The Best Way to Test Drive a Car

Family test driving a car in tempe, AZ

Purchasing a car is an exciting event. However, it can also be stressful for many people. However, there are some steps you can take to make your car shopping and buying experience more pleasant and less stressful.

It is common for car buyers to be unsure about the type of car they want to purchase. It tends to be common for car buyers to buy the first car they test drive. Some people do not even bother to test drive a new car, which is a mistake.

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TIP #1 - THINK ABOUT YOUR NEEDS

When you want to buy a car, it is essential to understand your needs. For example, if you have to drive a lot of miles, you might not want to get a car that gets low gas mileage. On the other hand, if you have a lot of people you drive around often, you may want to purchase a larger vehicle.

TIP #2 - RESERVE ONE DAY FOR TEST DRIVES

It is easy to be intoxicated by the smell of a new car. For this reason, you should plan not to purchase the vehicle on the same day that you take it for a test drive. Instead, you want to allow for some time to pass before making a decision.

TIP #3 - MAKE SOME APPOINTMENTS

You want to schedule several appointments with different car dealers. You want to schedule them all for the same day. This forces you to visit these dealerships and take different cars for test drives. It also forces you to spend a set amount of time at each dealership.

TIP #4 - CREATE LISTS

You want to make lists of all the cars that you want to test drive. You want to keep track of all the features each vehicle has so you can compare them. Also, consider adding items to your list that you must have in your next vehicle. You should check out the websites for reviews about the cars in which you are interested. If you are partial to a particular brand, you can determine if the brand still meets your expectations.

TIP #5 - BRING A FRIEND

Sometimes it is difficult to remember that a car salesman's job is to sell you a car. When you bring a friend, they can keep you focused on your goal. Your friend can help you remember the features you want and how much you want to spend. If you carry around something large, you may want to bring it with you to see how it will fit in a car you test drive. If you drive a lot of people around, you might also want to consider the amount of room in the back row.

TIP #6 - HOW COMFORTABLE IS IT?

You want your car to be comfortable, or you may end up hating it. How easy is it to get in and out of the car? Will it still be that easy in a few years? How well do you fit in the car?

TIP #7 - NEED PHOTOCOPIES?

Most of the time, when you take a car for a test drive, the dealership wants a copy of your driver's license. Make a copy of your license and bring it with you to the dealership. When you return with the car after your test drive, ask for the copy back. There is a large amount of identity theft, and you cannot be too careful.

TIP #8 - THINGS NOT TO FORGET

There are some details you may forget during the excitement of your test drive. First, you want to look at the technology in the car. Make sure that you can pair your phone, understand the symbols on the dashboard, and use the entertainment system. Next, make sure you know the fuel economy of the car, especially if you do a lot of driving. You also want to know why type of fuel the vehicle needs, especially if it requires premium gas.

TIP #9 - TAKE THE CAR WHERE YOU WANT TO DRIVE

If most of your commute is on the highway, then you want to test it out on the highway. Make sure you drive over bumps and railroad tracks to see how it feels.

If you have any questions about a Buick or GMC, visit Coulter Tempe Buick GMC to get answers to all your questions or take your next car for a test drive.