TVR- To launch new test drive scheme.
Discussion
I phoned up my dealership today to find the time of my test drive for the Saggy on Friday and he said would I be interested in the new sheme TVR are starting in September?
He said that starting in September you can hire a car from TVR, Saggy, Tuscan or whatever for £100 a day and if you place an order you get the hire money back.
Anybody else heard of this? I would've thought that's going to ruffle some hire car companies feathers.
He said that starting in September you can hire a car from TVR, Saggy, Tuscan or whatever for £100 a day and if you place an order you get the hire money back.
Anybody else heard of this? I would've thought that's going to ruffle some hire car companies feathers.
) Caterham run a similar scheme, though I think it costs a little more - £150 or so.
I think it's a good idea in that it helps stop the test pilots from wasting a salesmans time taking out a car they have no intention of buying.
The biggest problem will be it means a days unsupervised hire of a supercar for only a ton.
I think it's a good idea in that it helps stop the test pilots from wasting a salesmans time taking out a car they have no intention of buying.
The biggest problem will be it means a days unsupervised hire of a supercar for only a ton.
It raises the bar for timewasters and tyrekickers and it's a great way to tempt people to try a TVR.
The "don't you know who I am?" free test blag palava can leave people feeling uncomfortable and obligated (more to the point, anticipating this stops people asking). By making the test drive an honest transaction, there's no shame, cost or pressure for either the dealer or the potential customer.
If you're serious about buying then:
(a) you can afford to insure one
(b) your credit card has space to be able to lay down 10% if you like it
(c) getting to take it down the roads you know rather than a lap of the dealer's manor is EXACTLY what you want to be able to do
(d) you want an idea of what it's like to live with inc "what the neighbours/mates say"
After you've had a proper go, it will be very hard not to want one for keeps. £100/day is an interesting figure. Excitingly cheap but at least 4 times the daily cost of ownership if you bought one. Look at it another way, provided the car is out one week in every month, it's washed its face - with a fair chance that sales will increase as a result.
I wouldn't be surprised to see more car companies follow.
The "don't you know who I am?" free test blag palava can leave people feeling uncomfortable and obligated (more to the point, anticipating this stops people asking). By making the test drive an honest transaction, there's no shame, cost or pressure for either the dealer or the potential customer.
If you're serious about buying then:
(a) you can afford to insure one
(b) your credit card has space to be able to lay down 10% if you like it
(c) getting to take it down the roads you know rather than a lap of the dealer's manor is EXACTLY what you want to be able to do
(d) you want an idea of what it's like to live with inc "what the neighbours/mates say"
After you've had a proper go, it will be very hard not to want one for keeps. £100/day is an interesting figure. Excitingly cheap but at least 4 times the daily cost of ownership if you bought one. Look at it another way, provided the car is out one week in every month, it's washed its face - with a fair chance that sales will increase as a result.
I wouldn't be surprised to see more car companies follow.
bosscerbera said:
It raises the bar for timewasters and tyrekickers and it's a great way to tempt people to try a TVR.
The "don't you know who I am?" free test blag palava can leave people feeling uncomfortable and obligated (more to the point, anticipating this stops people asking). By making the test drive an honest transaction, there's no shame, cost or pressure for either the dealer or the potential customer.
If you're serious about buying then:
(a) you can afford to insure one
(b) your credit card has space to be able to lay down 10% if you like it
(c) getting to take it down the roads you know rather than a lap of the dealer's manor is EXACTLY what you want to be able to do
(d) you want an idea of what it's like to live with inc "what the neighbours/mates say"
After you've had a proper go, it will be very hard not to want one for keeps. £100/day is an interesting figure. Excitingly cheap but at least 4 times the daily cost of ownership if you bought one. Look at it another way, provided the car is out one week in every month, it's washed its face - with a fair chance that sales will increase as a result.
I wouldn't be surprised to see more car companies follow.
