Genesis Dealer Experience
 

Hi All -

I'm a new member to the forum. I have a '16 IS350 and the lease is up in March.

I went to a Genesis dealership in Scottsdale, AZ to test drive the new G70. The car is very nice looking in the blue but a little underwhelming from the rear.

Anyways, I asked to test drive the 3.3T model and the sales rep said they had to run a credit check first to make sure I was a 'serious buyer.'

I thought he was joking at first since the car is not a limited edition which would normally warrant vetting. If I asked to test drive a new GT500 I would expect that, not a G70.

I asked to speak with his manager and was told this is the norm for this car passed down from corporate.

I walked out. Not sure this is an isolated incident but vetting buyers for what I deem is a 'regular car' is not a good way to earn my business. Just wanted to share with the board in case anyone is interested in driving this car.

Maybe I could give it a pass if you drove up in a '92 Civic. But, in your shoes, I'd have done the same thing. If that's the Genesis brand's policy, I wish them the best of luck; they are going to need it.

Welcome to the forum, AZFTW. :)

What you experienced at the AZ dealership may (?) have had something to do with local laws and/or practices in your area...that, I can't say, as they may vary nationwide. And, in Jill's case in Toronto, where they display new Genesis models in public malls, it obviously may take some pre-planning for a formal test-drive. But, as someone living in the D.C. area for many years (and as someone who routinely test-drives and reviews a lot of new vehicles), I can tell you that, for me, In this area, I've never had anyone, ever, from any vehicle manufacturer, ask me for a credit check as a condition for a test-drive. I've been asked, many times, for a valid Driver's License (which they sometimes Xerox), and occasionally for proof of insurance (Virginia law requires one to carry proof of minimum state-mandated insurance with you), and, in some cases, to also sign a Test-Drive-Permit, especially if I'm going to be behind the wheel alone, without a rep with me. And I don't mind signing (or providing) any of those things, as, in some 50 years of test-driving, I have never damaged or wrecked a vehicle from any of the dealerships. But, no, I have never been asked for a credit-check before a test-drive....in fact, it is none of their business, as some customers, like may, if we de do buy something, pay cash. I HAVE been asked, once or twice, when a bill of sale was being written up, and I was actually purchasing a vehicle, for a credit-check, when paying cash (they claimed it is a reqirement of the Patriot Act, even if not actually financing anything). Sounds a little bogus to me, but then, I'm not a lawyer, and don't know all the ins and outs of business law.

BTW, if you actually get another chance to drive a G70, take it. I just did a full-review of an AWD 2.0T version one myself, a couple of weeks ago, here in Car Chat, and was very impressed with it. It is a well-built, well-engineered machine, tightly screwed together, with solid durable materials, and, IMO, one of the top sport-sedans in its class....easily the best challenge yet to the BMW 3-series.

Thanks for replies. I actually rolled up in my girlfriends' Jetta. And AZ doesn't have any unusual laws with test drives. I drove a new Mustang GT with no questions asked last week. The sales rep didn't even get into the car with me.

I will probably try the other Genesis dealer in town since these cars are so well priced for what you get but the whole thing put me off

Don't let just one place put you off. Over the years, I've run into some snooty and aristocratic BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche dealerships that sometimes left me with less than an ideal taste in my mouth. But, I sometimes find that a sow's ear on one street could mean a silk purse on another...with much nicer and more reasonable people. Now, if a second Genesis shop tries some questionable tactics with you, then I'd report it to Genesis Customer Service and/or your local Better Business Bureau. Dealerships don't like negative publicity, especially with their own corporate bosses, and/or where the status of their franchises could be at stake.

ok, that was your first mistake. :p

just wondering, and no disrespect meant, but how old are you? if you're very young and roll up in a jetta they may rightfully question whether there's any reasonable possibility you're serious about the vehicle, or just want to go for a joy ride and waste the dealer's time. i have zero problem with what the dealer did. while i'm no fan of dealers in general, i know that they can and are frequently abused by consumers so it goes both ways.

might want to call the dealer first and arrange the test drive.

