Are you seriously planning on getting a new car? The perfect vehicle should not depend on anything except you. So, educate yourself on the different cars in the market. Do not be complacent by allowing promotions and manufacturers’ claims be the mere deciding factors. You must try out all your options. Given a budget, trim down your vehicle options based on your needs. Then schedule a test drive.
The process of the test drive should begin even before you step near the vehicle. Be in the proper mindset to observe. Make an effort to try your vehicle options all within the same day so you can compare the performance properly. Be informed, check information online or ask others who have previously purchased the same model.
Upon arrival at the dealers, allow the representative to point out features of the car, but do not get carried away by the sales talk. Do not be afraid to ask questions. The vehicle should be a dependable companion for years to come, so ask of it what you will be needing. Most importantly, do what you can to test drive the exact same variant you are interested in purchasing. It is best to call ahead and schedule your test drive so they can make such vehicle available. Those aside, here are some of the things to keep in mind so you can make an intelligent decision:
1. Ride comfort
· Is it easy to get in and out of the vehicle? Do you bang your head when entering and exiting?
· Is there space enough for you in front? Is there ample space at the back for the passengers?
· Is the driving position and seat comfortable? Does the wheel tilt to allow a better driving position?
· Do you find the controls easy and ready to use?
· Do the pedals suit you?
· If the answer is no to any of these questions, ask if it can be adjusted to suit your specific needs.
· Finally consider the color of your vehicle. Check it under natural light to see if it is indeed something you can “see yourself in”.
2. Power and performance
· Does the car accelerate with ease within a reasonable amount of time after starting the car?
· If you are at a running stop, does it respond quickly enough for you?
· Drive through everyday traffic just like how you would normally do and see if it feels right.
3. Steering handling and braking
· Test the vehicle for at least 30 minutes on a route that offers various challenges. Really test the vehicle without straining it in any unnatural way.
· Does the vehicle downshift quickly?
· How does it perform when driving uphill?
· How efficient are the brakes? Is it a jerky or smooth stop? Usually it is somewhere in between. Brake fast and hard, and then brake slowly just to feel the difference.
· Do you find its steering firm and responsive?
· When going around corners, does it grip the road well? Or does it roll about? There is a comfortable amount of body roll even for large vehicles.
· Does the suspension provide a smooth ride or can you feel every bump on the road?
4. Interior features
· Considering your own needs, how well designed is the vehicle interior? Pay attention to the compartments and other fancy features. Do not get carried away by the fancy add-ons.
· Does the interior suit your personal taste? (Fabric, finish, gloss level, dash design, etc.) If not, ask the dealer what your options are.
· Is there ample trunk space? Open and close the trunk. Think of the items, which you usually require the space for. (Groceries, bicycles, scuba gear, etc.)
5. Quietness
· Make sure the radio is off and really listen to the engine noise. This is why it is best to test several models within the same day. The differences will be more obvious.
· Do you hear car rattles and/or squeaks in any way?
· How is the wind and tire noise? Ideally there is none.
6. Front, side and rear visibility
· It is ideal to have a panoramic view while in the car. How much of the view is obstructed?
· How is visibility? Check the rear and side views. Is the back too high up for you? Park the vehicle to see how these things check out.
After all this is said and done, be sure to listen to your intuition. If any last minute doubts creep in, ask questions, or better yet do research on your own. In finding the vehicle that should keep you company for years to come, be smart, know how to test drive.
The previous advisory was brought to you by Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. For a complete list of units available for test drive, kindly log on to www.hondaphil.com.
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