I dont like it. You have to pay for a test drive??? WTF? I certainly would not have gone down to DM for a test drive if it meant forking out £100 !
As to the "you get to drive where the salesman says", hmm nope. I told DM I expected an hr in the car, doing a proper test drive. I drove it a 2nd time another day also.
Im sorry but paying for that pleasure is just wrong.
I aways wanted to drive a TVR. My wife, around 6 years ago, hired me a Grif from a TVR dealer for around £300 for the weekend. After driving it I bought a Chim 450 and he refunded the hire costs. I think it should be more of a case of the dealer hireing the car out for a gift, birthday, surprise etc, and if they then get a sale then great. I would not advertise the fact that for £100 you can test drive a car for a day worth £35K - £55K with no questions asked about the intention of getting a sale, thats MAD. CAN OF WORMS!
It's a great idea. Buy a spare set of alloys and tyres and put them on for the day and provided you peel the tape off the headlights at the end of the day, they won't know you've been saving your pride and joy, whilst you trackday their car.
And maybe the shocks on your TVR are getting a little bit tired, or one of your alloys isn't quite round, the pads low etc, your door control black box is playing you up; the aircon ecu is fobar; again £100 a day to borrow a new car and swap 'em over......
Of course I would never do that!
Edited to add: It's going to effect the dealers' trader insurance policy?
>> Edited by tvrinbfg on Wednesday 29th June 20:35
And maybe the shocks on your TVR are getting a little bit tired, or one of your alloys isn't quite round, the pads low etc, your door control black box is playing you up; the aircon ecu is fobar; again £100 a day to borrow a new car and swap 'em over......
Of course I would never do that!
Edited to add: It's going to effect the dealers' trader insurance policy?
>> Edited by tvrinbfg on Wednesday 29th June 20:35
Nice idea in principle, but considering that their have been several deaths and accidents reported on here in the past that have occured on test drives, I can see trouble looming. OK, accidents regretfully do happen. What I mean is, if they are happening on accompanied test drives, can you imagine what may be happening 1 mile down the road after hiring one of these beasts and away from the supervised gaze of a dealer? The onue would be on the dealer to really make a very good judgement on who is taking the car out for the day and how they are likely to behave and how capable they are as a driver. If they already own a TVR, that should be fairly safe. But get in a lottery winning Chav there will be one less in the gene pool, and one less TVR on the road (not forgetting the innocent parties they may encounter on their way).
Like I said, nice idea - but this would need regulating closely to stop the inevitable from happening.
Like I said, nice idea - but this would need regulating closely to stop the inevitable from happening.
A manufacturer-supported scheme that increases access to test drives can only be a good thing. We probably all know examples of, or may have experienced, salesmen not taking an enquiry seriously, but it's not always easy for them to judge. A structured scheme removes the guessing. If you're really interested and really can afford one then there is a clear means by which to demonstrate as much.
Look what a dealer lays on the line for a 'free test drive': his £50K asset, his insurance policy and his own safety. For what? The off-chance that the "don't you know who I am?" standing in front of him MIGHT buy a car?
I'm not sure that the assumed inalienable right to a 'free sample' is particularly tenable. How many people do you let drive your own £50K/400bhp car? Even when you're in the passenger seat?
If you're serious about buying then:
(a) you can afford to insure one
(b) your credit card has space to be able to lay down a 10% deposit
The above criteria not only filter the wheat from the chaff (or Chavs) but also transfer the 'risk' to the hiree*. If you're genuinely in the market for a TVR then what's the big deal about a day or two at £100 (which you'd claim back if you went on to buy)?
* Edited from hirer, oops
>> Edited by bosscerbera on Thursday 30th June 15:01
Look what a dealer lays on the line for a 'free test drive': his £50K asset, his insurance policy and his own safety. For what? The off-chance that the "don't you know who I am?" standing in front of him MIGHT buy a car?
I'm not sure that the assumed inalienable right to a 'free sample' is particularly tenable. How many people do you let drive your own £50K/400bhp car? Even when you're in the passenger seat?
