“Never buy a car on looks alone…” is some of the wisest advice I heard long ago. A sexy shell may hide a rough ride -- or seats that make your back ache after 15 minutes of driving.

Just as you’d (hopefully) take a wider view about the person you’d want to marry, take the time to consider the entire package before determining whether to purchase. Otherwise, the morning after could be a rude awakening! At this new car dealership in Cincinnati, we’ve heard some stories about some bad car purchases just because the car “looked cool”.

Here are a few things to put on your pre-buy checklist:

Seating Position/Comfort
Don’t buy a vehicle without spending some time behind the wheel -- and in the seat. Chairs that seem comfortable and supportive in the showroom may feel like you are riding the pine after a few hours. Or they could be too soft, which is another problem. Regardless, the key is to find out what they’re like in real life, day-in and day-out. The only way to do that is to insist on a test drive. A real one, not just a 10 minute spin around the block. Most dealers will accommodate this practical request provided you’re a serious buyer. If not, walk away. It is much better to go on with shopping than to buy a car you’re unsure fits you.

Ride Quality
Like the seats, it’s hard to know whether a given car’s ride quality is too soft, too firm, or just right without a test drive that lasts at least an hour -- and takes place on a wide variety of roads, including not-so-great roads with potholes and uneven pavement. If you haven’t gone new car shopping recently, one thing you’ll discover is that “sporty” (read: firmer -- often unpleasantly so) ride quality is now the trendy thing. Aggressive, performance-type tires (short, stiff sidewalls and tread patterns designed to produce maximum grip and response to steering inputs) are being fitted to (ostensibly) family-minded and even luxury cars -- which are now marketed as luxury-sport cars. High-speed handling maybe outstanding, but the day-to-day ride quality could be harsher than you wish to live with daily. Also, be sure to try the vehicle out on bumpy secondary roads as well as smooth highways. You need to determine how it feels going over less-than-perfect pavement.

If the vehicle offers different suspension levels -- a standard version and a “sport” upgrade -- try both out. Never buy the sport suspension package just because of the (usually larger) wheels that include they look better than the ones fitted to the standard suspension model. Larger/wider wheels -- and tires with shorter/stiffer sidewalls -- will almost always give you a firmer -- even harsher -- ride.

Controls

How easy is it to change the radio station, adjust the climate control system and operate other vehicle controls? In their quest to be “different,” automakers sometimes graft over-complex, hard-to-use controls onto their cars that leave the owner with never-ending  hassles. For example, the use of scrolling menus and LCD displays to toggle through vs. an easy knob or button to adjust fan speed. Some such interfaces could be very aggravating -- even after you figure out how they work. Sometimes, simpler is better. Make sure you can work all the features of your next car without having to take your eyes off the road or fumble with complicated controls. If the vehicle stresses you out, it’s not the car for you.

Real World Gas Mileage
Don’t assume the fuel economy information listed on the window sticker represent the actual mileage you will get. Particularly if you are looking at the sticker on a hybrid vehicle. The government tests new cars and trucks to get an “average” city/highway fuel economy figure -- but the government’s test loop may not reflect the type of driving you do. If, for instance, you drive faster than the testers did your actual fuel economy is probably going to be significantly lower than the government’s rating. You may also frequently carry passengers -- or pull a heavy load. These variables will have an effect on fuel efficiency. Never assume that the advertised 18-mpg rating (as an example) is what you will get. Read the fine print. Your mileage will almost certainly will vary. If you are budgeting a certain amount for gas bills each month based on the marketed fuel efficiency, you could find yourself paying more than you anticipated. Again, the test drive provides salvation. Be sure the tank is full before you head out, and top it off just before you take the vehicle back to the dealership. After your afternoon’s drive you’ll be able to figure out just how much fuel the thing is likely to use given the type of driving that you -- not government testers -- do.
And don’t forget: Hybrids get their top mileage in low-speed, city-type driving, the reverse of standard cars -- which do best on the highway. Should you do a great deal of highway/distance driving, a hybrid’s real-world mileage could be very disappointing.

Lifestyle And Family
Unless this car (or truck) is just for you, it’s wise to determine how the members of your family like it -- particularly those who will be driving it frequently.
A typical mistake people sometimes make is to buy a vehicle that their wife or husband either dislikes immensely or isn’t comfortable driving. Maybe it’s “too big,” or “too cramped, “hard to get into” or “has terrible blind spots” -- ultimately it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that someone else who needs to use the car doesn’t like the car you decided to buy. Years of listening to grumpy complaining could be your punishment. Make certain -- especially with SUVs and sporty cars, which can be awkward or uncomfortable for some people to drive -- that anyone who will be using the vehicle regularly likes the thing. Or at least, that they don’t despise the thing.

Need any questions answered? Looking for purchase advice? The Superior Automotive Group has all of the answers!