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Test drives are essential when you buy a car. While it may seem fun, you should always fully utilise the process before making that downpayment.
Category: Car Buying Advice
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Test driving is an important component when shopping for a new car. While the short time you get to spend with the car might not be the best representation of living with it, it gives you a good taste of how the car will be like.
The limited time you get when test driving a car means that you have to take the opportunity to get all your questions answered, make an informed decision and not a rash one when you buy a car in Singapore.
Not sure where to start? Well, here are eight important points for you to take note of.
1. Do your homework
Research is key. Go online, find all the information on sgCarMart's New Car section, check out the reviews on the cars that you are interested in. Don't just look at the pretty pictures. You have to find out if these cars have the features you want. Saw an interesting new driver assistance system? Put a pin in it, and be sure to try it out at the test drive.
You also have to search for possible issues or quirks with the cars, so you know what to look out for and seek clarification with the sales representative. Forum discussion threads, Facebook groups or telegram channels can be a good source of such information.
Now, with your set of criterias, you can narrow your search down to a shortlist of cars (i.e. SUVs under $100,000), so you wouldn't have to walk up and down Alexandra Road aimlessly.
2. Book your test drive appointments
You don't want to make your way down only to find out the car you are interested in isn't available for a test drive.
Take leave if you must, dedicate an entire day for test drives and line up the appointments so you can test the cars in your shortlist one after another. Not only will this save you some time - most of the new car showrooms are located in close vicinity here, it will also give you a valid reason to leave the showroom before you start making a hasty decision.
3. Bring a family member or friend along
Shopping for a new car is an exciting experience, one where you tend to make rash decisions. Having someone else with you, be it a close friend, spouse, or family member, to keep you rational, can be a good idea.
If you are buying the car with the intention to fetch your family about, it would be best to be able to gather their opinions as well. You wouldn't want to buy a car and end up with them grumbling all day long.