Cars
Separate the Test Drive From the Deal
After researching cars online, go to the dealerships for test drives -- and nothing else. Here's what to look for in your potential new ride.
By Mark Solheim, Senior Editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
December 2003
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The secret to getting a good deal on a car is to spend as little time at the dealership as possible.
That's why we recommend doing your shopping on the phone or the Internet, so you can minimize the head games dealers sometimes play to pressure you into agreeing to their terms. But when it's time for the test drive, you have to set foot in the showroom. And dealers know that once you're behind the wheel inhaling that new-car smell, icy resolve tends to melt.
The best way to fend off test-drive delirium is to separate the drive from the deal.
Call dealerships to set up test-drive appointments. When you're asked -- as you will be -- if you're ready to buy today, emphasize that you're just beginning your search for a new car. While you're at it, ask if you can take the car out alone or, better yet, overnight. Most General Motors dealers let you adopt a car for 24 hours, as long as you're 21 and have proof of insurance.
As Kiplinger's car guy, I drive as many of the new cars as I can. But I don't zoom around a handling track and clock zero to 60 splits -- at least, not routinely. Instead, I drive the cars the way you do: to work in traffic, to soccer practice with the kids or on the interstate to Home Depot.
In the December issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance, we rank more than 428 2004 models. More than 80% of our scoring is based on objective performance and value numbers. My impressions of a car's comfort, dash design, controls accessibility and overall design make up the rest.
Set a spell
"The decision to buy often comes down to a gut feeling, but you also need to do due diligence," says Kevin Krauss, an instructor at Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. See how comfortable the seat is, put your hands on the steering wheel, and check how easy it is to reach and use the controls, gear shift and pedals.
As part of Kiplinger's evaluation, I also check rear and peripheral visibility, ease of getting in and out of the vehicle, legroom in the front and back seat, and dashboard readability.
Take it for a spin
- Drive it in the city and on the highway. How well does the car accelerate when you're merging, passing or climbing a steep hill?
- Take it on a bumpy road and note how the suspension handles.
- On a straightaway with no traffic around and from at least 40 miles per hour, hit the brakes hard, but just short of locking them up, which could throw the car into a spin. If you feel the thumping of the anti-lock braking system, back off a bit but hold your foot steady. How fast does the car stop? Make sure you can completely stop the car without feeling it pull to one side.
- Check the steering -- does it feel light and responsive? Too light, too responsive?
- Unless the weather is lousy, you probably won't get a chance to put traction control or stability control to the test, but don't underestimate their value in emergency maneuvers.
- Listen to the radio, and use the compact disc player.
- Note the quality and heft of the glove-compartment door and other interior accessories. If they feel cheap, that could be an indicator of the car's overall quality.
If it's a family car, Krauss recommends that you bring your kids (and, of course, your spouse) along to get their impressions. Do the tasks you normally do, such as plugging in your cell-phone charger and stopping by the drive-through (so you can try out the cupholders).
Kiplinger's has developed a test-drive scorecard you can take with you to the dealer.