Not sure which car to buy? Hire it first!

Buying a new car is quite easily one of the most exciting "adult" things you can get up to, especially if you're a bit of a petrolhead.

The prospect of summer days with your windows down, as you cruise through the streets of your town showing off your new motor… if that's not enough to make you smile, we're at a loose end!

So, here's the thing. You've been searching for weeks – months, even – and you're yet to decide on the car of your dreams.

And, typically, it all boils down to one question: what if you don't like it, once you get behind the wheel?

Of course, you could always ask your dealership for a test drive. But, all too often, these feel a bit rushed. After all, they usually only last about 10 minutes – and you're going to spend half that time trying to navigate some unfamiliar roads.

This doesn't sit right with us, because far too often we have the following thoughts charging through our minds…

1. What will it feel like in real life?

How will it feel on your commute to work, or cruising down the motorway while you blast the radio through your speakers? This is what really matters.

Unfortunately, a test drive won't answer these questions. That's because it really does feel like a "test". It's short, not so sweet and ends too soon. It really doesn't give you enough time to get to grips with the car and see what it would feel like as your own.

2. This car is huge compared to mine!

Some more common thoughts when test driving are "how on earth am I going to get this into the drive?" and "will I ever be able to parallel park again?"

This is all because you've not gained enough familiarity with the car – and the short time frame you're allocated doesn't allow for those real-life scenarios.

The last thing you want once you get behind the wheel of your new motor is to feel anxious about pulling up for your weekly food shop or navigating a multi-storey car park. Talk about putting the fear into you!

3. Is it economical? 

Now, we're no stranger to the hike in fuel prices and – with that being said – you'll always want to get plenty of "bang for your buck".

It's all well and good the car salesman telling you that the average fuel consumption is 40 miles per gallon, but the proof really is in the pudding.

Unfortunately, a quick whizz around the block and back again isn't telling enough. What you need is a good couple of days to do your regular commute, have a long trip to a friend or relative and generally go about your daily tasks.

4. Does it fit my lifestyle?

This may not be the obvious question, but it's one we often think about.

A car really does have to work around your lifestyle. Just ask the five-person family with three doors (ugh!), or the thrifty fella who's ended up with a huge petrol guzzler.

It's essential to consider efficiency and be realistic. After all, it's very easy to be caught up in the moment when there's something new and shiny staring you down.

5. Entertainment

When was the last time you linked your phone to a car on a test drive? Our guess is going to be, never!

This is, quite frankly, one of our biggest annoyances – because there's nothing worse than getting into a car and not knowing where all the buttons are.

A test drive doesn't give you enough time to get to grips with your in-car entertainment – and no two cars are the same. From buttons on steering wheels, to touch screens and fancy speakers, there's a lot more than just the "drive" to consider.

There has to be a better way…

As we've seen, test drives have their limitations. So why not hire your dream car for a few days before you commit to a purchase?

Hear us out before you call us crazy. Hiring a car means you can treat it as if it was your own (within reason!).

You can take it to work with you, sit in traffic and really get a feel for the seats. You can play around with the controls and get used to the size and space of the car. And you can try your hand at parallel parking or just go all out and "get your toe down" on the motorway to see what you're working with.

Not only will you be able to answer all of the above concerns, but you'll also get a genuine feel for the car. You'll soon know for sure if your "dream car" is all it's cracked up to be!

So if you have your eyes on a car but you're not sure if it's right for you, why not give us a call at Metro Vehicle Hire? We'll be more than happy to talk through your options and allow you to live with your new car before you buy it.

Here at Metro, our speciality is affordable vehicle hire in Newcastle and the northeast. For more than 20 years, we've focused on delivering high-quality, low-cost rentals to businesses and the general public. Want to know more? Please don't hesitate to get in touch.