Taking a test drive is one of the most integral steps to buying a car. But many consumers don’t know what it is they should actually be testing for when they get behind the wheel of a car they are considering buying.
Follow these steps to take a great test drive that is sure to make your purchasing decision a whole lot easier.
Test before you drive
Your test drive begins before you actually put the car in drive. Get in and out of the car several times repeatedly, fully opening and closing the door and fastening your seatbelt each time. Locate the position of the turn signal and radio dials to test the ergonomics and check all your mirrors and blind spots to see how the car fits your eye.
Know your needs
Your test drive should match your everyday driving style. If your morning commute consists of bumper-to-bumper traffic with a lot of braking, test out the stop-and-go performance of the car. If your commute is on a winding backroad, pay special attention to the handling and cornering.
Test the specs
A test drive is also an opportunity to consider the activities you participate in and how the car suits those needs. Need a lot of trunk space for sporting equipment? Towing capabilities for a boat or camper? Make sure the car is well-equipped for these needs.
Control the climate
If you live in a particularly hot or cold climate, it’s important to test out the heater or air conditioner. Some cars warm up and cool down better and quicker than others and the performance and efficiency of some cars is affected more by these systems.
Push the limits
Find an empty parking lot where it’s safe to do so and test the hard braking and hard steering of the car. It’s important to know how the vehicle can perform in an emergency situation.
Test Driving a Used Car
If you’re test driving a used car, there’s a whole checklist of things you should inspect. Following these steps will help increase your chances of getting a great value on a used car.
Test Drive at Zimbrick
Now that you know how to make the most of your test drive, the final step is to visit one of our Zimbrick locations in Wisconsin and get behind the wheel. We have over 3,000 vehicles in both new and used condition to choose from. Come see us for a test drive today.
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