Using hire car as extended test drive?

[parapaul]

Is this a feasible idea?

I know from experience - as will many others, that the test drives offered by most dealers are woefully short, and even a pre-booked extended test drive will only get you a few hours, maybe a weekend at the most. But how can you possibly compare this to your normal, everyday driving?

I thought about this as I drove past a car hire place the other day - if I had a shortlist of, say, 2 or 3 cars, would it be worth hiring each one for a week or so, and use it as it would be used for everyday life? See how comforatble it really was for the M6 commute, see how well the dog fits in the boot, how well the kid seats fit in the back, that sort of thing?

[bazking69]

The issue is getting the car/spec you want for the period, if indeed anyone has the car you want to test as part of their fleet.

Forget the internet. Go and speak to them face to face. Explain your situation, what you are doing and see if you can reserve specific cars in advance, rather than whatever they have on that day in that class.

Just one point though. Would it really take a week to decide if it was for you? Could you not do all the testing you'd need to within a day and save yourself a packet?

Edited by bazking69 on Thursday 13th May 16:59

[coley20]

To my knowledge some manufacture have offer weekend test drives, Lexus IIRC, maybe go and speak to the dealer and see if they can arrange something, they might do if they think your a serious customer

[Mattt]

Renault offered similar with the 'new' Laguna.

It got rather abused, and they stopped it.

[russy01]

Mattt said:

Renault offered similar with the 'new' Laguna.

It got rather abused, and they stopped it.

My parents had a new megane for a long weekend testdrive, it was a good alternative to the woeful courtesy car they had from Vx.

Awful car still though.