Extended test drives in SA ?

DrX said:
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.
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So why do you need a week for that?

You can do all of this in two hours, maybe three if you really want to be tardy about it.
 
bluepoole said:
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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End of the day this is one of those things where you can simply ignore the salesperson and do what you must.

Going around the block at 60km/h is not representative of a car and I would at the very least expect to hit the highway and get a real world feel for 80-120km/h acceleration and the like and have never had anyone object to that.

For everything else there is YouTube and research which you should have done BEFORE you even jumped in the car otherwise you truly are just joyriding.
 
SauRoNZA said:
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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Geez that is great buying experience from Bmw and Honda

To be honest not married to the time of a week but certainly not 15 or 30 mins..I would be good with a few hours or return the next morning, it's more about testing the practicality and fit at home, just said a week as I'd want to test to work and over the weekend.

Leaving your car there is great info, will see if that helps sway things.

Also to be clear, brought it down to 3 cars after YouTube and a few 15 min test drives.

Seems though that you have to be a car YouTube reviewer to get the option of extended test drive that being 3 hours or 1 week
 
I worked for a corporate and dealerships gave new models for a week at a time. We could test drive to our hearts content.

I also purchased three cars with no test drive. LOL
 
I heard Toyota dealerships do this for Hilux and Fortuners. Pop in and ask them and don’t leave without your 1 month long test drive. 🫣
 
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