Conference terri::cars_uk

    I applied for this 24 hr test drive via talkback on the escort/orion
    range.
    
    It did not cover the higher spec models ie xr3i/cabrio etc.
    
    As i was only interested in the sportier models I didn't persue it.
    
    It sounds like a good idea. I've found the best way to get test drives
    is talk to showroom that have a fleet dept. For a longer test find
    someone with a car on the lease scheme that doesn't mind swapping for a
    day.
    
    - Roy
    
    p.s. I must say i'm amazed at the lack of interest shown by dealers in
    selling cars. They never call back if you leave a message. Also when
    talking to them it becomes clear that often you know more about the
    model you're interested in than they do. I don't want to sound as if
    i'm flying the flag but when you work in a service oriented company
    like dec, i don't think i'd last long here if i dealt with customers
    like i've been treated when trying to buy something. (i digress)
    

    Re Test Drives.
    
    You soon begin to notice the difference between the marques in terms of
    quality when you approach dealerships for information/test
    drives/servicing.  Not everyone likes BMWs, I know, but you certainly
    get *service* at one of their franchises.
    

    
    Interesting point that,
    
    Often the final thing which sways you to one car or another is 
    the interest which the dealer and other people involved with the 
    car exhibit towards you.
    
    At motorfair the year before I bought the Renault the bimbo (she
    obviously knew NOTHING about the cars) employed to pretify the
    Peugeot stand was disinterested to the point of distraction in answering
    questions about the cars. On the other hand, the woman on the
    Renault stand was knowledgable, helpfull and courteous. Until
    then I hadn't really seriously thought about a Renault, but I'm
    glad I did.
    
    The Fiat dealer from which we bought my wife's Uno was also very
    helpful and more than happy to let us drive around in one of his
    cars without him for as long as we liked (well for an hour or so
    anyway).
    
    Mark

    As a little aside, my Mum recently traded in her Old style MR2 for a
    Brand new Escort RS Turbo at Anchor Ford rather than buy a new MR2.
    
    The service at Anchor Ford was excellent and they offered her an 
    vary good trade-in price. 
    
    They even gave her a big bunch of flowers with her new car...
    and apologised because the flowers had been in the car for a 
    few hours as they did not know when she would pick up the car! 
    
    This is apparently standard practice whenever a Woman buys a 
    new car there!
    
    Cheers,
    
    James

    
>>    They even gave her a big bunch of flowers with her new car...
    and apologised because the flowers had been in the car for a 
    few hours as they did not know when she would pick up the car! 
    
    This is apparently standard practice whenever a Woman buys a 
>>    new car there!
    
    
    They used to do that at Penta - but I found that the 'pretty coloured
    car and matching flowers will keep her happy' patronising attitude that 
    went with them was awful.   (I wasn't buying the car - I was with a
    friend, and had it been up to me, I'd have gone somewhere else)
    

re.4:

Great Western Motors also give bunches of flowers, and what a waste of 
money. I'd far rather they had spent the money on making sure the car was in 
a fit state to deliver.

Dave.

    
    David Mattia's do this for EVERYONE (not just women, can't call them 
    sexist). I was quite pleased, the car was fine and the flower's looked
    nice around the house for a few days too!
    
    Mark

    back to base topic, about 3 months back I too tried to test the Sierra
    turbo Diesel. I rang all the local dealers, no chance. I range the test
    drive central number, they said they'd get me one.
    
    Six weeks later they rang back to say they were still trying, but not
    many dealers carried it and so it was difficult. Another six weeks
    later they rang back saying the same again.
    
    I told them not to bother as I'd already palced an order for a car, and
    it wasn't a ford!.
    
    In my opinion, unless it's a bog standard L or GL, then don't bother!
    
    Richard

    I had a 24 drive in an Escort 1.8D from Anchor and it went OK except
    they asked if they could pull the test forward a day or so as they were
    closing down their car hire service. This is the nub : I think Ford just 
    "sponsor" the hire service to let a car go for 24hours. It has nothing
    AT ALL to do with the sales dept. and, of course, the interest varies
    considerably from place to place.
    
    Frankly, I agree with many of the previous comments that bad dealers
    and service agents can put one off a marque for life or turn you
    irretrievably on and it has little to do with the car. Years ago I
    discovered that the "art" of selling new cars is the discount you give
    (either in pressies, cash returned or trade-in price).
    
    Colin

    I asked for a test drive in a Sierra XR4i through the Talkback scheme.
    I phoned them in June (early June). They said they were not running
    XR4i's yet. (This is the 2 litre version). They said they would call me
    in a week or so.........
    
    One month later I called them. "Ah yes sir, I remember now... We have a
    sierra for you 'AN XR4i'"
    
    Brilliant !!! When can I try it.. "August 6th 1990".
    
    Luckily I was going on holiday for a month and this seemed O.K.
    
    The car was deliverd to my home address on the Friday, on the back of a
    car transporter. 
    
    The model they delivered was a 2.0 XR 4x4. "Very Close, very close.!"
    I did not bother to phone and complain because I had eventually
    received it for .....THE WHOLE WEEKEND..
    
    I did 280 miles in it. Quite impressed. 
    They collected it from the office. The guy offered me a test drive in
    the new Fiesta Turbo.
    
    I went and ordered a Peugeot......
    
    Andy

>    They used to do that at Penta - but I found that the 'pretty coloured
>    car and matching flowers will keep her happy' patronising attitude that 
>    went with them was awful.   (I wasn't buying the car - I was with a
>    friend, and had it been up to me, I'd have gone somewhere else)
 

	I've bought two cars from Penta, one 3.5 years ago, and one 6 months
	ago - they never gave me flowers   

	Sob


	Heather

    RE. .6 Pity, it *could* be a nice gesture to give flowers! Not just a
    'fob-you-off' gimick or whatever.
    
    RE. .7 Dave, Surely flowers _and_ the car prepared properly for
    delivery to the customer would be the ideal solution? (which is what
    Anchor Ford did in this case).
    
    I too agree that it seems a bit strange just to give flowers to new
    female car buyers. Unfortunately, I don't know if they give anything 
    to male buyers, so they might do the same with them.
    
    James

    I was sent the details, but I never got around to taking them up
    on it because I didn't have time.  I don't have a lease car any
    more, so I won't bother asking them again.
    
    Ian.

    
    CITROEN UK DID THE BEST OFFER YET - THEY OFFERED ANY CAR THAT YOU MIGHT
    WANT AND DELIVERED IT AND LEFT IT FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK NO OPTION TO BUY
    OR ANY SALESMAN TALK/****.
    
    IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE CAR YOU ASKED FOR THEY GAVE YOU A SIMILAR MODEL
    AND THEN GAVE YOU THE ONE YOU ASKED FOR FOR A WEEK AS WELL - TWO FOR
    THE PRICE OF ONE.
    
    LET ME KNOW IF ANYONE THINKS THIS IS GOOD???
    
    REGARDS
    
    SUE PHILLIPS (EIS)