You’re in the market for a new ride. You’ve already decided the size you want, which will fit your family and lifestyle. You’ve also identified a few models from different brands that interest you. What’s next? The test drive! A test drive is your opportunity to see how a car performs in different situations and if it lives up to your expectations. Its main objective is to test out the steering, acceleration, infotainment, seating, and more. Keep reading to learn more about test drives!
Key Takeaways:
- Taking a test drive is essential to the buying process when you shop for a car.
- Inspect the car’s exterior for any color discolorations, dents, or anything that might be hanging underneath.
- Listen out for any noises during the test drive- that includes ticking, banging, or anything else that doesn’t sound like it’s within the norms.
- If you don’t feel at ease and comfortable during the test drive, you probably won’t feel at ease and comfortable in the car every day.
Tips for Test Driving
Here are a few tips to consider when taking a test drive:
Look at the Exterior
The test drive doesn’t start when you get behind the wheel, it begins while you’re looking at the car from the outside. First, you should check out the exterior color- the vehicle’s exact color could be altered on a computer or a phone screen, so be sure to inspect the paint and make sure you still like it. Also, take note of the car’s size- that’s important if it has to fit in a garage or a small parking lot. Finally, inspect the wheels and tires for tread wear or imperfections.
Look at the Interiors
Before getting behind the wheel, check out the vehicle’s interiors. Assess the trunk and ensure it can take on anything you need to fit. Also, check the back seats to ensure there’s enough space for adult passengers or children’s car seats.
Get In and Get Comfortable
When you get in the car, before turning the key, take some time to get comfortable. You may want to get in and out of the vehicle to ensure that the seats aren’t back-breaking. Also, ensure that you adjust the mirror, move the seat to a comfortable position, and look over your left shoulder to check out the blind spots. Moreover, if there’s an infotainment system, consider playing with the controls and adjusting the radio. It’s also recommended that you let the air conditioner run for a while since it can be an issue, especially for used cars, and regardless of what everybody tells, isn’t an easy fix.
Hit the Road
After taking a thorough look at the car and getting comfortable, it’s time to take the test drive. The main aim is to ensure that the car can stand up to your everyday drives. The ideal way to do that is to take the test drive in your normal driving conditions. For example, if your daily commute is mostly in stop-and-go traffic, try taking the test drive in a place with some stoplights.
When you take a test drive, you also want to look for and do specific things to ensure it’s the car for you.
- Ignition: Does the car start smoothly? How does the engine sound? Do you hear any concerning noises when shifting gears? And are there any warning lights on?
- Acceleration and Handling: Does the vehicle speed up and shift smoothly? Does it feel responsive? Or does the steering wheel shake or vibrate at all?
- Braking: Does the vehicle respond immediately when braking? Do you notice any noises or squeaking? Also, how does the pedal feel under your foot when you hit the brakes?
Try Parking the Car
It’s essential to practice parking a few times to see if it’s easy to get in and out of spaces as well as parallel parking. Test driving is also an excellent time to test out the vehicle’s safety features to see if they’re functioning correctly. For instance, if you’re test-driving a car with a reversing camera, a parking test is a good way to test it out.
How to Get the Most Out of a Test Drive
Here’s how you can get the most out of a test drive:
Do Your Research
Understanding what you’re looking for by picking a few cars of interest and learning about the car’s history report helps you narrow down your car search and prevents the need to test drive any car that you’d not be interested in. Are excellent mileage and heated seats a must-have? Narrow those choices and aspects down before you head to the dealer.
Set an Appointment Earlier
You can come in and test drive during the dealer’s open hours, but that can mean more time searching and less time driving. Setting up a drive test appointment ensures the dealer can get the cars cleaned and ready to drive so there’s no waiting or looking for the vehicle.
Ask Questions
It’s essential to ensure that you get all the information you need. As such, don’t be afraid to ask questions during the test drive. Some of the questions you can ask yourself during the drive include:
- Does the car have everything I need?
- Will I need this much or more space?
- Is this something my family will enjoy?
Asking yourself these questions and getting all the information will not only make the test driving and car buying process go smoothly, but it also gives you peace of mind about the big purchase you’re making.
Want to Learn More? Consult the Experts!
Your new car is an extension of you. So, take time to do an extensive drive and really see how you like it. Moreover, when you test drive a car, it’s your chance to gather data so you can make an informed buying decision. If you’d like to learn more about test drives and the overall car-buying process, consult our auto experts! We’re readily available and willing to help you with all your car needs! Call us today!
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