Extended Test Drive? Possible?

[davahad]

Has anyone convinced a dealer to test drive an Equus (ie., service loaner) for a day or two?

I have done this with an Audi A8 as well as a Lexus LS. However, my local Hyundai dealer (Capitol Hyundai - San Jose) said many others had asked but they would not do it. They do have a service loaner available so that's not the problem so just wondering if any others here have been successful?

The main reason for doing this is just to get a good feel for how this drives for my everyday commute (40 miles). I'm also concerned about the seats as some have posted that they are painful to sit it in for a long distance and this is very important to me. I did do a short test drive and overall I like the car alot but not going to buy without being able to do an extended test drive.

Appreciate any help.

 

[Mark_888]

I'm also concerned about the seats as some have posted that they are painful to sit it in for a long distance..

Do you have a link for this?

 

[davahad]

Do you have a link for this?

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/08/2011-hyundai-equus-ultimate-august-2011/

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20015108-48.html#ixzz1VGqG2c4E

On the CNET review go to the readers responses...last one I think.

Also, there was a review somewhere of a guy that bought an Equus and traded it back to the dealer for a Lexus LS as it killed his back, etc. Can't find the link to that one but if you search you should find.

 

[MercedesOwner]

Seats are not great. Bit flat and firm. Luckily lot of adjustments but certainly not my fav part of car

 

[davahad]

Seats are not great. Bit flat and firm. Luckily lot of adjustments but certainly not my fav part of car

What is your favorite part of the car? I am coming from a BMW X5 and the seats in that are almost as hard as the bleachers in Oakland Coliseum so the Equus definitely felt better than the X5 seats.

I did notice that for some reason the Equus seats seem to stick out quite a bit in the shoulder area but not sure if this would bother me or not. I'm 6'-2" so maybe that's why I noticed this.

 

[jake the snake]

I have had a Genesis for 3 years before getting my Equus and can assure you that the Equus seats are great.
The Genesis were really good, but I prefere the Equus.
You do have to find the proper setting, but one that is done, its great.
I am 6'2" @ 245lb and have no problem what so ever.

 

[Magoomba]

I did a 2.5 hour drive (each way) 2 weeks ago in my Equus and found it to be very comfortable. It took me a few weeks of driving to find my preferred setting on the seat, but I feel like I could drive all day in the car now.

I consider myself to be very particular about ergonomics, FWIW.

 

[davahad]

Just a quick update that the Social Media Director of Capitol Hyundai monitors these forums and has arranged for me to test drive an Equus for 2 days. She was very helpful and responsive and I'm looking forward to the test drive next week.

 

[talltom]

Do not buy a Equus without taking it for at lease a a 20 minute test drive. I bought a 2011 Equus without a test drive in the car that I bought and I am still trying to get Hyundai to make it drive like the Equus that I test drove.
Trust me on this, it will save you a lot of pain. The dealers do not want to put to many miles on the cars.

 

[davahad]

Just a quick update that Capitol Hyundai(San Jose, CA) was very helpful and allowed me to drive a new 2012 Equus for 2 days. I must say that I was completely impressed with the dealership and their responsiveness.

In regards to the car I liked everything about it except for the technology. IPOD interface works with very few IPODS and the whole interface screen seems very slow and dated. Nav was OK but not great and there was no streaming for music.

If I were to buy this car I would have to compromise on the technology and since I'm really into technology I'm having a hard time convincing myself to do so. Especially when the other models of Hyundai's have a newer interface with music streaming and I'm guessing this will be coming to the Equus in 2013.

The other thing I would love to see is for the rear seat base incorporated into the front driver's seat. The back seat has so much more padding in the base and is much more comfortable than the front. If it had this today I might even be willing to overlook the lack of technology.

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[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Just a quick update that Capitol Hyundai(San Jose, CA) was very helpful and allowed me to drive a new 2012 Equus for 2 days. I must say that I was completely impressed with the dealership and their responsiveness.

In regards to the car I liked everything about it except for the technology. IPOD interface works with very few IPODS and the whole interface screen seems very slow and dated. Nav was OK but not great and there was no streaming for music.

If I were to buy this car I would have to compromise on the technology and since I'm really into technology I'm having a hard time convincing myself to do so. Especially when the other models of Hyundai's have a newer interface with music streaming and I'm guessing this will be coming to the Equus in 2013.

The other thing I would love to see is for the rear seat base incorporated into the front driver's seat. The back seat has so much more padding in the base and is much more comfortable than the front. If it had this today I might even be willing to overlook the lack of technology.

Glad you were able to pick your nits beforehand. If the antiquated tech (2008) is a deal breaker, so be it. Couldnt agree more re streaming, at least for short trips. Longer, I'd want it plugged in to charge. But to be honest, an iPod is kind of a waste of the Lex's capabilities anyway. As for the rear seats I'll have to try them sometime. 15 months and I haven't been back there yet. Though after your post maybe ignorance is bliss?
Anyway, you at least know a decent dealership if you ever change your mind down the road.
Thx for the update.

 

[shrink]

My Hyundai dealer in Wesley Chapel, Florida let me borrow a 2012 Signature for the weekend. I strongly advise going for an extended test drive when purchasing a car. The longer I drove the car, the more I enjoyed and appreciated it. Two weeks ago, I brought an 2011 Jag XJL with 13,000 miles home for a weekend test drive. Loved it for the first 15 min, then felt very uncomfortable the rest of the weekend. The seats had no cushioning and were very uncomfortable. Would not have know this if I just took it for a short test drive.
BTW. Purchased a new Ultimate when I returned the test car. Picking it up on Wednesday. Black/Black.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

My Hyundai dealer in Wesley Chapel, Florida let me borrow a 2012 Signature for the weekend. I strongly advise going for an extended test drive when purchasing a car. The longer I drove the car, the more I enjoyed and appreciated it. Two weeks ago, I brought an 2011 Jag XJL with 13,000 miles home for a weekend test drive. Loved it for the first 15 min, then felt very uncomfortable the rest of the weekend. The seats had no cushioning and were very uncomfortable. Would not have know this if I just took it for a short test drive.
BTW. Purchased a new Ultimate when I returned the test car. Picking it up on Wednesday. Black/Black.

Sweet!