The majority of car buyers never take more than a brief test drive of a new or used vehicle. Testing new cars is essential with all the new technology and features found in modern cars and trucks.
A survey by Cox Automotive found that only 32 percent of car shoppers know exactly what vehicle they want before they begin their car shopping. 55% of those who test drive a vehicle end up buying it. Even if they have your size, you’re more likely to try on multiple pairs of shoes and hats.
Edmunds.com’s Ron Montoya, the car-buying website, said that many people believe, “Hey, this car is new. I drive an old car. I don’t need to drive this car. Any car is better than the one I have now. They don’t test drive it.
They should. The average vehicle on the road today is more than 10 years old. Many of the new features in a vehicle might not be familiar due to the rapid advancements in technology. Drive assist, lane keeping and turn assist were not available just a few decades ago.
Montoya states, “If you’re looking for a particular package or a specific engine, you should drive it. Don’t just drive it because it’s close to the lot or it might be easier to test drive.” You want to ensure that the car you choose is the one you will buy. It will cost you a lot.
Jean Jennings, Jean Knows Cars, suggests that you pay attention to how the car feels when you’re driving it. She says, “Your hands and feet are important. Your butt is also important.”
Jennings was the editor for Automobilemagazine for many years. He said that the most important thing is to enjoy the experience. “The first person to knock your joy down even a little bit, get out!” They are crazy! It’s your joy and your money. Why would you want to deal with someone who makes you feel any pain if you are going to spend this much money? Are you right?
Jennings is correct. It shouldn’t be difficult to drive a car. These are some ways to reduce the pain.
Tips for the Test Drive
- Do your research. Which car is best for you? A Lamborghini might not be the best choice for your 50-mile round-trip commute.
- Make an appointment with your car dealer. You can actually schedule multiple appointments in the same day. This will make it possible to test drive multiple cars and give you an excuse to leave the dealership.
- Create a list listing all the cars and their features. Then, check out the consumer websites to see the most recent reviews. Perhaps the quality of your favorite brand has dropped.
- Choose a day to test drive a car. Do not buy a vehicle the day after you test drive it. It can be intoxicating to smell a new car.
- Create a checklist. Consumer Reports offers a checklist that will help you think through what you should look for when driving.
- Bring your friend and all of your belongings. The goal of a salesman once you enter a dealership is to convince you to purchase a car. A friend can help you stay focused and sane. You can also bring a bicycle or a car seat to make it easier for you and your passengers to get in the car.
- Comfort is important. Are you able to get in and out of the seat easily? Are you able to fit into the seat? Consider the future of your car and body. While a red sports car might look great now, will you still be able to drive it in 5 years?
- Take your photocopies of your licence with you. Most dealerships will copy your license for you to test drive. You can bring your own copy and ask for copies back. Then, destroy the copies. Vehicle identity theft is on the rise. Autoblog.com reports that around 10% of stolen cars in the 1990s were obtained through fraudulent applications. This percentage had risen to 70 to 75 per cent by the 2000s.
- Take a walk around the car. You should inspect the car for any scratches, rust or missing parts. Even if you have a brand new car, it is possible to damage your vehicle. Shipping and test driving can cause damage to vehicles so be careful.
- What tech do you need? How easy can you pair your phone with Bluetooth. Are you familiar with the meaning of all those beeping sounds?
- What fuel is it? Get the fuel economy. Is the vehicle able to use premium gas? Do you need special maintenance?
- Drive your car. Take the highway if you commute a lot. To test how the car rides, drive it over bumpy roads or railroad tracks.
Things to do after buying a new car
You need to do a few things before you can drive off in your new car. These are some things you should do after buying a car.
- You can insure your car: If you have paid full price for your new vehicle, it is optional to insure your vehicle against theft or accident, according to U.S. News. If you borrowed money to purchase the insurance, it is required that you have this coverage. To protect yourself and other drivers, liability insurance is required by law. Research providers before you decide on an insurance policy. Make sure to read all the fine print. It is important to understand the details of your insurance policy, including premium, riders, as well as benefits.
- Get The Title: In accordance with The Nest, your dealership should give you the title to your car if you have paid in full for it. You should sign the title over to the dealership, as this will indicate that you are the new owner. The title should accurately reflect the vehicle’s odometer reading. The title might not be given to you if you have taken out financing for the car. The title must be sent to the state agency in order to process in many states.
- Keep the bill of sale: A bill of sale is similar to a receipt. It shows the buyer and seller as well as the purchase price and any terms. It is used to calculate sales taxes. It is also necessary when you register your vehicle with your state.
- Temporary tags: Most dealerships will give temporary tags to you that allow you to register your vehicle for 30 days. Most dealerships provide a 30-day registration form in addition to the physical tags that you will need for your vehicle. This temporary registration can be kept on file in case you are pulled over and need to prove ownership.
- Register your Vehicle: You must register your vehicle and pay the registration fee before the 30-day grace period expires. It is illegal to drive your vehicle without registration. You can register your vehicle and receive permanent plates at the dealership in certain cases. To register your vehicle, you will need to visit your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. You will need to bring the title, proof of insurance, and loan documents to register your vehicle at the DMV. It is possible that you will need to show proof that your car passed the state emission test.
- Maintenance Schedule: If you purchase a new car it is easy to assume that it will not need to be serviced for several weeks or even months. You should always check with your dealer for a maintenance plan and be sure to follow it. While it might seem tempting to skim maintenance in order to save money, sticking to the schedule will ensure your car runs smoothly and help you save money over the long-term.
- Search For Recalls: Because new cars often depend on new technology, automakers may recall them to replace or update high-tech parts. It’s important that you pay attention to recalls as they can impact your safety. To search for recalls, enter your VIN (vehicle identification number) when you purchase your car. To check for recalls, search the database a few times per year.
- Keep Your Paperwork Away: As Tomorrow Creators says, it is essential to have all paperwork related to your car on hand. You should keep your registration in your car, but you should also save any other documents in a safe location. You should keep your bill of sale and tax receipts, your insurance certificate, financing documents, as well as an additional copy of your registration.