Nothing wrong with rolling up in a Jetta. Many start off with a respectable entry car (as is the Jetta) and want to move up to the next level. This is a very normal and common build up of car buying and ownership. If it was an older, falling apart POS, then maybe I can see the dealer being coy.
Overall, I wouldn't let it get to you. There are good and bad dealers out there. Perhaps this one had a bad experience with some past customers. Having managed and owned retail for decades, I can attest a lot can happen with the public. Go with the car you want.

I haven't been to one of the new Genesis dealers (there are none in Tucson), but my experience driving the Kia Stinger was very different. Photos of my drivers license and insurance card and I was off without a salesman ride-along. I was told to take it home and show it to my wife since it would be replacing her Honda coupe. I was gone about an hour and no one seemed concerned. Unfortunately, the wife wants to keep her Accord, so no Stinger right now. I'm sure it is a dealer thing on vetting, not any kind of AZ law.

I called and spoke with the other Genesis dealer yesterday afternoon and they said I could test drive the G70, no problem. So it sounds like it's a dealer specific thing which is interesting.

If anyone is wondering who lives in Phoenix, the dealer that said 'no test drives without credit check' is Chapman in central Scottsdale off the 101.

And my girlfriends' Jetta is a 2019. Again, the new G70 is not a super high end car lol. The 3.3T Advanced sticker is like $44k. I had a Civic prior to my IS and the sales guy had no issues letting me test drive that...

I've heard people having that same issue when Test Driving the Stinger, it's stupid. Just because you drive a certain car doesn't mean you don't have money. I know a few Tech Millionaires that drive beater cars to work and have GT3's for weekend track days. These people are morons, I'd love for that to happen then return in a Porsche and tell them to ****** off.

To be fair, I got asked to do a credit check when I first test-drove my IS back in 2016. Last time I went in for a test drive, about a month ago, they didn't ask me to do a credit check. I guess it depends on who's working, or perhaps if you have a history with the dealership. For me, the latter probably applied.

Then again, when I went in to test drive, pretty sure I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and rolled up in my Camry. lol.

Such an odd situation.

I would not allow a dealership access to my SSN and credit history in exchange for a test drive.

I have never been requested to provide that info. When I drove the Stinger, I actually parked my GS around the corner and walked a block in to the dealer. They never had any qualms about letting me test drive it. In fact, they seemed very excited that I wanted to drive a Stinger. Several of the sales associates commented on it. It wasn't until after the test drive that one of them asked me what I currently drive.

Couldn't agree more. Your SSN is the most valuable thing you have - you should be extremely stingy giving it out. I have an app on my phone that shows my credit score at each of the 3 bureaus and shows the date the information was pulled (monthly). If someone wanted to know my credit score to test drive a car, I'd show them that and if that wasn't enough, I'd move on.

You're right, Genesis is making a huge mistake by assuming this is how luxury dealers behave. I've rarely had to ask for a test drive, usually the sales person is eager to take me out on a drive because they think it will get me attached to the car. The fact some dealerships behave this way is idiotic. It's funny because I"m originally from New York where appearance is a big deal. Wearing suits to clubs/bars/parties is normal. Out here Billionaires wear t shirts and jeans with converse and may pull up to an event in a Lamborghini. You just never know who you're dealing with or who has money.

I personally probably wouldn't agree to a credit check; that seems a bit much.

When I was given a loaner RX at the Lexus dealer a few months ago they made a photocopy of my license and my insurance card. That's it.

But I'd also encourage you to not be too hard on the dealer--just go somewhere else. It could be that they had a very expensive incident a week before you walked in and that the sales manager was told he would be fired if it ever happened again. You just never know.

If this happened to me, especially coming up in a comparable car of the same class, I'd drive away from the dealer so fast.

Maybe leave a review on Google Maps for that dealership so other people have a heads-up, hopefully that will make the dealer change their preferred practices.

In the D.C. area, I did both a static-review and test-drive on a new Stinger 2.0T with no problem. All depends on the dealership.

