How to Buy a Used Car and
Not Get Taken

7.The Test Drive

Important Note: This contains all the items discussed in this section. We suggest that you use the checklist during your evaluation of the car on your test drive.
Now it's time to take the car for a test drive. Our advice is to never buy a car unless the seller lets you drive it. Make sure he or she understands that you want plenty of time behind the wheel. Once around the block won't tell you anything other than the fact that the car moves. If they won't let you fully test-drive the car, say good-bye.

Leave the radio off until you want to hear it and only it. Otherwise, it may mask noises, vibrations, or other signals of trouble.

Unfortunately, some car salespeople still don't get it. According to industry sources, 50 percent of all cars are purchased by women-on their own. Eighty percent of all car purchases are directly influenced by women. Still, far too many car salesmen do not take women buyers seriously. Clearly, that's their loss. If, as a woman shopper, you find that you're confronted with a myopic, boorish, and chauvinistic salesman, take your checkbook someplace else. Truly, that is the best revenge.

Drove the Car
During your test drive, notice if the car seems to drift to one side or the other. This could be a wheel-alignment problem or it could be a frame problem. Check to see if the wheel vibrates or shimmies at highway speeds either when going straight or when turning slightly left or right as when changing lanes.