Get the Most Out of Your Test Drive

Please excuse the pun, but a lot is riding on a new-vehicle test drive. During a period that is likely less than a half-hour, you are supposed to predict your satisfaction with a vehicle you will likely be making significant monthly payments for several years, and hopefully, continue to drive after that. McFarland Chevrolet offers a few tips on getting the most out of your test drive.

Do Your Research Ahead of Time

The dealership is not the place to decide what kind of car you want. Ideally, you should know a great deal about the model you are considering before you visit the dealership. It may help to evaluate your current vehicle with a list of what you like and don’t like about it. Make sure you consider your needs, preferences, and budget until you have narrowed your search to one or two vehicle categories, and thus to one or two models at the dealership. Next, read reviews on each model from a trusted source.

Even from a trusted source, treat their evaluations as guidelines, not ironclad facts. If the reviewer says the seat isn’t comfortable, it may be just fine for you. A car that seems slow to a car enthusiast who regularly drives Porsches, Corvettes, and the like may not be slow at all for the way you drive. And if they find the controls hard to learn, that may not be an issue for anyone who owns the cars. Plus, most car reviewers will test a specific trim level, not the entire model line. That lets them evaluate everything that particular model has to offer, but it may not be the trim level you are interested in. Take all their advice as subject to your own evaluation, not as gospel.

Once you have narrowed your consideration to a couple of models, the next step is to determine a target trim level. Get on a manufacturer’s or dealer’s website that provides details on each trim level’s features, and do your best to determine which trim level is best for you. Again, you may have narrowed it down to more than one, but try to keep your consideration to just two.

Call Ahead for a Test Drive Appointment

There are a couple of reasons to make an appointment. One is to tell them in advance which trim level(s) you are interested in testing. You don’t want to drive a fully loaded model if your budget keeps you at the lower end of the model line. If the vehicle you are considering has an 8-inch center screen, don’t test the one with a 12-inch screen. The same goes for trim-level themes. Don’t drive an off-road-focused model if that is not what you would buy, as it will likely ride differently. It doesn’t have to be the exact vehicle you plan to buy, but it should be the right trim level with the right packages.

Another reason to call ahead is to schedule more than one car on your consideration list for the same day, back-to-back if possible. That way, the impression of one vehicle is still fresh as you are driving the other.

What to Bring With You

If you have something specific and fairly large that you know you will be taking with you in the car, bring it along so you can make sure it fits well. Examples include a dog crate, a baby stroller, or work-related equipment. If you have a child seat, bring it so you know whether it is easy to install. The trouble will be worth it, and it certainly tells your salesperson that you are a serious shopper. You should consider bringing everyone in the family who will often be in the car to ensure they will be comfortable.

You will want to bring your phone and pair it with your test-drive vehicle. If the vehicle does not have wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility and you want to use those interfaces, bring the appropriate connector. Have a specific piece of music you know well on hand to evaluate the audio system. Don’t forget to delete your profile when the test is over.

Before You Take Off

Take some time before you get going. As we mentioned, pair your phone, but don’t listen to the sound system just yet. Adjust everything to your preference, including all the seat, steering wheel, and mirror adjustments. Take notice of how the controls feel. Is it easy to tell when they are engaged? Do they feel tight or loose to the touch? Also, look for blind spots and listen to the idle.

On the Road

Try to mimic your driving situation as closely as possible. Some dealerships have a set route they want you to take. Ignore that if it doesn’t include the scenarios you want to evaluate. You are behind the wheel, and it’s your money on the line. If you regularly drive on the highway, be sure to do so to determine how noisy it is and how the ride is over expansion bumps and such. If you spend plenty of time in town, go in town to make sure you are comfortable with the visibility around you and how well you can modulate speed.

If you parallel park regularly, do that. Test the sound system while driving, but only for a short time, so you can hear the car itself.

Testing acceleration is a natural part of every test drive, but do it in a way that reflects your driving habits. Few of us stomp on the gas pedal from a dead stop, but we may do it when entering an on-ramp. In that case, test the car’s acceleration from 30 to 60, rather than from a stop. Some cars are tuned to front-load the acceleration to make it feel quicker. That can feel impressive, but it can also make it more challenging to make minor speed adjustments smoothly, which is likely what you will do more often.

Reserve Judgment

Chances are, the new vehicle will look much better than your current one, leaving you mighty impressed. Make sure you compare it with other new vehicles that interest you rather than with your current car. The more vehicles you test-drive, the better perspective you’ll gain.

We realize that not all this advice is in the best interests of the sales professional who wants to make the sale today. But McFarland Chevrolet ultimately wants you to be happy with your purchase in the long run, as that is our best chance of seeing you again. We wish you good luck with your shopping.