The average price for a new car in 2017 was just slightly above $36,000. By comparison, the average price for a used car is around $19,400. Whatever option you choose when purchasing your next vehicle, there's no denying the fact that there's a lot of money at stake, either way. Many future car owners are skipping one of the most important steps when making this purchase - namely, the test drive.
Generally, people will make their fair share of research over the internet, looking at different models, price ranges, gas mileage, etc. But as these sorts of things sometimes are, what works in theory, doesn't necessarily pan out in practice. Future car owners may be overly excited to buy their new vehicle that they may even be willing to skip on the test drive, altogether. Don't fall into this trap and risk experiencing buyer's remorse several miles down the road from the dealer.
Here are several tips on how to get the most out of your test drive:
Understand Its Purpose
Test drives, unlike some people think, are not joy rides. If you're going to spend upwards of $15,000, it's a good idea to do your due diligence so that you will be satisfied with your purchase at the end of the day. It's not uncommon to find one or two-year-old vehicles in used car lots. More often than not, the reason is that people were unhappy with their purchase and had to give it up. The purpose of a test drive is to make sure that the car will be a good fit for you and your family.
Know What You Want
W
hen on the test drive, try to mimic your day-to-day activities that involve a car, for as much as possible. It means that, if you're taking the highway daily or you usually find yourself stuck in traffic, do the same on your test drive as you'd typically do.
Also, take into account other factors such as road trips. How often do you partake in these, and how long are they, on average? Do you usually drive on dirt roads when you go on these trips? Do you typically pack heavy or voluminous equipment? These sorts of questions will go a long way when picking the right vehicle for you. Last but not least, is the matter of comfort. Make sure that all seats have ample leg room and are supportive enough for prolonged sitting.
Don't Ignore the Details
Since buying a car is such a significant decision for most of us, it's often tempting to pay most of the attention on the major factors such as the price, vehicle size, or trunk space. Nevertheless, don't forget to check on the smaller details as well. A lot of people assume that specific features are included without making sure, only to be disappointed when they realize that they aren't - quite often after the purchase has been made.
Take several minutes to think about what you'd want your car to have, such as cruise control, Bluetooth, backup cameras, AC, heated or ventilated seats, etc., and make sure to check that they exist.
If you are not that experienced with cars, try bringing a friend with you that has some experience and knows what to look for. Do your research, watch some online car reviews, and know what kind of car you are after. Last but not least, go on several test drives as these will give you the necessary perspective to make a more informed decision.
At Mike Duman Auto, you can filter search our inventory of vehicles based on several factors including Make, Model, or Under 10K, depending on your needs and preferences. For more information, feel free to visit our website and do not hesitate to contact us, if you have a question.
