Extended Test Drive (UK)

[PeteH]

Hi all - first post here - so ... hello !

I'm considering changing our 2012 Skoda Yeti for an Outlander PHEV (probably a GX4h from the research I've done so far) We mainly drive in town - 10 mile school run twice a day, plus a few 20 mile round-trips (my wife is a physio working in the community). We also do several longer trips a year - mainly camping holidays with a trailer tent. We have off-street parking with an easily accessible socket - so a PHEV seems the ideal choice for us. But ideally I would like to try one out to see how the reality matches up to the marketing.

Before I registered on the forum, I did a fair bit of reading and saw a couple of people mentioned extended test drives of 2-3 days (or even a whole week in some cases) But having just contacted our closest Mitsubishi dealer (Brighton) they knocked me back straight away. "Not enough cars sir" I will try the next closest dealer (Gatwick) but suspect it may be the same answer.

So, anyone who has had an extended test drive - can I ask if you went through a specific dealer or was it arranged directly with Mitsubishi UK ?

Many thanks

Pete

 

[SolarBoy]

I had a +3 day test drive, mine is a company car. The vehicle came direct from Mitsubishi HQ not a dealer.

 

[vickers7893]

Had a 3 day test from my dealer this time last year which confirmed its performance (Dealer is Chandlers of Grantham)
Excellent service, we acquired a 3+ last February.
I suspect that UK stock has run down waiting for 2017 spec.
Big John

 

[PeteH]

Was just reading about MY17 ... any idea when deliveries start ?

 

[PeteH]

Was just reading about MY17 ... any idea when deliveries start ?

Just to follow up on my question - from a conversation with a dealer - MY17 deliveries are expected to start late November, but there's still no official details on spec changes they are expecting a £1.5K price increase

 

[endsofinvention]

But having just contacted our closest Mitsubishi dealer (Brighton) they knocked me back straight away. "Not enough cars sir"

I had pretty bad customer service from the Brighton branch. They implied they would charge me more for maintenance/repairs if I bought my Outlander elsewhere, and when I declined to buy saying I had a cheaper quote elsewhere, the guy sent me a shirty email saying I was "rude" and "frustrating" because I'd wasted their time doing a test drive when I didn't intend to buy from them (I would have bought there if they'd matched the lower price), and winged that I was buying from a large franchise that could afford cheaper prices. As a consumer, as far as I'm concerned a Mitsubishi dealer is a Mitsubishi dealer, I just want the best price I can get. I don't get Tesco Express staff complaining I'm going to a big Tesco because milk is cheaper.
(Sorry, that was somewhat off topic :roll: )

 

[Hypermiler]

Hi. How often do you do the 20 mile round trips and with what gaps between. Need to think about the charging time - you would presumably look to get. A 16 amp charger... Great car for camping with a trailer (as we do) - can charge at campsite. You should just about manage a 20 mile round trip on battery in winter if you preheat/use seat heating.
Cheers
H

 

[PeteH]

I had pretty bad customer service from the Brighton branch. They implied they would charge me more for maintenance/repairs if I bought my Outlander elsewhere, and when I declined to buy saying I had a cheaper quote elsewhere, the guy sent me a shirty email saying I was "rude" and "frustrating" because I'd wasted their time doing a test drive when I didn't intend to buy from them (I would have bought there if they'd matched the lower price), and winged that I was buying from a large franchise that could afford cheaper prices. As a consumer, as far as I'm concerned a Mitsubishi dealer is a Mitsubishi dealer, I just want the best price I can get. I don't get Tesco Express staff complaining I'm going to a big Tesco because milk is cheaper.
(Sorry, that was somewhat off topic :roll: )

Thanks - yes I only had a brief telephone chat with them - but they did not seem overly interested in my business.

 

[PeteH]

Hi. How often do you do the 20 mile round trips and with what gaps between. Need to think about the charging time - you would presumably look to get. A 16 amp charger... Great car for camping with a trailer (as we do) - can charge at campsite. You should just about manage a 20 mile round trip on battery in winter if you preheat/use seat heating.
Cheers
H

It's my wife who does those trips - a couple of times a week. It's usually to patient's houses for 1 hour before coming home - so no chance of charging on those trips unfortunately.

The school run would bring the biggest savings. Tempted to hold out for a 2017 model if it will have the capability to force electric mode for those trips. We already have a 13amp socket in the car port - so would start with that initially for overnight charging

 

[simonrh]

I had one for 3 or 4 days from mitsubishi Central as mine is a company car

 

[Mitssupplier]

If your a fleet customer with a large enough fleet or opportunity a demo car can be arranged. If your a private buyer your in the hands of your local dealers. Most dealerships are franchised independent business's so I can understand their side. If people go into a dealership for a test drive and state the vehicle will be supplied elsewhere it probably wont go down well - at least give them a chance for the business if they cant compete at least you gave them the opportunity.

 

[AC2]

But having just contacted our closest Mitsubishi dealer (Brighton) they knocked me back straight away. "Not enough cars sir"

I had pretty bad customer service from the Brighton branch. They implied they would charge me more for maintenance/repairs if I bought my Outlander elsewhere, and when I declined to buy saying I had a cheaper quote elsewhere, the guy sent me a shirty email saying I was "rude" and "frustrating" because I'd wasted their time doing a test drive when I didn't intend to buy from them (I would have bought there if they'd matched the lower price), and winged that I was buying from a large franchise that could afford cheaper prices. As a consumer, as far as I'm concerned a Mitsubishi dealer is a Mitsubishi dealer, I just want the best price I can get. I don't get Tesco Express staff complaining I'm going to a big Tesco because milk is cheaper.
(Sorry, that was somewhat off topic :roll: )

I feel I must put in a good word for the Brighton branch!
I booked a test drive and the salesman was very helpful and informative. They offered the same trade in as my local toyota dealer on my rav4 and also offered to include the 3 year service package on one of their cars. Since taking the test drive I have been distracted with some health issues but would have no reservations about going back to Brighton once they are resolved.

 

[Kesto]

In the early days of outlander the dealers were ok with 2-3 days trail. But now with being well established there could reluctance from dealers. I borrowed it for a day in early 2016 and again on a separate day. They were happy with it. As far I am concerned you dont need for more than a day . Lots information on this site and no more free charging on EH

 

[Lance]

I got an extended test drive last month from my dealer in Colchester. I had the usual 5 minute test drive and once they had worked out I was serious I asked for an extended test and it wasn't a problem. Booked in a few weeks ahead, I had it from 4pm on Saturday to 10am Tuesday. That gave me a day with the family in it and a day of my commute which gave me lots of opportunity to drive it without making (many) special trips.