Looking to Hire a Car Overnight (24hr Test Drive)

nick90 on 01/09/2020 - 22:12
Last edited 02/09/2020 - 11:32

Hi,

So my car is needing to have some repairs done and the mechanic has advised me that they will need the car overnight. However, the problem is the mechanic is near my work, which is an hours drive from my home.

I know I could rent one. However, would it be worthwhile going to a dealership and take them up on an offer for a 24hr test drive. That way I can have a car long enough for mine to be repaired and, I won't have to pay anything.

Has anyone done this before without any intention on buying the car whatsoever?

Edit: After reading some of the comments, it doesn't seem worth the hassle going for a 24hr test drive since I have to jump through so many hoops.

Automotive

Comments

  • Melb69 on 01/09/2020 - 22:17

    Wow. Ok. Assume the mechanic doesn't have loan cars. Or find a mechanic that does offer that.

    • nick90 on 01/09/2020 - 22:20
      +1

      They don't. I've been going to the same mechanic for nearly three years now. Ones I'd found a good mechanic, I stick with them

      • Melb69 on 01/09/2020 - 22:23

        Dealers most likely only loan out over night on say a Sat if a 24hr one. So return Monday morning first thing. I've always just used PT. Or use an Uber to get around. It's only overnight.

        • nick90 on 01/09/2020 - 22:33

          The only problem with using a uber, is that I will be up for a $200 ride one way. Since it's an hour drive from my place to my work. Moreover, the city where I work has limited public transport services

          • Melb69 on 01/09/2020 - 22:37

            @nick90: Surely a bus. Not even train. OmG. New suburb ay. No close partner with a car.

            • nick90 on 01/09/2020 - 22:45

              @Melb69: I'm just a single bloke sadly.

              No trains to my home town. Just a coach ones a day each way that doesn't suite my work schedule whatsoever, the last train that leave from work is 2pm in the arvo!

          • jayboi on 01/09/2020 - 22:47
            +1

            @nick90: imagine going to the Lamborghini dealership and asking for a brand new Lamborghini Aventador SVJ for 24 hours

            • nick90 on 01/09/2020 - 22:49

              @jayboi: An Aventador would be sweet :D Pity my nearest Lamborghini is in stage 4 lockdown at this present time hahah

              • jayboi on 01/09/2020 - 22:51

                @nick90: An Aventador would be sweet until something goes wrong and the repair bill is more than your whole house

  • [Deactivated] on 01/09/2020 - 22:19

    You broke bad this time 🤣🤦‍♂️

    • nick90 on 01/09/2020 - 22:24

      Hahah what can I say, car repairs are expensive.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/09/2020 - 22:33

    It sounds amazing in theory.

    It's a bit of an (profanity) move but like… it's a car dealership. Not too much sympathy out there I'd say.

    Only question is what will you test?!

    • nick90 on 01/09/2020 - 22:37

      Normally I don't like wasting people time…however since were talking about a car dealership…

      I'm honestly up for anything. Maybe a small SUV like a ASX. I doubt the dealership would let me test a Mustang for 24hrs.

      • Melb69 on 01/09/2020 - 22:43

        Just go the Ford, as long as your not on Ps.

  • Melb69 on 01/09/2020 - 22:34
    +5

    Be aware also if by chance something happens to that car, the excess will cost you alot more than the free test.

  • kahn on 01/09/2020 - 22:35
    +1

    Is public transport a possibility?

    • nick90 on 01/09/2020 - 22:35

      Very limited in the city that I work

      • JimmyF on 01/09/2020 - 23:11

        but is it a option for one round trip?

        • nick90 on 02/09/2020 - 11:01

          I have to modify my work schedule and do some work at home.

          However, it is a possibility as a last resort.

  • jayboi on 01/09/2020 - 22:36

    Maybe just ring up a dealer near your mechanic and ask if you can do a long test drive of their cheapest car on offer (research beforehand). don't go asking for the most luxurious/expensive car. Just say you want to try out practicality and see how it will fair for 1 day before "purchasing it" and act interested in the car.

    • Melb69 on 01/09/2020 - 22:39

      At a guess I think OP will need to try alot of dealers to give him one for that long during the week, unless on a Sat arvo for Sunday to test and then return.

      • jayboi on 01/09/2020 - 22:41

        OP should ask their mechanic if they could fix their car on Saturday

    • nick90 on 01/09/2020 - 22:53

      Funny you should say that. Last year I wanted to get a bit of confidence in driving a manual car. However, hiring a manual car is almost impossible. So what I did was go around to several used cars dealers and just pick out the first car I saw in a manual, make up some bs story and test drive it. Got my skills up really quick :D And I agree don't go for the most expensive, fastest, toughest car on the lot.

      • Daabido on 06/08/2023 - 19:07

        "What is that smell being emitted by the car that you are trying to sell me?"
        "That would be the burning clutch, sir."
        "Very good."

        • kerfuffle on 06/08/2023 - 19:08

          Necro much? This thread is three years old.

          • Daabido on 06/08/2023 - 19:14

            @kerfuffle: I just realised that! Yeah, I'm not sure how I came across it actually. It must have been in my sidebar. I didn't go looking for it.

