Just a note before we begin: This post was originally destined to be a follow up list of Used car Buying Tips, but the Road Test is so important that it has become a post all on it’s own.
So you’ve taken your time to shop, you’ve compared prices and sought out an experienced opinion. You’ve asked all manner of questions and done a walk around of a potential car. At this point you’ve either fallen in or out of love with the car, so what to do next?

The Road Test Now is the time to head out on the road. If you’ve fallen in love, this could send you over the top, or it could bring you back down to earth. Fast. But what if you’ve already decided it’s not the car for you? If you want this model, then drive it anyway. It will give you a base point to compare other cars to.

So you want to drive the car and the seller won’t let you. What do you do? You run away as quick as you can, because something’s not kosher, unless of course you are 19 and trying to road test a Corvette. In that case you will have to do your best to convince the seller that you are serious.

A road test isn’t just a joyride to see if you look hot behind the wheel. This is the time you should be overly aware of what’s going on around you. First, turn on the ignition, but don’t start the engine. Are all the warning lamps lit? If the car has airbags or abs brakes, there will be warning lamps for both. If they’re not lit now, the car has problems with very expensive systems that will need to be fixed. If your local laws require a real safety inspection for licensing, they may need to be fixed before you can transfer the ownership from the seller to you. Start the engine and make sure it starts easily, without any weird noises. When you head out on the road, you want to listen for any unusual creaks, rattles, clunks from inside or outside the car. Watch the rear view mirror for signs of smoke from the exhaust. Take the car on the highway. Does the car accelerate smoothly? Is there any vibration through the steering wheel or body. Does the car track straight on the road? Is there any vibration under braking? Does the car stop in a straight line? Make a note of all these things for the next step towrds buying the car.

The other thing to watch for are the little things. Do you actually like driving the car? Look at things like blind spots and even cup holder placement. If you hate the reach to your morning coffee, this might not be the model for you. Years ago, I remember a customer who wanted to take a major Swedish manufacturer to court because she couldn’t see to back up because of the height of the head rests. The lady was 4 foot 8. When I asked why she didn’t notice this on the road test before she bought the car, she said she hadn’t driven one before she bought it. She bought the car strictly based on it’s reputation. Never mind the fact that most cars are designed with an average sized North American male in mind and she was two thirds the size.

Remember, you are investing a lot of money in a used car. You need to make sure that the car is everything you had hoped for in the performance and reliability departments, but you also want to make sure that you will actually enjoy driving it. Oh yes, If it’s important to you, you also want to make sure you look good in it!