On the Road
- Drive responsibly.
- Mix the route up between local streets and highways
- Check the steering – is there a lot of play in the wheel before the car responds?
- Hit the brakes hard when it’s safe to do so. Does the car pull to one side? Do the brakes feel mushy?
- Drive hands free in an empty parking lot. This will demonstrate how well the car is aligned.
- Drive over a bumpy surface and see how the car responds. (Speed bumps will suffice if a bumpy road isn’t available.)
- Keep your mouth shut. Listen for problems. Let the car’s owner do all the talking.
- Try parking the car in a busy lot. Urban dwellers should parallel park the car. Both are good low-speed indicators of a vehicle’s visibility.
End of the Drive
- If still interested, find out when you can have the car inspected by a mechanic.
- Make notes right away so you can ask the mechanic about potential problems.
- Rate the car from 1-5 stars to help you quickly sort among the cars you are viewing.
- If you have any doubts, walk away. There are plenty of cars for sale.
