Extended test drive

corblimey

When I bought my current car, the dealer offered me the use of the car for an extended period of time, I think it was about 3 days. It was perfect, I got to test the car during my daily commute and even took a blast out into the countryside to give it a go.

I'm looking again this month, and would be looking for this facility again, but want to temper my expectations. Is this ability for extended test drives something based on the amount being charged for the car, or is it unique to some dealers and not to others? Did I just get a nice salesman, and if I went back, there'd be no chance of getting the same process?

drunkmonkey

3 days, Jazus I went for an hour the last time.

You could ask, but failing that you could see would they "rent" it to you for a few days.

Drummerboy08

Depends on the car.

A 5 series or similar or above yeah I'll give you a car for 24 hours.

If it's a golf or similar I'd probably hesitate to let it out for that length of time...

aaakev

Selling vans i often give them out on demo for days and sometimes a week, ill always offer it to a customer new to Mercedes so they can use it for work and see the difference between it and their current one

9935452

One of the boys at work got a nissan leaf for a weekend last month

carsfan

@drummerboy08
Why let the more expensive car out for longer?
Better customers? Takes longer to decide when bigger money?
Just curious really.

Drummerboy08

More money at stake and it's likely that the demo isn't is as much demand as a high volume seller.

If I gave a golf (as an example) to someone for a day or two at a time I'd need 7 or 8 registered to satisfy demand for people test driving whereas the likes of the lower volume higher cost stuff you can get away with that.

scargill

In December I had Hyundai for 2.5 days - a Mazda for 24 hours, and a Honda overnight.
I think next December I'll borrow two cars a week and save mileage on my own!

9935452

scargill wrote: »

In December I had Hyundai for 2.5 days - a Mazda for 24 hours, and a Honda overnight.
I think next December I'll borrow two cars a week and save mileage on my own!

Myself and a few of the lads were thinking of doing the 32 counties in 24 hours at some stage. The plan was to get something like a bmw 5 or 7 series or audi a6/8 on a test drive but i dont think a dealer would be happy to see a 1000 miles ,give or take , appear on a new car overnight

bazz26

I can understand why many dealers would be reluctant to offer extended test drives. It just attracts test pilots and messors with no notion of buying a car, than genuine buyers.

visual

aaakev wrote: »

Selling vans i often give them out on demo for days and sometimes a week, ill always offer it to a customer new to Mercedes so they can use it for work and see the difference between it and their current one

That's how I bought a newer model Hi-ace years ago I went and looked at it liked it but was sure I liked it enough so dealer said leave your old van here and take it for week.
After driving new van for a few days I couldn't go back to old van.

aaakev

visual wrote: »

That's how I bought a newer model Hi-ace years ago I went and looked at it liked it but was sure I liked it enough so dealer said leave your old van here and take it for week.
After driving new van for a few days I couldn't go back to old van.

With a van its always good to get it and use it like you would your own. Big investment to make for a small business only to realise something is not fit for purpose

vistaphotos

9935452 wrote: »

One of the boys at work got a nissan leaf for a weekend last month

Was offered the same. I think that since electric is such a different proposition they want buyers to be sure that it works for them. Probably also a good tactic to help a buyer get over the line to buy if they're close I guess.

Summer wind

I've had a new 3 series and a new X3 on loan both for 3 days. It's a great way to see if the car is right for you.