Valet anyone...?

[Sy V]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2005550431,00.html

[ailwyn]

If this is a one off it would be bad enough, but I doubt for one second that this is the first time a car has been "test driven" by the f**kers.

I used to get rather annoyed when I took my shiny new 190bhp celica in for a service and get there 10 mins before closing to see it being "test driven" back into the dealer. Now it is possible that my car was the last for the day and there was a genuine reason.... but who knows.

Ailwyn

[davidjt]

The thing that struck me was that all the insurers seem to be ducking and diving; a valet won't be the most heavily capitalised business if push comes to shove.....although there is pressure in the form of plod supposedly considering 'without the owner's consent'.

Not one that's likely to worry us too much, though.

[Enright]

Not one that's likely to worry us too much, though.

...you don't think?

I would be suspicious of the knock-on effects of ANY large insurance claims associated with Lotuses.

Insurers may well spend the time and trouble to sub-group large manufacturers’ models, so if a Ford Focus gets nicked and trashed, it probably doesn’t affect the premium too much on a Mondeo.

But due to Lotus occupying such a small niche of the insurance market, I’d bet that any large claims for a particular model have an effect on premiums right the way through the range. We are much more vulnerable to change - the only possible saving grace being if we are insured through classic car policies.

OK so I’m not absolutely SURE that it happens, but knowing how insurance companies will exploit any loophole for their own benefit, do you really think that they are going to allow themselves to lose out long-term? And who is it easier to get the money out of to recoup their losses than the people who HAVE to pay them anyway...?

[stevo]

especially if some twat crashes a model helicopter into their car

[John_W]

Hee hee... feel the lurve

[Enright]

:agree: especially if some twat crashes a model helicopter into their car

Hmm, not wishing to attract the attentions of the "Off Topic Police" or get into any flame wars, but I can immediately recall a FAR riskier overtaking manoever that I witnessed on the way out of Stoneleigh!

What are those double white lines for in the middle of narrow twisty roads Stevo?

[davidjt]

They're just for those poor people without a turbo, surely?

[chris.t]

oh yeah the helicopter trick i wish i'd had that on video it was a classic hope copter and car seat are ok now though. RU going to bring anymore toys next Donny?

As for the Valet, i think they missed a bit on the back

[PAUL30]

i'm sure anyone who leaves a high performance car with a garage/valet/carwash,will find it always gets a "testdrive".i'm always loathe to leave it with anyone.

[Enright]

oh yeah the helicopter trick i wish i'd had that on video it was a classic hope copter and car seat are ok now though. RU going to bring anymore toys next Donny?

As for the Valet, i think they missed a bit on the back

Yep, both absolutely fine thanks - no damage at all other than a set of broken blades.
Actually I was thinking of bringing down my really BIG petrol powered heli and making a bee line for any more of the holier than thou types who decide to have a pop, hahaha!

i'm sure anyone who leaves a high performance car with a garage/valet/carwash,will find it always gets a "testdrive".i'm always loathe to leave it with anyone.

Definitely. A friend of mine worked for Nottingham's biggest Merc dealership, and when he was taken out for a test drive in a customer's car, his land speed record was truly scary.

I also have a mate who's wife's new MR2 was run into a lamp-post by the local dealership while "making sure it was OK". Fortunately it was a combined Honda/Subaru dealership, and Honda insisted that they "made him happy". As a resuly he ended up getting a new Subaru Imprezza.

But in this case it's bound to fall to someone's insurance - either the business's, or the guy's own if the police proceedings are sucessful.

Meanwhile he's £32k down and without his car. For the sake of a valet? I say if in doubt, DIY!

[Stef]

I'm Holier than thou but if your 'Big one' gets any way near me there will be trouble mate

Put your mileometer to 0 and take a note of the exact mileage ANY time you leave the car somewhere with other people looking after her.

Then confront them sternly if there is anything suspicious.

[Fubar1764]

I simply refuse to valet. I tell them I've valeted and come back with $11k in mechanical damage. It makes my objection more than reasonable.

[Nige]

They're just for those poor people without a turbo, surely?

Oi!!!

Of course all really big choppers are kerosene powered.