Knowing how to test drive a car properly is one of the best car buying tips you can get. It is very strange how so many people will make their most expensive individual purchase second to their home without testing it, and often without even sitting in it. Here is one of the most important car buying tips you will ever be given: how to test drive a car.
How to Test Drive a Car
The car can be new or pre-owned. The fundamental issues are the same. Do you like it, does it suit you and your family and do you find it easy to drive? Then we get to its age, wear and tear, and those signs that tell an experienced mechanic that there is a lot of work needing done to make it roadworthy.
All too often people buy a car and then find certain aspects of it that they dont like. Maybe it is awkward for them to reverse due to blind spots or the height of the headrests. Perhaps the car is just too big for them overall, and the rear window fails to provide them with a clear rear view.
Thats why you should try to reverse when test-driving it, or even try parking the car. Make sure that these simple everyday maneuvers are easy to complete. Here are a few more tips when you test drive a car.
Test Drive - Get a Feel for the Car
It is important to get a feel for how the car handles, and the only way to do that is with a proper test drive. This is not just a quick drive round the block. You should check out the suspension, how easy you can access the controls, how she handles when braking and cornering and how easy the steering is.
Also check for noises: rattles, knocks, and any squeal when braking. Other important issues are road rumble and wind noise - can you hear the radio when driving without having to turn the volume to maximum? Never purchase any vehicle that sounds wrong - always have any suspicious noises investigated and put right before buying a car.
Also sit in the passenger seat, and get a feel for the vehicle as a passenger. Sit in the front and back seats, checking comfort, suspension and noises. Check that all the instruments, switches and gadgets work properly on the dash, doors and everywhere else.
Keep in mind that a new car can have its faults just the same as a pre-owned car, so dont assume that everything should be in perfect condition. Your brand new car could have sat out in a lot for the best part of a year, exposed to all weather conditions and passing traffic - particularly in the external storage area at the manufacturing plant.
Dont Rush when Test Driving a Car
This is a big purchase for you, so dont rush coming to a decision. Take your time with the test drive. Those that know how to test drive a car properly will set time aside for it, and not try to fit it in during their lunch break. Once you hand over the money the car is yours and you will have it for a long time. Test it while it belongs to the seller!
Try driving at various speeds on a range of road surfaces. A salesperson will try to get you to make up your mind fast, but if you show real interest they will allow you as much time as you need. They wont want to miss the sale for the sake of another several minutes testing. It might be different if you come every day to test drive Ferraris!
Bring a Professional
It pays to hire a mechanic to either take the test drive with you or give the vehicle a check before you buy it - or both! A professional will not be misdirected by salespersons chatter as you might be, and will be able to identify the cause of most of the strange noises if there are any. They also know where to look for signs of corrosion or previous collisions. Some emergency breakdown services offer professional vehicle inspection programs you can use to have your car checked over before purchase.
Finally...
When buying a car, it is important that you know you are not buying a lemon. Give the vehicle a good look over, test drive it for as long as you need to and use the services of a professional inspection service such as that offered by most breakdown services. Sure, it costs, but how much will it cost you to repair your new car should it break down?
Alternatively, make sure that you have a good warranty from the seller if you are purchasing a pre-owned car. This is important with used cars because without a warranty you will be responsible for every fault or breakdown once you have signed the contract.
How to test drive a car is one of the most important car buying tips that you can get. This is particularly true if you are purchasing a used car, although new cars are not always problem-free. Would you be if you were standing in a manufacturers car lot for month after month?
One of the best car buying tips you can take is to buy your car from Benton Nissan in Alabama. Not only do Benton Nissan offer a wide range of new and pre-used cars (not only Nissans) but we also provide a free 10 year/120,000 mile Powertrain Warranty. We at Benton Nissan guarantee our cars, so you are safe to buy from us.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dale_Benton
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