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- The Ultimate Guide To Test Driving A Car: Tips And Tricks
- 26 Feb 2024
The Ultimate Guide To Test Driving A Car: Tips And Tricks
Test driving is, without a doubt, the most crucial part of purchasing a new vehicle. It’s the only real way to find out if the car you’re looking at is the right fit for you. Just because a car looks good on the outside doesn’t mean it’s going to be comfortable to drive.
Don’t listen to what other people say about a car’s comfort, design, or ride. See it with your own eyes and make up your mind. The tips below on how to try driving a car will help you get the most out of your car shopping experience.
Preparing For Your Test Drive
Every time you go to a dealership to check out a new vehicle, you should expect to take at least a few test drives during your visit. You don’t want to be swayed by tried and tested sales tactics to buy a car that isn’t right for you. You may adequately prepare yourself so that the salesperson doesn’t trick you if you are aware of these strategies beforehand:
Please bring your driver’s license photo and proof of insurance.
The salesperson will often ask you to keep your driver’s license and insurance number while you take the vehicle on a test drive. While it’s important for them to know the information before handing you the keys, they don’t need the actual license.
They often lose it or take a long time to get it back when you come back. This means you’ll have to spend more time in the showroom, where the salesperson will keep pushing the product. By providing them with a copy, you have the option to leave right after your test drive.
Never accept a trade-in quite yet:
When you say you’re interested in a new vehicle, it’s common for the dealer to ask if you’re going to trade in your current one. Even if you want to, just tell them you haven’t decided yet, or better yet, tell them the car you’re exchanging isn’t the one you drove in.
That’s because if they know you’re going to trade in your vehicle, they’ll offer to take it for a test drive while you’re away. This gives them more information to make a more aggressive offer, and it delays your exit, as they’ll have your car keys in their hands. Take your time to find the right car for you and then bring your old car in for a test drive.
You can request to take the vehicle for a test drive without the seller present:
Some dealerships will insist on the salesperson being in the vehicle with you, but most will allow you to try out new cars yourself. A few of them will even let you borrow the car overnight so you can test out how it will fit in your garage and get a feel for it. If you need the salesperson to go with you, ask them to drive on different roads, not just on a nice, laid-out route.
Also, Read: Top 10 Best Well-Known Car Companies In India
Tips On What To Look For Before You Start Your Test Drive
Let the salesperson show you what the car can do before you take it for a test drive. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes. You can ask as many questions as you want and take notes if you need to.
When you’re ready to take the car for a test drive, get ready by following these steps and keeping in mind how easy it is to drive and how well the car performs.
Enter The Vehicle:
How easy is it to get in and out of this car? Do you hit your head while getting in? Do you need to maneuver your body to get in? Do you find yourself doing this every time you get in your new car?
Adjust The Seat:
Be aware that there are many different types of seat configurations. Make sure to spend some time adjusting the seat until you are comfortable with it. Don’t stress about how long it will take. If you can’t find a seat adjustment that works for you, this isn’t the car for you.
Adjust The Mirrors:
How easy is it to set the side mirrors? Do you have a lot of blind spots? If so, does your car have a blind spot detection system? How does it work?
Make Note Of The Location Of The Controls:
Know your turn signal location, windshield wiper location, and headlight location. Of course, the dashboard layout will vary from vehicle to vehicle. What do you think about this particular layout? Do you like it and can live with it, or is it going to be a pain in the ass if you end up buying this car?
Tips On What To Look For When Test Driving A Car
There are a few things to keep in mind during your test drive. If you have a companion, ask them to write down their thoughts while driving. For example, if you’re test-driving multiple vehicles, you’ll be able to differentiate between them during the final evaluation.
Here are some helpful things to keep in mind when you’re test-driving a vehicle:
How The Ride Feels:
Be aware of how simple it is to drive. If it feels heavy, it can become annoying if you spend a lot of time in the city. So, too light steering makes it hard to control the car, too, some people say. Another thing to look for is how smoothly the car moves. You can get a good feel for how the car handles by driving over tracks or bumpy roads.
The Brakes:
Of course, brakes are one of the most important parts of the car. How do you feel about the brakes in your vehicle? Do you feel like you can brake quickly or does it take a long time to brake? Do you find that the brakes grab too much and make it hard to brake smoothly? How do you feel about your vehicle’s stopping power?
The Transmission:
If the transmission is manual, ask yourself the following questions: Is the clutch heavy? Are the gears easy to change? Is it hard to tell the difference between 1st and 3rd gear while changing gears? Is it simple to change gears? If you’re testing your automatic transmission, take note of how easy it is to shift up and down, especially on hills.
Visibility:
Make sure you can see clearly in all directions, especially from the rear window. Check for blind spots. A lot of new cars have trim all around the windows. This can make it hard to see a lot of the trim on the left and right sides. Would you be able to tell if someone was crossing the road in front of you at a red light?
Maneuverability:
Is it easy to drive around corners and tight turns? Accelerates well enough to make it easy to merge onto the highway? Is the car easy to park? Does the car fit well in parking spaces? Is parallel parking simple? Is the front end low enough to scrape against parking curbs? Can you do a 3-point turn in parking spaces?
Cabin Noise:
Be aware of cabin noise when the car’s speakers are turned off. Can you hear the car’s tires on the road? Is the car loud? When you’re driving on the highway, do you need to use your voice more to make a point?
Climate Control Systems:
Take a look at the climate control. Is the fan strong enough? Are there enough vents in number and location? Are the controls simple to operate?
Electronic Amenities:
If the car has special features like a navigation system or a rear-view camera then give them a try. Do they work for you or not?
Tips For What To Do After Your Test Drive
Even if you love everything about the vehicle you just drove, don’t let the dealership push you into buying immediately. Test Drive at least 3 Vehicles and Keep Your Options.
For example, if your salesperson makes you an offer on a particular vehicle, simply write the offer on the bottom of their card and tell them that you will contact them if you choose that particular vehicle.
If the vehicle is one you think you’d like to own, ask questions about factors that could affect your future expenses, such as:
What is included in a vehicle warranty?
What is your vehicle maintenance plan?
How much does the dealer charge for a basic service?
Once you have a good idea of the types of vehicles you have tested, take some time to consider each one before making a final decision. If you’re still unsure of your choice, don’t hesitate to request a second test drive.