        • nick90 on 06/08/2023 - 19:19
          +1

          Hahah, it got my skills up very quickly :D. The first few time I actually had the saleperson come with me in the car.

          I thought it was a good idea to hire a car overnight by going for 24 hours test drive. While in my mind it was a good idea, the idea was very controversial…even though we were dealing with car salesman.

  • PissLUR on 01/09/2020 - 22:48
    +8

    Stay at the office for the night. Or somewhere nearby.

    • nick90 on 01/09/2020 - 23:00

      I think everyone worried about me going mad in the office as it is since we've been busy as hell because of COVID. My work does have a fleet of vehicle. However, i doubt I can have one overnight due to fringe benefit and whatnot.

      • Euphemistic on 02/09/2020 - 07:11

        You could ask.

        • nick90 on 02/09/2020 - 18:49

          Already have, they say they're looking into it.

  • xuqi on 01/09/2020 - 22:53
    +8

    OP's next post:

    "I tired to game the system and paid a $2000 accident excess".

    • nick90 on 01/09/2020 - 22:58

      I can always pay for car rental insurance (such as Tripcover) to cover me in an accident

      • ol mate on 02/09/2020 - 08:23

        Don't think they'd cover a loan car from a dealer.

        FWIW, $2k for a dealer loan car is cheaper than the $4,800 from a rental place…

  • theHMASfriendship on 01/09/2020 - 22:56
    +1

    Rental cars are cheap at the moment

  • JimmyF on 01/09/2020 - 23:15
    +8

    I know I could rent one. However, would it be worthwhile going to a dealership and take them up on an offer for a 24hr test drive

    If you want a overnight test drive, you have to do the dance with the dealer.

    Its not as simple as rock up, ask if you can have a car for the night, drive away. Drop it back and say yeah didn't like it, walk away.

    You'll have to do the dance of buying a car and then after dancing, you can get the extended test drive 'to seal the deal' and then when you return it, do another dance with the salesman on why you don't want it etc.

    You're going to spend hours to get a 'free' car overnight.

    Honestly just hire a car overnight if you can't get a friend to pick you up, take a uber or use PT, even if its a 'pain' its from one return trip.

    • spackbace on 02/09/2020 - 01:56
      +6

      This

      Not to mention you'll be walking in, which will be suss enough as it is

      "oh my car is just down the street"
      "no worries just park it up in here overnight so it's secure"
      "oh erm um"

      • nick90 on 02/09/2020 - 11:18

        Yeah good point. For some reason it was one of those idea that sounds good in theory but doesn't work exactly as you thought in the real world.

        Might look at alternative methods.

      • Daabido on 06/08/2023 - 19:12
        -2

        "Oh my car is just down the street."

        "No worries, just park it up in here overnight so it's secure."
        … so we can 'lose' the keys

        "Oh erm um"
        …. damn. Hoisted by my own petard.

        "Have you seen my dance?"
        … parades like a peacock - bares buttocks like a monkey if necessary.

        • spackbace on 06/08/2023 - 19:17
          +2

          3yo threadmine for that?

    • nick90 on 02/09/2020 - 08:40

      Hmm I think you right. What sound like a good idea in theory doesn't really execute well in real life. Just thought it was worth a shot and have a bit of fun. It not the money for the rental that I'm worried about, it just well if I can get one for free than why not.

  • thatonethere on 01/09/2020 - 23:17

    Those loaner cars from dealers can have pricey insurance on them.

    Guy at work got a loaner Jeep waiting for his. Wife backed into a car in a car park. $2500 excess.

  • Simoneee on 01/09/2020 - 23:53

    Borrow from family or mates?

  • crentist on 02/09/2020 - 02:54
    +1

    have a sleepover at a friends place
    or the mechanics

    • Euphemistic on 02/09/2020 - 07:12
      +7

      Or even a cheap motel for the night.

      Or there’s this app that lets you stay over with new friends. Called Grinder or something.

      • nick90 on 02/09/2020 - 08:35

        Yeah….na

  • Nutrino on 02/09/2020 - 05:51

    Sounds like a great idea… Let us know how it goes.

  • lovepub on 02/09/2020 - 07:49

    Ride a bike, just 1 day. Treat it as weight loss project.

  • Euphemistic on 02/09/2020 - 09:03

    What repairs require overnight? Mechanics has probably just organised an overnight loan of your car to someone else!

    Could you drop off first thing, earlier start and pick up last thing, late?

    • nick90 on 02/09/2020 - 09:20

      Timing cover gasket (My car is a BA Falcon). However, I notice the rear main seal and sump gasket are weeping as well.

      If it the timing cover than it will only be for the day. However, I would just get everything done at ones.

      • jayboi on 02/09/2020 - 09:26

        Why don't you just ring your dealer and ask now? doesn't hurt to ask for the car. and say they can take a pic of your license etc. let us know how it goes

  • OzHunterNSW on 02/09/2020 - 09:53
    +3

    Stop scamming …. just take the taxi.

    • nick90 on 02/09/2020 - 10:07
      -4

      How is this a scam? Who is exactly the victim here?

