Test Drive Tips Making the Best of Your Car Buying Experience

 

Test Drive Tips - Make the Best of Your Car Buying Experience!

More and more of the car shopping process is now taking place on the internet.  From researching vehicles you are interested in, to looking for specific inventory and even beginning the financing process.

However, there’s one aspect of the car buying experience that can’t be replicated online (yet!) and that’s the Test Drive.

10 Terrific Tips For Taking A Test Drive

 

Roll your sleeves up, put on those driving gloves and take a nice, long test drive.

So what exactly should you be looking for when you test drive your next vehicle? I’m glad you asked!

1. Prepare

Do your homework!  The average consumer today visits almost 20 websites, watches almost an hour of online video, and spends close to 12 hours in total shopping for a vehicle online before entering a dealership.

Before you set off to visit your local dealership, schedule an appointment to take a test drive.  Any dealership worth buying or leasing a vehicle from will prepare just as hard as you have for your arrival.  

At Teton Motors, we’ll make sure the vehicle you wish to drive is gassed, cleaned and pulled up front awaiting your arrival.  When you arrive, your Sales Professional will be ready to greet you and have you on the road in no time at all!

2. Know Which Vehicle You Want To Test Drive

Knowing exactly which vehicle and what trim level you wish to drive when you arrive is greatly beneficial.  If you were interested in the 2016 Subaru Forester Limited with Navigation, then make sure that’s the car you test drive.  Although they have the same body style, taking the base Forester out for a spin wouldn’t give you the same drive and feel as the GT.

If you are open to other options and trim levels, take those for a test drive as well. Don’t assume all the various trim levels of a model drive the exact same.

3. Get To Know Your Vehicle

Prior to getting behind the wheel, your Sales Professional at Teton Motors will give you what’s known as a “walk-around presentation” on the vehicle you’ll be driving.  Pay close attention to make sure the features on the vehicle are the ones you are specifically looking for.  If something’s missing from the vehicle (or there’s something extra) don’t be shy when asking about it.

Before you drive off make sure you know where the headlight and windshield wiper controls are located, make note of how easy it is to access radio and climate controls, and check out the size of the glove compartment and center console storage areas.

The goal is to have a general idea of where everything is and what everything does before you begin your test drive so you can concentrate on the vehicle itself.

4. Is It a Fit For The Whole Family?

You’ll want to keep in mind the rest of the family and how the vehicle will work for them. If you are shopping alone, ask yourself if your spouse will fit comfortably in the passenger, drivers and back seating area. If you have young children, will all the car seats and booster seats safely fit in the back row?

5. Turn off the Radio

Although a quality sound system is important to some shoppers, save testing this feature out until you have sufficient time behind the wheel.  You’ll want the cabin environment to be as quiet as possible so you can better hear the engine, the smoothness of gear changes and wind noise.

Once you’re happy with the sounds of the vehicle in its natural state, feel free to tune into your favorite radio station and enjoy the soundtrack to your test drive.

Don’t forget to test the horn! You’ll want to know what kind of power it has.

6. Duplicate Your Everyday Driving

When test driving a vehicle, be sure to drive on the same types of roads and freeways you use every day.

Do you have to travel up and down a mile long stretch of dirt road each day? Then ask your Sales Professional at Gladstone Mitsubishi to direct you to the nearest dirt road so you get a feel for your vehicle in real-life situations.

7. Check Your Blind Spots

Part of being a safe driver is knowing where the blind spots are on your vehicle. Because we’re all different heights and adjust our seats differently, blind spots may be different for each driver in your family. Ultimately you’ll want to make sure your full field of vision is comfortable in your next vehicle.

  

8. Check The Brakes

Find a deserted street or empty stretch of parking lot to test the brakes. Make sure no one is behind you, accelerate to a legal speed and depress the brakes. Make a mental note on how they react to your pressure. You don’t want the brakes to be grabby or over sensitive. The braking should be smooth and even with moderate pressure on the brake pedal.

9. Parking and Turning Radius

How easy is it to maneuver your vehicle into a tight parking spot? As you wrap up your test drive, find a place to parallel park the vehicle and test out its turning radius.

10. Test Comparable Models The Same Day

If you plan on driving multiple vehicles before making your final decision, do your best to test drive each of the vehicles in the same day.  This way you’ll be able to easily compare each vehicle you drive so you can make an educated decision on which you’ll ultimately purchase or lease.

