|
 The
All-Important Test Drive
It's amazing
that many people who are caught up in the emotions of shopping and
buying a used car never do a proper test-drive.
Some actually
don't test-drive at all.
Why
test drive?
A test drive is an important and critical part of your pre-purchase
procedure. It helps insure that you won't discover problems later
for which you'll have no recourse. Remember, used car sales in most
states, unless otherwise indicated, are "as-is" sales
— meaning that there are no guaranties or warranties after
the sale.
Test drives
have a purpose beyond simply helping you determine if you like the
feel, handling, and performance of a prospective vehicle. It's the
time that you should be watching, listening, smelling, and feeling
for problems.
Allow enough
time to do a test drive. Don't be in a hurry and expose yourself
to problems further down the road. If the seller won't let you do
a test-drive, you should be suspicious and forget the car.
Be sure to test
drive your vehicle in as many environments as possible: City and
highway. Smooth and bumpy. Straight and winding. Uphill and downhill.
Fast and slow. Stop and go. Wet and dry — hot and cold (we
know, pretty hard to do).
Test
drive tips
Here are some tips that will help you know what to watch for on
your test drive:
- Does the
car start quickly and idle smoothly?
- Does the
steering wheel shake or pull to one side?
- Does the
car bottom-out or bounce on bumpy roads?
- Do the brakes
seem mushy or make squealing noises?
- Does stopping
distance seem normal?
- Does the
engine respond quickly when you step on the gas?
- Does acceleration
seem adequate?
- Do you hear
pinging or clicking sounds when you accelerate?
- Does the
engine run smoothly at all speeds?
- Do you hear
rattles inside or outside?
- Do you hear
any abnormal sounds when the car is made to turn in tight circles?
- Do the instruments
on the dash seem to be working properly?
- Do lights
and turn signals work?
- Does the
air conditioner and heater work properly?
- Are there
any water leaks (you may have to go through a car wash)?
- Does the
radio and CD player work?
- Do the power
windows, mirrors, and seats work?
- Does the
transmission shift quietly and smoothly?
- If a manual
transmission, does the clutch slip?
- Are any problem
lights on, such as the Check Engine light?
After
the test drive
During your test drive, you may discover problems or potential problems.
At this point you have some options:
- Avoid the
car because you know the problems are serious and you aren't willing
to investigate any further or take any chances.
- Have a mechanic
look over the car to confirm the problems and advise you on the
seriousness and cost of repairs. Make your decision based on his
analysis.
- Proceed with
buying the car, knowing that there are problems that you'll either
have to live with or repair.
Test-driving
a vehicle will not tell you everything you need to know about its
condition. It's good to always get a mechanic's inspection as well
as a CarFax vehicle history report.
|
