Are you thinking of buying a new car? The purchase of a brand-new car may be an exciting moment. Do you know that you can rent a car to test drive before buying?
In this article, you will learn about renting and test-driving a car and the importance of test-driving.
What Does It Mean To Buy And Own A Car?
To explain the difference between buying and owning a car, consider an example.
E.g.:
If you purchase a car for $20,000, it means this is what you have paid for. On the flip side, if you own a car at $20,000, this is its market value, and you can sell it at its present value.
What Is Renting A Car?
Renting a car implies that you are using someone else’s car for a day, week, or month. For this service, you must make a payment.
Renting a car comes with a lot of benefits. Including not waiting for public transportation, paying for a taxi for extra distance, zero hidden costs, etc.
What You Should Know Before Renting A Car?
Here are some facts you should be aware of when choosing a car:
1) Expensive Rental Car Insurance
Your rental car company will provide you with expensive rental car insurance to cover any damages during the voyage.
2) Credit Card Or Debit Card?
Prefer using a credit card over a debit card while picking a rental car. The reason is using a debit card will cost you authorization and additional incremental fees.
3) Additional Fees Based on Your Age
People under 25 may have to pay additional fees to rent a car. Furthermore, keep the passengers to a minimum. It is because you ought to pay additional fees for every new driver.
4) Rent a car at the airport
Avoid renting a car at the airport. You may have to pay a premium for the right to pick up the car moments after stepping out of the plane. Rental car companies are required to collect and pay fees to the airport where they carry out their business operations.
5) Drive a rental car off-road
Avoid driving a rental car off-road. It is because any damages that happened to the rental car while driving off-road fall on your shoulders.
What Is A Test Drive?
According to Wikipedia, a test drive is when you drive a car to evaluate its general operational condition, drivability, and roadworthiness. A professional test driver is a man or woman who drives car engines for earnings. The tests can be done either for an automaker, the automotive press for reviews, or a racing team.
If you are buying a new car, you shouldn’t skip test driving.
Tips For Perfect Test Driving
1) Make Notes
Note down all the things you want to test in a car. You should know the car model you wish to buy and prepare upfront.
2) Don’t Test Alone
Ask your close friend to accompany you. They help you notice something in the car that you might have missed, or they can give you an advantageous opinion.
3) Plan The Route In Advance
Decide on the test drive route in advance. You can take the new car on test driving in the open area or your local neighborhood. No matter what the case is, make the driving hours much longer.
4) Keep In Mind
Pay keen attention to the following things while driving:
- Controls
- Dials
- Visibility
- Road noise
- Gear shifts
- Corners
- Acceleration
- Your comfort
- Parking
5) Analyze Your Inputs
After the test drive experience, take some time to analyze your decision to buy the car. After all, buying a car is a long-term investment and commitment.
Importance Of Test Driving
Test driving is a significant part of the car buying process. It helps you decide if the car is suitable for you or not. Let’s get into the details of test driving.
1) Identify Blind Spots
Once you get hold of the car for test driving, you can look for the car’s visibility and blind spots. During test driving, you will eventually know whether there is anything that jams your view. Check whether or not your back mirrors are free of obstacles in your sight field. Or whether you can change lanes by checking through the rear and side mirrors.
Another thing you will also get to know is if the car’s interior styling is appealing or bland. Also, if the dashboard, windshield, and windows of your purchased car are perfectly fine or not.
2) Analyze Carburant Consumption
During test driving, you get to test the car when it is cold. If a car runs on diesel and is warmed up, you won’t know much about the car.
If you see the car is already started, you must be a little cautious. The engine will be warm, and when you lift the bonnet temp gauge will have gone upwards.
3) Brakes Test
While test driving, you will get to check the brakes carefully. Spongy, weak, or not-so-prompt breaks are a red flag. If breaks don’t feel smooth after five minutes of driving, dump the car back at the company.
On the straight road, if no vehicle is around you, brake hard. Afterward, while holding the steering wheel lightly, press firmly on the brake pedal. This way, you can check if the car comes to a controlled halt.
4) Listen To Car Noises
While driving a car on a test drive, you will know if the car knocks, bangs, creak, or groan. If a car has a noisy suspension, it’s a red flag. As a result, you may need replacement bushes or other suspension components.
5) Steering Wheel Test
With test driving, you will know if the steering wheel is straight while driving or not. If braking and acceleration work well if there is a wheel wobbling at higher speeds, and a lot more.
One more thing you can do to check the appropriate functionality of the steering wheel. You can check this when the car is not moving, but the engine is on. Just turn the steering wheel to either right or left as far as it can go and then check if it makes a racket. A little noise is a good sign, but racket or too much noise from the suspension isn’t a good sign.
