“Uh-oh, more cops! BACK UP, HOLMES, BACK UP! BACK UP!”
—Cesar Vialpando about the cops.
Test Drive is a mission in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas given to protagonist Carl Johnson by Varrios Los Aztecas leader Cesar Vialpando from the gas station/garage in Doherty, San Fierro, San Andreas.
Mission
Cesar meets Carl at the Doherty Garage and informs him that he has located two more cars on the wishlist for the Wang Cars showroom. He suggests that he and Carl go to an automobile showroom across town.
Carl and Cesar drive to Otto's Autos in Downtown. On the way, Cesar and Carl discuss San Fierro, with Cesar saying that both he and Kendl enjoy the ambiance of the city. Cesar also asks Carl about The Truth, with Carl explaining that although he can be a little strange, there may be some truth in some of the things he says.
The duo eventually arrives at Otto's Autos and head to the second floor, where they are greeted by a dealer. Carl orders him to leave, whilst he and Cesar steal a Sultan and an Elegy and drive them out of the window onto the street. Carl follows Cesar throughout the city, all while being chased by the police. After a lengthy drive, the duo manages to evade the police and take the vehicles back to the garage in Doherty.
Mission Objectives
In order to complete the mission the player must:
- Go and get the cars from the car showroom.
- Stay close to Cesar as you return to the garage.
- Follow Cesar into the alleyway.
- Drive back to the garage.
Reward
The rewards for completing this mission are $5000 and an increase in respect. The mission Customs Fast Track is unlocked, and the Elegy and the Sultan will now spawn in the Wang Cars showroom.
Transcript
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Walkthrough
CJ arrives, and Cesar tells him he found two more cars on the wishlist.
They are to be found in a showroom across town.
They prepare to leave.
CJ says he admires Cesar's direct approach.
Cesar and CJ outside the garage ready to get the cars.
They must go to the showroom to get the cars.
On the way, Cesar tells CJ he likes San Fierro.
Cesar finds the city special even though El Corona in Los Santos will always be his home.
Carl says Kendl also likes the city.
Cesar says Kendl is focusing more on the garage business.
Carl says Kendl has always been the brains of their family.
And suggests she should make something out of herself.
Cesar says Kendl is aiming to make something out of all of them.
Cesar asks CJ about The Truth, who Cesar sees not to be all there.
CJ denies this, telling him The Truth just sees things from a different perspective.
He also tells him that some of the things The Truth says are not wrong.
Cesar jokingly asks CJ if he is going to become an alien hunter.
CJ denies it.
They arrive at the showroom.
They enter the showroom. Cesar says the cars are on the second floor.
CJ becomes concerned after hearing this.
A salesman near the cars asks CJ and Cesar if he can help them.
CJ sarcastically replies that the salesman can help them by going away to help another person.
Cesar determines himself to be the leader and tells CJ to follow him.
He jumps out of the showroom with the Elegy.
CJ also jumps out with the Sultan. He must stay close to Cesar when returning to the garage.
As CJ and Cesar perform some stunts with the cars, the police are alerted.
The police chase them.
Cesar activates the nitro.
CJ also activates the nitro.
Cesar tells CJ to follow him down the hill.
CJ eventually tells him they should get to the garage.
The police return to chase them.
The police chasing them.
CJ again tells Cesar they should think about getting to the garage.
Cesar agrees.
Cesar finds a shortcut to return.
CJ following Cesar into an alleyway.
The police arrive again. CJ and Cesar reverse their cars.
They evade the police.
Cesar confirms they have escaped.
CJ must drive back to the garage.
Both arriving back at the garage.
They park the cars inside.
Mission passed!
Video Walkthroughs
Oversights
- If Cesar is somehow killed during the last cutscene showing the two stolen cars being stored in the garage, the mission will fail and the game will glitch. Carl will be stuck inside the interior of the garage. The radar lacks the mission sign and some other marks. The cars will still be there, however the Elegy is locked. The Sultan can be driven, but it is not possible to escape from the interior as an invisible wall supposed to be the inaccessible garage doors blocks the player's way. The game world will also actually be inside the interiors universe. The player can only reload a game save or commit suicide to eliminate the glitch. This has been confirmed on the PC version.
Trivia
- This mission along with the other missions for the Wang Cars mission strand are not required to complete the main story, but they are required for 100% Completion.
- The song heard playing in the background in the garage is "Smokin' Cheeba Cheeba" by the Harlem Underground Band. The song can also be heard on Master Sounds 98.3.
- The Elegy driven by Cesar will stay inside the garage indefinitely after the mission is completed; this can be noticed by the car's engine audible from outside or in the next mission's cutscene. The car will disappear if the player dies, is arrested or exits the game in any way (including loading a game save). This has been confirmed on the PC version.
- Despite the fact Carl has a two-star wanted level while following Cesar, the pursuing cops will never target him, instead chasing after Cesar.
- Both vehicles driven during the mission have unusual colors and unique custom license plates. It's unsure whether they are obtainable or not. The paintjobs will not be changed no matter how many times the mission is replayed, but the license plates will, albeit usually the special ones that also have appeared in certain missions.
- Oddly, the custom license plates also appear in traffic, but only during this mission, as it's scripted.
- However, the colors of the vehicles will change randomly every time the player starts the mission in the PC and mobile versions.
- By the end of the mission, the Elegy will remain in pristine condition no matter what.
- Some construction vehicles and props spawn during the mission and can be potential stunt ramps.
- Some vehicles encountered during this mission are scripted, meaning they are programmed to continue driving even if crashed into.
- Crashing into Cesar's Elegy early in the chase will only cause damage to Carl's Sultan, not the Elegy.
- If the player gets to the 2nd floor of the car showroom and attempts to steal either of the two cars, the doors will be locked. They can be damaged, however.
