When you test drive a car, how long do you usually take it out for?

[vi edit]

Just curious. How long/far do you usually drive the car?

I want to take a car out for at least 20 minutes/15 miles or so to get a good feel for it, but didn't know if that was too much to ask the dealer.

BTW - this on a brand new car from a dealer.

 

[Windogg]

15 - 20 miles is good idea but also sit around in it for at least an hour. Your making an investment for 3,4,5,6, or more years. Any dealer that is confident in their product will definitly let you take it out for an extended drive.

Do the following:
Acceleration test: Does it have the testicular fortitude to get on a short on ramp safely?
Panic Stop: Try this on a clear street. Can you stop if a child darts in front of you?
Slalom: Try it in a large parking lot to see if you can avoid something in the road.
Backup test: How well can you see out the back?
High speed run: Find a lightly patrolled area and see if the car can sustain a decent speed without causing fatigue (poor road feel, high wind/tire noise, loud engine).
Suspension test: How does the car handle on a really crappy road.
Traffic test: See how it handles in stop and go traffic. Is acceleration too abrupt? Do the brakes get "spongy" with high use?
Ergonomics: How easy is it to adjust the climate control, radio, vents, without taking your eyes off the road? Are the seats confortable? Does it hurt your back? how does the stereo sound?
Check under the hood: If you are a do it your selfer, how easy is it to reach major components in the engine bay?

Those are just the things I like to do.

Good luck on the car hunt. Keep us updated.

Windogg

 

[DirkBelig]

You're supposed to take the cars back?!?:Q

 

[CJM]

One time i had this salesman come with me who didnt want to go back to the dealership. We drove around for about an hour, and checked out some of the other cars i was interested in at other dealerships. Finally the guy's boss paged him and wanted to know where the hell he was, so we had to go back

 

[BoberFett]

Until I'm in an accident with it.

BUAHAHAHAHA!

A couple years ago I was thinking of buying an SUV so I took out a brand new totally loaded Nissan Pathfinder, I think it was tagged at around $30K. As I was sitting at the lights on the interstate ramp, some 16 year old girl slams me from behind. Good thing the salesman was with me, I'd have had a hard time explaining that.

 

[yakko]

I'll let you know when I take back that Fiero.

 

[vi edit]

Bober, provided that no one was injured, that would have been priceless!

It would royally suck to get into an accident with the car that I'm looking at - 2001 Audi A4. If somebody ran into me, I'd have about 6 airbags deploy throughout the vehicle. Man I'd bet that would be a major pain in the ass to have replaced/fixed if it was just a minor fender bender.

 

[thebestMAX]

Last test drive I took was with a 59 Impala with dual quads, 4 speed and a 409.
The salesman is still in intensive care.
Long time ago but I rarely need a test drive to tell me that this is the car I want. Ill put up with little things to get the big things.

Sat in a New Vette this weekend and Ill tell you that it is not the most comfortable driving position for MY legs. Would I let this stop me, NO WAY>

Used to take A LOt of used cars for Test drives. Lots of fun but now just a hassle.

 

[vi edit]

Well, if I'm going to drop more than a couple grand in a car, then you can bet your ass that I'm going to make sure that I get one that has the least amount of "quirks". If it isn't comfortable then it automatically goes off the list no matter how much of a "bargain" it is.

90% of japanese cars have been ruled off of my list because I can't get my knees underneath the steering wheel.

At least the germans have their heads out of the asses and give us the option of a telescoping steering column.

 

[denali]

vi_edit,



<< It would royally suck to get into an accident with the car that I'm looking at - 2001 Audi A4. >>



What happened too saving for a house? Buying an Audi A4 seems in conflict with saving for a house.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Usually I let the dealer ship it back after I do a high speed chase across the mexican boarder.

 

[vi edit]

denali

I get $200 a month from travel reimbursement from work which was not figured into that budget. This money alone offsets the increase in monthly payments.

 

[StageLeft]

BTW how much is that a month? Are you going to buy instead of lease? How long a term? What financing rate?

I have had to avert my eyes when driving past the Audi dealership because they have some new Audis at extremely low lease rates!!

 

[vi edit]

Skoorb - I don't really know what I'm going to do yet. Since I put on so many miles for work (but still under the 15k for a lease) and get paid that much a month for it, I'm really, really looking into a lease. I've seen a 4 year lease figure for under $400 a month, so with re-imbursement $200 a month out of pocket ain't too bad a of a figure. And with Audi's 4 year no maintanence, I don't have to pay for oil changes, wiper blades, ect. Then, after 4 years, I just hop into a new one.

Granted, I don't build any equity in a vehicle and I always have a payment, I don't have to worry about any maintance costs besides maybe some break pads and some tires.

Some people may be deadset against leases, but in the situation where work pays for half of it, I don't know if I can really turn it down.

Also, does anybody know if you have to pay sales tax on a lease? I wouldn't think that you would have to.

Also, as a recent college grad, I don't have to put down a security deposit or a downpayment.

 

[ratkil]

You pay sales tax on the difference between the price of the vehicle and the &quot;buy off&quot; value of the vehicle at the end of the lease.

 

[Wangel]

Test drove a Miata a few months ago. I was looking for a car for my wife as a surprise. I had a great looking sales girl. I expressed my concern that we might not have enough room after we laid the seats down. &quot;hint hint&quot;. Well, I found out that I did. What some people will do to try and sell a car!

 

[denali]

vi_edit, What happens if you decide you don't want to work for this company anymore, you are then stuck with having to come up with an extra $200/month. To me this sounds like a good way to tie yourself to a company you might decide you no longer want to work for. If it was me I'd find something cheaper.

 

[CJM]

you do pay tax but it is generally factored into the payment. A lease payment is made up of three parts - the monthly lease rate (cap cost + residual * money factor), the monthly depreciation (cap cost - residual / payment term ) , and the payment tax ( previous 2 numbers x tax rate). If you put additional money down, you will also pay tax on that. That can also be added to the payment (down payment / lease term * tax rate)

 

[Soybomb]

Actually whenever we buy a car we usually keep it overnight or over the weekend and leave our car at the dealership.

 

[citizen]

Haha, I never take it back! j/j i wish =D