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After weeks of poring over auto magazines, comparing vehicle classes, features and options, and consulting friends for a second opinion, you’ve finally found the car that you were born to drive. All that remains to be seen is if the car was made to be driven by you, and this is where the test drive comes in. The test drive would tell you if you and the car you want are match made in car-buying heaven or a divorce waiting to happen. The test drive is a crucial part of the buying experience, so it’s important to give yourself adequate time to take the vehicle for a spin. Plan to spend at least 30 minutes test-driving the car. Never let yourself be rushed—you don’t want to be regretting your choice while you’re driving your new vehicle home. Here are a few more tips to make the most out of your test drive.
Give the car’s exteriors the once-over before starting the engine. Before you jump right inside the car and turn on the ignition, take a good look at the vehicle’s exteriors. Walk around the car to see how it looks from the front, sides, and back. Examine the body panel fit and finish to get a sense of the vehicle’s quality and craftsmanship. Note your feelings about being seen inside the car: Are you comfortable with the vehicle’s styling? Is this the car that you’ll be proud to show off to your friends and colleagues?
Inspect the vehicle’s interiors. Once inside the vehicle, set yourself in a comfortable driving position and buckle up for safety. Feel free to fiddle with the controls, such as those for the power windows and locks, headlights, wipers, mirrors, heater/air conditioning, and stereo. Are the knobs and controls within easy reach or do you have to strain to reach them? Can you work the controls without taking your eyes off the road? Note the quality of plastics, leather, and upholstery. Does the overall look of the interiors suit your style and personality?
Choose a route that includes different types of road surfaces and driving conditions. This will give you a real feel for the car’s performance and behavior under different driving situations Don’t let the salesperson limit you to scenic routes with perfect roads that do not approximate real life driving conditions. As much as possible, simulate your daily use to get a feel for how the car will perform and behave in day-to-day situations. Take the car through all possible paces by accelerating, turning, highway merging, passing, turning, braking, and parking. Pay attention to road handling, riding comfort, engine response, steering, and braking.
Take someone along. If you are buying a family vehicle, bring family members along for the ride. Your test drive companion will give you valuable feedback from the passenger’s viewpoint and help you make the final decision. Ask your passengers about riding comfort, elbow room, and the ease of getting in and out of the vehicle. If more than one person will be driving the vehicle, make sure he or she also gets to spend some time behind the wheel.
Drive the exact model you are interested in. If the dealership will allow it, test drive the actual vehicle that you are going to buy. A difference in transmission or tire size can affect driveability and road handling. A slight variation in interiors may change the overall character of the vehicle. You have gone this far in identifying what you want in a vehicle, so it must have the exact features, options, and trim that you’ve specified. |
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