Why Finland is Fantastic – Reason#2,733: The test drive
If you want to purchase a new car in the states, you visit the dealership and some greasy sales guy will sit shotgun while you ride it around the block for 20 minutes. If you look like you have $$ and you’re thinking of buying a car you probably can’t afford, they may let you take it home for the night or even a weekend, but that’s rare.
In Finland on the other hand, you get the car for the whole evening and return it the next day, about a full 24 hours. It’s great. No need to rent a car for a night, just plan a few days in advance and get one for free, don’t even need to fill it back up with gas. (however, I’ve heard that some dealerships in Finland aren’t doing this over night thing anymore, but it’s rare – but becoming more popular?). How is this done in other countries?
Unlike most men, I don’t care about automobiles, I don’t drool over car magazines or fancy sports cars I pass on the road – I just need something small and reliable, with a nice sound system. When I win the lotto however, here’s what I’ll buy…
Chrysler Crossfire, starting at about 30K (U.S.)
Are there any car dealers at the airport?
Wonder if they’d allow a ‘one way test drive?’
Comment by Uncle Ted — Sun, Sep 18th, 2005 @ 9:29 pm
What, that’s the first time ever I hear anybody say it’s easy to get a test drive in Finland. Unless you look like you’re absolutely loaded.
Comment by Toveri — Sun, Sep 18th, 2005 @ 11:19 pm
What, that’s the first time ever I hear anybody say it’s easy to get a test drive in Finland. Unless you look like you’re absolutely loaded.
Really? It’s difficult?
Comment by Phil — Sun, Sep 18th, 2005 @ 11:57 pm
In the UK, you can test drive a Opal (Vauxhall) VX220 for THREE days.
Talking about the lotto, why is Finland not a participating country in EuroMillions, Europe’s version of Powerball? Perhaps the Eduskunta don’t like the idea of someone getting 113 million euros all at once, with taxing it.
Comment by Philip — Mon, Sep 19th, 2005 @ 12:25 am
They have a monopoly over gambling here, so Finns are not allowed to gamble abroad. Well, in the days of the internet this is not exactly true, but foreign betting may not be physically done in Finland (nor advertised etc.) so Finns do not know EuroMillions exist. And the Eduskunta would probably tax the poor bastard that won 60% anyways.
Comment by Hank W. — Mon, Sep 19th, 2005 @ 7:57 am
Phil, wasn’t your car the pimp mobile? When you bought it, it had titty speedo dials and neons lights for the interior?
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Dave
Comment by Dave — Mon, Sep 19th, 2005 @ 10:50 am
#
Phil, wasn’t your car the pimp mobile? When you bought it, it had titty speedo dials and neons lights for the interior?
Yeahhh….they’re gone now.
Comment by Phil — Mon, Sep 19th, 2005 @ 11:32 am
Was it your choice or Anja’s? Better question yet! would the lotto win car be your choice or Anja’s.
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Dave
Comment by Dave — Mon, Sep 19th, 2005 @ 11:36 am
“What, that’s the first time ever I hear anybody say it’s easy to get a test drive in Finland. Unless you look like you’re absolutely loaded.”
Last time I test drived a car, seller did not even ask my ID or drivers licence. But from my own experience, there is usually maybe 10 l gas in tank so test drives can’t be so long.
Comment by Syltty — Mon, Sep 19th, 2005 @ 11:45 am
Was it your choice or Anja’s? Better question yet! would the lotto win car be your choice or Anja’s.
Well, they were kinda lame. Doesn’t give off the right impression to passengers in my car.
Comment by Phil — Mon, Sep 19th, 2005 @ 3:26 pm