Buying a car is so much more than showing up at the lot and picking one out of a lineup. You need to put in a considerable amount of work and research to narrow down the kinds of vehicles that work for your price range and check off all the boxes you're looking for in a car. Once you have the potential purchase narrowed down your next move is to take a test drive. However, you need to do more than just take drive around the block. Instead, here is exactly what you need to do to get the most out of your test drive.
During a test drive, you need to:- Check Your Cables
- Cup Holders
- Stroller/Kid Seat
- Climate Control
- Turn Off the Radio and Listen
- Parking Lot Test
Check Your Cables
If you spend any amount of time driving your vehicle you'll be charging your phone and other electronics on the go. To get a good feel of the new vehicle bring your current devices and see how everything connects.
Cup Holders
Do you pick up coffee on the way to work? Maybe you bring a thermos with you. Test to make sure your cup not only fits, but that it's within a comfortable reach. These might be small aspects to a new vehicle, but you likely will spend a good amount of time in the vehicle, so you need to make sure it fits you perfectly.
Stroller and Kid Seat
If you have a small child, you'll need to put in the car seat and stroller. Don't complete your test drive without seeing how easy it is to set up your child seat and fit the stroller into the trunk. If it's a problem now, just think how big of a headache it will be when you have other items in the trunk and back seat.
Climate Control
Test out the climate control. Take note how how well it works. This is especially important if you're buying a used vehicle. If it takes a while on a used vehicle there might be problems under the hood.
Turn Off the Radio and Listen
Take note of how noisy the drive is. Can you hear everything going on outside? Is it windy when you're on the highway? The salesman will probably want to show off the stereo system, which is fine. Take a good listen. But then take a hard listen with everything off. You can always upgrade the stereo later. You can't upgrade how quiet the car is when you're driving it.
Parking Lot Test
You'll be parking the vehicle several times a day. So, take it to a parking lot and see how it handles. This is where you'll see if the vehicle makes wide turns or if it's difficult to see past certain blind spots.
It doesn't matter if you're on the market for a brand-new pickup truck or for a used station wagon, you need to follow these tips and suggestions during the next test drive. As long as you follow these instructions, you'll have the knowledge you need to make a final decision on which vehicle works best for your needs.
In order to ensure that you are not stuck with repair bills after your purchase, head on over to True Auto’s website. Check out how we can give you a piece of mind while on the road!
