Test Driving a Used Chevy Car

When shopping for a used car, many buyers worry about the shopping experience, will the car be in good shape; will there be underlying problems because it is used? The fact is, purchasing a used car offers consumers an excellent value, and there are some simple steps to take to remove the risk out of purchasing used. Once you have decided which model will serve your needs and dealerships are an excellent place to start looking. There are many benefits to purchasing your preowned vehicle at a dealership. A dealership offers warranties and a complete history of the vehicle. At Reedman-Toll Chevy, we also offer financing options.  One very important step after you have found a vehicle you are interested in buying is often overlooked: a thorough test drive. This does not mean going around the block; to perform a successful test drive you must drive in as many conditions as possible, on the highway at full speed, through the city and stop and go traffic, and up steep hills, to name a few.

What's so important about a test drive? First of all it will allow out you to get a real feel for the car. Most used-car shoppers just motor around a bit and listen to the sound system. You may like the looks of the car, but cabin comfort and vehicle performance are just as important, and the only way to know if these suit you is to spend time in the car. Follow these tips for a successful test drive and you'll have a better chance of separating clunkers from keepers, and find a safe, reliable used car.

Perform a Pre-test Inspection

 Before every test, ensure the test vehicle is in good shape. This includes an exterior check for signs of ware or rust, a cabin inspection, checking under the hood for proper oil, coolant and transmission fluid levels, correct tire pressure and more. Because if any of these inspections fail, you might as well not bother with the test drive.

Avoid an Emotional Connection

 A good test driver must be unprejudiced. If you really really love the car you may 'overlook' a potential sign of problems. Keeping an open mind is key and know that even if the particular car is showing signs of problems, there will always be others.  You may be aware that it only makes sense to buy a used vehicle that is problem free, but it is amazing how consumers can get caught up in the moment of a flashy looking car that's on sale for a great price.

Test Drive Multiple Cars

 Having something to compare to is important. Even if there is only one model you are interested in, drive another model of similar size, features, and power. Take mental notes so during the drive so you can compare the two or three that you have driven. You never know, after driving a vehicle you didn't even consider, you may change your mind.

Use Test Driving as a Selection Tool

While some are set on a certain model, some consumers have a difficult time knowing what they want.  Early in the process, you may not know which vehicle - or even which type of vehicle - you want. It's OK to be torn between an SUV and a sport coupe. Start by test-driving every vehicle you can get your hands on. Also know that the base version of a model will ride and handle differently than uplevel variants. By scoring seat time in a variety of vehicles, you'll likely gain the kind of perspective that will help you to more accurately evaluate ride and handling dynamics.

Categories of a Test Drive

After the drive, give the test vehicle a score in certain areas, this will help when it comes to comparing to other vehicles. The categories might include ride, noise, steering feel, tires, maintenance, interior wear, seat comfort, sound system, brakes, bodywork, and anything else that's important to you. Grade each area from A to F. Make notes for items the grades don't explain.  These notes will give you a complete sense of what the vehicle has to offer, and could also prove useful as you compare it with other choices on the market.

Take your Time

Good test drivers may drive for 10 miles or more to completely assess. At the same time, keep it reasonable. For the most part, drive as you normally would, just pay a lot more attention to what the car's doing.

Use Consistency for Each Drive

For your used-car test, you are the test instrument. Establish a particular routine and stick to it for each vehicle you test. Its best if you can drive the same roads, but running the same speeds is crucial: 35 mph on surface streets and 60 on freeways will give good results. Make identical motions with the steering wheel. Look for uneven response that would indicate worn shocks or bushings or mismatched tires. Go out of your way to hit bumps and notice the sounds and reactions of the suspension.

Turn Down the Radio

While the sound system may be important to some, the test drive is not the time to blast it. Turn the radio off. Periodically turn off the air-conditioner or heater fan, but leave the windows up. This is so you can hear unusual noises. Attempt to separate normal noises from those caused by wind, tires and car problems. If you hear a disconcerting noise, try to isolate it by changing speeds or switching pavement.

Cover all Situations

Test on-ramp acceleration, highway passing abilities, in the town see how the car handles in heavy traffic. Drive on a long straight road to test alignment. If you slightly let go of the steering wheel, the car should track straight. If it does not it may need an alignment. If you are on a straight road with no cars behind you give your brakes a good test. The car, once again, should not veer to either side. Get a goof feel of brake control. When deciding where to go in your test drive, think about your daily driving, what conditions are you in on a regular basis? Do you have to parallel park every day at work? Make sure the vehicle you are interested in is manageable in this way. If you follow these tips it is more than likely that you will get the true feel of any potential car you are interested in.