R50/53 Test drive
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Joined: Jun 2003
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I think it would be helpful if someone noted some directions on things that should be done on test drives, not just with MINIs mind you, but with other cars as well. Some things I think are important are acceleration, handling ability and stereo, what do you think ?
OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
iluvmini-
Aloha and Welcome and MCO!
I love my mini too!
From http://www.autobuyguide.com/car-buying-guide-14.html
Somethings to consider:
Car Buying Guide:
What to do on a Test Drive.
The best way for you to determine if a car is the right one for you is to actually get behind the wheel and drive it. But what do you do once you're there? Many people don't really know how to properly test-drive a vehicle to really see if they like how the car performs. Here you will learn specifically what you should do on a test drive and what questions you need to ask yourself about the car.
Test-driving a vehicle will also help wipe away all of the unnecessary information that may have accumulated along the way. For example, a salesperson will throw facts and figures at you faster than you can think. These are designed to sway you into buying the car, obviously, because it's their job to sell you a car. Advertisements are also designed to do this, and it makes it possible for you to picture yourself in a car that's not right for you. But a dealer can't tell you that a car handles the way you like. A television ad can't tell you that you'll feel comfortable in the seats. You have to find this out on your own.
The test drive begins before you actually drive the vehicle. You'll want to ask yourself:
1. Determine your comfort level. Can I get into and out of the vehicle easily? Does the seat go back or move up enough for the pedals to be comfortable? If the steering wheel is fixed, is it comfortable and easy to handle for me? If the vehicle has a manual transmission, is the shifter easy to access and shift? Does the seatbelt cut into your neck, or does it hang too loosely and off your shoulder?
2. Look at your needs. Is there enough cargo space for my needs? Is the trunk adequate to your normal cargo? Will the trunk hold your groceries? Your golf clubs? Your bass box? Is it easy to get to? Is there room in the back for other passengers? Will a car seat fit properly in the back seat? Will you be able to lift a sleeping child out of the back seat?
3. Check for visibility. Can you see well enough over the steering wheel? Do you have enough vision out over the hood? Can you see the mirrors well? Is there enough visibility behind you? Are you able to clearly see over your shoulder when changing lanes or backing out of a parking space? Is there a large blind spot?
4. Browse the instrument panel and dash accessories. Can you read the fuel gauge, temperature gauge, speedometer and rpms, or does the steering wheel block them? Does the display properly illuminate? Can you access the other instruments easily? Is the air conditioning/heater switch easy to get to? How about the stereo system? Or the cigarette lighter? Does a center console supply adequate storage space for essentials, or does it just get in the way?
Now it's time to drive. The test drive should help you assess whether the car is for you or not. It might be wise to compare the car with another manufacturer's model in the same class.
The test drive is for you, so make sure that you drive. I've seen customers leave the dealership on a test drive with the dealer behind the wheel. Don't allow this to happen. If the dealer insists on driving (I can't see why this would be the case, but it does happen), tell him or her that you'll take your business to another dealership.
Also, allow plenty of time for the test drive. You'll want to spend a good 15 minutes behind the wheel. You may even want to take it out more than once before making a decision. Here are a few other things to keep in mind:
1. Drive car on the highway. Does it handle well on the on-ramp? Does it merge well into traffic? How's your vision over your shoulder when merging and changing lanes?
2. Check the steering and braking. Take the vehicle to an empty parking lot and brake hard. Also, test the brakes while steering aggressively. Does the car handle well? Do you feel the car will respond in an emergency situation? Do the anti-lock brakes seem to engage properly?
3. Take the car to familiar routes. This is where your driving is most familiar and comfortable, so this is a great place or you to really get a feel of the car. Will it fit into your driveway or garage?
4. Make sure you listen to the car. The dealer may be talking excessively about how cool the flashing arrows on your side mirrors are, but make sure to shut them up for a minute. This can be a tactic to mask some noise in the car. Be sure to listen to the engine at different speeds. Listen to the airflow around the car, especially at higher speeds. Check the air conditioning and heater to see if there is excessive noise. Also, see if there's a loss of power with the A/C and heater turned on. Listen to the stereo system, making sure there are no crackling speakers and that you get quality radio reception.
5. Test the car's steering and handling in tighter situations. Make a U-turn. Does the car have an adequate turning radius? Parallel park the car as well. Does it maneuver well into the spot?
6. In an automatic, feel the gears shift as you increase speed. Do they take to long to shift? Is there a whine before the transmission hits the next gear?
