Extended test drives in SA ?

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DrX

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Been looking at some cars and taking some for test drives but I have realised it may be easier to make a decision if I could "test" a vehicle for at least 1 week vs 15 min drive around the block which feels insufficient to make a decision from.

Anyone come across dealers that let you test drive for a week ? If so which and where ? What did it cost you ?


Tried looking at rental sites in Jhb but they don't always have the specific car or trim available.
 
There was someone on forum got car for a weekend from hyundai, which he then purchased.

Normally I dont think any dealer will allow you to do this.
 
In the good old days it wasn’t unheard of to test drive a car for a weekend or a few days, but times have changed.

You might still be lucky and get the car for a weekend as the reply above mentions, but I don’t think it is really doable these days.

Dealerships cannot afford to have too many demos available, it is sometimes a struggle already to have at least one demo of each model range available (never mind a model of each engine option and/or spec & trim level etc).

So imagine now they have to wait a week before being able to offer the next potential customer a test drive.

Demo models would then gather mileage more quickly, and depreciate faster. Not to mention the risk of damage or cosmetic wear and tear to the vehicle.

People will also abuse it - imagine time wasters who just want to drive around in a new car for a few days, for the fun of it.

It just doesn’t make sense out of economical and logistical points of view.
 
They used to long ago, now its way way way too risky. They'll be stealing their cars fast like that.
 
If you’ve bought a few cars from the dealership it’s possible. You will pay a hefty deposit though and forfeit a portion if you don’t buy the car
 
DrX said:
Been looking at some cars and taking some for test drives but I have realised it may be easier to make a decision if I could "test" a vehicle for at least 1 week vs 15 min drive around the block which feels insufficient to make a decision from.

Anyone come across dealers that let you test drive for a week ? If so which and where ? What did it cost you ?


Tried looking at rental sites in Jhb but they don't always have the specific car or trim available.
Click to expand...

Ask the dealer. Around 2014 my parents got a Renault Duster for the weekend, including a 600km round trip.
 
I got a 24h test drive from a BMW dealership twice. Have to sign their waivers and insurance forms. The excess is ridiculous, like R45k or something. This was in 2018.
 
cr@zydude said:
Ask the dealer. Around 2014 my parents got a Renault Duster for the weekend, including a 600km round trip.
Click to expand...

In the 90's I got an expiring passport renewed for another year, with the stroke of a pen.

And prior to 9/11, I got to walk through the security checkpoints at an airport to say goodbye to a friend at the entrance of an aeroplane right before they boarded their flight.

So what's your point, @cr@zydude?
 
Like werfie says in the comment above, here and there some dealerships would perhaps still offer it to test the car for a day or two, albeit with a lot of paperwork and ridiculous excess. Some might even charge a fee, I would reckon.

It would also be easier or possible if you are friends with a sales manager or dealer principal somewhere :ROFL: or a regular client of theirs.

Millions of people have bought cars based on a 15min test drive. If you really need to test it more than that, visit 3 or 4 dealerships and test drive 15min with each of them, then you have an hour of experience with the car at least :cool:
 
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So look I'm all for making sure you're happy with your purchase especially for such a big financial decision.
I am curious though, what are trying to find out over a weekend that a 30 minute drive, or just sitting in the car playing around the with infotainment menus, might not tell you?
In general if I'm doing a test drive I might want to at least
  • drive it on a highway at cruising speed, see what that's like
  • see what the low speed gear changes are like in an auto, especially those two clutch jobbies
  • see if it fits in my garage - I kid you not a neighbour in our old complex had to park his Everest outside cos the angle of his driveway meant the dang thing couldn't get in
  • take my kids with and see how they deal with getting in and out
I do agree, 15 minutes down one or two streets is not great.
But in general, as bad an idea as it may seem, I choose my car cos, well, I like it, so unless the thing is really awful I'm getting it cos it's what I wanted. Like some cars you just want/ like, you know, and you're OK to sit with the foibles.
My wife chose her last car cos it still had a CD player while the others did not. That was it, that was the deciding factor.
 
