No matter you buy a used car or brand new car, always test drive on leisure day at convenient time and place.
Always test drive on leisure day at convenient time and place
Schedule a test drive preferably on Sunday or Holiday. Scheduling a test when you are not in hurry will help you to understand your next car better. It takes 2 hours to complete a test drive and pre-post discussion with sales executive.
Always test all shortlisted cars on same day
Tests drive all shortlisted cars on same day, why? Driving experience remains fresh in your mind and you can compare cars better to arrive at final decision. Also test drive minimum three to four cars in single day for better comparison. Don’t forget to reset trip meter to check real life mileage according to your driving habits.
Test drive only the version/variant you have selected
Don’t hesitate to ask car dealer to provide a variant you intend to buy. Same thing applies to power train. Generally, test drive vehicles are top variants. In case that particular powertrain and variant is not available with dealer you can try to contact another car dealership. If the variant you want is not available for test drive, you can even ask a dealer to show that variant so that you can inspect features.
Check each and every features of car
Car manufacturers offer some useful features and some gimmick features. It is important to prioritize features you want before new car booking and also it is necessary to check each and every feature during test drive. You can even ask sales executive to demonstrate car features. Obviously, you cannot ask him to demonstrate airbags functioning.
Check "A" pillar size and obstruction
Driver may face visibility problems. Tall driver may face problems if car have a fillet round A Pillar, while short drive face visibility problems if a car has quarter window.
Check Gear low end torque.
Low end torque is equally important as car BHP numbers when car is driven every day in city traffic. When your car has good low end torque means you have access to power and you don’t have to down shift the gears when accelerating from lower speed and also during overtaking, so overall drive experience is more relaxed.
Check braking
Feel the brakes. Check the brakes are too weak or too strong. If brakes are powerful then braking efforts are less.
Check handling of car
It is important to drive minimum 10 KMs during test drive. Don’t drive only on highway and good road, driving a car on rough road will let you know suspension performance and rattling noise in cabin. Test drive at different gear ratios and different speed to check engine and gear box performance.
Check clutch travel
Driving a car with more clutch travel in city traffic condition is painful. Driving in slow moving traffic can be quite a painful experience when clutch travel is more. Clutch should travel down ¾ inch to 1 inch without any efforts and after that considerable efforts require to depress down the floor. Low clutch travel can relieve driver’s stress.
Car Engine noise and vibration in cabin
Vehicle interior comfort is very crucial. Sound produced by internal combustion engine can cause irritation, stress and reduced concentrate while driving. Engine vibration is major reason behind distress. Car buyer should never neglect engine noise and vibration while considering car luxury and comfort.
Car air conditioning
We live in tropical climate where we experience humidity and heat almost 8 to 10 months in a year. Hence it is important to check car air condition performance and it is more important to check engine performance when car A/c is switch on. Some cars offer bigger compressor for fast cooling. Car air condition performance also depends of cabin size, condenser, cooling coil and blower speed.
Call test drive vehicle at home.
Single most benefit of calling test drive vehicle at home is to check vehicle can be parked in available parking space with minimum efforts. Also, you can call family to check and feel the comfort of vehicle.
You can even book OR subscribe a rental car, you can experience the car for a month or two and then you can book your next car. At the end don’t forget to carry valid driving license for test drive a car. Also, if you are not satisfied don’t feel shy to ask for second test drive before buying a car.