If you ask anyone who has purchased a vehicle, many car buyers will say that the test drive is one of the most intimidating parts of looking at used cars for sale. This is understandable, as trying anything new certainly comes with a level of anxiety. To assist with this, a little knowledge on how to properly conduct a test drive can mitigate a lot of anxiety. Once you understand how to conduct a test drive and what to look for, you will feel much more confident during the process. As a certified Terre Haute car dealer, we at Terre Haute Auto have a thorough understanding of the test-driving process. Because of this, we want to help inform you about test drives by giving you a list that describes five tips for test driving.
1. Conduct A Pre-Drive Inspection
While at our Terre Haute car dealer or any other dealership, it is essential that you conduct a pre-drive inspection. To do this inspection, you take your time to check the vehicle’s exterior for damage, including the undercarriage. You should also check the tires and other components of the vehicle, such as the brakes, suspension, engine, and transmission. Once you’ve done this, you can enter the vehicle and check the interior for any damage. Inspecting a vehicle before a test drive is essential, especially with used cars for sale, as there could be wear and tear from years of use. After this inspection, you can begin your drive if you find nothing wrong with the vehicle.
2. Once You Get In The Car, Get Comfortable
Once you get in a used car for sale to begin your test drive, you should get settled and comfortable. To do this, you can adjust everything to your liking, including the seat height, steering wheel, and pedals. You should also adjust all the mirrors to your preference, ensuring good visibility. Aside from this, it is also wise to turn off the vehicle’s radio; that way, you can avoid distractions while on the road.
3. Take Your Time With Each Car
Whether you’re test-driving used cars near Terre Haute or anywhere else, it is vital that you take your time with every car. If you plan on owning one of these vehicles for a few years, you will want to give yourself some time to get acquainted. An excellent way to do this is to take the vehicle through different roadways and conditions. Doing so will help to give you a feel for the overall handling of a car, including how it brakes and accelerates. You can even check if the vehicle will fit in your garage if you’re close to home and the dealer allows it.
4. Look Out For Any Unusual Noises Or Feelings
Suppose you find a used truck for sale near Terre Haute that you want to test drive. While test driving this truck, you may hear some unusual noises coming from the engine, or the driving may feel unusual. If this happens, you shouldn’t ignore anything unusual during your test drive. It is important to inform our Terre Haute car dealer or any other dealership of anything strange during a test drive. The dealer will then be able to address this issue promptly.
5. Take Notes On Each Vehicle And Compare
While you are test driving vehicles at a used car dealership near you, something simple you can do to keep track of every test drive is taking notes. If you take notes about the pros and cons of every vehicle, you can then compare all of your results to determine which vehicle is best for you.
If you are near Terre Haute and would like to test drive some vehicles, don’t hesitate to contact us at Terre Haute auto to schedule a test drive. We also offer services to buy here pay here in Terre Haute, making the car buying experience more straightforward than ever.
This rear wheel drive 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE features a Gray (steel Gray Metallic) exterior with a Dark Titanium/light Titanium interior and has only 145,374 miles.INTERIOR OPTIONS: Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel, Cloth Seats, Adjustable Lumbar Seat(s), Bench Seat (Split), Adjustable Steering... Read More
DESIRABLE FEATURES: Include 4WD, Diesel, Remote EntryThis four wheel drive 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT features a Gray (bright Silver Metallic) exterior with a Dark Slate Gray interior and has only 204,669 miles.INTERIOR OPTIONS: Cloth Seats, Air Conditioning, Pass-Through Rear Seat, Adjustable... Read More
DESIRABLE FEATURES: Include 4WD, Alloy Wheels, Remote EntryThis four wheel drive 2011 Ford F-150 XLT features a Gold (golden Bronze Metallic) exterior with a Pale Adobe interior and has only 114,524 miles.INTERIOR OPTIONS: Cloth Seats, Adjustable Lumbar Seat(s), Air Conditioning, Adjustable... Read More
DESIRABLE FEATURES: Include 4WD, Alloy Wheels, Remote Entry, Sirius XMThis four wheel drive used 2013 Ram 1500 SLT features a Brown (western Brown) exterior with a Black/diesel Gray Interior interior and has only 149,671 miles.INTERIOR OPTIONS: Sliding Rear Window, Cloth Seats, Bench Seat... Read More
DESIRABLE FEATURES: Include 4WD, Alloy Wheels, Bluetooth, Remote EntryThis four wheel drive 2013 Ford F-150 XLT features a White (oxford White) exterior with a Steel Gray interior and has only 162,604 miles.INTERIOR OPTIONS: Adjustable Lumbar Seat(s), Cloth Seats, Bench Seat (Split), Air... Read More
This four wheel drive 2014 Ram 1500 Tradesman features a Bright White Clearcoat exterior with a Diesel Gray/black interior and has only 146,653 miles.INTERIOR OPTIONS: Bench Seat (Split), Vinyl Interior, Adjustable Steering Wheel, Air Conditioning, Bench Seat, Tilt Steering WheelTECHNOLOGY... Read More
DESIRABLE FEATURES: Include 4WD, Sirius XM, Remote EntryThis four wheel drive used 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT features a White (white Diamond Tricoat) exterior with a Light Titanium/dark Titanium interior and has only 155,882 miles.INTERIOR OPTIONS: Cloth Seats, Leather Wrapped Steering... Read More
DESIRABLE FEATURES: Include 4WD, Remote Entry, Sirius XMThis four wheel drive used 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT features a Black (black) exterior with a Light Titanium/dark Titanium interior and has only 162,983 miles.INTERIOR OPTIONS: Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel, Adjustable Lumbar... Read More
DESIRABLE FEATURES: Include 4WD, Alloy Wheels, Remote Start, Bluetooth, Remote Entry, Sirius XMThis four wheel drive 2014 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman features a Brown (western Brown) exterior with a Diesel Gray/black interior and has only 144,087 miles.INTERIOR OPTIONS: Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel,... Read More
The list of standard equipment and accessories contained on this document reflect equipment which was standard at the time vehicle was manufactured. This vehicle may or may not contain some or most of the equipment and accessories listed as a result of the vehicle identification number equipment compilation provided by a third party source. This VIN equipment compilation is provided as a service by the dealer and a third party source and is in no way intended to serve as a warranty or list of actual equipment contained on the vehicle.