We had a nice lady caller this past Saturday with buyer’s remorse. She bought an SUV only to find out, it was not comfortable and it was too hard to get in and out of. Odds are, she took a short test drive and did not spend enough time in the car before buying it.
Avoid Buyer’s Remorse with a Proper Test Drive
It happens way too often. People go out and buy themselves a new vehicle, and within 72 hours they realize they don’t like it or it doesn’t fit their family or some other issue. It is called buyer’s remorse, and in spite of what people think, there is no “cooling off” period in any state in America. When you drive away, you own it. Usually, when someone regrets his or her purchase, it is because he or she didn’t take a proper test drive.
A recent study stated that 11% of people shopping for a car did not take a test drive. I am not sure I believe the number, it seems high for various reasons. I believe the test drive of a new or used vehicle is a very important step in the car buying process. I cannot imagine spending money on shoes without trying them on, and I sure cannot imagine making your second-largest purchase without driving what you are buying. Here are some tips for doing it properly.
1. Before you drive a prospective car, know your priorities.
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For some, it is power when accelerating, for other people it is comfort, and the list goes on by individual. I have seen people for whom cup holders were a top priority. Look for what is important to you from the start of your test drive.
2. Before you put the car in gear, get to know the controls for a safe trip.
Set the mirrors and your seat adjustment for safety. Tilt the steering wheel to…