The New Car Test Drive

Your new car test drive should be more than just a formality, going through the motions, or a primal ritual just before you buy a car.

This the most important part of the process before actually heading inside the dealership to discuss dollars.

This is a time when the salesperson is there to answer questions only.

Don't let the sales person talk and sell constantly while you are on the test drive. If necessary ask the sales person to save the sales chat so you can concentrate on the test drive.

A quick, polite ride around the block will tell you nothing about the car.

Ask the sales person to point out and take you on a variety of road surfaces. Many may be reluctant, and quote policy saying they have a designated route for the drive. If the salesperson holds firm on this, and you really think  you want to drive the car more, then ask the sales manager for the go, or schedule a time when you can come back and do so.

Leave the  the radio off. If you are that much of an audiophile, you'll probably getting your own system in the car anyway.

Check for the road noise both with the windows up and down. A noisy car will wear you out over time.

If  the car you are test driving is a manual transmission pay close attention to how the car shifts, how comfortable the pedals are to work, how comfortable the shifter is for you to reach.

Does the car down shift smoothly? For that matter, if the car is an automatic transmission does it shift smoothly? When you kick it into passing gear, does the transmission make the transition smoothly? How does the automatic transmission react around town?

Is it quiet an smooth? Not too busy constantly shifting back and forth.

On a quiet side street, test the brakes by stopping the car quickly and check for pulling from one side to the other (a heads up to the sales person before you do this is the right thing to do).