They don't deserve your business if they talk to you or treat you like that. Unfortunately it has more to do with who owns and manages the dealership and what they teach their salesman and staff then the brand itself. I highly doubt Genesis corporate told their dealership sales staff to run credit checks on potential customers to make sure they were "serious" and have this uppity attitude of judging/sizing up potential buyers. I could maybe understanding a Ferrari or Rolls Royce dealership doing that to make sure people aren't taking really rare expensive cars for joy rides or doing other things but not a mass market company. Most of the time I show up at dealerships in jeans and leather jacket in the winter, I look very young for my age and most salesman after talking to me want me to take a test drive, I don't even have to ask. They ride with me of course but if I had to beg for a test drive and they wanted to run a credit check to make sure I was a "serious buyer". I would say forget it then and walk away and not deal with that dealership anymore.

No--that's the dealer's first mistake. Don't assume that the "unassuming" customer doesn't have the means to purchase.

I don't see why that makes it ok.

What if you are cross-shopping the Genesis with 2, 3 or 4 other cars? NFW 5 dealers are all doing credit checks on me--not until I decide that is the car I am buying, and that is the dealer I'm buying from. It's a test drive, FFS. License, proof of insurance, and I'll let them put a hold on my credit card, if they must. That's it.

Well, in fairness, they also have your car, and your keys...

This is exactly what I'm doing. I already drove a Mustang GT and I'm going to test drive the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport in addition to the G70. I will only do a credit check until I negotiate the price and know I'm going with that specific car.

Anyways, from the research I've done it appears these cars are going for MSRP as a previous poster said. I'm curious to see what kind of lease I can get. I'll let you guys know in case anyone is interested in the car!

Exactly. Not only that, but several well-known billionaires drive ordinary everyday mid-size cars......not brand-new ones, either.

For F's Sake.

If you crash the car, I'm sure they'd rather not claim under their insurance. I don't know if they need it, but if they asked, I'd give it.
My dealer takes this when I get a loaner, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ but, again, I would be ok giving it to them.

In the US, my policy would cover a rental car (this is how you can decline the rental agency's highly profitable insurance add-ons); I never checked about a test drive, but I can't think why it would be different. If you run down a pedestrian during your test drive, the dealer's insurance is not going to defend or cover you.

What I meant was, my dealer takes an "imprint" of my CC when I get a loaner, so if a dealer required the same thing for a test drive, it wouldn't bother me.

It doesn't make it ok.

My point was: Genesis isn't the only brand capable of making these kinds of mistakes.

It's not the lower model stinger people were having trouble test driving.

That's not a valid excuse. To those who know cars or the Stinger in general, the 2.0 vs the GT is a "big deal" but to the average person & at the end of the day, it's a trim level or an option package. It's like the dealer saying no sorry you can't test drive the one with 19" wheels, but you can drive the one with 17s. It doesn't make sense, especially if you have no interest in the one with 17s. I've never been denied a test drive but I've always driven the exact car I'd be leaving with and wouldn't accept otherwise. It's petty. We're not talking bespoke Rolls-Royces or Bentleys. We're talking mainstream mass-market vehicles, and this goes for Kia, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, etc. It's a silly dealer practice.

Credit bureaus are aware of situations like this. You may see a ding for one of the credit checks, but you are not penalized for all of them (as long as they all occur within a certain time window) as they're aware most people cross-shop at multiple dealers when buying a vehicle and it's most likely that each dealership will run a credit check. Test drive and cross-shop to your heart's desire :)

Interesting - when I did a mortgage re-fi it was the same thing. I had a 3 week window to get as many quotes as possible. I wasn't aware it applied to cars too. Good info!

Oh yes, there are dealers that are just bad at what they do across all brands.

In case anyone was wondering I was able to test drive the G70. It's a very impressive car and really fast. Feels as fast as the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport.

The best deal I could work with the dealer is 36 months / 10k miles a year / $655 with nothing out of pocket. This is for the 3.3T Advanced.

you should post this in the genesis forums:

https://genesisowners.com/

The car is going for pretty much sticker right now...