If you're serious about buying then:
(a) you can afford to insure one
(b) your credit card has space to be able to lay down a 10% deposit
The above criteria not only filter the wheat from the chaff (or Chavs) but also transfer the 'risk' to the hiree*. If you're genuinely in the market for a TVR then what's the big deal about a day or two at £100 (which you'd claim back if you went on to buy)?
* Edited from hirer, oops
>> Edited by bosscerbera on Thursday 30th June 15:01
If dealers are a bit clever and spot a hot prospect walking in through the door on a sunny day who is of the correct calibre to buy a new TVR and dont insist on the charge then fine.
If they blanket charge everyone then I would be more inclined on general principal to tell them to piss off.
This is after buying two, new.
If they blanket charge everyone then I would be more inclined on general principal to tell them to piss off.
This is after buying two, new.
Plotloss said:
If they blanket charge everyone then I would be more inclined on general principal to tell them to piss off.
I would have thought it'd be an option. You can go for a normal test drive round the block with the dealer, but if you want to give it more of a try then 'hire' it for the day. Similar to what a lot of dealers are now doing but with a small fee (relative to the purchase price) to ensure only serious people do it.
And lets be honest, after driving it, everyone will buy so they'll be no worries about being out of pocket!
For me, the dealer and indeed ownership experience starts from the moment you walk in the door.
From how you are greeted through the life of your time with the car.
To be suggesting a charge for trying a car which in all probability will be a decent ongoing earner for the dealer just sends me a little cold thats all...
I appreciate that there are a lot of piss takers who have no intention of buying but surely there is a more elegant way to seperate this chaff from the wheat?
From how you are greeted through the life of your time with the car.
To be suggesting a charge for trying a car which in all probability will be a decent ongoing earner for the dealer just sends me a little cold thats all...
I appreciate that there are a lot of piss takers who have no intention of buying but surely there is a more elegant way to seperate this chaff from the wheat?
DJc said:
It raises the bar for timewasters and tyrekickers and it's a great way to tempt people to try a TVR.
The "don't you know who I am?" free test blag palava can leave people feeling uncomfortable and obligated (more to the point, anticipating this stops people asking). By making the test drive an honest transaction, there's no shame, cost or pressure for either the dealer or the potential customer.
If you're serious about buying then:
(a) you can afford to insure one
(b) your credit card has space to be able to lay down 10% if you like it
(c) getting to take it down the roads you know rather than a lap of the dealer's manor is EXACTLY what you want to be able to do
(d) you want an idea of what it's like to live with inc "what the neighbours/mates say"
After you've had a proper go, it will be very hard not to want one for keeps. £100/day is an interesting figure. Excitingly cheap but at least 4 times the daily cost of ownership if you bought one. Look at it another way, provided the car is out one week in every month, it's washed its face - with a fair chance that sales will increase as a result.
I wouldn't be surprised to see more car companies follow.
I dont like it. You have to pay for a test drive??? WTF? I certainly would not have gone down to DM for a test drive if it meant forking out £100 !
As to the "you get to drive where the salesman says", hmm nope. I told DM I expected an hr in the car, doing a proper test drive. I drove it a 2nd time another day also.
Im sorry but paying for that pleasure is just wrong.
Did you buy one then????
DodgeyRog said:
bosscerbera said:
It raises the bar for timewasters and tyrekickers and it's a great way to tempt people to try a TVR.
The "don't you know who I am?" free test blag palava can leave people feeling uncomfortable and obligated (more to the point, anticipating this stops people asking). By making the test drive an honest transaction, there's no shame, cost or pressure for either the dealer or the potential customer.
