What to Know Before Taking a Concept Car for a Test Drive

Concept cars are a playground for the automobile designer's imagination. While some concept cars eventually become production models, the vast majority of prototype designs put out by major manufacturers are never mass produced. However, that doesn't mean that concept cars never see the road. A handful of concept cars are scooped up by collectors and car aficionados who are looking for something unique to put into their garage.

While concept cars offer something wild for car lovers, they also provide a dilemma for car enthusiasts. After all, you can't rely on reviews to tell you if it's the right car for you, or to warn you about potential problems – these are cars that few people have driven. In fact, the only way to make sure that you are going to be happy with a concept car is to take it for a test drive yourself. And this doesn't mean just around the block, as many issues that occur with concept cars can only be found after an extensive drive.

One of the main problems with concept cars is that they were designed as show pieces and not for everyday driving. This means that some basic parts might not be as sturdy as one would expect from a production car. Before taking a test drive, it's important to check as many body parts and other accessories as possible. Don't be afraid to get rough with the concept car – pull on handles, bounce the bumpers and pull on knobs. These are the types of parts that are often defective on prototypes.

You'll want to take your concept car onto a road with lots of turns and tight corners during your test drive. Many concept cars have steering systems that haven't been finely tuned, and wind up being overly sluggish. This is something that a mechanic will likely to be able to fix, but you'll want to know about any problems ahead of time. The same thing applies to the brakes – make sure they are tuned as well as possible. You might even find that the concept car doesn't have an emergency brake, making parking on a steep hill a challenge. Check these features before you start your test drive.

Another potential concern with concept cars is the lack of safety features. Since these cars are made for the showroom at auto shows, they sometimes lack the basic safety items that you need to drive on the road. This can include seat belts, air bags and even speedometers. Make sure you check these out before taking your test drive.