No test drive?

[woodyhk]

I'm on the verge of trading my Mini Cooper on a Cooper S that is sitting in the showroom in Wan Chai. However, the salesman tells me, "No test drive." I've never purchased a new car here in Hk, so don't know the culture. But, I've never purchased a brand new car that's sitting in the dealer's showroom without a test drive! What's the story here in HK? I want to drive this little puppy to see if it's got the famous "stumble" or "yo-yo" affliction!
Woody

[ar75]

Insist!

[cliffywong]

I had a test drive - but that's after i placed a deposit. They should have a demo lying around. Try the Tokawan dealership.

[ERdoc]

Insist on a test drive - I was at the Mini Centre in Tokwawan a few months ago and the salesman let me take a BRG Cooper S for a test drive with a few friends. He was too busy to come with us! Yes, I did place an order and with some luck I will be picking up my MCS tomorrow :-)

I have always been offered test drives prior to signing for a new car. The only exception was when I was shopping for a BMW M3, but BMWHK did not have a demo at the time.

[woodyhk]

Thanks for the advice. I just wanted to know if local custom was against a test drive. I'll be talking with the salesman tomorrow to arrange a drive. ERdoc, what color is your new MCS? Is the Tokwawan Mini Showroom larger than the one in Causeway Bay? Maybe I should visit there, too!
Woody

PS. The MCS I'm seriously thinking of buying is Dark Silver, White Roof (with Sunroof). My current MC is Pure Silver, Black Roof...no sunroof...and CVT. Less than 9,000km.

[ERdoc]

Woody,

My MCS is a dark silver one, with black roof with sunroof. I have not been to the Mini Centre in Wan Chai but I do believe the TKW one is larger. I dealt with my BMW salesman, who also handles Mini sales. If you require a contact at TKW, please send me a private message. Good luck!

[woodyhk]

Thanks for the info. Hope your MCS is ready tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes after I contact the salesman (Derek Chung) tomorrow.
Woody

[adampoon]

Oh ! ERdoc we are driving the same color baby now. I think I should install the black Union Jack to identify from yours. Any plan for decal or mod. Anyway, I had seen a Dark Sliver and Black Roof with BBS rim Star type. Look nice.

[woodyhk]

Well, after talking with the salesman again today he tells me that his sales manager won't allow a test drive with the car I plan to purchase! I can drive a demo model, he says. How crazy is this? I've basically said, No test drive, no sale. Guess MINI dealers know that there will be someone else ready to plunk down the money if I don't buy. Sad...one small step for them to take but they won't take it (or so it seems). Makes me wonder if they know the car has a fault and that's why they won't allow the test drive. The ball is in their court...hope they return serve!!!
Woody

[adampoon]

Don't give up ! may be something wrong with that MCS, but also check careful when the offer returns. May be you should ask some MCS drivers to go along. I be there if you want to.




Adam

[ERdoc]

Adam,

I also have a Union Jack decal on order for the roof. As a Brit I should be patriotic! :-) I already got some British number plates for the car, with Union Jacks no less. The stock wheels/tyres will be ditched for some OZ Superleggeras/S-03s as soon as the car arrives (tomorrow, I hope!).

And to Woody, I think it is quite usual for the dealer to offer you a test drive in a demo car. The MCS in the showroom is new, and they would prefer it to remain new for someone to buy. Once the car is driven it will no longer be new, and they will be able to sell it as a new car. This I can fully understand and can accept. As a buyer of a new car, I certainly would not want a car that has been driven by someone else.

In the boom years the Mercedes agent would not offer any test drive, and when I inquired the availability of the C36 AMG in certain colour, I was told they would only let me know if I put down a $130k cheque! I went next door and got a BMW instead and have never looked back.

[wongakh]

No test drive for me when I made my purchase last year too! I was told no demo car and all cars in the show room were ordered and waiting for delivery. With no test drive and the long waiting period of the S, I finally bought a manual cooper. Well, I was told if you like mini, you will buy it without comparsion!

[woodyhk]

Well, perhaps there is a local standard issue here. The car that I plan to purchase is sitting on the showroom floor. It has 35KM on it. If I took a test drive it would have 40-45KM on it. What's the difference? If there is nothing wrong with the car, I'll buy it! I WANT to...but I don't understand the reasoning that prevents me from driving the car I plan to buy. I'm not some kid on a joy ride! It's an honest test drive. As I said before, perhaps this is a conflict of 'standard practice' in how new cars are sold here in HK and how I'm accustomed to being treated (in four other countries).

I really do appreciate the insights offered here on the forum...helps me understand local thinking (BTW...I'm a permanent resident who's lived here since 1982).

Woody

[woodyhk]

Well, just to put this thread to rest, I've been told by an Assistant Sales Manager from BMW/Mini Hong Kong that company policy forbids buyers from test driving a new car unless a deposit has been paid and a sales agreement has been signed. In other words, you can test drive it AFTER you've bought it. Seems very curious to me, but I guess it's the accepted practice here.
Woody

[Hubert]

I guess it really depends on the salesperson, some only knows how to stick to the "rules", and some are more flexible (better CRM imo!).

I've test driven a BRG MCS a few months ago without paying a deposit or anything. Today, I called up that salesperson and ordered a MCS!

I wish I can try the JCW one sometime