Two told me I'd have to buy one to drive it, end of story

Ironic that this happens most often on the pricier models.

Sorry, but before I drop high five figures on some wheels, I'm going to have to take it for a spin first, no matter how much the auto magazines rave about it.
Wouldn't anybody?
Apparently not. I think the initial sales of limited allocation models are all to people who want to be seen in it, no matter how crappy it drives. That, and people that have enough money to take a flyer on it, or who are so devoted to the brand that they *just* *know* it's going to be good.

One time I called all over to dozens of dealerships looking for a particular car.
I found one at a dealer 50 miles away, just like I wanted.
I drove out there and he wouldn't let me testdrive it or even sit in it unless I committed to buying it.

C'mon buddy, you think I blew two days calling the world and all morning driving out here just to yank you around? Can you just unlock it so I can sit in it?
I brought my checkbook and my papers and I'm ready to buy if it drives OK.
Nope, not unless you buy it. (By the way, this was for a $30,000 car, not for some exotic ubercar.)
Perhaps you'd like to look at one of the other cars on our lot.

I think not.

It's been 10 years, and I still have never set foot in that dealership again!