Demo

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NSNO

Original Poster:

349 posts

152 months

Tuesday 27th May 2014
quotequote all
In England I was part of my employers company car scheme and I could get a loan of a demonstrator such as a GTI or S3 for a few days.

I'd like to test drive an S3 and Golf R but don't want to go to a dealer to drive around the block with the salesman in the passenger seat.

My company has corporate discounts in place with the VAG group so what do people think my chances are of getting the loan of something like a Golf R or S3 for a few days would be?

Edited by NSNO on Wednesday 28th May 00:30

robm3

4,927 posts

227 months

Tuesday 27th May 2014
quotequote all
Unless you personally know someone at VW OR your fleet sales are massive e.g. 200+ I'd say your chances are slim to non-existant.

Australia is around 15 years behind the UK and USA when it comes to selling cars. The manufacturers/importers will just steer you to the dealer network.

Prestige dealers are pretty good at loaning cars. Our local Mercedes dealer gave us a ML for the evening and Canterbury BMW loaned us am X5 for 24 hours, sadly for them neither got the sale as I brought a Range Rover but nonetheless the dealers were both excellent.

motomk

2,150 posts

244 months

Wednesday 28th May 2014
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A fellow I work with was lent a demo Renault Megane for a few days, needless to say he bought it.


Colonial

13,553 posts

205 months

Wednesday 28th May 2014
quotequote all
I have borrowed a Mini Cooper S and D and BMW 118i for 24 hours before. But I know the dealer principal. Didn't ended up buying any of them, but that was because the wait was too long for the 118i and the Cooper S and D rode like arse on the motorway.

Pretty rare to do it, but BMW seem the best for it.

custardtart

1,725 posts

253 months

Wednesday 28th May 2014
quotequote all
I asked the local BMW and Merc dealer for 24hr test drives and got a polite no. The sales person thought a 5 min spin round the block was appropriate but I didn't and insisted on an hour taking in a bunch of different roads. They were ok with this. I thrashed the arse off the BMW too, which the sales person thoroughly approved of strangely!

Hasbeen

2,073 posts

221 months

Wednesday 28th May 2014
quotequote all
A Ford dealer from 50 kilometers away brought me a Ranger to try on my local roads, when I asked.

It was no use to me, driving it around the suburbs, I wanted to run it over known country back roads, up Tamborine Mountain's bumpy western climb, & give it a few laps of the bottom paddock.

It was great, & he made a sale, but I should have waited for the new 5 cylinder turbo engine.

Colonial

13,553 posts

205 months

Wednesday 28th May 2014
quotequote all
custardtart said:
I asked the local BMW and Merc dealer for 24hr test drives and got a polite no. The sales person thought a 5 min spin round the block was appropriate but I didn't and insisted on an hour taking in a bunch of different roads. They were ok with this. I thrashed the arse off the BMW too, which the sales person thoroughly approved of strangely!
Give Worthingtons a try. Plus close to the Pacific highway.

robm3

4,927 posts

227 months

Thursday 29th May 2014
quotequote all
Slightly O/T sorry...

Hasbeen said:
.....up Tamborine Mountain's bumpy western climb, .
Henri Roberts or the goat track that goes down to Canungra?

I know these roads well. I had some investment property up at Eagle Heights.

Great place old Tambo'

Hasbeen

2,073 posts

221 months

Thursday 29th May 2014
quotequote all
Actually I wanted to drive up Waterford Tamborine road, down the goat track, then out Wonglepong road, & though Biddaddaba. I wanted to see how it handled a bit of bumpy stuff.

I often do the mountain in reverse. The V8 sounds incredible against the cliff up the single lane stretch, have a good coffee, a snack & some of that decadent fudge they make up there, than back down the Waterford road. A couple of hours around there can wipe away most of the worlds frustrations, & put a smile on your face.

Edited by Hasbeen on Thursday 29th May 08:28

NSNO

Original Poster:

349 posts

152 months

Thursday 29th May 2014
quotequote all
I've put in a request for a Golf R test drive, so I'll see what I can negotiate when they ring.

custardtart

1,725 posts

253 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2014
quotequote all
Colonial said:
Give Worthingtons a try. Plus close to the Pacific highway.
Thanks, have gone and bought the Merc since the Mondial buyer failed to come up with any actual money!

NSNO

Original Poster:

349 posts

152 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2014
quotequote all
NSNO said:
I've put in a request for a Golf R test drive, so I'll see what I can negotiate when they ring.
No joy just the standard twenty minute drive around the block. I did ask him about a longer test drive but he said as they only had one demonstrator available that he would potentially be missing out on a sale if he lent it to me for longer.

custardtart

1,725 posts

253 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2014
quotequote all
NSNO said:
No joy just the standard twenty minute drive around the block. I did ask him about a longer test drive but he said as they only had one demonstrator available that he would potentially be missing out on a sale if he lent it to me for longer.
He maybe right. I was astounded to hear the local Merc dealer sold more than 60 new cars last month. So many that they employ a guy just to do customer handovers. I'd imagine VW dealer to sell more cars than a Merc dealer too.

NSNO

Original Poster:

349 posts

152 months

Monday 16th June 2014
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Well I took the test drive today in a Golf R and they did let me have a play around on my own for about forty minutes which was good although unfortunately the roads by the dealership are too busy and straight to have too much fun. I did get to try launch control though and this thing takes off like a rocket when engaged but in normal driving their is some low down turbo lag, overall though a nice little motor.

On another subject I noticed on the price sheet a line for dealer delivery. Does anyone know what exactly this is for and what it covers in the price?

Pommygranite

14,252 posts

216 months

Monday 16th June 2014
quotequote all
NSNO said:
On another subject I noticed on the price sheet a line for dealer delivery. Does anyone know what exactly this is for and what it covers in the price?
Delivery from the factory to the dealer. Simples.

NSNO

Original Poster:

349 posts

152 months

Monday 16th June 2014
quotequote all
Pommygranite said:
Delivery from the factory to the dealer. Simples.
It's $3,500 for the Golf R though which seems a bit steep, shouldn't this be included in the price of the car.

Pommygranite

14,252 posts

216 months

Monday 16th June 2014
quotequote all
NSNO said:
Pommygranite said:
Delivery from the factory to the dealer. Simples.
It's $3,500 for the Golf R though which seems a bit steep, shouldn't this be included in the price of the car.
What do they deliver it on? A fking Unicorn?!


Pommygranite

14,252 posts

216 months

Monday 16th June 2014
quotequote all
That's what, 6% of the cars value - lost the minute you get it? Wow I'd buy a lightly used one.

NSNO

Original Poster:

349 posts

152 months

Wednesday 18th June 2014
quotequote all
Pommygranite said:
What do they deliver it on? A fking Unicorn?!
Exactly that's my point what does the money go towards.

Fortunately we have a corporate discount at work so I can get that price reduced down but it still seems ridiculous. The used ones aren't much cheaper either as it hasn't been available for sale for long.