Test Drives

[edam]

I'm wondering how useful it is to test drive brand new cars.
Would you get a more accurate "picture" from driving a demo with some mileage on it.

[trebor1652]

I think a test drive is more about how you 'fit' into the car, whether you like the seat, dash set up etc.
I had a test drive in a Fiesta and I found the seat uncomfortable, and a Corsa was just not right.
So yes a test drive is worth it.

Sent from my XT1039 using Tapatalk

[peteo48]

I think a test drive is more about how you 'fit' into the car, whether you like the seat, dash set up etc.
I had a test drive in a Fiesta and I found the seat uncomfortable, and a Corsa was just not right.
So yes a test drive is worth it.

Sent from my XT1039 using Tapatalk

I agree with that. On seats, however, you sometimes need a bit longer than a normal test drive to fully work out if it's OK for you. I found my previous car, an 8th Gen Civic very comfortable on the test drive but, on longer journeys, the lack of underthigh support became an issue - due mainly to the Civic sitting so low on the ground. The Jazz is much better.

Some dealers do offer longer test drives.

[Pine]

Whenever I change my car I always find the seats uncomfortable in the first couple of weeks. It seems to take a while to get used to the new seats and find the best seating position.

[madasafish]

I always - repeat ALWAYS - have a test drive of at least 40 minutes in any car I am interested in buying.
I test:
reversing - important to see how easy it is.
performance over speed humps and bumpy roads.. I hate cars that are very stiffly sprung and crash over bumps.
seat comfort.
Noise at speed.
What overtaking - usually on  dual carriageways - is like. Usually lots of revs to see high noisy/vibrations etc..
Sitting in traffic - bumper to bumper.
etc.

If I don't get that kind of test drive  (most dealers are fine) I don't buy..

I also read the tests and owners reviews FIRST so I know what to look for..

[edam]

The point I am trying to make is about test driving brand new cars.
The car I drove still had the protective covering on the bonnet.
I will go for another test but only on a car with some mileage on it.

[madasafish]

Dealers have demonstrators for test drives..

[Ozzie]

I need to test drive from both sides of the car, obvious stuff on the drivers side, but from the passenger side, how large is the footwell? I need room for dual controls and my size 13 feet. Can I see the dials from the passenger side? Is there good visibility form the passenger side or is there large blind spots?
I also need lots of pockets, drinks holders, a decent size boot . . . . . hence the Jazz 

[guest5645]

IMHO, It's very useful to do test drive so we can know how suitable for us especially seat position and test all features.

[chrisc]

Many cars are carefully engineered to have a similar feel on the road.  There are small differences in seats, but a Honda or Renault or Hyundai seem to have similar handling characteristics

When you get to a Mini Cooper or a Range Rover, then it is completely different

[guest334]

Defi.nately worth it, who would buy a vehicle without a 30min test drive? I wouldn't buy a pair of shoes for £50.00 without trying them on. You can always encourage the salesperson by alonger drive , after over 50 years of test driving shows that the best model is next years