7. Check the acceleration of the car. This can be a critical factor when merging onto the highway or when avoiding a potential accident. Does it respond, or is there a lag between stepping on the gas and accelerating?
8. Drive the car in some regular freeway traffic. Are you able to change lanes without anything blocking your vision? Also test the cruise control if the car is equipped.
Now that you've properly assessed the vehicle, take some time to write up a pro/con list. This way you can gauge on paper your overall approval of the car's performance, style, handling, comfort and safety.
It is important to do this without the dealer present. Go to a quiet bench, go grab some lunch or a cup of coffee, or go home and return another day. The dealer is all about making the sale. Having the dealer there to distract you while assessing your satisfaction with the car will only assist in the dealer's goal. The dealer may even try to convince you that you liked a feature more than you did, or that a particular aspect you weren't pleased with wasn't as major as it seemed. Whatever excuse they can come up with, they'll throw at you. Therefore, quietly assessing the vehicle without interruption is imperative.
Bottom line: you control the deal. If at any point you feel pressured or that your concerns aren't being met, walk away. There is no reason you should have to suffer through the ordeal with a rude and inconsiderate salesperson. However, if you do get a stand-up dealer, you do your research and you remain calm, cool and collected, chances are you'll get the sweet deal you were looking for and you work will have paid off.
1901 E. Carnegie Ave. Unit 1-Q - Santa Ana, CA 92705 Copyright 2001 AutoBuyGuide.com All Rights Reserved.
But most of all- have fun motoring!
Aloha and Welcome and MCO!
I love my mini too!
From http://www.autobuyguide.com/car-buying-guide-14.html
Somethings to consider:
Car Buying Guide:
What to do on a Test Drive.
The best way for you to determine if a car is the right one for you is to actually get behind the wheel and drive it. But what do you do once you're there? Many people don't really know how to properly test-drive a vehicle to really see if they like how the car performs. Here you will learn specifically what you should do on a test drive and what questions you need to ask yourself about the car.
Test-driving a vehicle will also help wipe away all of the unnecessary information that may have accumulated along the way. For example, a salesperson will throw facts and figures at you faster than you can think. These are designed to sway you into buying the car, obviously, because it's their job to sell you a car. Advertisements are also designed to do this, and it makes it possible for you to picture yourself in a car that's not right for you. But a dealer can't tell you that a car handles the way you like. A television ad can't tell you that you'll feel comfortable in the seats. You have to find this out on your own.
The test drive begins before you actually drive the vehicle. You'll want to ask yourself:
1. Determine your comfort level. Can I get into and out of the vehicle easily? Does the seat go back or move up enough for the pedals to be comfortable? If the steering wheel is fixed, is it comfortable and easy to handle for me? If the vehicle has a manual transmission, is the shifter easy to access and shift? Does the seatbelt cut into your neck, or does it hang too loosely and off your shoulder?
2. Look at your needs. Is there enough cargo space for my needs? Is the trunk adequate to your normal cargo? Will the trunk hold your groceries? Your golf clubs? Your bass box? Is it easy to get to? Is there room in the back for other passengers? Will a car seat fit properly in the back seat? Will you be able to lift a sleeping child out of the back seat?
3. Check for visibility. Can you see well enough over the steering wheel? Do you have enough vision out over the hood? Can you see the mirrors well? Is there enough visibility behind you? Are you able to clearly see over your shoulder when changing lanes or backing out of a parking space? Is there a large blind spot?
4. Browse the instrument panel and dash accessories. Can you read the fuel gauge, temperature gauge, speedometer and rpms, or does the steering wheel block them? Does the display properly illuminate? Can you access the other instruments easily? Is the air conditioning/heater switch easy to get to? How about the stereo system? Or the cigarette lighter? Does a center console supply adequate storage space for essentials, or does it just get in the way?
Now it's time to drive. The test drive should help you assess whether the car is for you or not. It might be wise to compare the car with another manufacturer's model in the same class.
The test drive is for you, so make sure that you drive. I've seen customers leave the dealership on a test drive with the dealer behind the wheel. Don't allow this to happen. If the dealer insists on driving (I can't see why this would be the case, but it does happen), tell him or her that you'll take your business to another dealership.
Also, allow plenty of time for the test drive. You'll want to spend a good 15 minutes behind the wheel. You may even want to take it out more than once before making a decision. Here are a few other things to keep in mind:
1. Drive car on the highway. Does it handle well on the on-ramp? Does it merge well into traffic? How's your vision over your shoulder when merging and changing lanes?
