Are you ready for a test drive?

You might feel it’s time for a new car either because your old clunker is on its last legs or the constant juggling of your schedules because you and your spouse share the one family car you own, but the importance of a proper test drive cannot be overstated.  How are you going to know if the car is right for you unless you actually take it for a drive and live with it for a while?  Thankfully some dealers now allow overnight test drives to make it easier for you to see exactly how the car will fit into your lifestyle, but even when they don’t there are some things you need to take note of and make sure you do.

Before you ever get behind the wheel for a test drive you should take a good hard look at the car.  Does it look like the one you saw online in the photos?  If you are looking at a preowned model is there any visible damage on the vehicle?  Once you determine you can get in and go for a test drive notice the doors and how easy it is to get in and out of the car for both the front and rear seats.  When checking out a truck how easy this is for you and your spouse, many times trucks can be difficult to enter if they ride on taller wheels.

Once inside go ahead and check out every feature by moving all the buttons, scrolling through the menus and learning as much as possible about the features.  The driver’s seat is where you will spend a majority, if not all of your time in this new car, does it feel right?  You need to think about how this vehicle will fit into your family and consider things like child seats, a third row and how easy it is to enter and exit along with the variety of features present on the dashboard.

After you determine this car has the feature you want and gives you what you need take it for a drive and listen carefully to the engine and the other working parts of the car.  Do the brakes seem too spongy, is the engine strong enough, how is the acceleration, do you get a smooth ride when going over speed bumps and railroad tracks?  All of these are things you need to learn about while driving.  If the car has driver aids for parking make sure you use them and see how they work along with the backup camera if there is one.

Committing to a new vehicle is one of the largest investments you will make in your life and you want to make sure you have the right vehicle for you and your family.  In order to make sure the dealer understands you want the best deal possible let them know you are shopping cars and intend to shop other dealerships before making a final decision.  If you employ these and more great practices during your test drive you will certainly be able to come away with the car that is right for you.

For more items to consider when going for a test drive check out this article full of great items to put on your list: Car and Driver.