How to Choose a Car: What to Look For?

[MiguelDella]

Here are the key aspects to consider when choosing a car: 1. Exterior Inspection: When selecting a new car, you can request two vehicles of the same model for comparison. Focus on examining the gaps between the bumper and body, door seams, and front/rear bumper alignment. Open the doors to check for color consistency between interior and exterior paint. Paint quality is best evaluated under natural daylight, as it reveals all imperfections. If inspecting in a showroom, angle the car against sunlight for similar results. A qualified paint job should be smooth, free of orange peel or water ripple defects, with no color mismatch on vulnerable areas like bumpers, door edges, and side mirrors. For metallic or pearl-effect paints, assess the even distribution of aluminum flakes or mica particles. 2. Mechanical Components: Start with the engine. A well-functioning engine should be leak-free, respond quickly during startup, run smoothly without vibration, and produce consistent noise without sharp or irregular sounds. During cold starts, idle RPM should be around 1,000, dropping to approximately 780 when warmed up. Light acceleration should yield prompt response without knocking or loose sounds. The engine hood should show minimal vibration when touched, and cabin noise should be barely audible. 3. Doors and Wipers: Proper doors should operate smoothly with uniform force, no strange noises, intact rubber seals, and noticeable airtightness when closed. The final closing motion should have a slight suction effect. Inspect lower door frame paint for wear or dirt - these may indicate poor storage conditions. Power windows should feature anti-pinch protection on all doors. 4. Audio System: Test electric seats and parking sensors for proper function. Ensure the antenna is properly installed as missing antennas degrade radio reception. 5. Test Drive: While previous checks were static, a test drive is essential. After starting the engine and adjusting mirrors, note these driving characteristics: steering should feel responsive with good road feedback. When releasing the wheel at medium-low speed, the car shouldn't deviate more than 5 meters over 500 meters. Manual transmissions should shift smoothly; automatic transmissions should change gears without noticeable jerks. Drive over uneven roads to check for abnormal noises. The steering wheel should self-center after turns. New cars may have slight throttle lag initially, but acceleration should become linear afterward. With AC compressor engaged, throttle response shouldn't degrade significantly, and cool air should be felt within 10 seconds.