How to Test Drive a Car
Now it's time to take that vehicle out for a spin-the test drive.
Here's a checklist of some questions the test should answer. There's
no cheating; the answers depend on what's right for you.
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1
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Before you go, check how well made the vehicle is. Are the gaps
even between the hood and the fenders? Is the paint smooth? Under
the hood, is the wiring neatly bundled and are the metal edges
smooth?
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2
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Is the car easy to get into and out of?
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3
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Sit in the back seat. Will there be enough room for your passengers?
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4
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Does the driver's seat support your thighs and the small of
your back?
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5
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Can you comfortably reach all the controls?
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6
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Try the vehicle in traffic conditions you encounter most often.
Does it drive as smoothly in stop-and-go traffic as it does on
the freeway?
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7
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Take it up a steep grade. Does it go uphill well?
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8
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How does it handle on bumps and around tight corners?
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9
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Can you see well out of all the windows?
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10
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How noisy is the vehicle with the windows open?
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11
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If the transmission is manual, is it easy to shift?
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Sources: Edmunds.com, IntelliChoice,
Inc.
These links are provided for informational purposes only. AARP does
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