4 facts that will make you want to test drive a car before buying

The car-buying process is not an easy thing to go through. Some people have to rummage through their savings before they even decide to buy a car. There are also people who do a lot of research about the available cars to buy, considering their budget.

Aside from that, most smart buyers also have to take into consideration the terms of payment and the extent of the contract. And once you’ve done all that, you may not even be close to taking home your dream car yet.

Due to the long process and stressful procedure, a lot of buyers skip the test drive. A lot of busy people go straight for the purchase instead. Though not all car owners who do this end up being unhappy with their purchase. There are those who end up regretting the fact that they skipped this vital step.

The car-buying process is not an easy thing to go through

>>> Make sure you know: 10 terms you need to understand when buying cars from dealers

But why does one need to jump into a test drive? Surely the manufacturers did their best to build a car that’s both safe and comfy, right? So what are test drives for? How can you convince someone who wants to buy a car to test drive the unit first?

Are there extra benefits if you test drive the unit before buying? Philkotse.com prepared the top reasons why you should always consider a test drive before paying for a new car.

1. You will get a feel of how the car handles

If you’ve driven more than one car in your lifetime, you probably had the chance to feel handling that’s just right. You may have also encountered a vehicle with handling that’s a bit off. Handling usually describes how sensitive the brakes are.

This could also pertain to the vehicle’s reaction when you make a slight turn using the steering wheel. Some cars require that you step on the brakes really hard to get it to work.

Information like this is what you may want to know before you drive the car home. This way, you can decide whether you like the way it handles before you sign anything. You’re basically saving yourself from a future of regrets.

You can decide whether you like the way it handles before you sign anything

>>> Check out: Driver 101: 7 step-to-step process to do a proper test drive

2. You will get to experience the features and benefits of the vehicle

If you’re the type to research cars before buying one, then good for you. But compare that to actually experiencing the actual ride and the decision becomes easier to settle.

Features that are listed on websites and brochures can either be under or overrated. That’s why the best for you to find out which feature is best for you is to actually try the car.

Features that are listed on websites and brochures can either be under or overrated

For example, the sales attendant may promise you a convenient head unit. These usually come with a promise that you won’t have to take your eyes off the road to operate it. If you have test-driven the car and thought that the claims weren’t true for you, you can always say “no.”

Another example is Lane Departure Warning or Blind Spot Assistance. These features may sound cool in the ads or in the promotion material. But you may have a different opinion once you drive the vehicle that has these features.

You can save you a lot of money by not buying the car with LDW and Blind-Spot Assistance. Instead, you can just buy a vehicle without those features and still save a decent amount of cash.

>>> Relevant article: Blind spot detection and warning system: Better to know!

Features that are listed in websites and brochures can either be under or overrated

3. You’ll get to see if the space inside is enough for your needs

Everyone’s needs will always vary. This applies to the context of vehicles as well. Are you a small-time business owner who needs parcels picked up and dropped off? Are you a full-time parent who’s constantly bringing the kids here and there?

Are you going to use the vehicle to pick up passengers and drop them off at particular places? The space you need in a car is already predetermined by the lifestyle that you have.

If you’re more concerned about the leg space and headroom, you’ll want to experience the car for yourself first

Some people tend to make their decision by looking at pictures. This helps some buyers tally out the best vehicle for them according to interior space. Some buyers also refer to the indicated measurements on the brochure or online site.

These are actually good places to start if interior space is really vital to you. But if you’re more concerned about the leg space and headroom, you’ll want to experience the car for yourself first.

>>> Also check: 4 test drive tips you should know

4. You’ll be able to tell if it can keep up with your driving conditions

Every car out there is built to tolerate various driving conditions. Some automakers might even claim that their vehicles can tolerate all. No matter how convincing the promotion may sound, the conditions that the car will have to endure are the conditions that you put it through.

This is why driving a car before purchasing it is a good way to tell whether you’ll really want it or not.

Every car out there is built to tolerate various driving conditions

>>> Last words: 8 important things to do when doing a test drive in the Philippines

One tip when you decide to take the car on a test-drive is to drive it the way you would drive a car that you already own. Another tip is to drive it in different conditions instead. Pick a good road with good traffic flow and make the car stop and go.

You can also ride up that steep hill just to see how the vehicles go up against it. By doing any or both of these tips, you’ll be able to answer a few questions in your head. In fact, it’s often suggested that car buyers test-drive a couple of vehicles before buying one.