Your questions answered: How important is a test drive?
You can learn many things about a car via sites like carsales, but a physical test drive is still important…Online car buying has changed the game in the motoring world. It’s now possible to do everything from basic research to final negotiations in the digital world, instead of facing the potential trauma of a visit to a traditional car dealership.
Even so, there is still a role for the old-fashioned test drive. Whether the purpose be to check something as simple as seating comfort or a more complicated realm of the emotional response to that potential purchase sitting in the driveway, there’s still gaps in the virtual experience.
A test drive should never be just a lap around the block. Instead, it should include familiar roads and even some parking practice at the local shopping centre.
Some car companies and switched-on dealers will even provide a home delivery service for a proper test-driving experience. Others offer extended 24- and 48-hour test drives.
Choose the offering that suits you. And if you want more time, ask…
Answer: It’s impossible to compare pick-ups with passenger cars without taking a test drive. The Isuzu D-MAX is a decent offering and near the top of its class, but it is completely different in every way from the Subaru Outback, which is an SUV based on a passenger car. The Subaru will be massively more relaxing, fuel efficient and easier to park, but does not have the tough looks (or off-road capability) that have made utes the country’s best sellers.
Answer: Take the kids, put them in the car, and then go for the longest drive you can negotiate. They will surprise you with what they find, like and, potentially, what they don’t. The Skoda Kodiaq is very good but you need to tick all your boxes.
Answer: The test drive should come before the purchase and a good drive would have highlighted your feelings about the ride. Kia prides itself on having a sporty feel to its vehicles, something that does not work for you. Take a drive in the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape to give yourself some comparison points.
Answer: Our pick is the Volvo XC40 but the three vehicles are different so you need to experience them. They will be different in everything from the look and feel of the cabin to the ride comfort and the perceived value.
Answer: These mid-size SUVs are twins under the skin, so you need to decide which one you enjoy more – from first impressions in the cabin to ride comfort at highway speeds. Consider the longer warranty of the Kia, but also availability, as there are long waiting lists for top selling SUVs from Kia and other brands…
Answer: We have contacted Mercedes-Benz Australia and it believes the quiet indicators are a plus for most owners as it works to create calmer and quieter cabins. We are not aware of an easy fix – sorry…
Answer: Looking first the Mazda CX-30 – it’s based on the Mazda3 and could be a good choice for you. Both Kia and Hyundai have a number of smaller SUVs that are highly rated by the carsales team. The Hyundai Kona and Venue are worth looking at as are Kia Stonic and Seltos. A left-field choice worth a look is the latest Peugeot 3008.
Answer: You’re dreaming. It’s highly unlikely that you will make any serious money. No-one should buy a car as an investment – unless you can afford a Ferrari. If you love the Saab, then keep it and give it a ‘birthday’ for more years of enjoyment.
Answer: The MG HS is an okay car, far from class-leading but good value. The smaller turbo engine should give better performance than your ix35. MG is Chinese with a traditional British badge, which helps – with a long warranty – to build a following. Lots of people have traditionally bought a ‘last year’ car during stock clearances to save money, but almost every other brand is so short of stock there are no ’superseded’ deals in 2022.
Answer: Skoda usually performs slightly better than average, with delays of nine months and more for popular models from Kia and Toyota. Models with more equipment, which require more computer chips, are affected the worst at every brand.
Got a question but don’t know where to find the information you need? Email us at editor@carsales.com.au
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