How to test drive a Car - Part 2

Try different terrains
Drive on curvy roads, bumpy roads and highways, so as to test the car's suspension, handling and speed. Dealerships have predetermined routes for test-drives, but you want to simulate as many driving situations as you can. Remember to tell the salesman where you want to go before setting out, as he may need to check with his manager.

Test turning
A good way to get a sense of a car's handling is to turn at varying speeds. Does it hug the road or fly away? Also, do a couple of full circles in the parking lot. This should tell you if the car has a decent turning radius or if your three-point turns are going to be extended journeys.

Start & stop
A leisurely drive will tell you nothing about a vehicle's performance. Accelerate hard to see what kind of guts the car has. Be sure to brake hard as well; it'll give you a sense of how the car handles while stopping short.

Change lanes
Visibility is critical to any car. You can roughly gauge it while sitting in the parking lot, but the real test is on the road, while changing lanes. Can you take a quick glimpse at the mirrors and go or do you need a few extra seconds to focus?

Check the climate control
Depending on the weather on the day of your test-drive, you may not even think to investigate its interior-climate system. See how long it takes for the A/C to reach its peak, then do the same with the heating.

Inspect the interior
Are all the controls accessible? Do you have enough room for your legs? Don't be afraid to push all the buttons, turn all the knobs and generally treat the interior the way a child would. Oftentimes, quality resides in the little details, and you'll know right away if you're looking at a winner or a cheap car.

Take a passenger
The driving experience isn't the same as the ride. Bring a passenger along and, while you're behind the wheel, have him sit in back (if there is one). He can tell you if he feels all the bumps or if the car handles poorly when you brake.

Adjust your seating
In doing this, you'll be looking for how easy the seats are to adjust. Don't be tempted to take the salesman's word for it or let him demonstrate for you. You'll be the one adjusting the seats when you buy the car, so make sure it's easy.

Buckle up
The only way to see if a seatbelt wears comfortably is to try it on. Also have a look to make sure that its buckle won't easily get lost between the seats.

Check the doors
Doors can tell you a lot about engineering and workmanship. A cheap car is likely to have cheap doors that feel flimsy. You want a set that feels solid and closes firmly and definitively

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