You Are Here: Home » Resource Library » News & Events » Test Driving Tips: 10 Dos & Don’ts

Test Driving Tips: 10 Dos & Don’ts

Date: January 13th, 2021

Ever bought a pair of heels without trying them on first? Perhaps you get lucky, and they turn out to be Cinderellas; or more likely, you get home and quickly discover that they’re vice grips for your pinky toes (do you really need five toes, anyway?). What in the world happened? The heels looked cute in pictures and came with all the features you thought you wanted, but once you strapped ‘em on, you couldn’t wait to get ‘em off.

Buying a car is a lot like this, only you’re paying thousands of dollars for a vehicle that you potentially just can’t live with. While photos, reviews, specs and listed features can point you in the right direction, a vehicle is more than just numbers, snapshots and written words on a page. You may very well find out that the car you’ve had on your wishlist isn’t all it’s cracked up to be – and it’s best to find this out before paying those thousands of dollars.

This is why taking a test drive is important. In fact, we think it’s one of the most important actions to take when buying a vehicle. But what’s the best or most correct way to test drive a car? There are certainly rules to test driving, both written and unwritten, that you should follow for your own benefit. So, we’ve compiled a list of “Dos and Don’ts” that will help you as you begin test driving cars.

Do

1. Do your homework

Homework, in this case, consists of more than just searching for cars. You’ll want to research the following:

• Create a list of features – Make 2 columns: one for vehicle features you must have, and the other for features you’d like to have.
• Choose a few models – Based on that list, pick a handful of vehicles that fit your criteria. For instance, if your “must-have” list includes Adaptive Cruise Control, you may want to test drive the Honda CR-V, which comes standard with ACC.
• Compare models – Once you figure out which vehicles to put atop your list, it’s time to compare them, side by side. So, let’s say you’re intrigued by the prospect of owning a hybrid SUV. You’d invariably want to compare the CR-V Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid to see which is best.
• Find the best car dealership near you – Based on your list of models, identify which car dealers are best in your area by reading customer testimonials, checking out their return policy, and reviewing their sales process.
• Figure out your budget – Get to know how much you can spend, realistically, on a vehicle. For instance, if you don’t have a large down payment set aside, you may do better leasing a new car. On the other hand, if you want to build up equity, buying a vehicle is the best option. Review our “Leasing vs. Buying” comparison to see which is right for you.
• Start your financing application early – If you know you need to get a car loan, get pre-approved for financing before you start test driving. That way you’re all ready to go if you find the right vehicle.
• Plan your test driving route – Don’t test drive willy-nilly. Plan out a route, preferably one that takes you through stop-and-go traffic, up hills, through residential areas and on highways (see below). Expect no less than 20 minutes to really get a good feel for the vehicle.

2. Do get on the highway

Most cars work similarly when driving under 55 mph. But when they get to highway speeds, good cars separate themselves from meh cars. You’ll want to check the following when you’re test driving on the highway:

• How is the acceleration? Can you merge into other lanes without the car feeling sluggish? Engine hesitation is never good.
• How are the blind spots? Are you able to easily identify vehicles in your blind spot? Is the blind-spot warning system working well?
• How is the steering? If the car pulls to either side, that could mean there are issues with the suspension, tires, or alignment.
• How is the cabin noise? Turn the stereo off and listen. Do you hear any rattling, squeaks or clanking? That could be a problem.
• How is the suspension? Does the vehicle ride comfortably over bumps?

3. Do test out driver-assist features & tech

Like blind-side warning systems, the car’s other features should also be thoroughly vetted – especially the features and systems that you’ll be using regularly.

• Bluetooth – Can you pair your phone to the infotainment system? Can you stream audio easily?
• Steering wheel controls – Are the buttons easy to access and positioned intuitively?
• Wireless charging – Does your phone sit securely on the charging pad or does it slide around while you drive?
• Sound system – Do the windows rattle when you pump the bass up?
• Cruise control – Is it simple to set a following distance with adaptive cruise control, if available? Does the system automatically put cruise control ‘on’ when you start the car? (Some vehicles will turn this off once the vehicle turns off.)
• Heat and A/C – Does the defroster work quickly? Are the dual- or tri-zone climate control systems adequate?
• Navigation – Is it easy to input destinations? How accurate is it? Does it automatically re-direct you if you make wrong turns?
• HUD – If your car has a head-up display, like the Honda Accord, does it provide visible turn-by-turn directions and street information?

4. Do consider a pre-purchase inspection

This applies when buying a used car, and it’s something you can do for added peace of mind. When you test drive, plan on bringing the car to a reliable mechanic for a second opinion. While our Denver used car dealership guarantees our vehicles to be of the highest quality, the comfort level of the shopper is paramount.

Tip: Schedule the test drive and pre-purchase inspection (PPI) in advance. You’ll want to tell your auto dealer in advance, too.

5. Do bring your “stuff”

Some shoppers will come to their test drive appointment solo. Don’t fall for that trap! You’ll want to bring anything you usually have with you – we’re talking child car seats, luggage, golf bags, tablets, or even your dog (ask your dealer first). That way you can see how and where they fit without guessing based on the spec sheet. You may find that your tablet doesn’t fit in the center console of a RAV4, but it does inside a CR-V, for instance.

Don’t

1. Don’t settle

This is your car, your money – don’t just think you’ll “live with” a feature that is less than ideal. Chances are, you’ll regret being so complacent in the first place.

Here’s an anecdote to prove my point. In 2009, I purchased my very first car, a used 2005 Honda Civic with a tape deck and CD player. I’d heard about this novel thing called “Bluetooth” by then, but figured I’d never use it. Instead, I opted for a CD holder on my sunshade – it was an awful experience. I loved the Civic, but once the time came to make an upgrade, I knew that Bluetooth was not a feature to pass on. So, I decided to lease a new Civic with standard Bluetooth connectivity. Once you go blue, you never go askew.

2. Don’t rush

Give yourself enough time to really get a feel for the car. Don’t let any salesperson push you to buy before you’re ready. If you need to test drive different trims of the same model, ask. If you need to test drive the vehicle every week for a month, ask. If you need to test drive every car on the lot, it may take a while, but it’s well within your right to do so. (And don’t feel pressured to buy a car the same day you test drive it.)

3. Don’t forget the family

It’s always best to group-think and collaborate; people bring different perspectives to the table, see things differently, offer insights you hadn’t thought of. For instance, your 8-year-old may mention that the sun in the back of the Honda Odyssey you’re testing is too bright – something you wouldn’t have necessarily considered as a driver. So, your Honda salesperson mentions that you can add rear-seat sunshades to the mirrors.

4. Don’t test drive on the weekend

Weekends are usually the busiest time for our Honda dealership near Denver. We see hundreds of car shoppers on Fridays and Saturdays. If you’re planning to test drive, it might be a good idea to avoid those weekends and choose a weekday, preferably in the morning, which is when we see the fewest shoppers on our lot. That way, you won’t have to deal with big crowds – an especially major concern in the era of COVID-19.

5. Don’t forget to schedule

To guarantee the vehicle you’d like to test drive is available, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dealer. If they’re a good car dealership, the sales team will clean the vehicle, get it filled up, and have it ready for your test drive upon your arrival.

Ready to test drive a Honda in Denver? Browse our selection of new Hondas for sale and used cars for sale in Centennial. Then contact the Kuni Honda crew at 303-416-8484 to book a day and time. We’re located at 10750 E Arapahoe Rd in Centennial, CO, and serve shoppers throughout the Denver region, including Littleton, Aurora, and Parker.