Cars are not just to take people from place A to place B; they show the status and character of the owner. However, your dream car can become a devil for you in day-to-day life if you haven’t tested it as per your requirements. Well, while you are looking for a new car or a used car, it is always a great practice to take a test drive before car buying to make sure you get the driver’s perspective before owning the vehicle.
Taking a car for a thorough test drive isn’t the final thing in the car shopping activity. Here is how you can test drive a car to make sure your car-buying experience becomes awesome!
Take time & do some research at home
You can visit online review sites and various forums that can give you honest advice. Do remember not to read those websites that show only positive stuff, nothing is perfect so don’t get stuck in that honey trap. This will make sure that when you visit the dealer, it will be fruitful as you will know what you want!
There are also tonnes of Facebook, Reddit, and Quora community groups available that you can join to know better details about your dream car. Try to find out the service cost, and common issues buyers are facing, and use proper platforms to evaluate car online. Many times, in the old car communities, you will be able to find the car you’ve shortlisted might have common issues and you can find another car you want to check out as well.
Drive back to back on the same day
Take a day off and go to shortlisted car dealerships on the same day. This will give you an idea of which car has better performance and ride quality. That same-day testing will let you compare yourself better. Another test drive in another brand will make you understand how smoothly the car drives compared to one car you drove just moments ago.
For instance, comparing build quality, pick up of the engine, suspension setup, and space in the car; you will be able to make a direct comparison of all these things with ease.
Don’t get distracted in the car test
Take your friend with you so when you are driving and trying to find out faults in the car, the salesperson will stay busy talking with your friend. Let the salesperson know about what things you are going to evaluate, so they won’t disturb you while test driving cars. see if the car accelerates at the desired pace or not, and compare it with other new or used cars you have tested. See how the vehicle feels on the bad patch of the road, and drive the vehicle through some potholes as well to see how well the car performs.
Car salesmen are trained to make sure that you end up talking about good things and good features about the car and forget about the core things of the vehicles. So, make sure to check all the necessary things without getting trapped in this.
Be clear about what you want
When you step inside a car dealership; decide what you need. Because the salesperson will sell you what makes most for him, not what suits you. If you are a family guy, a 2-seater is not for you. If you go on country roads often, then a high-ground clearance car is needed. For long highway runs, the sedan is most suitable. So make a wise decision.
This does not only end there make sure to make a list of features that are only ‘good to have features’ and you are fine even if they are not there in your vehicle. This way, you will be able to save money on your purchase. Do make sure to list down your requirements about the insurance as well. Third-party insurance, roadside assistance, and so on.
Focus on your match in the dealerships
Take a small carry bag with you filled with small items that you regularly use to go out in the car. Like a water bottle, small items like a diary, a small chips packet, newspaper, and other things, place them in storage spaces in the car. That will give you an idea of how much space is there in a car, as a long trip requires more space to feel more comfortable. Place a small bag or something in the hatch so that you can see what the real space is.
Don’t feel shy about doing this as we people check small things with very careful eyes, so before investing huge money in a car, be careful!
Choose the model, trim, and powertrain for the test drive
To know what is the best fuel type for your car, petrol, diesel, or CNG? If you are going to buy an SUV, then try to get the AWD option, as it will allow you to go off-roading and you won’t get stuck somewhere. Try to get top-end models if your budget allows you, so you won’t miss out on any new features.
Do not opt for a vehicle that has so many bells and whistles that you do not even need in the first place. That will also make sure that your service bill goes higher every year even without using it.
Inspect the specific vehicle
Check body panel gaps and fit and finish both in and outside. Take a look at interior material quality. See paint quality. Try opening and closing doors several times, so you can hear the sound of closure and can decide on the finishing. There is no perfect car available in the market. The buying process should help you make the buying decision. Check if the specific model has Android Auto or Apple Carplay or not, check if there is a navigation system and Bluetooth as standard, and if there are any other features on the steering wheel as well.
Observe the car in detail while driving a car
Small things can become irritating in day-to-day life usage. Such as stiff steering when in daily traffic hours, small fuel tank capacity, etc. Things like the number bottle holders on the doors, hand rest, back seat headrest, and cooled glove box are some examples of good-to-have features in a car.
Door openings and inside space
Open the door wide and see if it is easy to get in and out of the car or not. Sit in all seats in the front and back rows to ensure comfort. If you have tall people at home, do take them with you for a test drive to see how they can sit in the back seat and how is the thigh support for the seats.
Take the car for a spin
After inspecting the car at the dealership, get in the driving seat and go for a spin in a well-known area. The benefit of going to the known area is that you would be familiar with all the roads. So, instead of finding direction, you will be able to concentrate on what’s missing from the car. Check overall visibility from the cabin, inspect the cargo space in the new vehicle, apply brakes, and see if you can manage the acceleration or not.
Adjust seats and steering on best comfort mode, and check ABC paddle play and gap. If you are going to spend most of your time in the driving seat, you better check front-seat comfort.
Turn on the AC and check its effectiveness. See how is the audio quality and seat lumbar support as well.
Technology testing in new car
Try to pair your smartphones and other accessories with the car infotainment system, so you can feel good while driving, as now Technology is an essential part of our lifestyle, so better check that your gadgets are compatible or not.
If the car has smart screens, make sure to test them for smoothness as well.
Check the car’s size
Try to park your car in your home garage or any other tight parking spot to check the easiness. Take the full-grown adults of the family with you to see the comfort in the car as well.
Make U-turns, go on corners, don’t go on a smooth road, and always try traffic situations.
Conclusions
In the end, we would like to conclude that, you should buy a car that suits your budget and has amazing comfort and capabilities as per your family’s needs. Take an extended test if needed with every car you are considering on your budget. Try to set an appointment for a test drive on the same day, so you will be able to figure out how each car handles and which car fits the best for your needs.
Make sure you have created a list of things to keep in mind that you are buying a new car you want to get, not the car salesperson is offering you. Keep a checklist of what to look for while you are in the driver’s seat and ensure the vehicle is providing you with the best experience you are looking for.
