocked my Rolex and carried a tight wad of money..

p.s. if that is the type of customer they want, I'm more than happy not to associate with their market.
p.s. - My brothers last car before the Range Rover was an Escalade. !

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"When two people agree on everything, one of them is not necessary" - Arliss

Yup, carry the money and if they ask about money tell them "That's the money you could be saving with Geico"

CTS-V is 2nd only to M3 in Car & Driver 10 Best cars.

Top 10 Cars You Should Drive on a First Date

Yea but if some dealer gives you a hard time the car must be bad.