Auto Dealers Compete

This is an excellent post on how to test drive a car when you buying online. I agree 100% with Edmunds on this one.

Question: If I’m shopping for a car online, how do I do a test drive?Answer: Online car shoppers can contact the internet manager via email or phone to schedule a test drive. The internet manager will have the car pulled out and waiting for you when you arrive. Usually, internet managers are pretty busy and won’t have a lot of time to spend “selling” you the car since they assume you have a higher level of knowledge. This is good for you since, hopefully, you have done a lot of research first. Once the test drive is over, you won’t get a lot of pressure to “buy today.” Instead, the decision is left to you.Calling ahead to schedule a test drive with the internet or fleet manager (the two jobs sometimes overlap) maximizes your time and is more apt to create the shopping environment that best serves you.

Strategies for Smart Car Buyers - Question of the Day - When online shopping, how do I test drive?

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Test driving your next car is one of the most important parts of the sales process. Do not over look it. I have gone as far as rent the car I am interested and drove it fro 2 to 3 days. It’s a big investment and I want to make sure I am happy with my purchase.

I found this great article on about.com on how to do a proper test drive. I posted the first 5 steps and added a link at the bottom so you can read all 10 steps.

Again this is very important so don’t miss this article.

1) Your test drive should last a minimum of 20 - 30 minutes and take you over familiar terrain (so you can focus on how the car feels). Drive through both light and heavy traffic, smooth and rough roads, as well as hills and curves. How smoothly does the car drive? How responsive is it to gas and steering input? Do the brakes respond well? How does it handle compared to other cars you’ve driven (including your last car)?

2) Here is a safety check that should be considered when test driving a new car: how well can you see the road? Does the windshield - plus the side and back windows - give you an adequate view of your surroundings, or do you feel yourself straining to see?



3)A well-built car is a quiet car. You should be able to carry on a conversation with your test-driving friend without raising your voice. If someone is sitting in the backseat, try talking to him/her. Can you hear this person without having to strain, or is engine/wind/road noise overpowering the conversation?



4)Park the car in a few tight and open spots - is it difficult to maneuver? Take the car into a parking lot and try it out there. Does it reverse easily, without jerking or clunking?

Buying a New Car: Test Driving Tips

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