Smart Women's Car-Buying Tip #2: Why You Should Test Drive A Car On The Highway

When you’re in the market for a new car, the test drive is one of the most important steps. But here's an insider tip you might not know: make sure to test drive the car on the highway. You might need to ask the salesperson for this specifically, and yes, it can feel a bit intimidating to take a car that isn’t yours on the highway. But trust me—it's so important to know if the car is truly a fit for you.

Why Test Drive the Car on the Highway?

1. Watch Out for Road Noise: It’s hard to tell how noisy a car is until you’re going over 55 mph. Pay attention to engine noise, tire noise, and wind noise. Is it something you can live with? How much do you need to crank up the music or your podcast to drown out the noise? Can you still hear the salesperson speaking at a normal volume? If you’re test diving a convertible, make sure to test it with the top both up and down. Many people end up regretting their choice when they realize just how loud a car is at highway speeds.

   
   

2. Power Issues: Highway driving will also give you a feel for how the car performs when merging or accelerating. Believe it or not, some new cars feel shockingly underpowered when entering a highway. The last thing you want is to feel like you're struggling to keep up with traffic or be terrified every time you get on an onramp.

   
   

3. Clunking and Other Concerns to be Aware of: Even new cars need to be ‘prepped’ when they arrive at the dealership. Sometimes, things get overlooked—like blocks in the springs that need to be removed after shipping or missed adjustments from the port inspection. In one case, I remember an actual tool was found inside the door panel of a Volkswagen Beetle! If you hear strange noises like wind whistling or clunking sounds, it’s a red flag the car needs a pre-delivery inspection and road test by the dealer. And if you plan to buy the exact car you test drove, be sure to test it again before signing the contract to make sure any issues have been resolved.

Avoid Car Buying Mistakes with a Proper Test Drive

In conclusion, don’t skip the highway test drive. It will reveal important details that can make or break your decision and lead to regret or relief. You’ll be so glad you did!

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