6) Analyze The Wheel Bearings Of The Car
While on the test drive, listen for a buzzing noise from the wheel bearings, driving at a regular speed. So, you might only be able to hear it when you go around left-hand curves or just when you’re turning to the right.
In short, with test driving, you will know the shortcomings and perks of the car. So, don’t miss it.
All About An Extended Test Drive
Sometimes you may feel like you don’t have enough time for a test drive. In such a scenario, an extended test drive can help you make the right choice while buying the next car.
What Is An Extended Test Drive?
A longer test drive allows you more time to attempt everything on your checklist. It also gives you the chance to drive in different conditions and on different types of roads. To make sure that everything fits securely and pleasantly, you may even go on the office run or conduct your weekly shopping.
You might be given the option of a 24- or 48-hour test drive depending on the dealership and your demands. It’s not unheard of to receive the chance to test drive your top choice for up to seven days.
You might be restricted in terms of the vehicle you can test drive for a lengthy period. Such long test drives are frequently restricted to a select number of manufacturers and models rather than the entire lineup.
Test Drive Restrictions
While the test drive can last for up to 48 hours or even seven days, there may be restrictions on the mileage you can cover. Also, on the amount of fuel you can use, and whether you need to return the car full of fuel. The dealer may also require more notice to arrange a longer test drive than the typical one-hour drive.
In addition, the driver may be subject to restrictions. The restrictions are based on factors including their age and the length of time they have had their license.
As with other offers, it’s important to examine what alternatives are available with the dealership. Make sure you’re comfortable with all the restrictions before you sign up.
In some situations, the offer can also be limited to drivers of company cars.
Should You Take An Extended Test Drive?
Of course, yes. Why not?
- You have more time in the automobile to test out everything.
- Gives you the chance to practice driving in various environments and circumstances.
- After spending a large amount of time in the car of your choice, you can make an informed decision.
A Few Mistakes People Make During Their Test Drive
1) Test The Car You Want To Buy
Sometimes people don’t drive the car they want to buy. By taking a vehicle for a test drive, you may become acquainted with all its features. You can also decide on the car you want before it’s too late.
2) Take Enough Time For The Car Test
People don’t take enough time to think about their purchases. We’re not saying you should test drive every car on the lot. It’s crucial to give yourself enough time to carefully consider a few different options.
3) Test All Car Technology And Features
People forget to test out the car’s technology. You may acquire vehicles that are more and more technologically sophisticated every year.
Testing the technology, you intend to employ on your possible car is crucial for this reason. Try charging your phone’s battery or pairing it with Bluetooth.
Make sure the car can perform all the other tasks you need it to.
Avoid all of the above mistakes.
Why Should You Rent The Car To Test Drive Before Buying One?
Here are a few reasons to rent a car to test drive before buying:
1) First Impressions
Renting a car for test driving will help you get the real feel of the car. Before you turn on the engine, check the car for its comfort and if the seat fits you perfectly. The point is to know if the car if you like every aspect of the car before buying it.
2) Explore The Car
Renting a car for test driving is more beneficial because you get plenty of time to explore the car. You won’t get that much time in test driving from the car company. The more time, the easier it is to make the decision.
3) Test The Car In Different Situations
Finally, when you rent a car for a test drive, you get to drive the car in different situations. For instance, you will know what it feels like to drive a car while dropping your kids to school in traffic. In this way, you will know how it feels to drive a car on an undulating road, etc.
And if the rental company allows you off-roading, don’t skip it. You will know the true nature of the car while driving off-road.
When Shouldn’t You Rent A Car To Test Drive Before Buying?
Let’s Look At The Cons To Rent a Car To Test Drive Before Buying!
1) Higher prices
Of course, if you are renting a car for a test drive for many days, you have to pay heavy prices. On top of that, if something happens to the rental car on the journey, you will have to bear the cost of damages. In short, there may be a lot of risks associated with renting a car for the long term.
2) Limitations and rigid terms and conditions
Driving a vehicle is not permitted for everyone. You must be of legal driving age, possess a valid driver’s license, and have international driving permission. By the way, in Australia, 21 is the legal age to drive.
3) Unexpected charges
When utilizing the services offered by rental organizations, there are occasionally going to be additional fees, hidden expenditures, and charges.
Conclusion
Renting a car for test driving is advantageous as you will get plenty of hours to explore the car in numerous situations. But everything comes at a price.
So, you may have to pay heavy prices for renting a car for a test drive for many days.