Those who plan to buy a car, but have not yet chosen the right option, usually begin with reading model reviews and browsing the offers in the nearest dealerships to compare prices.
However, the most crucial stage in decision-making and one of the best steps to a good deal is an acquaintance with the car in person. Just for these purposes, most dealerships in the US offer test drives.
How to Get a Car for a Test Drive?
First, you should find the model you want to buy in one of the dealerships near you. Then, it is enough to get in touch with the sales assistants and reserve a car for a test drive. You will schedule the day of the test, taking into account the way to the car dealership and the time to sign the required papers and get the car.
How Much Does It Cost?
As a rule, dealers provide test drives without depositing money. This mainly applies to cars of the budget segment. Since firms need to sell as many cars as possible, testing is an excellent option for increasing overall sales. Dealers can also offer you to leave contact details to be informed about the arrival of the models you are interested in, various bonuses, and discounts.
However, if you want to test-drive a car like Lamborghini, most dealerships in the US will want you at least to sign a contract for financing. But you can still drive a sports or luxury car in used car dealerships. For example, those who live in Indianapolis can start their search from Indy Auto Man – a reputed multi-brand used car dealership.
What to Focus on During a Test Drive?
Begin with investigating the level of convenience inside the car and the comfort of being in the driver’s seat. Experts also recommend checking if there are any obstructions to a normal view and if anything annoys you because, during a test drive, you will have to focus on driving and the car’s behavior on the road.
Even though cars are designed by ergonomics professionals, they can’t predict the needs of every driver. You should explore any little thing, including the multimedia control options, the backlight features, and the placement of cup holders.
What Else to Check?
After assessing the level of comfort inside the car, pay attention to such running parameters as acceleration speed, braking time, and the overall smoothness of movement. Also, now it’s time to investigate the transmission.
Even when you’re testing vehicles with an automatic transmission, you should listen to how it works and study the gearbox behavior in various conditions on the road and at different speeds. It is possible to conclude how well this vehicle suits you only after evaluating the stability and dynamic.
Basically, testing is carried out with one of the representatives of the car dealership. Any salesperson will be happy to answer your questions and provide the required advice regarding the car you like.
If you do not consider yourself competent in the perception of technical information, you may take a friend or an independent auto expert with you. He or she will help you correctly assess all the car’s qualities and understand whether it meets your requirements.
Choosing the Most Optimal Route for Testing
The duration of a test drive can vary. When choosing a route, it is recommended to include diverse traffic and landscape on city streets: moving along a high-speed highway, driving through intersections with traffic lights, and on steep ascents and descents. There is no need to avoid high-traffic roads – they will help find out how the car behaves in traffic jams.
Most dealerships don’t allow testing a car longer than a couple of hours. However, you have another option to try out. You may rent the same car for several days. This will help you check how a specific model fits your everyday life. You will have to pay for it, but this will be a wise investment before an expensive purchase.
What to Do If an Unexpected Situation Occurs on the Road?
Everything will depend on the contents of the insurance coverage. At a reliable dealership, most of the risks are insured. If you have not violated all traffic rules, the insurance company will cover anything in case of an accident.
But if the car is not insured, the liability may fall entirely on the client, so discuss the conditions before a test drive and address only reputable dealers.
