Odd Courtesy Car Choices
Discussion
Lord Pork said:
100's years ago one of my customers had a AM DB5, Testarossa, M3 and a mid sized Merc' and a Fireblade for fun.
Driving down his local high street one Saturday morning an old boy pulls out from a T junction and he T bones him. He's in the Merc, old boys in a Trotters 3 wheeler. Totally old boys fault.
Old boy gets out of car and starts mouthing off about what's happened to his car, now 50 yards up the street as it pinged off the front of the Merc.
The old boy was either brave or stupid, my customer used to work out quite a bit and was a big, intimidating kinda guy.
On the Monday the bell rings and his insurance company have a car for him while the Merc goes in for the front to be straightened. Opening the front door is a spotty youth bravely handing over the keys to a Fiat Cinquento.....he went ballistic: " Hang on, if you think I'm having that with all the cars I've got insured with you your mistaken....
an hour later a 350SL rolls up
2 weeks later when the job was done, he takes the SL back and having liked it so much, buys one brand new.
Now, why don't all insurance supply companies think like that?
Because most people abuse the fDriving down his local high street one Saturday morning an old boy pulls out from a T junction and he T bones him. He's in the Merc, old boys in a Trotters 3 wheeler. Totally old boys fault.
Old boy gets out of car and starts mouthing off about what's happened to his car, now 50 yards up the street as it pinged off the front of the Merc.
The old boy was either brave or stupid, my customer used to work out quite a bit and was a big, intimidating kinda guy.
On the Monday the bell rings and his insurance company have a car for him while the Merc goes in for the front to be straightened. Opening the front door is a spotty youth bravely handing over the keys to a Fiat Cinquento.....he went ballistic: " Hang on, if you think I'm having that with all the cars I've got insured with you your mistaken....
an hour later a 350SL rolls up
2 weeks later when the job was done, he takes the SL back and having liked it so much, buys one brand new.
Now, why don't all insurance supply companies think like that?
k out of courtesy/rental cars, and very few are in a position to say "I quite liked that, I'll just buy a brand new one of my own"?Decent lurking tho.
Baldchap said:
The mention of Honda Jazzes (Jazzs?) on the cars to avoid thread got me thinking about my Lotus main dealer, that has (or had) a Honda Jazz as a courtesy car for when people take their Lotuses (not Loti, I'm fairly confident) for service. You turn up in your Elise, Exige, or Evora (other models are available) and you drive out in a 1.0 Honda Jazz. It's decent of them to lend a car at all, but I couldn't help but hope for something a bit more Lotus-y the first time I went there...
Another garage (an independent, in fairness) I once used had a Perodua Myvi automatic. You'll be forgiven for not knowing what one is, but all I will say is that the speedo showing 140mph was about 75% redundancy...
Apparently, a Daihatsu built under license in Malaysia. The only one I've ever seen and a very unusual choice (although no doubt spectacularly cheap, so maybe that explains it).
What's your strangest courtesy car, or simply most 'off-brand' loaner when using a garage?
Central I assume? I've had their Blue Jazz before, I'll probably be having again next Weds when my Evora goes in for a service. They have a white Toyota something or other as well, that one has Lotus plastered all over it, the Jazz doesn't.Another garage (an independent, in fairness) I once used had a Perodua Myvi automatic. You'll be forgiven for not knowing what one is, but all I will say is that the speedo showing 140mph was about 75% redundancy...
Apparently, a Daihatsu built under license in Malaysia. The only one I've ever seen and a very unusual choice (although no doubt spectacularly cheap, so maybe that explains it).What's your strangest courtesy car, or simply most 'off-brand' loaner when using a garage?
Took in our Range Rover for it's first service (so less than a year old)- got given a Kia Piccanto.
Absolutely god awful, and not the way it should really be.
What's even worse, is here (Switzerland) we have to pay for the privilege of having a courtesy car. Never again!
I much rather they give me a free tram ticket instead...
Absolutely god awful, and not the way it should really be.
What's even worse, is here (Switzerland) we have to pay for the privilege of having a courtesy car. Never again!
I much rather they give me a free tram ticket instead...
In my Porsche days, if the car was in warranty the OPC would provide an Porsche or some kind as a courtesy car, I went through numerous Boxsters, Panameras for any warranty/service work.
As soon as my car wasn't in warranty/extended warranty they suddenly put me in a BMW 520D, not as bad as some so far, but it certainly didn't land them a new Porsche sale... thus my Porsche days above.
As soon as my car wasn't in warranty/extended warranty they suddenly put me in a BMW 520D, not as bad as some so far, but it certainly didn't land them a new Porsche sale... thus my Porsche days above.
DISCLAIMER - I read the title of the thread wrong, apologies.
Best ones I’ve had from Audi were RS4 (I had an S3) the young lad loved my car, told me all about his Punto then asked me what car I would like so of course I said R8 and he told me they were reserved for R8 customers, fair enough, he offered an RS4. 2 weeks of properly drive it like you stole it.