If you're serious about buying then:
(a) you can afford to insure one
(b) your credit card has space to be able to lay down 10% if you like it
(c) getting to take it down the roads you know rather than a lap of the dealer's manor is EXACTLY what you want to be able to do
(d) you want an idea of what it's like to live with inc "what the neighbours/mates say"
After you've had a proper go, it will be very hard not to want one for keeps. £100/day is an interesting figure. Excitingly cheap but at least 4 times the daily cost of ownership if you bought one. Look at it another way, provided the car is out one week in every month, it's washed its face - with a fair chance that sales will increase as a result.
I wouldn't be surprised to see more car companies follow.
I dont like it. You have to pay for a test drive??? WTF? I certainly would not have gone down to DM for a test drive if it meant forking out £100 !
As to the "you get to drive where the salesman says", hmm nope. I told DM I expected an hr in the car, doing a proper test drive. I drove it a 2nd time another day also.
Im sorry but paying for that pleasure is just wrong.
Did you buy one then????
Yep. Bought a Sagaris. Ill admit I didnt actually intend doing. I had no interest in the Sagaris till I started seeing the pics of them being delivered on here and I knew DM had a demonstrator. The initial reviews were good, so I thought Id have a wander down there and book a test drive. See what the new kid on the block was like, have a try out of this Speed 6 thingy. My first posts back werent terribly positive but it did some things pretty well. So I said Id like another drive on a different day please and they agree. 2nd drive I liked it even more, got about 20odd mins in the car, Lisa also took me out in a Tam ( to see how I felt about a T350 type) and a Tuscan S (to try out the close ratio box). Both times I spent about a cpl of hours with Lisa and James at DM. At the end of the 2nd visit I said I was very interested and Id be in touch. On the 3rd visit I walked in and handed over my credit card and confirmed my spec. We had already specced it really on my 2nd visit.
But initially I went down for a freeby try it out job. Would have gone nowhere nr the place if it was £100 a throw deal.
bosscerbera said:
Look what a dealer lays on the line for a 'free test drive': his £50K asset, his insurance policy and his own safety. For what? The off-chance that the "don't you know who I am?" standing in front of him MIGHT buy a car?
I'm not sure that the assumed inalienable right to a 'free sample' is particularly tenable. How many people do you let drive your own £50K/400bhp car? Even when you're in the passenger seat?
If you're serious about buying then:
(a) you can afford to insure one
(b) your credit card has space to be able to lay down a 10% deposit
The above criteria not only filter the wheat from the chaff (or Chavs) but also transfer the 'risk' to the hirer. If you're genuinely in the market for a TVR then what's the big deal about a day or two at £100 (which you'd claim back if you went on to buy)?
what a lot of old bo11ocks.
When I was looking for my tuscan, I test drove 4 at dealers. 3 were dogs (handling crap).
In your world I should have paid 400 quid for the privilege of driving 3 dogs !!
It's the salesman's job to suss out the serious punters from the sunday time wasters.
It's my job as a potential buyer to show I'm serious.
It's worked this way since the first car dealer opened it's doors.
why are tvrs different ? they ain't. full stop.
yeh it's a 30-50k car. so ? you mean like lots of volvos, bmws, merc, saabs, etc, etc, etc.. no different. Sure, they are powerful. So what ? That's what the salesman is there for earning his cash as 'muppet filterer'.
Now, if tvr wants to do a ''sample a trevor' scheme to try and get new potential owners in through the doors fair play to them, but it should be the salesmans call. If I'm serious about buying a car there's no way in hell I'm gonna pay for a test drive. It's the principle of the thing :
"this car is perfect, so we are going to charge you to drive it, since if don't buy it it is clearly you who have a problem, not the car"
ar$e to that.
stu
powerlord said:
When I was looking for my tuscan, I test drove 4 at dealers. 3 were dogs (handling crap).
In your world I should have paid 400 quid for the privilege of driving 3 dogs !!
I guess you were driving Used? Hire isn't for Used.
If you test drove and bought new, it wouldn't have cost you anything - it would only have cost you £100 if you didn't like it. In which case:
wedge girl said:
I'm thinking that's a lot of fun for your £100.
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff