If I see a Porsche/Ferrari/Lamborghini/McLaren dealership, and I have a few minutes to spare, I'm going to walk in. These are facts. It's like going to an auto show without the crowd. Usually I am ignored like a fly on the wall, but sometimes, the Porsche salespersons will acknowledge that I exist!
That's moving up in the world.
Who else likes to pretend to be in the market?
I don't feel comfortable going to any car dealer, let alone an exotic car dealership. The exception for me are motorcycle dealers, I waste a lot of those salesman's time.
Ditto. Being where I am, I have Porsche, Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, Tesla and a Alfa Romeo dealerships are right down the street (Tysons Corner, VA outside of DC)
The Porsche guys always recognize my existence and ask if I need anything (although at 39, nicely trimmed beard and my work khakis I look like the typical Porsche customer here) Tesla is very welcoming. The Alfa Romeo guys, attached to a Fiat dealership, don't pay me much attention. Which is just poor management on their part. Everyone else I visit after hours.
It's really funny. I project the air of someone who may actually have the cashmoleans to buy some of the ridiculous crap on their floor, and I usually know enough about it, that the salesmen will talk to me. I don't know how I do it, because I look scrubby as hell- maybe it's the nuances, like the fancy shades or the good shoes. I don't generally wander in, but I'm addicted to giant two door Bentleys.... so if I see one (The Azure? Brooklands? whatever the hell it's called.... the one that's almost as big as an Imperial) I go smell it. And get free cookies.
I plan to do this next weekend while I'm in chicago.
1kris06 wrote: I plan to do this next weekend while I'm in chicago.
Hinsdale, IL has a sweet Ferrari dealership.
http://www.continentalautosports.com
I have no problems doing it. I have no shame but I'll openly tell them I'm just looking at the cars. Most places are pretty cool and used to it. I don't do it too often though.
The McLaren dealers all have an F1 car in their showrooms so they should expect it. The one in Scottsdale was really cool, and the sales guy was talking about it and the 650S with me for a bit.
The best I have ever even seen is a Tesla dealer and a Dodge dealer with multiple Vipers. The Tesla dealer was in a mall so they expect the foot traffic and know that 99% of their job is to explain all the tech. It felt like an apple store for a car.
The Dodge dealer is overall a good dealer, and the salesmen will gladly show off the Vipers.
The local British car dealer invites me to all of their events. Will I ever be able to buy an Aston, Bentley, or Rolls new?....Heck no. Will I go and look at their cars and eat their food at every chance I get....you better believe it. I've gotten to meet the entire AMR-TRG team and have extended conversations with them.
I have been in a dealer that had Fiats, Ferrari and Maserati and they were quite nice actually, much more than most car dealers. I went in a range rover dealer once too and had a similar experience. I also go in the Mercedes dealer to buy parts and they are pretty nice there, and some of the cars they have are close to $200k too.
Travis_K wrote: I have been in a dealer that had Fiats, Ferrari and Maserati and they were quite nice actually, much more than most car dealers. I went in a range rover dealer once too and had a similar experience. I also go in the Mercedes dealer to buy parts and they are pretty nice there, and some of the cars they have are close to $200k too.
I actually went to a merc dealer and got a similar experience. And then I scared the E36 M3 out of a sales rep. He didn't know a 350z could do that.
mndsm wrote: I actually went to a merc dealer and got a similar experience. And then I scared the E36 M3 out of a sales rep. He didn't know a 350z could do that.
My first CarMax visit was to drive a 350z. Coincidentally, I got a very young salesman that had gone to college with a coworker. I think he left a brown stain on the passenger seat... 
I have never been to an exotic/high line dealership. Heck I get blown off at a Chevy dealership, although I could pay cash for almost anything on their lot...I guess I just put off an air of "cheap bastard". 
I've not been to a fancy dealerships. Never lived really close to any. I used to find it funny going to the BMW dealer to buy some $3 part for my 2002. They also sold Porsches there, so maybe that counts. The only car that I ever really ogled while in there was a Fisker Karma that was in the showroom.
No high end stuff here unless you count Porsche. That one is owned by someone well known in the biz for crapping on employees so I don't bother. Many years ago I test drove a yellow FD RX7, told the sales guy I wasn't going to buy no matter what. We had a lot of fun...
If you'd like to go into the Ferrari dealership here (it's inside the Wynn Hotel & Casino) and you don't actually own a Ferrari, there is a $10 admission fee.
every so often I go to the Mercedes or BMW dealer on my lunch break. The new Manhattan Mercedes dealer is really nice.
I need to make an edit to my previous statement. There is also a McClaren dealer too.
I used to stop in the exotic dealer in Greensboro every time I went through. It was fun and I got decent treatment, but I am always up front that I am a dreamer.
Only one by me is a Porsche showroom. If I can borrow my dad's gold watch and dress just right, they probably wouldn't call security
I drove a Cayman that way. It was nice. We drove it hard.
EvanR wrote: If you'd like to go into the Ferrari dealership here (it's inside the Wynn Hotel & Casino) and you don't actually own a Ferrari, there is a $10 admission fee.
I'd bet they refund that if you end up buying. Not that you wouldn't have already consumed $10 worth of coffee, cookies, and likely alcoholic drinks.
here's the thing about all of this though. There is no reason for any dealer to poo poo on people who come in the door and aren't drunk/loud/smelly/unruly. Now prioritize customers by all means, but no harm in letting someone stand and look.
Maybe you get rich one day? Will you remember the nice sales guy at Porsche? likely not. but you will remember that aston guy was a dick to you.
Plus, I would guess most old rich guys that buy exotics were once young dreamers without the means. They should encourage you to fall in love with the car at a young age. And then watch their racing on TV. and buy hats/shirts/things promoted by their advertisers/etc. and then get rich and buy the car you always dreamed of.
In fact, free idea to exotic car dealers on here (if you happen to be one you might already do this): everyone who comes into the store receives a poster of a racing car with the schedule and channels of the entire racing season.
We had two exotic car places near us while growing up. When you're 16, where else are you going to get to sit in a slope-nose 911?
In reply to David S. Wallens:
Wait, you grew up?
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