Test driving a car here in Dumaguete

Went to a car dealer here in Dumaguete to schedule a test drive of one of their latest models. Now it’s my first time to do a “test drive” and admittedly, I did harbor some expectations. Much to my surprise, the vehicle that came out of their garage for me to use was two years older than the model I was looking at. Four years older if you judge it by its appearance. Apparently, they never let anyone test drive a new model so they always give you the older, more run down version of it. Never mind that the engine was entirely different, the transmission was different, the technology in the new one is better, they’ll still give you the older model to take around. I found it really pointless. It’s hard to “get a feel” for the car you’re interested in if you drive the rickety version of it. There’s also a designated area where you’re “allowed” to take the car. No vehicular traffic, no people, hardly any signs of life really. The clincher, you’re only allowed a maximum speed of 40kph to uh, “test” it.

Disappointed, I went to another dealer only to be told practically the same thing. They’ll give you a much older car to take around, to drive around in a place that you can’t really test it in and do it all and be back in fifteen minutes. That’s how it is here. If you want to test drive the unit you want to buy, you’re going to have to go to Manila for that.

What was your experience?

 

So if you were interested in, say, a one year old car then you would get to test drive that one - thus testing a newer car than if you wanted to purchase a new one. Makes sense.

 

I have bought three NEW ones in the last ten years. Got to test drive the first two no problem. Both times an employee was a ride along but they did not tell me where to go or how long the test drive was to last. The third test drive was in a four year old same model but the test drive lasted 4 WEEKS. We had ordered the new one but it was on back order and we had already sold the seven year old one, the first one that we got from them. What really went down was they rented us the test car. Rent fee was 100 pesos to stay with in their insurance policy as a car dealer. After the car was delivered and all the paper done. The owner of the dealership gave us the 100 pesos back. One time wife locked herself out at the Valencia farmer's market. The car was out of warranty. They came all the way up here on a Sunday to unlock it for her. We think this car dealer is the best. I believe they also think we are a good customer.
I have had NO reason to go to any other dealership. As of today they have my truck in their shop, our second vehicle from them.
PS: That 4 week test drive/rental really ended up being for free. I did however return it with a full tank.

 

We bought our car from Chevrolet in Bacolod, and I believe we got to test-drive the car we intended to purchase. That was 8 years ago, though.

 

And the name of the dealer is???.

 

KIA Dumaguete

 

Talk to Sha at Hyundai Dumaguete.. she took very good care of us

 

Ford Sibulan
Isuzu Dumaguete
Honda Cebu

 

If you opt for a new Mitsubishi or Toyota, depending on the model, you can have a test drive in the latest model without any restrictions except for an employee of the dealer will accompany you while driving around. No limit on speed, area to go etc. Time you can test is however limited, forget how much. So just check it out.