S class was another when someone crashed into me, that was a lovely steer, I still think about getting one of those as a daily, really comfy and could shift a bit, fun on roundabouts in the wet.
Then I had a large Mercedes off road thing, like an M class/S class which was nice, like driving a ballroom around, quite chintzy which they needed back so swapped me into an XC90, which was sublime. That actually reminds me originally a company (who I won’t name) gave me a bright blue M4 (not a very nice car) weed in the glovebox, stank of smoke and the rear brakes were warped which I think was from the DTC being used by some local lads who had rented it and we’re abusing it to the point of borkery (made up experimental term, may not be appropriate)
I also had a CLS quite a few years ago and an A6 allroad.
Porsche recently gave me a Q5 for the day which I wasn’t overly enamoured with.
People seem to crash into me quite a lot but I don’t mind because you get something quite nice to boat around in.
Best ones I’ve had from Audi were RS4 (I had an S3) the young lad loved my car, told me all about his Punto then asked me what car I would like so of course I said R8 and he told me they were reserved for R8 customers, fair enough, he offered an RS4. 2 weeks of properly drive it like you stole it.
S class was another when someone crashed into me, that was a lovely steer, I still think about getting one of those as a daily, really comfy and could shift a bit, fun on roundabouts in the wet.
Then I had a large Mercedes off road thing, like an M class/S class which was nice, like driving a ballroom around, quite chintzy which they needed back so swapped me into an XC90, which was sublime. That actually reminds me originally a company (who I won’t name) gave me a bright blue M4 (not a very nice car) weed in the glovebox, stank of smoke and the rear brakes were warped which I think was from the DTC being used by some local lads who had rented it and we’re abusing it to the point of borkery (made up experimental term, may not be appropriate)
I also had a CLS quite a few years ago and an A6 allroad.
Porsche recently gave me a Q5 for the day which I wasn’t overly enamoured with.
People seem to crash into me quite a lot but I don’t mind because you get something quite nice to boat around in.
Had a couple of odd ones from Porsche specialists.
911 (964) was given a very old Toyota Corolla
Boxster S (987) was given a Skoda Citigo
Both were OK cars, just a bit different to what I turned up in.
The absolute worst was from a Vauxhall dealer when my company Vectra failed its first MOT and needed a new fuel tank. A 10 year old Astra that was totally worn out, and didn't have enough room for all my work kit. Worst 300 miles I've ever driven in a day.
911 (964) was given a very old Toyota Corolla
Boxster S (987) was given a Skoda Citigo
Both were OK cars, just a bit different to what I turned up in.
The absolute worst was from a Vauxhall dealer when my company Vectra failed its first MOT and needed a new fuel tank. A 10 year old Astra that was totally worn out, and didn't have enough room for all my work kit. Worst 300 miles I've ever driven in a day.
Lord Pork said:
100's years ago one of my customers had a AM DB5, Testarossa, M3 and a mid sized Merc' and a Fireblade for fun.
Driving down his local high street one Saturday morning an old boy pulls out from a T junction and he T bones him. He's in the Merc, old boys in a Trotters 3 wheeler. Totally old boys fault.
Old boy gets out of car and starts mouthing off about what's happened to his car, now 50 yards up the street as it pinged off the front of the Merc.
The old boy was either brave or stupid, my customer used to work out quite a bit and was a big, intimidating kinda guy.
On the Monday the bell rings and his insurance company have a car for him while the Merc goes in for the front to be straightened. Opening the front door is a spotty youth bravely handing over the keys to a Fiat Cinquento.....he went ballistic: " Hang on, if you think I'm having that with all the cars I've got insured with you your mistaken....
an hour later a 350SL rolls up
2 weeks later when the job was done, he takes the SL back and having liked it so much, buys one brand new.
Now, why don't all insurance supply companies think like that?
I have a very similar story from 20 years ago when I worked for a car rental company. We specialised in corporate fleets and accident repair rentals. One day I got a booking for a guy who’d had a non-fault in his DB7. The insurance company arranged a Corsa-sized replacement. I got to work and located an S Class for him, which he had for quite a few weeks (decent commission for that one!). When I went to pick it up he said he’d been so happy with it that he’d just ordered a new one.Driving down his local high street one Saturday morning an old boy pulls out from a T junction and he T bones him. He's in the Merc, old boys in a Trotters 3 wheeler. Totally old boys fault.
Old boy gets out of car and starts mouthing off about what's happened to his car, now 50 yards up the street as it pinged off the front of the Merc.
The old boy was either brave or stupid, my customer used to work out quite a bit and was a big, intimidating kinda guy.
