Learn the 4 Types of Drivetrains

Taking a test drive is one of the most important steps in choosing the right vehicle. At Motor Inn of Carroll, we want every shopper who visits our Carroll dealership to have a helpful, comfortable, and confidence-building experience. Whether you’re test-driving a brand-new Toyota or Chevrolet or exploring our wide selection of pre-owned vehicles, a little preparation can help you get the most insight during your visit. Here’s how to get the best, most informative test-drive experience in Carroll. Start With Comfort: Evaluate Seating and Cabin Space Before you even start the engine, take time to get familiar with the driver’s seat. Your comfort level now will help you determine how well this vehicle suits your daily routine. Ask yourself: Is it easy to get in and out? Tall SUVs, low sedans, and compact crossovers all feel different. Notice whether the step-in height feels natural or awkward. Do you have enough space? Check headroom, legroom, shoulder space, and seating position. Imagine your most frequent passengers sitting beside or behind you. Will everyone fit comfortably? Are the seats supportive? Look for cushioning that supports your lower back and contours to your posture. A seat that feels fine for five minutes may be uncomfortable on a long road trip. Is visibility clear? Adjust your mirrors, look around the A-pillars, and check blind spots. Make sure you feel confident seeing the road and surrounding vehicles. Does the tech feel intuitive? Touch the infotainment screen, test the buttons, and evaluate whether the layout feels natural. Both Toyota and Chevrolet vehicles offer user-friendly systems like Toyota Audio Multimedia and Chevrolet Infotainment 3 — make sure you like how they operate. Before leaving the lot, peek into the cargo area. Whether you’re hauling groceries or sports gear, make sure the storage capacity fits your lifestyle. Take a Drive Through Carroll: How the Vehicle Performs on the Road A meaningful test drive should show you how the vehicle behaves in real-world traffic. Our team will help you choose a route that mixes residential streets and open highways so you can get a feel for different speeds and situations. Pay attention to: Acceleration and engine response Does the engine feel responsive? Can it merge confidently onto Highway 30 or accelerate smoothly from a stoplight? Steering feel Some vehicles offer light, easy steering; others feel more weighted and precise. Find out which you prefer. Handling and maneuverability Try a U-turn or tight corner. Does the vehicle feel stable? How does it handle curves or sudden directional changes? Braking performance Brakes should feel firm and responsive, not mushy or delayed. Ride quality Ask your passengers how the back seats feel. A good suspension system should keep the ride smooth, not bumpy or jarring. Cabin quietness Listen for wind noise, road noise, and vibrations. Toyota and Chevrolet models are known for quiet cabins—make sure this vehicle meets your expectations. This is your chance to imagine what everyday driving would feel like. Take your time. Ask questions. Our team is here to help you evaluate everything. Related: Why This Toyota RAV4 Dominates the SUV Market Extra Tips When Test-Driving a Pre-Owned Vehicle At Motor Inn of Carroll, our pre-owned inventory includes carefully inspected, well-maintained vehicles of all makes and models. Many come with vehicle history reports, a multi-point inspection, and reconditioning by our certified technicians, giving you peace of mind from the start. Still, it helps to take a closer look during your test drive: Before you drive: Inspect exterior panels for dents, scratches, or mismatched paint Check for rust around wheel wells and the underbody Look for signs of wear on seats, carpeting, or the dashboard Test power features such as windows, locks, and mirrors Turn on the lights, HVAC system, radio, and touchscreen Under the hood: Look for leaks, corrosion, or cracked hoses Check fluid levels if the engine is cool During the drive: Listen for unusual noises during acceleration or braking Note how the transmission shifts Feel for vibrations in the steering wheel or seat Buying a used vehicle online is convenient, but pictures alone can’t tell you how a car feels. That’s why taking an in-person test drive at Motor Inn of Carroll is your best way to judge quality, comfort, and value. Visit Motor Inn of Carroll for a Stress-Free Test Drive At Motor Inn of Carroll, our goal is to make the test-drive process easy, transparent, and enjoyable. Our friendly sales and service teams are here to answer your questions, demonstrate features, and help you compare vehicles until you find the one that truly fits your lifestyle. Whether you’re exploring the latest Toyota and Chevrolet models or browsing our wide range of reliable pre-owned options, we’re committed to helping you make a confident decision. Stop by our Carroll dealership today or schedule a test drive online. We look forward to helping you find your next vehicle. Shop New & Used Toyotas & Chevrolets Looking to trade in your vehicle or shop for a new one? Check out our new Chevrolets and Toyotas that are fresh on the lot, or browse our used cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans.