      • spackbace on 02/09/2020 - 10:10
        +6

        You have to fake interest in buying a car, hence scamming the dealer.

        Put it this way, what do you think they'd say if you just went "hey, I need use of a car overnight, can I borrow one of yours?"

        • nick90 on 02/09/2020 - 10:22
          -7

          Yeah because car dealers don't scam their customer at all. Not to mention the mark up on services, parts, etc that they put in place. Or alternatively, the dealer denying responsibility when there is a fault in your car.

          • spackbace on 02/09/2020 - 11:47
            +1

            @nick90: Ok so they run a business.. What next, you'll just expect to drive your mechanic's personal car, because he makes a profit on your service?

            Pull your head in.

            • nick90 on 02/09/2020 - 12:07
              -2

              @spackbace: Not at all. I understand that this is a business and they are there to make a profit. However, there is making a profit and then taking advantage of customers. Many car dealers love to take advantage of their customers, it just the nature of the business.

              Furthermore, if they don't want people wasting their time, why offer the service of 24 hr test drive in the first place??? The dealers can't assume that everyone is test driving a car is going to buy it.

              • spackbace on 02/09/2020 - 12:13

                @nick90:

                The dealers can't assume that everyone is test driving a car is going to buy it.

                Yes, yes they can. It's not there for joyrides and it's the reason why dealers won't let you just take it overnight without having a 30min+ discussion with you about the vehicle.

                What else do you want for free? As I said, why not ask the mechanic to loan you his car overnight since you feel so entitled?

                • nick90 on 02/09/2020 - 12:47

                  @spackbace: Is that right?

                  What happen if I was actually looking for another car in the next year or so? Maybe you should of thought about that before being butthurt about my suggestion.

                  • spackbace on 02/09/2020 - 13:02

                    @nick90:

                    I'm honestly up for anything.

                    Don't lie. Don't even try to go to random scenarios in an attempt to save face. The proof is there. You're not a serious buyer and just purely wanting to borrow a car for your own selfish reasons, and to waste their time.

  • specks on 02/09/2020 - 10:23
    +1

    Car next door is similar to airbnb but with cars

    • nick90 on 02/09/2020 - 10:48

      Hmm didn't think of that…good idea!

  • branx on 02/09/2020 - 11:21

    The Dealership will require your licence and in some cases a credit card hold for the insurance excess, they don’t just let you take the car and return after 24hrs. In some cases excess can be $1000-2000

  • branx on 02/09/2020 - 11:58

    The Dealership will require your licence and in some cases a credit card hold for the insurance excess, they don’t just let you take the car and return after 24hrs. In some cases excess can be $1000-2000

    • nick90 on 02/09/2020 - 18:45

      Yeah figure that. Some idea might sound great in theory but doesn't execute well in real life. Hahah

  • anthony t on 02/09/2020 - 12:11

    car next door has enough hoops you have to jump through to make it a huge time investment. Even signing up before you can get a car takes a lot of time and fussing about. Most of the non-major car hire companies are the same. If you haven't, offer the repairer say $100 to lend you a car for the night. Half the taxi/uber price, and a good deal for them. Personally, I'd stay at the office and spend the same $100 on a very good dinner assuming you have keys (and maybe can use a shower in the building).

    • nick90 on 02/09/2020 - 18:47

      I certainly do. There is a nice hotel across the hotel from my work :D and I can Salary Sacrifice as well :D

      However, due to stage three restrictions, all restaurants are currently doing takeout at my neck of the woods (Regional Victoria)

  • TheBilly on 02/09/2020 - 18:31

    I own a ute… Service day is the day I take my bicycle and ride from the service centre to and from my end destination. I just chuck the bicycle in the back and go from there. Its free too and I dont have to hassle with public transport. My mechanic is out of the way hence why I implemented this idea.

    • nick90 on 02/09/2020 - 19:01

      I can always loose a couple of kg. However, from my mechanic to my place is 87km away. And most of that riding would need to be done on a rural highway :(

      • TheBilly on 02/09/2020 - 20:40

        No problem, take regular breaks and pace yourself. 80km is a weekend early morning spin. Highway is better because you maintain your speed.

        • Euphemistic on 02/09/2020 - 21:40

          3-4hrs home, then 3-4hrs back to work the next morning?

  • SnoozeAndLose on 02/09/2020 - 20:44

    Can you rent an Airbnb near your office for the night?

    Motel or hotel? I think it will be easier and won't cost you arm and leg.

    Or hire a GoGet? I think 1 day is around $80

  • YeemaiI on 03/09/2020 - 08:59

    Got any friends/relatives that have a spare car?

    • nick90 on 03/09/2020 - 13:49

      I can always ask around. My work might be able to offer me one for the night.

  • billy72 on 06/08/2023 - 22:57
    1. I think Ubercarshare offers $200 as credit for new users, which is enough for you to hire a car for at least 3 days on their platform.
    2. If you take a 24-hour test drive, make sure you read carefully the T&C, especially the insurance part, you never know what can happen in 24 hours.
    3. When it comes to estimated times, never trust mechanics. It may take 2 or 3 days.
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