Quintrix said:
Getworth seems to offer a 7day 700km money back gaurentee.
Click to expand...
So I did see this but seems you have to buy first then change your mind. Probably some amazing T & Cs to make sure you don't return it without a ton of effort
 
werfie said:
I got a 24h test drive from a BMW dealership twice. Have to sign their waivers and insurance forms. The excess is ridiculous, like R45k or something. This was in 2018.
Click to expand...
Interesting bmw seem to be fond of this, someone at work mentioned they were able to get a test car for a week.

Haven't heard of any other manufacturers offering this. Also not currently a bmw client so a bit if a reach to get them to be open to this but worth a try.
 
Kia let me take a car for an afternoon in 2010.
I was still not sure so ended up renting one for a weekend.
 
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Sepeng said:
So look I'm all for making sure you're happy with your purchase especially for such a big financial decision.
I am curious though, what are trying to find out over a weekend that a 30 minute drive, or just sitting in the car playing around the with infotainment menus, might not tell you?
In general if I'm doing a test drive I might want to at least
  • drive it on a highway at cruising speed, see what that's like
  • see what the low speed gear changes are like in an auto, especially those two clutch jobbies
  • see if it fits in my garage - I kid you not a neighbour in our old complex had to park his Everest outside cos the angle of his driveway meant the dang thing couldn't get in
  • take my kids with and see how they deal with getting in and out
I do agree, 15 minutes down one or two streets is not great.
But in general, as bad an idea as it may seem, I choose my car cos, well, I like it, so unless the thing is really awful I'm getting it cos it's what I wanted. Like some cars you just want/ like, you know, and you're OK to sit with the foibles.
My wife chose her last car cos it still had a CD player while the others did not. That was it, that was the deciding factor.
Click to expand...
Good question and like many suggested it is unlikely but guess as much as we have issues in SA with crime etc I really believe there's an opportunity for this type of thing (or maybe I'm a customer sample of 1).

So all your reasons above are exactly why, here are a few others :
- Test how easy it is to put in and remove a child seat
- Try fill the boot with our typical luggage vs airport luggage (would be great to make sure I don't have to use Uber when heading to the airport for international trips)
- How practical is the boot with a pram
- Actually experience adaptive cruise control
- Test it out on a basic gravel road for ride comfort
- Garage test for height
- Rough idea of fuel economy for the week (real world not the sticker)
- And yeah experience the infotainment functions in daily life since most features are being thrown into screens

In short test how well it fits for my lifestyle...

Also to be clear I would be okay to pay for the use, just that rental companies seem to only offer bare bones or very select cars from a range.
 
A week? Not a chance they would never make any money.

But an extended test drive of an hour or three yes certainly, possibly even overnight as I've had in the past when not quite sure if the car will fit in my garage or not.

Usually however this happens when you've been a long standing customer and it's not your first dealing with said dealership.

If you are a one hit wonder it's way too much risk for them.

BMW is quite good with this and I've also experienced it from Honda before. Did an initial test drive to shortlist the cars and then when I knew that's what I wanted took a more serious look and a longer drive and brought the wife along. BMW the lady salesperson who really knew her **** came along for the ride but had no issue with me driving it like I normally would and probably put an easy 100km on the clock. Honda gave me the car to take home and fit in the garage etc and test practicality so had it a few hours and then returned it.

Some smaller non-franchise shops have happily given me a car to go test drive as I please, but of course I left my own car with them as a means of security.

Quite honestly if you need a week to test drive a car that's taking the piss a little bit. I get that driving around the block isn't going to do the job, but an hour or two should suffice.

Bikes are the best for this...there can't be any salesperson tagging along and it actually begs the question why cars are such a sticking point as they don't fall over by themselves.
 
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