Test driving a car is often the most exciting part of the whole buying process. Getting behind the wheel of a potential new car gives you the chance to get used to it and pick out any problems, find out any quirks and see how it could work for you in the future.
At Prestige Cars Kent, we have hundreds of the very best pre-owned vehicles from all types of manufacturers that you can come in and test drive. They all offer a slightly different driving experience, too, but how can you be sure you’re getting the most from your test drive? In this article, we’re going to be exploring all of the things to look out for when you drive a new car for the first time.
Comfort and fit
One of the best places to start is the seating position. Get yourself behind the wheel and move the seat into your usual position. Is that easy to do and are the seat controls easy to access? Once you’re there, make sure that you can operate the key controls easily and comfortably. You should be able to fully depress the clutch pedal - if there is one - with just a small bend in your knee, while resting your wrists on the steering wheel should result in a slight crook in your arms.
Once you’re in position, and also adjusted the mirrors, it’s time to drive. Sometimes, discomfort takes a little while to make itself known so give yourself a good route to take. Are the seats supportive enough? Is the visibility right for you? If there’s any area which you think doesn’t feel quite right, then it might be a good idea to try out a different car.
Controls and systems
Many of the cars at Prestige Cars Kent are packed with technology, and nearly all of it is designed to make your life easier. But, since you’ll be interacting with it on a daily basis, you want to make sure that things work well for you. Try using various knobs and dials when you’re on the move to make sure that they are intuitive, and you could also try adjusting certain settings - such as the side mirrors - to see how easy they are to operate.
The main screen is the key point of interaction between the driver and many of the car’s systems, so give this a try too. Navigate through a car’s infotainment menus and see how easy it is to pair your phone or access certain radio stations. It’s likely that you’ll soon get up to speed with all of this once you’re used to it, of course, but the test drive provides a vital opportunity to see how they work - and if you like the car, too.
Driving experience
Right - we’re on to the overall driving experience. Depending on what type of car you’re testing out, you might be behind the wheel of something completely different. So if you’re coming from a hatchback into a larger SUV, you may need to get used to its larger size and higher riding position. Give yourself plenty of time, but make sure you pay attention to the various characteristics of the car. Does it have enough power, or is the steering light enough to park the vehicle easily?
It’s a good idea to try out some of the driving that you’d usually do day-to-day when out on your test drive, too. It might be worth parallel parking or even reversing into a bay to see how the car performs, or consider driving it around town if that’s where you’re usually heading.
Space and practicality
On a more practical basis, it’s worth looking at the general spaciousness and storage offered in the car you’re looking at. Think about the side bins in the doors, how many cupholders there are and whether you’ve got a variety of charge points for smartphones and devices.
Check out the boot, too. If you’re often taking bigger items with you, then it could be worth folding down the rear seats to see how easily they operate, and check what height the boot is in case you’re frequently loading heavier items. A higher boot lip will make lifting chunkier bits and pieces inside trickier - it’s all worth thinking about.
Design and specification
Finally, we have the design and specification. The interior trim will play a big part in your experience of the car over the years. For instance, a lighter leather can brighten up an interior but be harder to keep looking clean, particularly if you have young children or pets. Likewise, suede or other softer materials can be more susceptible to staining, so bear these aspects in mind.
It’s also a good idea to see what kind of features the car comes fitted with. Heated seats can be a big bonus during the winter months, as can cruise control if you’re often doing longer distances. Give all of these features a go to see how they work and whether or not they operate in a way which works for you.
The good news is that here at Prestige Cars Kent, we’ve got cars of all shapes and sizes, so there should be a model for you. For more information, get in touch with the team today to see how they can help you with your next new car - and get yourself booked in for a test drive.