How to Make the Most of Your Test Drive

Test Driving a Vehicle

Taking a vehicle for a test drive is a crucial component of the purchase process. It provides you with a chance to determine if the vehicle is the right choice for you.

When test driving a vehicle, keep the following tips in mind so you can make the most of the time you have:

1. Understand the purpose of a test drive

Today’s new cars are the best, most reliable and safest on the road. The reputation of brands such as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM stand on their own merits.

While you can fully expect that they will be solid vehicles that you’ll be proud to own, the purpose of test driving a new car is not to check its quality. Instead, it’s to determine if it fits in your life.

An example of some questions you might ask yourself as you attempt to decide include: is it spacious enough for your needs? Can you easily retrieve children from the backseat? Does it offer everything you need in a daily driver, weekend vehicle or work truck?

2. Reviews only account for so much

It’s important to do your due diligence when it comes to research and review. Checking to see what experts say about a particular vehicle you’ve had in mind can be very helpful. For example, an online review might provide certain details about one vehicle that makes it a better fit for you compared to another one you were considering.

Equally important, however, is the fact that your opinion, needs and desires are all that matter in the end. Only you can decide if a particular vehicle is the right one for your life. The best way to determine this is to actually get in the vehicle and take it for a test drive.

3. Drive it like it’s already yours

This piece of advice doesn’t mean you should floor it when the stoplight turns green or take corners at a high rate of speed. Even if you do drive like this one a regular basis, it’s best to leave that kind of driving to the experts this time.

Instead, during your test drive, try to mimic as much of your daily driving as possible. If you have a long drive on the interstate, be sure to replicate that scenario. Is stop-and-go city traffic part of your daily life? Make sure to include some of that driving too.

Try parking the vehicle in a variety of different situations. Back up to determine how the visibility is for you.

4. Make sure you’re comfortable

If you’re like many people these days, you’ll be spending a lot of time in your vehicle. You want to make sure that you’ll be comfortable in it.

In addition, don’t forget to account for your significant other and/or children, if applicable. Does the vehicle’s layout work with their needs? Will you be using the vehicle to haul your dogs around? Is it small enough to fit into your garage comfortably?

5. Get a second opinion

It’s always a good idea to have a second person along for the ride. Not only does having company make this a more memorable event, but a second pair of eyes and ears can often notice things that you might not.

Your companion’s observations, combined with your own, can provide you with a clearer overall picture of the vehicle. Having another person can also help you stay grounded because shopping for a new car can be an euphoric experience for many people.

Be sure to plan ahead when you want to test drive a particular vehicle. Simply showing up at the dealership might mean that the specific vehicle isn’t there. Instead, give a high-quality dealership like Victorville Motors a call and arrange for a suitable time.