[dradernh]

"what would you do?"

Since the wife has a current-generation Mazda 3 that I enjoy driving, I'd just kick back and enjoy the driving dynamics that the Mazda loaner has to offer.

[Sportstick]

There was a time before anyone invented loaners....this was the solution...a good old R40 running the F!

[Unicorn123]

Originally Posted by dradernh

"what would you do?"

Since the wife has a current-generation Mazda 3 that I enjoy driving, I'd just kick back and enjoy the driving dynamics that the Mazda loaner has to offer.

Excellent point here.

In the final analysis, if we are all "car guys" (gender neutral!), it is always fun to drive something different. I travel a great deal and rent a lot of cars. I rarely have a car that I dislike (although some Nissan products do come close). As a car lover, it is fun to enjoy the variety and experience of driving various cars. It also make me appreciate my BMW and its abilities as a machine even more. FWIW.

[Texan2er]

Was just at my dealership this morning. There was quite a slew of incoming cars today, so they ran out of loaners shortly after I sat down to wait for my lovely car to be done. (Got several compliments from the service guys, apparently they don't see many 2ers ) This dealership is always great about loaners. I was given a nice 328i last time I had warranty work. Shortly before I left, I overheard another customer, an older woman, berating one of the service guys because he had informed her that they were out of BMW loaners and needed to have Enterprise send over a loaner for her. She definitely pulled out the "I bought a BMW here expecting better service than other people, don't make me regret it. I expect as good as my car or better."

That is part of why I don't like it when someone says "oh, you've got a BMW" with a certain tone, cuz I know that they are referencing just that exact attitude...

I like to think most of us just love cars. Gimme a Mazda 3, I'll still rev at you and try to beat you to the next light!

I also highly recommend making friendly with the folks at your dealership. I have learned to text either of the 2 guys I typically work with to find out if they are flush with loaners that day or not if I'll need one.

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by Unicorn123

You remind me of when I had to walk to school and back home... uphill 10 miles both ways...

I could believe uphill 10 miles ONE way, but BOTH ways??

[Texan2er]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

I could believe uphill 10 miles ONE way, but BOTH ways??

Gotta walk through the twisties both ways, right?!

[CAMOETO]

So... How are things in Montreal, any more floods? ;-)

[SeanE]

Originally Posted by eatsleepboost

Some dealers don't have their own loaners and you get a loaner from another company on site. I ran into that with Audi when I brought my s5 in for a recall and they gave me a VW bug. I wouldn't even drive it. Had my girl drive me around. I was pretty mad but it only was for a day or 2 so I didn't say anything. 1st world problems.

[SeanE]

Originally Posted by 86Zed

It's a free loaner car for a few days, there is no stipulation that they provide a car of similar performance or value.

My friend receives a Fiat500 during his Alfa 4C services, no complaints whatsoever.

So what you're telling us is he stands a high probability of requiring a loaner, for when the loaner breaks down?

[Shovelman]

So this is the type of thing that drives up service costs. Thanks a lot primadonna!

[RotorOver]

One suggestion, take the earliest appointment they offer and you get the pick of the litter. Got to try a 440i for the first time at my last appointment. Of course this is not always possible due to circumstances.

At my dealership I pay $20 for the privilege of a "loaner". So there's that.

[Ron Jeffries]

OK, a lotta darn whining going on here, sit down and I'll tell you a story. I took in my BMW and they were out of loaners so they got me an Enterprise ... BUICK.

I made the guy in the gift shop give me a bag to wear over my head.

[Unicorn123]

Originally Posted by Ron Jeffries

OK, a lotta darn whining going on here, sit down and I'll tell you a story. I took in my BMW and they were out of loaners so they got me an Enterprise ... BUICK.

I made the guy in the gift shop give me a bag to wear over my head.

Gotta love it. I'll start carrying a bag with me to the dealer now...:

[PeterWT]

Originally Posted by Ron Jeffries

OK, a lotta darn whining going on here, sit down and I'll tell you a story. I took in my BMW and they were out of loaners so they got me an Enterprise ... BUICK.