The 2024 Toyota GR86 coupe is one of the most unique vehicle types on the market, an authentic sports car that's actually budget-friendly. You have a choice of manual or automatic transmission and, best of all, it includes a rear bench seat. So you don't have to sacrifice a family vehicle. Car and Driver placed it in the top three of the magazine's Best Affordable Sports Cars list with a rare perfect 10/10 rating. Exploring the 2024 Toyota GR86: A Thrill to Drive Design The 2024 GR86 has a sporty interior that includes front-row bucket seats featuring side bolsters plus leather trim on the manual transmission's shift knob and lever, the hand-lever parking brake, and the three-spoke sport steering wheel. A dual-zone climate control system allows the driver and front passenger to each choose their preferred temperature settings. The back seat has a conveniently folding one-piece seat back. Performance Rear-wheel drive and a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine delivering 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque are standard on all three 2024 GR86's trims. A six-speed manual transmission is also standard, but six-speed automatic transmissions are also available. Toyota has complete faith in this sporty vehicle's handling, so it provides a free one-year NASA membership including a complimentary High-Performance Driving Experience with each purchase. Technology All 2024 GR86 trim levels offer amazing features, but the standard advanced technologies found even in the base model are remarkable. The standard 6-speaker sound system features AM/FM stereo and satellite radio, plus a free 3-month trial subscription to SiriusXM. An 8-inch touchscreen anchors the infotainment system, which includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. A 7-inch digital gauge cluster with an LCD Multi-Information Display, an auxiliary port, and two USB 2.0 charging ports are also standard. Every 2024 GR86 purchase also includes a one-year free trial for three of Toyota's premium service subscriptions. Remote Connect Install Toyota's free mobile app on your smartphone or smartwatch to access this service and remotely interact with your GR86. Depending on your model, you can start or stop your vehicle, monitor authorized guest drivers, locate the last place you parked, lock and unlock doors, or check the status of your vehicle. Service Connect This package offers health reports for your vehicle, maintenance updates, and more for as long as your subscription is active. Safety Connect This subscription offers access to vital services such as an Emergency Assistance button, Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, and Stolen Vehicle Locator. Safety Toyota made its Gr86 Active Safety Suite standard throughout the 2024 line. So even the lowest trim level has advanced driver's aid and safety features included, such as: Pre-Collision Braking System Adaptive Cruise Control Backup Camera with Projected Path Drop by Motor Inn Auto Group in Carroll, IA to test drive a 2024 GR86 today.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox is a stylish SUV with confident handling. We love its excellent driver assistance technology and spacious interior. Read our guide below to learn about the Equinox's four excellent trims. Trim Levels of the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox The LS Chevy did a great job equipping every Equinox with a fuel-efficient 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This is paired with a smooth six-speed automatic transmission. In front-wheel drive, the Equinox averages 26 miles to the gallon in the city and 31+ on the highway. You'll have room for eight carry-on suitcases in the 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats. A crisp seven-inch touchscreen comes standard with Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. LED headlights light up the road ahead, while a rear vision camera enhances your visibility in the rear. Forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and front pedestrian braking come as part of the Chevy Safety Assist package for every Equinox. You'll also have lane keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and following distance indicator. The LT Front and rear park assist makes parking the LT trim a breeze. This trim also makes HD surround vision available. This excellent feature gives you a multi-angle view around the SUV. It can be particularly useful when driving in a crowded parking lot. Chevrolet upgraded the 3.5-inch monochromatic driver information center display to a 4.2-inch color screen in the LT. The driver will also enjoy a power seat with power lumbar control. Fortunately, the remote start feature will start the climate control system before you get inside. The RS The RS is the most sporty-looking variant of the Equinox. It comes with a unique style that prioritizes Black accents inside and out. The exterior sees the addition of a Black bowtie emblem and badging, Gloss Black roof rails, and a stylish Gloss Black mesh grille and surround. Inside, sleek Jet Black cloth seats come with the addition of striking Red stitching. This pop of color looks great with the Black Ice chrome accents and Black headliner. The Premier The infotainment system gets a fun upgrade in the top-tier Premier trim. The software is now the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus system with the latest features. You'll access this system using a high-definition eight-inch color touchscreen. Drivers who appreciate stylish interiors will appreciate the perforated leather seating of the Premier trim. Chevy also added more convenience to the Premier by upgrading the power liftgate to a hands-free version that makes loading and unloading groceries a breeze. The Equinox is a great choice for drivers who love a modern and stylish SUV. Contact Motor Inn Auto Group in Carroll, IA to test drive a 2024 Equinox.