ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 24 -It is easy for car buying consumers to fall
in love at first sight with the sleek styling and attractive exterior of
their dream machine. In most American households today, a vehicle
purchase is a major financial expense, so a second look and an extensive
test drive is time well invested.
AAA Automotive experts recommend that consumers start that test drive
at the computer keyboard. Valuable information about vehicle safety
features, performance data, and purchase pricing and resale value can be
researched online.
"In today's economy, consumers have additional factors to consider
when purchasing a vehicle, often making the selection process more
difficult and extensive," said John Nielsen,
AAA Director of Automotive Repair, Buying, and Consumer Information.
"There is no substitute for quality research and an in-depth test drive
tailored to your personal driving needs, to help make a sound financial
car buying decision."
The physical test drive is the next step in the car buying research
process. An extensive test drive can reveal many important factors not
immediately obvious at first blush.
AAA recommends the following test driving tips:
Before You Drive. Walk around the car. Is it the right size for
the needs of your family? Check the quality of the assembly and the
tightness of the body panel alignment. Check for bubbles and pitting on
the paint and chrome. Open and close the tailgate or trunk and doors.
Does it sound solid and well made? Will the design allow for easy
loading of luggage, sporting goods, and groceries?
Be a Backseat Test Driver. Ask the salesperson to take you for a
preliminary test drive. You can focus on the ride without the
distraction of driving, and you're more likely to notice noise and
overall comfort. And, of course, you can evaluate backseat room for
future passengers.
Find Your Fit. Get in and try the car on for size. Check the leg
room and visibility. How easy is it to adjust the seats? Are the
controls easy to read, reach and use? Try all of the accessories and
options, such as air conditioning, the sound system, and navigation
aids.
On The Road. Drive the exact model of the car you want to
purchase. Pick your own route for the test drive. If possible, pick a
route that mirrors your daily driving routine. It's a good idea to test
the car's ride quality and handling on a number of different road
surfaces: city streets, hills, freeways, and winding roads.
Power. Test the engine's responsiveness in real-world conditions.
Is there a smooth and constant delivery of power? Try merging onto the
highway, passing, and stop-and-go city driving. Spend part of the test
drive with the air conditioner on to see if it drains power.
Transmission. Look for smoothness and ease of operation. Listen for hesitation or straining.
Handling. Check steering responsiveness. Practice long turns and sharp turns. Safely practice sudden swerves and gradual lane changes.
Brakes. Your life could depend on your brakes, so put them to the
test. Brake both softly and decisively to gain an accurate idea of the
car's stopping distance.
Noise Level. At various speeds, listen for excessive engine,
road, and wind noise. Check for squeaks and rattles coming from the
interior and bodywork. Listen with the windows open and closed.
Parking. Parallel park to discover any blind spots or potential difficulty in identifying the corners of the car.
AAA recommends that consumers always have pre-owned vehicles
inspected by a quality repair facility prior to purchasing. More than
8,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities are located across North America.
As North America's largest motoring
and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 52 million
members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related
services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully
tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and
security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com
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