We have no association with Col Crawford Holden selling Holden in Brookvale and in no way represent them.
Test driving
Pop the boot
Walk around the back of the car (unless the boot is up the front, of course!) and have a look inside. Is there enought space for the stuff you will need to carry there? Anything from prams to golf bags, or naughty kids (just kidding - that would be illegal!!)
How safe is the car?
How Safe Is Your Car will give an indication of how most cars rate in crash tests. It also covers ESC. ESC is short for Electronic Stability Control, a new safety technology that helps drivers to avoid crashes by reducing the danger of skidding.
Driving and handling
See how the car handles if you push it a bit in corners. Oversteer or understeer is usually the result (unless it comes with Electronic Stability Control). It’s better to know how it handles before you buy. It is also useful to compare it against different makes and models. It is hard to get an idea of how a car responds to quick manoeuvres in a short drive but you can hurry the car around a couple of corners to check body roll. Test the responsiveness with an abrupt lane change. When avoiding an accident, a vehicle that is slow to respond may not be your best option. Does the front end dip excessively under a hard stop? Try a couple of times. If the vehicle has ABS you will feel some pulsing, try braking hard while turning this will tell you that the system is working. If the pulsing is pronounced the ABS system may not be quite as good as some others.
Noise and sound
Wind and road noise can impact on your ability to hear others in the car during conversations. Switch off the radio when you get into the vehicle. Around suburban streets, most cars will sound quiet, but what is the engine and wind noise like on the highway or freeway? The best way for most people to check this is by way of comparing different cars. Have a conversation at freeway speed and compare it to your existing car, or a competing make or model to the car you are testing.
Remember to turn the radio on again at some point before end of the drive to check the quality of the sound. A lot of people like to bring their favourite CD and hear how it sounds in different cars.
