The test drive is understandably the most enjoyable part of the dealership visit. Though the test drive is usually a time for minimum pressure, for you, the savvy consumer, the test drive should also be the beginning of an extensive evaluation that will reveal if the car you have chosen is one you will be happy with.

People who are unsatisfied with the car they have so carefully chosen can often trace their problems directly to something they didn’t notice or failed to seriously consider during the test drive.

Take the test drive seriously. Enjoy it, but don’t get so caught up in the excitement of buying a new car that you become careless. Allow yourself plenty of time, perhaps an hour for a complete inspection of preferably the exact same car, with all the options, that you want to take home. Of course, the salesperson joining you in the passenger seat will have his own agenda and goals, but don’t let this deter you from your appointed job. When he sees your detailed checklist, he will know you are a buyer to be reckoned with.

The test drive usually occurs shortly after your arrival. Most buyers can’t wait. Before you get behind the wheel of a car you fancy, make sure it is exactly the one you want, complete with very option. Also, before the test drive, you should ask the salesperson to have your trade-in evaluated while you’re gone. It is best not to be present when the used-car evaluator finds all the items with which they will possibly devalue your old car and justify a low offer. By not being there, you will be in a psychologically stronger position later to negotiate for a better price.

The salesperson who invariably accompanies you during the test drive may now seem more like a guide, more chatty and relaxed. But for strategic reasons, consider the test drive as another part of your negotiations. Watch what you reveal, and don’t be too negative about the car unless you have already decided that you absolutely do not want it. Also, avoid giving "buying" signals. It is best to remain coolly analytical and to appear neutral.

Your evaluation of the car initially began with your own research, so you are now competent to seriously examine the car. You are in a position to assess, firsthand, the validity and relevance of the professional ratings. Above all, be willing and determined to take your time. With these factors in mind, you are ready to start your test drive.

THE PRE-DRIVE INSPECTION

Here are some points to consider before opening the driver's side door:

• Do you like the exterior? If not, you should look at another vehicle.
• Do you like the interior, or is it only passable?
• Are the doors too heavy to handle? Are the handles awkward?
• Do the doorstops keep the door open easily?
• Can you lock and unlock the car easily from inside?
• Are you comfortable inside the car? Do your feet touch the pedals?
• Test the seat in all positions. Can you get in and out of them easily? Are the seats easy to adjust?
• Do the seats have good back support?
• Is the headrest easily adjustable?
• Does your head hit the roof?
• Are the lights, wiper switches, cruise control, radio, etc. easy to find and use?
• Is the horn easily found and simple to use?
• Is the interior lighting adequate?
• Are there map lights? Do they work well?
• Will the lights automatically turn off when the engine shuts down?
• Can you easily read the gauges, radio and computer readouts, in both daylight and at night?
• Are the controls straightforward, or are they too complicated?
• Are both mirrors adjustable from the driver’s side?
• Are there adequate pockets?
• Are there vanity mirrors on both visors of the car? Are they lit?
• Are there coin slots and cup holders?
• Is there a front seat console for tapes, CDs, etc.?
• Can you easily attach and adjust the seat belts?
• Can you easily see over the hood?
• Can you see over the back and front of the car?
• Can you easily see into the back seat to talk to others or watch your kids?
• Are there air bags on both sides?

THE MOVING INSPECTION

Here are things you should look for when you take a test drive:

• Did the car start without hesitation? Turn the car on and off several times.
• Is the steering column easy to lock and unlock?
• Does the radio work well? Is the sound sufficient for you?
• Does the car maneuver effortlessly at low speeds, such as when you exit the parking lot?
• How strong is the turning radius? Can you make a U-turn in the road?
• Can you parallel park easily?
• How robust is the acceleration? Can you zip around in comfort and still be in control?
• Is there enough power to easily merge into traffic – both on the highway and the freeway?
• How does the car perform driving uphill?
• Is the car powerful enough to pass easily?
• Does the vehicle have enough power at both low and high speeds? (Many cars have drive trains perform fine at lower speeds, but flounder at higher speeds.)
• Is the car so big it feels like operating a boat, or so small it feels vulnerable?
• If the transmission is manual, is it smooth? How does it feel while shifting? Is it too easy to mix up the gears?
• If the transmission is automatic, does it shift smoothly and at the right times?
• Is the steering responsive at higher speeds? Does it under-steer or over-steer around corners?
• Do the brakes work effortlessly without needing a lot of pressure? Would you feel comfortable in a panic stop?
• Is the car quiet when it idles, runs and accelerates? Turn off the radio to hear it.
• How obvious is the wind noise at higher speeds?
• Is the car stable at cruising speeds?
• Is the ride too rough or too gentle? Do you need a different suspension?
• Does the car bounce when it hits bumps?
• How severe is the vibration at high speeds and on rougher roads?
• Can the vehicle tow anything you would want to tow?
• Is visibility fine in all directions? Do you notice any major blind spots?
• Are the instruments visible? Can you easily reach all the features, including the radio, windshield wipers, lights, temperature control, dash, etc.?
• Is this the exact car you want to buy or a similar one with significant differences (such as a different engine)?

THE POST-DRIVE INSPECTION

After you return to the dealership after your test drive, look at the following:

• Will the vehicle fit in your garage?
• Is the trunk spacious enough?
• Is the back seat comfortable for sitting and reclining?
• Do both front seats recline?
• Can you open the hood easily?
• Is the motor arranged for ease of servicing? (This is especially important when you need to service your vehicle.)
• Are the oil, water and power steering fluid tanks marked and easily accessible?

At the end of the test drive, you should know if you must have this car at any price, if you want it only at the right price, or if you want it at all. If your answer is that you only want to buy it, but only at the right price - the only satisfying and “no regrets” way to buy a car - you are now ready to launch negotiations.