5 Test Drive Tips to Help You Find The Best Car
Test driving a car is an important part of finding the right one, here are 5 things you need to keep in mind when taking one out for a spin.
When shopping for a car, the test drive is one of the most important aspects of picking the right one, and the most fun.
It gives you a chance to experience the car first hand. To envision what your day-to-day life would be like if you owned that car.
All the excitement of looking for a car is so intoxicating. You go to take it out for a spin and envision your new life as the owner of that car. You energetically step inside and are caught up in all of its shiny, new features. You head off on the road taking it all in.
But then it’s over in a flash and you realize that you were so caught up in how new everything was that you didn’t actually pay attention to the important aspects of that new car or used car.
This is a scenario that is all too common among car buyers nationwide. If you want to avoid this experience and get the most out of your test drive, here are 5 quick tips to help you.
Test Drive Tip #1: Get Rid of Distractions
Although the salesman at the car dealership may want to accompany you on your test drive, it is a good idea to avoid this if at all possible.
Having another person along for the ride can be a big distraction.
It takes your focus off of the car and you are bombarded with the thoughts and opinions of the other person. Try to avoid as many distractions as possible and allow yourself to fully be present during your test drive.
Test Drive Tip #2: Look For Faults
It is easy to get swept up when buying a car. They seem to be impeccable in every way, but be cautious. There may be some imperfections or issues with the car that you don’t notice at first glance. This is especially true if you are buying a used car.
Make sure to ask the dealership about the condition of the car, if it has any issues and what it’s past history is. Be sure to examine both the outside and inside of the car.
Test Drive Tip #3: Get Comfortable
Once you get inside the car, take some time to get situated. Adjust the seat and the mirrors. Get familiar with the radio dials, the steering wheel, and where everything is located. A car that you are purchasing should fit like a glove. If it feels stiff or tense to drive in it, it’s not the one for you.
A car that you are purchasing should fit like a glove. If it feels stiff or tense to drive in it, it’s not the one for you.
Test Drive Tip #4: Consider the Size
When you're test driving your dream car, a huge thing to remember is the size. How big is the interior? How many people can you fit inside? Is it going to fit in your garage?
If you have 4 kids and 2 golden retrievers, chances are that a mini cooper isn’t going to work for you, no matter how cool you might think it is. Keep these factors in your mind when taking the test drive.
Test Drive Tip #5: How Does It Ride
This is another very important fact. You need to make sure that the car drives well and that you enjoy driving it. Consider the maneuverability of the car. Can you easily get it in and out of tight spaces? How about the visibility. Can you easily see out of all the mirrors and from every angle?
You also want to check out the brakes. Some cars tend to brake very hard without much pressure to the gas pedal whereas with others you may find yourself pushing the brakes all the way down just to get it to stop. Get a general sense of how the car drives before making a decision.
Keep these 5 tips in mind when test driving your next car
Don’t get distracted by the excitement of purchasing a car. Keep a level head and be on the lookout for any red flags.
This will help you get the most out of your experience and find the car that’s right for you. Because that’s really what it all comes down to. Finding a car that is perfect for you and your needs.