On the Monday the bell rings and his insurance company have a car for him while the Merc goes in for the front to be straightened. Opening the front door is a spotty youth bravely handing over the keys to a Fiat Cinquento.....he went ballistic: " Hang on, if you think I'm having that with all the cars I've got insured with you your mistaken....
an hour later a 350SL rolls up
2 weeks later when the job was done, he takes the SL back and having liked it so much, buys one brand new.
Now, why don't all insurance supply companies think like that?
A Volvo main dealer nearby used to mainly have XC40 automatics as their loan cars, which was fine...
Except for some reason they also had a manual Vauxhall Corsa on their loan fleer - no idea why, there were usually customers shouting with the service staff when given it after bringing in their £60-80k 5-7 seater Volvo for an expensive £500+ service.
Except for some reason they also had a manual Vauxhall Corsa on their loan fleer - no idea why, there were usually customers shouting with the service staff when given it after bringing in their £60-80k 5-7 seater Volvo for an expensive £500+ service.
When I bought new cars, the courtesy car was usually a base Nova or Corsa, (we owned a bunch of Vauxhalls).
When my wife's 2001 Beetle started to act up, (and the dealer go stupid), we had a succession of blue, 4 door Polos.
Our local TVR independent, (closed now), gave me a leggy SWB Shogan automatic. i was astonished how much petrol it could burn while barely moving.
My usual agricultural dealer lent me the spare mechanics van while my LR110CSW was completed; a non-turbo Ford diesel van. Some torque, very little real power, so took ages to get to 60mph. As i was in it for a few weeks, I emptied the front of all the food wrappers, discarded newspapers and cups; I'd swear it was a bit faster afterwards.
When my wife's 2001 Beetle started to act up, (and the dealer go stupid), we had a succession of blue, 4 door Polos.
Our local TVR independent, (closed now), gave me a leggy SWB Shogan automatic. i was astonished how much petrol it could burn while barely moving.
My usual agricultural dealer lent me the spare mechanics van while my LR110CSW was completed; a non-turbo Ford diesel van. Some torque, very little real power, so took ages to get to 60mph. As i was in it for a few weeks, I emptied the front of all the food wrappers, discarded newspapers and cups; I'd swear it was a bit faster afterwards.
I’ve had a few weird courtesy cars in my time.
When I used to go to Audi, I got given an Audi A1 40 TFSi which has about 200bhp and was pretty fun especially with the DSG and it being lightweight. (Also got given a week old Q2 with 200 miles on the clock and an A3 - fairly run of the mill stuff).
With BMW, they’ve given me an X3 before which was very well specced but felt huge (considering I’d only dropped in a 1 series).
I also had the joy of having a Mini Cooper S which I enjoyed a lot and think that it could be my next car if I had to replace my current car.
When I used to go to Audi, I got given an Audi A1 40 TFSi which has about 200bhp and was pretty fun especially with the DSG and it being lightweight. (Also got given a week old Q2 with 200 miles on the clock and an A3 - fairly run of the mill stuff).
With BMW, they’ve given me an X3 before which was very well specced but felt huge (considering I’d only dropped in a 1 series).
I also had the joy of having a Mini Cooper S which I enjoyed a lot and think that it could be my next car if I had to replace my current car.
Whataguy said:
A Volvo main dealer nearby used to mainly have XC40 automatics as their loan cars, which was fine...
Except for some reason they also had a manual Vauxhall Corsa on their loan fleer - no idea why, there were usually customers shouting with the service staff when given it after bringing in their £60-80k 5-7 seater Volvo for an expensive £500+ service.
One of my mates is a parts man at a Volvo dealer. They have 3 Toyota Aygos courtesy cars (not a bad car!) and he recalls vividly a middle aged woman having a rant about being offered one whilst her XC90 was in for work. It got to the stage she was going to take business elsewhere (seriously) and she ended up leaving in a demonstrator XC60. Don’t know what the moral of that story is…kick up a fuss and they’ll bump you up the ladder…or tell you to do one.Except for some reason they also had a manual Vauxhall Corsa on their loan fleer - no idea why, there were usually customers shouting with the service staff when given it after bringing in their £60-80k 5-7 seater Volvo for an expensive £500+ service.
Whataguy said:
A Volvo main dealer nearby used to mainly have XC40 automatics as their loan cars, which was fine...
Except for some reason they also had a manual Vauxhall Corsa on their loan fleer - no idea why, there were usually customers shouting with the service staff when given it after bringing in their £60-80k 5-7 seater Volvo for an expensive £500+ service.
People are such aExcept for some reason they also had a manual Vauxhall Corsa on their loan fleer - no idea why, there were usually customers shouting with the service staff when given it after bringing in their £60-80k 5-7 seater Volvo for an expensive £500+ service.
holes; any car's better than no car, just put up with what you're given. I've had some oddities over the years: a Toyota Carina, a Peugeot 206 and a BMW estate with leather seats and a not very good engine. I was slightly disappointed to get the BMW estate as the garage also had a Suzuki mini Jeep think I fancied a go in but no, the BMW it was...Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff