We drove the Kluger first. When I booked my test I requested an AWD Grande. It's about as close as you can get to a 4WD without being one. Turned up and they didn't have one - despite assuring me during the week they did. Great start ....
Not a bad drive. Quite nice in fact. Responsive motor, good handling dynamics, quiet and quite light feeling. A few bad things about - namely I can't get the options I want in the combination I want. As an example I like the Grande but hate the faux wood finishings and don't want SatNav. If I drop down a level I can't get the sunroof, keyless entry and power tailgate (which is very heavy). Not sure what to do here but quite a nice ride.
Next driven was a Territory Ghia. Soft and comfortable ride - slighly more corner roll than the Kluger and much harder to get moving. Not great but not horrible. We checked a bit closer. The 3rd row of seats are a joke - the floor is literally 2 inches lower than the seat meaning LGR had his knees around his ears. To layout the floor flat is a lot of work. I can't see us getting one of these.
While in the dealership the kids spotted a beautiful black FPV Falcon. I saw it too - but Mrs J has made any notions of getting that one disappear. So much for our democratic voting system (which, if you are interested gives one car vote to each kid and two votes to the adults. Clearly someone was outvoted but it turns out there's some unwritten veto right built into the system).
But the surprise of the day was the Mazda CX-9. You all know where I live so I won't say which dealer it was but during the week I spoke to them and made a booking. Turned up yesterday and was told there was no booking, and they wouldn't have made a booking because they were having a sale. I asked if I could test one anyway and they said no test drive unless I was going to buy on the spot. They were too busy to take people for tests. I looked around and there were at least 3 staff lounging around doing nothing .... I told them that was cool and I'd find another dealer. So we left. They chased us out the door with a bit of 'Come back. We'll see what we can do." - while still denying we'd made previous arrangements.
So, a salesman came over, said he'd be with us in a few minutes and then went to speak to someone else. After 10 minutes we got sick of the whole thing and left. An hour later this dude called and asked if I'd like to arrange a drive.
Not with you guys. Not a chance.
I'm stunned that a car dealership wouldn't find time for me to drive one of their cars - particularly when they are making a push to bring people into the dealership to sell cars.
That's enough about that.
We wandered up the road and had a speccy look at the Sportswagon. Mrs J was impressed - to the extent where we are prolly going back on Tuesday for a drive of an SV6 and an SS .... Always wanted an SS :-)
Still no luck on the HSV though :-(