Getting a proper test drive

[Stevesh]

My wife and I went to a Mini dealer in Manchester today. I asked about booking a test drive in a week or two when the kids weren't with us, maybe having the car for an hour or so.

"Oh no sir", said the salesboy, "Our insurance won't allow that. You can drive in a loop around the local industrial park, on the motorway and then back to the dealer."

Now, I'm not going to hand over £10-12K on a car that I've only ever driven for 5 mins.

Does anyone in the NW know a more accommodating dealer?

Steve

[esuuv]

I've no direct experience at all - but on one of the MINI forums the dealer in Blackpool gets a good write up, people travel specifically to buy cars and does discounts on parts to members etc - so might be worth a try?

My experience with MINI dealers is very varied, from them barely letting me touch a used 10k car at one dealer, to basically insisting I went and drove their works demo at another, just like any customer service, some of its good and some of its bad.

[Stevesh]

Thanks. Looks like a trip to the Pleasure Beach is on the cards!

Steve

[gonzales]

Steve

Derek Woodman mini in Blackpool is a good place to start. Nice guys to do business with and their after sales service is good too.

I got a really good test drive from Halliwell Jones in Warrington when I bought my MCS. We were out for a few hours of various types of roads.