Key Things to Look For When Test Driving a New Car
When it comes time to begin the process of finding a new car, it all starts with some research. If you explore online you will find many stats about a vehicle like a list of features, photos, safety ratings and more. Take Cadillac’s 2016 SRX, for instance. As an entry-level crossover SUV, it offers many worthwhile qualities like an abundance of luxury and safety features ranging from leather upholstery and heated and ventilated seats to cargo management system and 10-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system. Learning tidbits like these may draw you to the dealership’s lot, but don’t pull your wallet out just yet. There is only one way to truly know if a car is the perfect choice for you, and that’s by taking it for a test drive. To ensure the 2016 SRX is the car for you, here are some keys things to look for when taking it for that first spin towards investment.
How do you fit?
Just as one pair of jeans isn’t going to fit everybody, neither will a car, so be sure it suits your frame. Are you tall enough to clearly see over the dashboard and around the front seats? Does the driver’s seat have the proper adjustments so you can comfortably reach the pedals? Are you able to sit at a safe and comfortable distance from the steering wheel? Just because you like the looks of a car doesn’t mean it’s the only car for you, so buy for it, not aesthetics.
How are the seats?
Comfort is very important when it comes to deciding if a car is right or you. Whether you use your car for short trips or long hauls, you don’t want your body to suffer in seats that are hard to endure. When on your test drive, be sure the driver’s seat hits your body in all the right places. It should provide proper support at your sides, back and even legs. The headrest should also not push your head to far forward, nor should it cause a slouched driving position.Even if you do not plan on ever riding in the backseat, it is also a good idea to check the level of comfort and support these seats provide. Is there enough headroom and legroom? Can is comfortably seat adults? If these are things that matter to you, be sure to include them on your test drive checklist.
Is it easy to maneuver?
When behind the wheel of a car, you want to make sure that driving it comes easily to you. This includes all sorts of different maneuvers like turning corners, changing lanes, backing up, and parking. Be sure to test out as many maneuvers as possible during your test drive and ask yourself questions like these:
- How is visibility?
- What’s the turning radius/maneuverability?
- Does it come with any parking aids like sensors or cameras?
- Will it easily fit in your designated parking space at work and home?
How does it drive?
Sometimes it can feel a little awkward when taking a car for a test drive. You’re with a salesman you don’t know, in a car you’ve never driven and don’t even own. Not to mention, there is also the pressure of whether or not you will actually buy the car heavily looming in the air. During a test drive, the best way to go about it is to take your time and don’t let this pressure make you tense behind the wheel. A test drive is the only chance you get to really check out a vehicle before buying it, so don’t waste the opportunity. You are allowed to take the vehicle off the dealer’s lot for a reason, so take advantage of it and take it for a real cruise around town, testing it on both city streets as well as on the highway. This will let you experience how it performs at slow, stop-and-go speeds along with fast, accelerating speeds. When you’re on the on-ramp to the highway, be sure to test acceleration to ensure it has the pep you want.
Want to take the 2016 Cadillac SRX for a test drive? Just visit us at our dealership in Mechanicsburg, PA and we’ll hand you the keys. Find us nearby Carlisle, Harrisburg, York and Lancaster.
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