There are some buyers who choose a car from the internet and make the purchase without so much as getting into the driver’s seat, but we recommend all drivers take the vehicle they are considering for a test drive before they buy. You may fall in love with a vehicle at first sight, but you never know how the car will handle or feel until you drive it for yourself. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your test drive from your Tampa Bay area Acura dealer:
Research Options Before Visiting Dealership
The internet has made it possible to learn a lot about vehicles before you visit the dealership, which can save you a lot of time and help you make better decisions. Try the following online resources before visiting a dealership to get the information you need to narrow down your car choices:
- Your Tampa Bay area Acura dealership website
- The manufacturer’s website
- Independent review websites, including Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com and Cars.com
Know What You’re Looking For When You Visit the Dealership
Once you have a short list of cars that you are most interested in, you can prepare for a visit to the dealership with a list of questions or concerns. Knowing what you’re looking for and what you are NOT looking for can help you narrow down the list of cars you’re interested in and help guide you to the best car for your needs. After you’ve asked questions of your sales team at the dealership, you can let them know which vehicles you intend to test drive to make final comparisons before you are ready to buy.
Test Driving Tips
Even though the audio system is probably part of your considerations for a vehicle, when actually test driving a car you want to keep the radio off so you can hear what the vehicle sounds like when you drive it. You can test the radio or entertainment features from the parking lot of the dealership to test those things out. Focus on the following when you are taking a test drive:
- When sitting in the driver’s seat, can you adjust the seat and steering wheel to adjust your size and height properly? It should be comfortable and you should be able to reach all controls of the vehicle easily.
- Can the mirrors be adjusted to safely eliminate most blind spots?
- How much noise do you experience when driving? Is the noise level comfortable or is there a lot of road and car noise you don’t like?
- Is there enough room for the passengers who will commonly ride with you?
Connect with us
