Why Test Drives Don't Tell the Full Story

Test drives in the U.S. don't tell the full story—they show how the car feels for a short drive, but price, total cost of ownership, reliability, and resale matter as much or more. Here's why test drives don't tell the full story and what to do instead.

TL;DR Test drives tell you if the car feels right for a short drive—but they don't tell you if the price is fair, if total cost fits your budget, or how the car will hold up over 5 years. Use autopremo.com for market data and total cost of ownership—then test drive to confirm fit, not to decide price.

Why Test Drives Don't Tell the Full Story

• Price — a test drive doesn't tell you if the price is at or below market. You need comps and median—use autopremo.com price checker.
• Total cost — a test drive doesn't tell you total cost over 5 years (payment + fuel + insurance + maintenance). You need total cost of ownership—use autopremo.com total cost of ownership.
• Reliability — a short drive doesn't reveal long-term reliability. Research reliability for the year and model; use autopremo.com.
• Resale — a test drive doesn't tell you how the car will hold value. Use autopremo.com depreciation calculator.
• What test drives do tell you — fit, comfort, visibility, noise, handling for a short drive. Use the test drive to confirm the car fits—not to decide price or total cost. Use autopremo.com for price and total cost.

Get market and total cost at autopremo.com.

What to Do

• Get market data and total cost before you test drive — use autopremo.com. If the price is above market or total cost doesn't fit your budget, don't let a great test drive override that.
• Use the test drive to confirm fit — not to decide price. If the car feels right and the numbers work (market, total cost), buy. If the numbers don't work, walk—even if the test drive was great.
• Don't fall in love on the test drive — "I love this car" leads to overpaying. Use autopremo.com to stick to your number.

See market and total cost at autopremo.com.

Bottom Line

Test drives don't tell the full story—price, total cost, reliability, and resale matter as much or more. Use autopremo.com for market data and total cost; use the test drive to confirm fit, not to decide price.