What's the best way to go about choosing a car to buy?

Question

I've done a lot of research, but I still am having an issue narrowing it down to a handful of cars (let alone one or two). My problem is that, I'm worried I won't be able to get a real feel for the car with just looking at it or taking it for a 30 minute test drive. Is that really adequate? I mean, this is a potentially large purchase of something that is going to be a big part of my day-to-day life for at least the next couple of years. I know I'm not tied to the car if I buy or lease it, but I really don't want to go through the hassle of selling it, trading it in, trying to swap a lease, or any other time consuming measure that I'd prefer to avoid.

So, would an extended test drive be something I'd be able to convince a dealership of for me? If not for a weekend, but maybe an overnight use of the car? I've known of people and had friends do this, but I'm not sure if this is a typical occurence.

Also, I'd definitely be willing to provide the dealership with any/all of the following-->

-Driver's License (of course)
-Insurance Information (of course)
-Downpayment/Deposit (It would be refundable when the car is returned...I'm not sure if this would be necessary)
-A credit card (in conjunction with or instead of the deposit...and not the physical card---obviously---just the number)
-And, contact information such as my cellphone or email (because they go to the same place.

Thanks!

Hmm, I considered renting, but I'm not sure how reliant I want to be on that. My fears would be a possible high cost of doing that as well as not being able to find the car I'm interested as a rental.

See, yet another issue. And I'm not intentionally being enigmatic here. Currently I have an SUV, that although could run for quite a bit longer, I'm in the market to replace it and get something newer. I'm fairly open to either New or Pre-owned. I guess it would all come down to which ever ends up being a better deal. It's just difficult for me to justify spending so much on a brand new car, when I know the depreciation is horrendous (and not only that...capable of fluctuating). So I was considering leasing as well, to lock in that depreciation.

As to what I'm looking at?

Well, I'm first trying to see whether or not I want to go with an AWD Sedan or a 4WD/AWD SUV. Here are some of the ones's I'm considering (I'll have to post it as another comment). And, it's also still slightly broader than I want it to be considering, I haven't determined how much I really want to allocate for this purchase. It's a bit of a catch 22... don't know what to buy or spend...

I basically need to dedicate a weekend to just testdriving, I suppose. And then just cross off cars off of a large list that I have. That way I might be able to go back and say "Hey, it's between these 3 but the test drive really didn't sell me on the car."

What I'm looking at-->

Audi (A4 or A6)
BMW (Tough because a really favorite of mine, maybe everything except the X3 and some higher priced M's)
Ford (Explorer)
GMC (Yukon)
Infiniti (G35X)
Jeep (Grand Cherokee SRT8 and MAYBE the Commander)
Land Rover (Range/Range Sport--- LR2or3, but those two are less likely)
Lexus (ehh, maybe the rx...if they can entice me with a deal)
Mercedes (Most of their line...LOVE the CLS and G)
Porsche (Of course, but less practical than the others...even the Cayenne)
Saab (9-3 Aero Convt)
Toyota (Maybe a Highlander? Or a 4Runner?)

See my problem?
I think at the top of the list would be the SUV's though... and I like Land Rover quite a bit. But that's my full list.

Answer 1

I like the fact you have done much research, something most consumers lack and end up with a lemon if buying used or something they really don't like buying after driving it for a few weeks.

You may have heard the term a car feels TIGHT… like the car responds like being part of you when driving then the vehicle is TIGHT.
Remember the Dealer can't tell you that a car handles the way you like - you have to find out on your own, and if you been on 30 minute test drives and you don't have that feeling then its not for you, on the other hand I read into your question as being very insecure no matter what you buy as you have not narrowed your choices down.

As for you extending your options to over night test drives that's very rare unless your a personal friend of the dealership.

My question to you is being stuck trying to give you a proper answer... are you looking at new or used... ???... if new what were your choices ?

Answer 2

I think the first thing you need to do, is to narrow down the list to only a few. If you can't talk the dealership into an extended test drive, then rent the car for a few days. Then make a list of the features that you really want, and make sure the car you buy has all of these features.

Go with something that you like the styling of, or maybe the one with the most hp if that is more important to you. Look at a color chart of available colors and decide which color you would like best.

IT gets real expensive when you trade every other year, so if you find one you like, you'll be more likely to keep it for an extra year or two.

good luck.