The best way for you to determine if a car is the right one for you
is to actually get behind the wheel and drive it. But what do you
do once you're there? Many people don't really know how to properly
test-drive a vehicle to really see if they like how the car performs.
Here you will learn specifically what you should do on a test drive
and what questions you need to ask yourself about the car.
Test-driving a vehicle will also help wipe away all of the unnecessary
information that may have accumulated along the way. For example,
a salesperson will throw facts and figures at you faster than you
can think. These are designed to sway you into buying the car, obviously,
because it's their job to sell you a car. Advertisements are also
designed to do this, and it makes it possible for you to picture yourself
in a car that's not right for you. But a dealer can't tell you that
a car handles the way you like. A television ad can't tell you that
you'll feel comfortable in the seats. You have to find this out on
your own.
The test drive begins before you actually drive the vehicle. You'll
want to ask yourself:
- Determine your comfort level. Can I get into and out of the
vehicle easily? Does the seat go back or move up enough for the
pedals to be comfortable? If the steering wheel is fixed, is it
comfortable and easy to handle for me? If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, is the shifter easy to access and shift? Does the
seatbelt cut into your neck, or does it hang too loosely and off
your shoulder?
- Look at your needs. Is there enough cargo space for my needs?
Is the trunk adequate to your normal cargo? Will the trunk hold
your groceries? Your golf clubs? Your bass box? Is it easy to
get to? Is there room in the back for other passengers? Will a
car seat fit properly in the back seat? Will you be able to lift
a sleeping child out of the back seat?
- Check for visibility. Can you see well enough over the steering
wheel? Do you have enough vision out over the hood? Can you see
the mirrors well? Is there enough visibility behind you? Are you
able to clearly see over your shoulder when changing lanes or
backing out of a parking space? Is there a large blind spot?
- Browse the instrument panel and dash accessories. Can you read
the fuel gauge, temperature gauge, speedometer and rpms, or does
the steering wheel block them? Does the display properly illuminate?
Can you access the other instruments easily? Is the air conditioning/heater
switch easy to get to? How about the stereo system? Or the cigarette
lighter? Does a center console supply adequate storage space for
essentials, or does it just get in the way?
Now it's time to drive. The test drive should help you assess whether
the car is for you or not. It might be wise to compare the car with
another manufacturer's model in the same class.
The test drive is for you, so make sure that you drive. I've seen
customers leave the dealership on a test drive with the dealer behind
the wheel. Don't allow this to happen. If the dealer insists on driving
(I can't see why this would be the case, but it does happen), tell
him or her that you'll take your business to another dealership.
Also, allow plenty of time for the test drive. You'll want to spend
a good 15 minutes behind the wheel. You may even want to take it out
more than once before making a decision. Here are a few other things
to keep in mind:
- Drive car on the highway. Does it handle well on the on-ramp?
Does it merge well into traffic? How's your vision over your shoulder
when merging and changing lanes?
- Check the steering and braking. Take the vehicle to an empty
parking lot and brake hard. Also, test the brakes while steering
aggressively. Does the car handle well? Do you feel the car will
respond in an emergency situation? Do the anti-lock brakes seem
to engage properly?
- Take the car to familiar routes. This is where your driving
is most familiar and comfortable, so this is a great place or
you to really get a feel of the car. Will it fit into your driveway
or garage?
- Make sure you listen to the car. The dealer may be talking excessively
about how cool the flashing arrows on your side mirrors are, but
make sure to shut them up for a minute. This can be a tactic to
mask some noise in the car. Be sure to listen to the engine at
different speeds. Listen to the airflow around the car, especially
at higher speeds. Check the air conditioning and heater to see
if there is excessive noise. Also, see if there's a loss of power
with the A/C and heater turned on. Listen to the stereo system,
making sure there are no crackling speakers and that you get quality
radio reception.
- Test the car's steering and handling in tighter situations.
Make a U-turn. Does the car have an adequate turning radius? Parallel
park the car as well. Does it maneuver well into the spot?
- In an automatic, feel the gears shift as you increase speed.
Do they take to long to shift? Is there a whine before the transmission
hits the next gear?
- Check the acceleration of the car. This can be a critical factor
when merging onto the highway or when avoiding a potential accident.
Does it respond, or is there a lag between stepping on the gas
and accelerating?
- Drive the car in some regular freeway traffic. Are you able
to change lanes without anything blocking your vision? Also test
the cruise control if the car is equipped.
Now that you've properly assessed the vehicle, take some time to write
up a pro/con list. This way you can gauge on paper your overall approval
of the car's performance, style, handling, comfort and safety.
It is important to do this without the dealer present. Go to a quiet
bench, go grab some lunch or a cup of coffee, or go home and return
another day. The dealer is all about making the sale. Having the dealer
there to distract you while assessing your satisfaction with the car
will only assist in the dealer's goal. The dealer may even try to
convince you that you liked a feature more than you did, or that a
particular aspect you weren't pleased with wasn't as major as it seemed.
Whatever excuse they can come up with, they'll throw at you. Therefore,
quietly assessing the vehicle without interruption is imperative.
Bottom line: you control the deal. If at any point you feel pressured
or that your concerns aren't being met, walk away. There is no reason
you should have to suffer through the ordeal with a rude and inconsiderate
salesperson. However, if you do get a stand-up dealer, you do your
research and you remain calm, cool and collected, chances are you'll
get the sweet deal you were looking for and you work will have paid
off. |
