Your new car test drive should be more than just a formality, going through the motions, or a primal ritual just before you buy a car. This the most important part of the process before actually heading inside the dealership to discuss dollars. This is a time when the salesperson is there to answer questions only. Don't let the sales person talk and sell constantly while you are on the test drive. If necessary ask the sales person to save the sales chat so you can concentrate on the test drive. A quick, polite ride around the block will tell you nothing about the car. Ask the sales person to point out and take you on a variety of road surfaces. Many may be reluctant, and quote policy saying they have a designated route for the drive. If the salesperson holds firm on this, and you really think you want to drive the car more, then ask the sales manager for the go, or schedule a time when you can come back and do so. Leave the the radio off. If you are that much of an audiophile, you'll probably getting your own system in the car anyway. Check for the road noise both with the windows up and down. A noisy car will wear you out over time. If the car you are test driving is a manual transmission pay close attention to how the car shifts, how comfortable the pedals are to work, how comfortable the shifter is for you to reach. Does the car down shift smoothly? For that matter, if the car is an automatic transmission does it shift smoothly? When you kick it into passing gear, does the transmission make the transition smoothly? How does the automatic transmission react around town? Is it quiet an smooth? Not too busy constantly shifting back and forth. On a quiet side street, test the brakes by stopping the car quickly and check for pulling from one side to the other (a heads up to the sales person before you do this is the right thing to do).
With front wheel drive cars (and a large percentage are these days), accelerate from a standing stop to check to see if the car pulls to the left or right when you do this. On many front wheel drive cars, one drive shaft will be shorter than the other and on this type of front wheel drive car, when you accelerate quickly, you may experience a pulling to one side or the other. This is known as "torque steer". Manufacturers today have taken measures to minimize the physics of this. However, if you feel the car pulls an excessive amount, you may want to consider a different model. I've just touched on a few of the high level items to check out when you test drive a car. For a more detailed break out of many of the factors to evaluate on the test drive you should take a look at the detailed new car test drive check list. Although the test drive may not catch all the personal peccadillo's about the car, it will go along way toward your peace of mind as you move yourself a bit closer to a buying decision. One final note about the test drive. If all goes well and has gone well to this point, resist the urge to run in and start the negotiating process. Keep your composure and stay in analytical mode. Keep reviewing just the facts about the car the test drive you just came back from. Believe me, the work on buying the car is just about to begin and there other matters to take car of first. Even if you fall in love with the car, keep you emotions in check. You will be able to negotiate the car deal that is ahead of you much better. Next The Car Test Drive Check List
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