When it comes to buying a car, we always recommend that you test drive the vehicle before your purchase, even if it's a brand-new vehicle. Why? Well, it's one thing to read great reviews about a car or see it on the road. You need to experience it for yourself. According to Kelly Blue Book, 39% of Americans experienced buyer's remorse. Not test driving a car or not understanding as much as you can about the make and model contributes to that feeling.
Again, it's important for you to know everything you can about the make and model before you visit the dealership by doing research on the internet at sites such as Edmunds, Cars.com, and Kelly Blue Book. You should also go to the official manufacturer's website to look up the model and trim you're shopping for. What about when it comes to test-driving the car? Here are the most important things to do when test-driving a new car you're looking to buy. We walk you through the process step-by-step.
Ask to Drive the Model and Trim You're Interested In
So, you've done your homework about the vehicle you're thinking about buying. You should know the base MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price). It's also good to know what that specific make and model is selling for in your area. Research what's in stock at the dealerships you plan on visiting. The best thing to do in advance is to look at that specific dealership's inventory to find out what's on the lot. Call them to ask them if you can take a look at that specific vehicle and then make an appointment.
Ask the salesperson if you can test drive the exact model and trim you called about. If you haven't done this first, there's always a chance they don't have it on the lot, but you're in luck if they do. Avoid driving a higher trim level the salesperson may push this because they want to upsell you. Walk away if they're too pushy. It's not a problem if you want to drive a less expensive trim just to get a feel for the car, but avoid getting pushed to drive a more expensive trim level and definitely decline any offer to drive a different model. You are the buyer, and don't let yourself get pushed into doing something that you don't want to do and strive to remain within your budget.
If you can deal with the person you spoke to over the phone, the same one you made an appointment with, that's the best way to go. This way, they know exactly what vehicle you called about and hopefully, there won't be any runaround when you get there. They know you're only there to test drive one vehicle, and that's the way it should remain.
- Conduct research on the make, model, and trim level of the vehicle you're interested in.
- Know the MSRP of the vehicle, and find out what the model and trim is selling for in your area.
- View inventory of local dealerships to find out if they have the car you're looking for.
- Call dealerships to make an appointment to test drive the vehicle.
Ask to Test Drive the Vehicle Without the Salesperson
This is a shot in the dark. Not every dealership will let you take the car out on your own to test drive. Others have no problem with this and will simply take a copy of your driver's license and send you on your way. Some of this depends on your age and how you present yourself. If you're 19 years old and you come with your buddies to test drive the quickest model on the lot, good luck. If you're in your 40s and you're well-dressed, they will implicity trust you more.
The reason why you should ask to test drive the vehicle on your own is, first of all, that you want to experience everything about the vehicle without worrying about someone pressuring you, asking you questions, or just hovering while you drive and asking your opinion or influencing you as you drive. You need an unfiltered experience, and you don't want to be limited by time. If they refuse, you can simply tell them you'll go to a dealership that's not so restrictive. They may change their minds.
If you're okay with the salesperson accompanying you on your test drive, don't hesitate to ask for silence as you drive the car. Don't be rude, but also don't be afraid to tell them that you want to concentrate on the details of the car and the driving experience and that silence helps you focus. They should understand if they're even remotely serious about selling the vehicle. You should feel free to ask them relevant questions about the vehicle. We've found that most salespeople don't actually know that much about the vehicles they're selling and usually respond with, “I'll have to get back to you on that.” Make sure you get your answers before entering any discussion about buying the car. The educated customer always has an advantage.
What to Look For When Test Driving
Don't be enamored by the car's looks and automatically get excited by the prospect of it as your next new vehicle. It's important to look at virtually every aspect. Before you get into the car, walk around the vehicle. Take a look at its overall condition. Check for:
- Dings, dents, or scratches
- Paint condition
- Fit and finish of trim pieces
- Size of panel gaps
- Condition of tires and wheels
- Condition of the engine (pop the hood)
Once you're in the vehicle, close the door and check to see how it sounds and feels. Does it close easily and feel solid? Is it easy for you to get in? Start the car and make adjustments to the seats and mirrors. Take a look around inside and look at materials, construction, layout of the instrumentation, and the ergonomics. It's important for you to be able to get into a comfortable seating position, as well as have good visibility around the car. You also need to see how quickly the technology fires up and how easy it is to operate. Technology might look great, but if it's challenging to figure out while you're parked, it won't be easy to use when you're driving.
If you brought some of your own gear with you (your coffee mug, water bottle, smartphone, keys, etc.), then see how it all fits inside the car. Are the cupholders large enough? Are they in a good location for you to reach, and do they secure the cup and release well without you having to worry about spills? How is the storage space? Do they open easily and secure well? Are storage spaces easily accessible, and are they large enough to accommodate your daily items? All of these are important considerations that could prove to be frustrating later.
How does the car drive? Does the car accelerate well? Try it on a freeway on-ramp. Does the transmission shift well? Does it downshift quickly when you step on the gas? How are the brakes? Are they smooth and progressive, or is the pedal mushy and does it have dead spots? Does it come to a stop in a reasonable distance? When you turn the steering wheel, does the car respond well to inputs? Is there a lot of body roll, or does it corner well? For many owners, the ride quality is very important. Does the car handle bumps and different kinds of surfaces well? How are the wind and road noise? Is the car quiet?
Test the infotainment system, climate system, and audio while you're driving. All of these functions should be relatively easy to operate without distracting you too much from focusing on driving. If something is hard to operate when you're in traffic or at highway speeds, then it's not a good choice. How hard is it to connect your phone via Bluetooth? Does the navigation system work well? If the quality of your phone calls or the audio system doesn't work well or sound good, then you may want to look elsewhere. Make sure you check all of the following
- Acceleration, braking, suspension, handling, ride quality
- Seat comfort, ergonomics, visibility, storage
- Infotainment, climate system, Bluetooth, audio system
- Road noise, wind noise
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