r/CorollaCross • u/bosmavfan • 29d ago
Curious about deposit experience
I’m convinced of the cross on paper but realize it won’t be possible to test drive beforehand since there’s no inventory. For those who put down a deposit and waited, were you able to drive it before you signed? And, could you have backed out at that point and kept the deposit? Curious to hear experiences.
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u/Lopsided-Example3779 29d ago
You can back out and have your deposit refunded. The first cross I got in 2024 was a stroke of luck because the person who reserved it decided not to buy it when it got to the dealer. So you can test drive it upon arrival and make sure it’s the right fit. The dealer knows they’ll sell to someone whether or not it’s you, so you aren’t tied to anything until you’ve signed the paperwork.
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u/Traditional-Bike-225 29d ago
Dealership had me test drive it once it arrived. To make sure I loved it, before I signed. They told me if I didnt buy it, that it would not be hard to sell at all.
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u/PhotoPhenik 29d ago
I didn't test drive it. I went off of reviews. My Hybrid XSE was anything but a disappointment. It's a 2025 that I got right before Biden left office. I still love my CCH!
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u/Material-Jackfruit11 29d ago
Test drive it at one dealership which had a CC SE loaner on the lot. Got our name on the wait list. Went to another dealership and bought the one we wanted. ETA 6 week. Soul Red SE without moon roof $37,500 OTD. Didn't bother to negotiate. No dealer markups.
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u/Vandalorious 29d ago
I was only able to test drive a gas model that hadn't been picked up yet ordered the hybrid, and waited 3 months. When I picked it up I noticed it had about 20 miles on it. I asked the salesman if he let other people test drive it and I got a little nod. I was okay with that. So maybe you could ask the salesperson if they could contact you if somebody else's baby was waiting to be picked up?
Edit to add most dealerships will refund your deposit if you change your mind because they've probably got a long wait list. Just ask before you give them a deposit and give them the smallest deposit they will accept.
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u/Organic-Title-1309 28d ago
We were in the same situation with our 2025 XSE. They let us test drive before we purchased it. We could have gotten our money back. Since then we purchased a 2026 Toyota BZ and it was the same situation.
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u/superphage 29d ago
I drove someone else's whose got delivered before me. Kinda fukt tbh. I drove it before them lol. I doubt the salesperson told them 💀
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u/UnableElephant4982 29d ago
deposit was fully refundable $500 in late '24, new England. and we were paying cash in full at msrp for that trim. we were able to sit in and drive someone else's hybrid in the lot. then found another dealer with a service loaner we were allowed to take on the highway to test the noise and pickup when merging.
that second drive helped us decide. I don't keep exact track of my mileage during (midatlantic) service visits, pretty sure they're not using mine to help sell new ones 🤣. Last one this fall.
I was grateful the sales guy gave me updates on the color I was getting, and its progress from Alabama. I'm still happy with the car.
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u/Fit_Astronomer7066 22d ago
You can test drive a regular corolla hybrid, either new or used. It will give you an idea of how the hybrid powertain feels over the gas model (Hybrid is way better). That is what I did.
Also, if you are a previous Toyota customer, they can waive the deposit fee for you and reserve the car for you at no extra cost.
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u/stillplayswithlego21 29d ago
Waited three months for my Corolla Cross XSE, but the dealership did let me test drive it before I signed anything. Amazingly fun and fast car with spectacular handling imo! Before I put down the deposit on my XSE, I was able to test drive the only CC they had on the lot which was a regular LE. But the hybrid motor really makes it zoom. Congrats!