Test Driving a Used Car

 Is a trip to the car dealership is in your near future. While many appreciate what a good value a used car is, many fear the unknowns. One way to take out the risk of buying a used car is to complete a thorough test drive. by doing this you can not only make sure the vehicle suits your needs and is comfortable for you, but you can also gauge what condition it is in and potentially notice any underlying issues. Making the most of your test drive is a simple matter of common sense, careful observation, and knowing what to look for. Read on for how to prepare yourself for this all-important experience and what to keep track of when taking a new car out for the first time.

First Step: Research

 Don't wander onto the lot to see what cars are available. By the time you show up at a dealership, you should already know what model(s) you want and what options you are interested in. Do your research ahead of time-our online buyer's guide is a handy tool-and make the initial trip solely for the purpose of getting behind the wheel.

Communicate with the Dealer

Once you're at the dealership, let the salesperson know you want to drive the vehicle you have in mind and then you'll be comparing models and prices at other showrooms. Doing this should allow you to better focus on your prospective ride while communicating to the dealer that you're prepared to take your business elsewhere if an attractive offer can't be made.

Get to Know the Car

 Once inside, take time to adjust your seat and mirrors, as well as dial in your preferred radio, climate and navigation settings. Pay particular attention to how long this takes, its level of ease, and any ergonomic quirks that you encounter. Before setting out, check to make sure that you're in the most comfortable driving position. Throughout your drive you'll need to ask yourself whether the seat provides enough comfort and support through twists, turns and over a variety of terrain. Be sure to test any fancy features, like heating and cooling, that your seat has. Later, take a turn sitting in every one of the car's rear seats, and note any significant lack of legroom or headroom. If you have little kids, pop a car seat in there too. How else are you going to know if it fits? While you're at it, bring the kids along. If they don't like sitting in the car, neither will you. They'll make sure of that.

Measure the Build Quality

 While driving, you'll want to keep your ears tuned for any odd shakes or rattles. If you can hear too much of what's going on outside, chances are the car lacks good sound proofing. While inside, pay particular attention to materials quality. It's okay if an affordable car features a lot of hard plastics, but if any knobs or buttons feel frail you should probably be wary. The same goes for its exterior. Try slamming the doors shut a few times. If they feel really fragile, note it.

A Complete Drive

Now you're ready to climb behind the wheel. Get situated, and take stock of how well the primary controls are laid out. Ergonomics can make or break a good car, and because we spend most of the time inside our vehicles, automakers are putting ever-more effort into differentiating interiors with more style, the latest technologies, and unique layouts.

To truly understand how a car handles, you'll need to test drive it through a wide range of situations and over various terrains. Try long highway stretches, winding back roads and both smooth and bumpy streets. And if you're test driving an off-road vehicle, ask if it's alright for you to take it off the beaten path. In fact, some dealerships already have off-road courses for you test on. Driving a test vehicle on roads like these will allow you to gauge its ride comfort and overall balance. To test a vehicle's acceleration and brakes, drive both slowly and quickly.

Also don't forget to cruise to gradual stops and make sudden ones too. On highways, try various merging and passing maneuvers on open and congested roads. While doing so, keep mental notes of anything that doesn't feel right, like sluggish power delivery, soft brakes or poor visibility. Better yet, bring a back seat buddy to take notes for you. Not only can an extra passenger help you keep track of a car's pros and cons, but they also provide feedback on their experience -- like road feel and back seat room. At some point after your test drive, you'll also want to check to make sure that the vehicle's cargo bay meets your needs. Even if a trunk looks like it'll do, you should still double check. A trunk's opening or hinges could impede full use of the vehicle's space.

Take Your Time

Buying a car is a major financial decision that requires a lot of thought and time. If you feel rushed by the salesman, take your business elsewhere. If you've got somewhere else to be, schedule a date when you can come back and take your time. Once you've finished the test drive, go through the process with the other vehicles on your list, leaving time afterward to reflect on each vehicle and which one suits you best. Only after this should you return to the showroom and start the buying process. Also, go see what the rest of the dealership experience is like. As you'll eventually have to return for service and/or parts, see how well these departments work with you and what the prices are for basic services. At this time you also should review your prospective vehicle's maintenance schedule. This level of preparation does not guarantee that you'll love your new car forever, but it is due diligence for a major purchase and will likely make you more confident in your final decision.