I made the guy in the gift shop give me a bag to wear over my head.

Bag not withstanding... I liked the Buick my dealer gave me a lot more than the Infiniti.
There aren't many car brands that I completely dislike, but Nissan/Infiniti is one of them. It's a shame, they used to make some nice cars...

[paposalsa]

It seems like this is a pattern of BMW Dealers, very poor customer service. The dealer that gave me a loaner thought they were giving me a 800 Series and all it was a convertible 228. At the Nissan Dealer the Customer Service at the Service Department is 100% better when I take the wife SUV.

[morphomeman]

OP has apparently been shamed into not returning to the thread.
But if you are out there, OP, what was the Mazda?
I love driving loaners and rentals of all shapes and sizes. Small underpowered cars can be tons of fun. I drove a Honda Fit for a while. With an MT, it was a blast rowing through the gears.
The last rental I had was a Cadillac SUV, a blast too in its own way, once I got over the glitter that was plastered all over the inside and outside of the thing.
And OP, you didn't have to pay for the experience!

[aaaaah]

Whenever I can't drive my car, I get stuck because it would feel unsightly driving any other vehicle while coated head to toe in ///M regalia.

Last time I tried it, all of my peers at the local cafe laughed at me. LAUGHED AT ME!

The shame of it all.

[CP911]

I wouldn't care so much what kind of rental I was given, but it better have a reasonably clean interior. Nothing I hate more than getting a car that has a dirty interior with cigarette burns and heavy fragrance air freshener to mask it. That happened to me with Enterprise. I still think I drove it without complaining because I was in a hurry, but nowadays I'd have to say something.

[Unicorn123]

Originally Posted by morphomeman

OP has apparently been shamed into not returning to the thread.
But if you are out there, OP, what was the Mazda?
I love driving loaners and rentals of all shapes and sizes. Small underpowered cars can be tons of fun. I drove a Honda Fit for a while. With an MT, it was a blast rowing through the gears.
The last rental I had was a Cadillac SUV, a blast too in its own way, once I got over the glitter that was plastered all over the inside and outside of the thing.
And OP, you didn't have to pay for the experience!

Morph,

You nailed it. I owe my father a great debt for having the foresight to prevent me from getting a "Muscle Car" ( I had a big block Camaro in my sights with a rock-crusher transmission) when I was old enough to drive and purchase a car. Since I am an adrenaline junkie, I would likely not be here to write this response... He ended up "making me buy" at 1972 Fiat 850 Sport Coupe. Slower than mud but I learned more about how to get the most out of a car, conservation of momentum, vehicle dynamics, etc. There is a lot to be said about driving under powered lightweight cars for the pure pleasure of driving...

[XutvJet]

I rent tons of cars for work. It definitely gives me perspective on just how good, well-sorted, fun to drive, and performing my M235 6MT is. It is astounding to me that some people actually pay money for some seriously crappy cars.

[Texan2er]

Originally Posted by morphomeman

OP has apparently been shamed into not returning to the thread.
But if you are out there, OP, what was the Mazda?
I love driving loaners and rentals of all shapes and sizes. Small underpowered cars can be tons of fun. I drove a Honda Fit for a while. With an MT, it was a blast rowing through the gears.
The last rental I had was a Cadillac SUV, a blast too in its own way, once I got over the glitter that was plastered all over the inside and outside of the thing.
And OP, you didn't have to pay for the experience!

Got talking to a guy outside of the grocery store last week, as I was admiring his 930 when he came out of the store, and he told me he drives a MT Honda Fit as his daily runabout. Not the first person I've talked to who enjoyed the Fit as a small daily miler.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Texan2er

Got talking to a guy outside of the grocery store last week, as I was admiring his 930 when he came out of the store, and he told me he drives a MT Honda Fit as his daily runabout. Not the first person I've talked to who enjoyed the Fit as a small daily miler.

A fellow car nut I keep in touch with likes his Fit for daily driving. He uses his Cayman S for weekends and a built FR-S for the track.