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TEST DRIVING TIPS fOR CAR BUYING CONSUMERS
AAA experts help consumers avoid the pitfalls of love at first sight.
AAA recommends the following test-driving tips:
It is easy for car buying consumers to fall in love
before you drive. Walk around the car. Is it the right
at first sight with the sleek styling and attractive
size for the needs of your family? Check the quality
exterior of their dream machine. In most American
of the assembly and the tightness of the body
households today, a vehicle purchase is a major
panel alignment. Check for bubbles and pitting on
financial expense, so a second look and an
the paint and chrome. Open and close the tailgate
extensive test drive is time well invested.
or trunk and doors. Does it sound solid and well
AAA Automotive experts recommend that
made? Will the design allow for easy loading of
consumers start that test drive at the computer
luggage, sporting goods, and groceries?
keyboard. Valuable information about vehicle safety
be a backseat test driver. Ask the salesperson to
features, performance data, and purchase pricing
take you for a preliminary test drive. You can focus
and resale value can be researched online. AAA can
on the ride without the distraction of driving, and
assist consumers shopping for a vehicle by providing
you're more likely to notice noise and overall
information they need to make an educated
comfort. And, of course, you can evaluate backseat
decision at AAA.com/AutoMaker.
room for future passengers.
"In today's economy, consumers have additional
Find your Fit. Get in and try the car on for size.
transmission. Look for smoothness and ease of
factors to consider when purchasing a vehicle,
Check the leg room and visibility. How easy is it
operation. Listen for hesitation or straining.
often making the selection process more difficult
to adjust the seats? Are the controls easy to read,
Handling. Check steering responsiveness. Practice
and extensive," said Bob Kazmierczak, AAA
reach and use? Try all of the accessories and
long turns and sharp turns. Safely practice
Northwest Ohio Vice President of Automotive
options, such as air conditioning, the sound
sudden swerves and gradual lane changes.
Services. "There is no substitute for quality research
system, and navigation aids.
brakes. Brake both softly and decisively to gain an
and an in-depth test drive tailored to your personal
on the road. Drive the exact model of the car you
accurate idea of the car's stopping distance.
driving needs, to help make a sound financial car
want to purchase. Pick your own route for the test
noise level. At various speeds, listen for excessive
buying decision."
drive or one that mirrors your daily driving routine.
engine, road, and wind noise. Check for squeaks
The physical test drive is the next step in the car
It's a good idea to test the car's ride quality and
and rattles coming from the interior and body-
buying research process. An extensive test drive
handling on a number of different road surfaces:
work. Listen with the windows open and closed.
can reveal many important factors not immediately
city streets, hills, freeways, and winding roads.
parking. Parallel park to discover any blind spots or
obvious at first blush.
power. Is there a smooth and constant delivery of
potential difficulty in identifying the corners of
power? Try merging onto
the car.
the highway, passing,
AAA recommends that consumers always have
and stop-and-go city
pre-owned vehicles inspected by a quality repair
driving. Spend part of
facility prior to purchasing. More than 8,000 AAA
the test drive with the air
Approved Auto Repair facilities are located across
conditioner on to see if it
North America. Nearby locations can be found at
drains power.
AAA.com/AAR.
AAA ONLINE
RESOURCES
internet triptikŪ: AAA.com/triptik
About your membership: AAA.com/membership
insurance quotes: AAA.com/insurance
Mobile apps: AAA.com/mobile
online savings: AAA.com/specialoffers
e-newsletter signup: AAA.com/enews
All things travel: AAA.com/travel
rent a car: AAA.com/hertz
book a hotel: AAA.com/hotel
everything teen driving: teendriving.AAA.com
everything senior driving: seniordriving.AAA.com
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3914 Hecktown Rd., Easton, PA · (610) 258-2371 · www.aaanc.com
SUMMER 2014

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