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The importance of a test drive at your car dealer

 
Buying a car is arguably one of the biggest purchases you will make in your lifetime, and therefore it is essential that you get it right first time. Car buying cannot be compared to buying a microwave, a new tie or a pair of shoes: there are no returns when the deal has been closed. For this reason, CMH Carshop and our network of car dealers recommend that you test drive the vehicle you intend on purchasing to help you make an informed decision.

When entering the car buying process at a car dealer, the test drive is one of the most important aspects new buyers tend to overlook. Many vehicles may suit your driving requirements on paper, but only a test drive can help you determine whether a specific vehicle model is ideal for you.

Booking a test drive at a CMH Carshop affiliated car dealer is effortless and hassle free. Simply choose your
new car and contact us directly to schedule a suitable time to take the test drive.

Assessing your driving experience

When planning a test drive at a car dealer, it’s always best to call beforehand and ensure that the dealer has the specific vehicle model in stock. Also take a notebook with your own personal checklist so that you can make a note of every feature of the car, and your experience driving it. Below are some key features to concentrate on:
 
·        Comfort: Ride comfort can be determined by the way in which vehicles respond to inaccuracies on the asphalt. This can be determined by tyres, vehicle seats and suspension and is entirely dependent on each driver’s personal preferences. Some drivers tend to enjoy a stiff ride which is common of sports cars where every ditch in the road is felt, while other drivers prefer a smoother ride more commonly experienced with luxury vehicles.

·        Handling and manoeuvrability: Does the vehicle you’re considering buying respond well to quick driving manoeuvres? Vehicle response time is crucial especially in emergency driving situations, and therefore it is essential that you are comfortable with your new car’s road handling. Test the steering, the vehicle’s turning circle and gear shifting to give you an indication of the car’s handling.
 
·        Acceleration and braking: Acceleration across model types and vehicle makes will vary greatly and is dependent on engine power. For instance, a car with a 2.0-litre turbo engine will accelerate to a much higher speed than an entry-level 1.0-litre car. Whichever vehicle you choose to test drive at a car dealer, ensure that its acceleration is smooth and braking is instantaneous without any shaking or jolting experienced in the brake pedal and clutch.

CMH Carshop: find the car that you want to test drive at one of our car dealers

 
A test drive is one of the most crucial parts of the car buying process. You may like what you see on the surface and the vehicle specification sheet, but will that determine whether you will enjoy driving the car? CMH Carshop hosts one of South Africa’s largest selections of new cars for sale. Browse our extensive new car range by simply setting your preferences in our user-friendly search box to find the car that you would like to test drive.

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