Let’s Go For a Drive!

Whether you are shopping for a new or used vehicle, our dedicated team is here to make sure your entire car shopping experience is stress free from start to finish.  Call us today at (888) 817-0689 or click to schedule your VIP Appointment.

Summer Road Trips – 5 Ways to Survive the Drive!

Summer Road Trips –

5 Ways to Survive the Drive!

Road Trips can either be amazing journeys that you remember forever or they can be the thing of nightmares that you’ll never forget (as much as you may want to).

If you want to have a Zen-like vacation that’s free of stress it all comes down to preparing ahead of time.

So whether you’re hitting the road to visit your family or you’re diving off to experience something new – follow along with these 5 Ways to Survive the Drive and the odds of you having an anxiety free vacation are in your favor.

1. Prepare Your Vehicle Before You Hit the Road

OK, first things first.  Your mind and body won’t be in a peaceful state if your vehicle isn’t prepared to handle the rigors of a long road trip.

Before you set out on your journey, make sure your vehicle is in good shape.  Check your oil, tire pressure and all the vital fluids.  If anything needs to be tuned up or fixed, schedule a service appointment before you head out.  Call Teton Motors Service Department (877) 209-8106  and we will get your vehicle dialed-in for your trip.

Remember, if the check engine light comes on during your journey, stop immediately and get it checked out.

2. A Road Trip Is About the Journey, Not the Destination

The best part of a road trip is appreciating the new landscapes and structures as you drive leisurely drive past them.  If you want a true Zen Road Trip, be mindful of the beauty that surrounds you during your trip and take your time getting to your destination.

If you know you’ll be on the road for 12 hours or more before arriving, do yourself a favor and don’t rush to get there as quick as you can.  Find a quaint little town to stop in along the way and stay the night or listen to your inner-self and go off course to see the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in person.  Making impromptu stops along the way to check out local attractions are a great way to break up the drive and give others a chance to get behind the wheel. 

Remember, there’s a reason truck drivers aren’t allowed to drive over 11 hours in a day – it’s just not safe!  Make pit stops as needed and don’t be shy about exploring your surroundings.  Whatever you do, don’t forget to enjoy the journey.

3. Plan Family Car Activities

While you and your spouse might be able to drive for hours on end in zen-like silence enjoying the view, your kids aren’t equipped to do the same.

If you’re traveling as a family, make sure your kids have plenty to do while they’re sitting in the car so they don’t get all squirmy and increasingly loud – thus interrupting your peaceful journey down the road.

Whether it’s playing a game, reading or singing along to music, keeping their minds engaged is key. Maybe stop at the dollar store before you leave and pick them up a cheap, new toy that will pique their interests.  The more the kids have to do, the less they’ll be asking “are we there yet?”.

4. Less is More When Travelling

Avoid the urge to pack everything but the kitchen sink when you take a road trip.

If you realize you left something behind, that’s just an excuse to have a new adventure along the way.  You never know what kind of lasting memory can be made.  If you can’t be without your worldly possessions, just remember to not pack your trunk or back seat too full – make sure you can see out the back windshield while you’re driving.

Also, don’t forget that the heavier your vehicle is the worse fuel economy your vehicle is going to get.

5. Stop Stressful Spending

If there’s one other thing that can make your road trip stressful, it the amount of money you spend along the way.

Trips can be expensive, especially if you have a big family.  If you plan your vacation well in advance, you can start a “vacation fund” and save cash whenever you get the chance.

It’s also more practical to pack your favorite snacks, meals and drinks to take with you so you’ll spend less money eating out and you’ll have a quick fix for when you hear your kids complaining about being hungry.

No matter where your travels take you this summer, we hope you not only survive the drive, but thoroughly enjoy every last mile.

Safe Travels!

Teton Motors

Teton Motors Inc in Jackson, WY., is proud to be an automotive leader in our area. Since opening our doors, Teton Motors Inc has kept a firm commitment to our customers.  We offer a wide selection of vehicles and hope to make the car buying process as quick and hassle free as possible.

Teton Motors Inc has an experienced and reliable Service and Parts departments that are open extra hours to help fit our customers' hectic schedules, and as always, Teton Motors Inc offers competitive pricing for your automotive maintenance needs. Customer satisfaction is our highest priority, and our staff is committed to achieving this goal in every aspect of our business. Please feel free to reach us at (888) 817-0689 if you have any questions or comments.