The Car Test Drive Check List

I tell people that when you are out doing the car shopping thing, you are going to look at and test drive at least a couple different cars if not many.

What I suggest for people to do is to make up an evaluation form or a score card to take with them will they car shop and test drive and fill one out for each car that they drive.

A simple scoring system of 1 to 5 works great; with 1 being poor and 5 being exceptional.

This way at the end of the day you can sit down and add up the scores and examine just the facts. The scoring system is a great way to keep your head clear on what you have driven, the notes you made, and what exactly you liked and didn't like about the the car.

If you try to keep all your notes logged in your brain... you won't be able to remember everything. So, here is a quick example of what I am talking about. Feel free to use it if you like.

 

Component	Score
Dashboard:
Are the gauges easy to read at a glance
Do you have to change positions to see any of the gauges
Can you reach and find all the controls with minimal effort
Are there any protrusions that are uncomfortable or dangerous in a sudden stop
Visibility:
Does the steering wheel obstruct the view. Is the top of the rim lower than your shoulders. If not it could obstruct your view
Do the wipers provide good coverage on the windshield. Squirt the fluid and find out
Is the window tint an acceptable level for night driving
Any potential dangerous blind spots caused by the layout or design
Do the interior and exterior mirrors minimize blind spots
The Steering:
A slight turn of the wheel should generate a quick response
Is the car easy to steer without masking the feel you have for the road
Does the car pretty much remain on track when traveling in a straight line
How much area is required to make a "U-turn"
Note the number of turns from wheel lock to wheel lock (the fewer the better)
The Suspension:
You should feel comfortable and in control at all times
How hard or soft is the ride (performance cars will have a stiffer suspension
On sharp turns does the car lean too much from side to side
Does the car hop and dance over bumpy surfaces
The Brakes:
Smooth soft stop with no pulling from side to side
With ABS systems be sure to test them by stepping down hard on the brakes and holding the pedal down to make sure the car comes to a controlled stop
Power And Transmission:
With an automatic transmission, does the car seem to hunt for the gears and/or do an abnormal amount of shifting (the transmission always seems busy doing something)
When climbing hills with a manual transmission in a higher gears does the engine have enough power and torque
Can you reach highway speeds easily from the entrance ramp
Is there enough power when called upon to pass
Noise Level:
Before you go on the highway, set the radio to a comfortable listening level with all of the windows closed. Then as you enter the highway and get up to highway speeds; how many times did you have to adjust the volume level up to maintain the same listening level.
Storage Space:
Does the trunk provide enough room for your lifestyle
Is is accessible for loading and unloading
Do the rear seats easily fold down
Is the spare tire a full spare
Is the spare tire and the jack easily accessible
Seating:
Where the seats as comfortable at the end of the test drive as they were at the beginning
Can you easily adjust the seat and reach all the pedals
Can you get in and out of all the doors easily even with a child seat
Once in the seat is there enough headroom (and with a hat)
The Appearance:
Check over all the paint on the car - smooth with no areas of an orange peel look or consistency
Look for spots where the paint appears too thin
Spacing around the doors, hood, and trunk should be even and uniform

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