Extended Test Drives: Who Offers Them & How To Schedule One
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Purchasing a car is a big commitment and a significant financial investment. A car is never considered an impulse buy unless you’re rolling in cash. According to a 2021 Statista research, new car buyers in America spend around 5 hours and 22 minutes researching their prospective vehicles. While it’s lower than the previous years, it’s still a considerable time spent on research.
However, learning what a car, truck, or SUV has to offer is just the tip of the purchasing decision. From comfort to performance to handling, getting behind the wheel of the car is by far the best way to determine if it’s right for you. Unfortunately, most test drives only last for about 30 minutes to an hour, which is rarely enough to make an informed decision.
If you feel this way about standard test drives, you should consider extended test drives. Who offers these extended test drives? How can you book one? This post will answer these questions and more.
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What is an Extended Test Drive?
An extended test drive is exactly what it sounds like. It’s your standard test drive, but instead of returning the car after 30 minutes or an hour after trips around the block, you’ll get to drive the car longer than usual. Extended test drives will allow you to drive your prospective vehicle for 24-48 hours or over the weekend.
For most consumers, an extended test drive should be enough to get a good feel of their potential purchase and determine its comfort, handling, and performance. These drives may not let you unlock the vehicle’s full potential, but they should give you a good idea of its capabilities and how it drives daily.
Although it’s not advertised explicitly, you’ll be surprised to learn that many dealerships provide extended test drives. However, they’re generally reserved for earnest buyers who are just a few steps away from a finalized car purchase. Furthermore, dealerships will offset the risk of letting someone drive one of their cars over the weekend for free by drumming up a rental agreement and charging money upfront. You’re essentially renting the car for a day or two.
If you want to experience the car longer, some dealers may let you do a rental agreement for a used model you’re planning to buy. With this setup, you may be able to drive the car for up to 7 days. As long as the used car is in the same generation as the vehicle you’re eyeing, it should give you a similar experience.
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How to Schedule an Extended Test Drive
As mentioned, extended test drives are not commonly advertised. However, many car manufacturers such as Cadillac, Buick, and Toyota will let you do extended test drivers with proper scheduling. Keep in mind that while some brands don’t specifically offer extended test drives, it doesn’t mean that standalone dealerships don’t. If you’re interested in a car from a dealer’s car lot, it won’t hurt to ask them for extended trials.
Many dealerships are more than happy to offer extended test drives, provided that they can sense that you’re a serious buyer. You can probably get away with a 24-hour test drive, but more than that, you’ll be looking at a rental agreement. Still, spending a small amount to give the car a proper spin rather than outright purchasing a vehicle that won’t meet your needs is always the better scenario.
Ultimately, the best way is to ask the dealer if they can provide an extended test drive and how it works. They may let you drive a used model from the same generation or a different trim level, but they’ll ensure you’re given a similar experience to your potential purchase. The worst that could happen is that they’ll say “no.”
What to Look For in an Extended Test Drive
So the dealer agreed to give you an extended test drive, and that’s great! Regardless of how long you’re allowed for testing, it would help to consider various factors to make the experience count and arrive at a satisfactory decision. Consider these five things during your extended test drive:
- How the car handles during your commute: Do you typically drive on paved roads or rocky or non-asphalt surfaces? If so, how is the handling of the vehicle? Does it feel stable and safe? During your test drive, simulate your standard commute by driving on your usual routes.
- Whether it meets your and your family’s ever-changing needs: From grocery shopping to football practice to doctor appointments, does the car offer enough features and flexibility to handle the varying needs of your family? Can you easily fold the seats to accommodate outdoor gear or groceries? Can all seats accommodate everyone in relative comfort? Can you reasonably reach out to things while you’re behind the wheel?
- How the car responds to various conditions: Ideally, you want to test drive a vehicle in multiple road and weather conditions. However, even with extended drives, that’s not always possible. Instead, examine how the car responds to the current conditions. If you can drive the vehicle on open roads and in stop-and-go traffic. You can also take everyone on a short road trip, see how the car responds to dirt roads and hilly stretches, and determine if it offers enough comfort for longer drives.
- What do the kids think: While you’re ultimately the buyer and have the last say, it’s always a good idea to check with the kids or any other co-occupants since they’ll be riding with you regularly. Drive around with the kids in tow and ask them if they like the car and are comfortable.
- What features or upgrades do you love: If your rental model is loaded with all sorts of amenities and upgrades, make a note of which features you enjoy. In case your potential purchase doesn’t have the features you love, you could make a case to get an upgrade or opt for a higher trim. On the other hand, driving a full-featured model may make you realize that you don’t need all these “bells and whistles” and the extra expense, and you could comfortably settle on a base or lower-end trim.
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