2. Check the steering and braking. Take the vehicle to an empty parking lot and brake hard. Also, test the brakes while steering aggressively. Does the car handle well? Do you feel the car will respond in an emergency situation? Do the anti-lock brakes seem to engage properly?
3. Take the car to familiar routes. This is where your driving is most familiar and comfortable, so this is a great place or you to really get a feel of the car. Will it fit into your driveway or garage?
4. Make sure you listen to the car. The dealer may be talking excessively about how cool the flashing arrows on your side mirrors are, but make sure to shut them up for a minute. This can be a tactic to mask some noise in the car. Be sure to listen to the engine at different speeds. Listen to the airflow around the car, especially at higher speeds. Check the air conditioning and heater to see if there is excessive noise. Also, see if there's a loss of power with the A/C and heater turned on. Listen to the stereo system, making sure there are no crackling speakers and that you get quality radio reception.
5. Test the car's steering and handling in tighter situations. Make a U-turn. Does the car have an adequate turning radius? Parallel park the car as well. Does it maneuver well into the spot?
6. In an automatic, feel the gears shift as you increase speed. Do they take to long to shift? Is there a whine before the transmission hits the next gear?
7. Check the acceleration of the car. This can be a critical factor when merging onto the highway or when avoiding a potential accident. Does it respond, or is there a lag between stepping on the gas and accelerating?
8. Drive the car in some regular freeway traffic. Are you able to change lanes without anything blocking your vision? Also test the cruise control if the car is equipped.
Now that you've properly assessed the vehicle, take some time to write up a pro/con list. This way you can gauge on paper your overall approval of the car's performance, style, handling, comfort and safety.
It is important to do this without the dealer present. Go to a quiet bench, go grab some lunch or a cup of coffee, or go home and return another day. The dealer is all about making the sale. Having the dealer there to distract you while assessing your satisfaction with the car will only assist in the dealer's goal. The dealer may even try to convince you that you liked a feature more than you did, or that a particular aspect you weren't pleased with wasn't as major as it seemed. Whatever excuse they can come up with, they'll throw at you. Therefore, quietly assessing the vehicle without interruption is imperative.
Bottom line: you control the deal. If at any point you feel pressured or that your concerns aren't being met, walk away. There is no reason you should have to suffer through the ordeal with a rude and inconsiderate salesperson. However, if you do get a stand-up dealer, you do your research and you remain calm, cool and collected, chances are you'll get the sweet deal you were looking for and you work will have paid off.
1901 E. Carnegie Ave. Unit 1-Q - Santa Ana, CA 92705 Copyright 2001 AutoBuyGuide.com All Rights Reserved.
But most of all- have fun motoring!
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: mid-west
TEST DRIVE? I went to my dealer last saturday( Bill jacobs ) and found the mini I wanted (needed) and drove it for the first time when I brought it home. TEST DRIVE?
Bye. Jim
Indy Blue MC with CVT ( never us auto mode )
Bye. Jim
Indy Blue MC with CVT ( never us auto mode )
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, KY
>>TEST DRIVE? I went to my dealer last saturday( Bill jacobs ) and found the mini I wanted (needed) and drove it for the first time when I brought it home. TEST DRIVE?
>> Bye. Jim
>>
>> Indy Blue MC with CVT ( never us auto mode )
How lucky you are !
My dealer kept me waiting for 19 weeks to get my MCS.
As for TEST DRIVE, just rev it to the limit !
>> Bye. Jim
>>
>> Indy Blue MC with CVT ( never us auto mode )
How lucky you are !
My dealer kept me waiting for 19 weeks to get my MCS.
As for TEST DRIVE, just rev it to the limit !
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
>>TEST DRIVE? I went to my dealer last saturday( Bill jacobs ) and found the mini I wanted (needed) and drove it for the first time when I brought it home. TEST DRIVE?
>> Bye. Jim
>>
>> Indy Blue MC with CVT ( never us auto mode )
My wife did that with her last car. Bought it on the day after a huge new years day snowstorm. It had just come in, and was in the service bay getting detailed. Was the only one that was not covered in snow, and was exactly what she wanted. She drove that car for 4 years. Now she's driving our EB/W MCS.... which we actually did test drive.
>> Bye. Jim
>>
>> Indy Blue MC with CVT ( never us auto mode )
My wife did that with her last car. Bought it on the day after a huge new years day snowstorm. It had just come in, and was in the service bay getting detailed. Was the only one that was not covered in snow, and was exactly what she wanted. She drove that car for 4 years. Now she's driving our EB/W MCS.... which we actually did test drive.
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