Making the decision to actively begin the process of buying or leasing a new car is a big deal. Most of the time you have at least a style of car in mind that you would like to find, but would like to try out a few different options before making the final decision. Volvo offers many different options to choose from, from the Volvo S60 Sedan to the Volvo XC60 SUV. This is when you should head out to the dealership and begin test-driving different cars you are considering. Even if you do not know much about each car at first, the test-driving experience is where you can get many of your answers.

 

Before You Get Behind The Wheel

·      If you have the chance, complete as much research as you can beforehand on what vehicles the dealership you are heading to has to offer. If you are in the market for a new Volvo, you can visit our website for a complete list of vehicles we have on the lot.

·      Know what you want. Even if you don’t know exactly, you should have an idea of things such as the average gas mileage you are looking for, features you couldn’t live without and how many doors or seats you want, just to name a few. Did you know the Volvo XC90 has earned the title of safest Volvo ever? If safety is your top priority, don’t pass by this model!

·      Once you are on the lot and are with a sales representative, they can help you narrow down your search.

·      After deciding which car(s) you would like to test drive, take a walk around the car, open and close the doors, check out the tires, sit in each seat as if you were a passenger, check the locations of airbags and test out anything else you as a potential buyer would want to know.

·      Now is a great time to ask questions about that specific vehicle, such as what kind of fuel it requires. You can also ask about potential blind spots in the car and if there is anything you should know before getting behind the wheel.

 

While Driving:

·      Now that you’re on the road, don’t feel pressured to take one quick trip around the block and call it a day. Really get a feel for what it is like to use this car as your main mode of transportation. Test it out on as many types of roads as possible- highways, busy streets, windy roads and neighborhoods.

·      Pay attention to how the brakes work. Some brakes are extremely sensitive while others need a little more force to do their job. Notice how it feels to accelerate also, and if the engine feels like a good fit for you.

·      Test out any features the car has. Roll down the windows and maybe the sunroof. If there is a call system set up in the car, make a call. Use the GPS to take you somewhere close and test its accuracy.  Whatever the feature may be, make sure it works like you want it to and you are comfortable using it. If you want to add anything extra, talk to the sales representative about this as you are driving around.

·      Once you feel comfortable with the car, or decide you want to keep searching, head back to the dealership.

 

Now that you have completed your test drive, take the time to really thing about what you liked and what you didn’t like. Include your sales representative in this conversation as well, so they can answer any questions. If you are ready to look at a second option, repeat this process once again until you find the car of your dreams. If you are ready to take a test drive today, stop by anytime during business hours or contact us here and we will be happy to help you with this process!