HERE’S TEN TIPS ON HOW TEST DRIVE LIKE A PRO
1: THE DOOR HANDLE: Sounds weird, but the door handle is a real lie detector for build quality. If if feels cheap, it speaks volumes to the vehicle’s overall quality.
2: COMFORTABLE SEAT-TO-STEERING WHEEL: How you relate to the steering wheel and pedals is key to vehicle control and your long-term drive comfort. Take the time to get that right before you leave the dealer lot. Remember to check for steering wheel controls like turn indicators and wipers.
3: TESTING THE AUDIO SYSTEM IS LAST - NOT FIRST: We’re amazed at how many consumers can’t wait to test the audio system. If you hate the vehicle itself, there’s little point.
4: ERGONOMICS: Might sound trite, but if this the vehicle you buy, you’re going to interface with those controls a million times over the course of owning the vehicle. Do the controls fall into the natural location and do they operate in the way you’re comfortable with? Today's dashboards are crammed full and as a result controls are getting smaller and smaller. Be sure you can locate them easily.
5: BLIND SPOTS: In most cases a vehicle’s blind spots are forever. If you can’t adjust yourself or the mirrors to eliminate them, move on to another vehicle. These can be deadly.
6: BACKSEATS YOU CAN USE: You may not notice at first, but a lot of second and third row seating can be near impossible to access. They may look great, but if you haven’t tried getting back there you really don’t know if they’re useful. Check it out.
7: THE FEEL OF THE WHEEL IS KEY TO THE DEAL: If a vehicle doesn’t feel right to your hands, that control and stability you’re looking for will all translate through the steering wheel. Also, if long term vehicle quality matters to you, put your left hand finger tips in between the door and the roofline, if you feel things moving around and you want to keep the vehicle for a long time, move to another vehicle.
8: DOES IT GO WHEN YOU ASK IT TO?: The pursuit of fuel economy is honorable but not at the cost of power when you need it. Not every vehicle has to have race car performance, but the power to merge or pass is important; it might even save your life. Does the throttle respond evenly to your input?
9: BRAKES MATTER TOO: Strong stopping power is important, but just as important is how the pedal and the control feels under your foot. Are you getting smooth control equal to your input?
10: CHECK FOR QUIET: A higher level of noise is not your friend. It’s telling you this not a well engineered vehicle. Tire noise is louder than the engine in most vehicles. Quiet is a sign of quality. There are sound meter apps for your smart phone: Use them during your test drive. Have the sales consultant hold the meter in between the front seats but not directly in front of an air vent. Well-built vehicles, even trucks, shouldn’t exceed 75 dba on the sound meter while driving on the freeway at 70-mph. Some are as quiet as 60 dba (luxury vehicles).
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