Things to Know Before You Test Drive a Car

Forget the Numbers For Now (The Touchy-Feely Part of Car Buying)

There is a perfect car for everyone

While test driving the car

• Make sure to sit down in the driver's seat and get everything comfortable the way you are used to driving.
• If you don't immediately feel comfortable driving the car - that's okay and normal. Every car feels different from behind the wheel, so don't be scared off if this car feels different than your old one.
• New cars come with more and more buttons and electronics. Don't worry about not understanding them immediately.
• Your primary goal should be to focus on the driving mechanics of the car and if it will meet your needs.
• A lot of people fail to sit in anything but the driver's seat. Make sure to set the driver's seat the way you would sit in it and then move around the car and try out the other seats to make sure they are comfortable. If you will be the only one that is ever in the car, then don't worry about it.

Now, where to test drive?

• A good test drive shouldn't take any longer than ten minutes but you're oging to want to make sure you drive it on a different kinds of roads at different speeds (if you always drive on the highway, make sure to get up to highway speeds).
• A car that may be just fine at low speeds may be too loud for you (or too slow) on the highway.
• Don't get caught up in the color or the vehicle if it's not your favorite. Your first job is to determine if you even want to consider the car. It's like not buying a house because the bedrooms are painted the wrong color.

After the test drive

At the end of the test drive, now is a good time to delve a little bit more into the features of the car.

• How does the radio or the navigation work?
• What do you think about the power doors, backup cameras or the way the accessories feel in your hand?
• Don't worry if things seem to beep more than you think they should - a good auto broker will show you how to customize that later.

If you have lined up a test drive with someone like me, you will have the benefit of driving different makes and models back-to-back so they memory of each test drive is fresh in your mind. If you are elsewhere, don't hesitate to return and ask for another test drive. After all, you are are spending your hard-earned money and it should be the dealer's job to make sure you are comfortable with your purchase.