You’ve narrowed your list of new car choices down to a few and it's time to test drive one of these vehicles at your local dealership. But before you get behind the wheel, make sure you are well prepared with these test drive tips:

Before you get behind the wheel for the test drive

1. Before you arrange a test drive, do a little preparation
For example, check on models and their prices and features. Maybe take a friend along to make notes while you ask the questions and test drive the car.

2. Be an honest buyer and your car dealer will treat you the same way.
Be honest with your answers and demand the same from all the dealership personnel. For example, if you find that the vehicle you have requested to test drive is not equipped as you had specified, tell the salesperson, and say you'll only look at the model you requested.

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Remember, car salespeople are in the business of selling cars. They spend a lot of time with the customer qualifying them – finding out if you're a real buyer, what sort of buyer, and what it might take to get you to buy. If you’re serious about buying a car, tell them, so you both know where you stand and you can be treated like a serious buyer. Don't forget your real mission here: to take the test drive so you can assess the feel and functionality of the vehicle.

3. Don’t make the purchase the same day you test drive the car
Tell the salesperson that you are serious about buying a car in the next few days, but that you have reduced your list to a few choices and the car’s features are what will make you choose this particular car over another make of car.

4. Don’t take the test drive until you’ve had a full demonstration
It generally takes the salesperson about 10 to 15 minutes to demonstrate a vehicle's features while parked. Don't go on the test drive until you've been shown everything at a standstill. Listen carefully to what they say. During the demonstration ask a lot of questions, keep the salesperson focused on selling you the features, and have your www.cars4women.coza Car Buyer’s Checklist out and ready to tick off the features you require.

5. Ask for a valuation of your current car
Before you go for a test drive, ask for a valuation of your car. This will not only give you an idea of what you can put down as a deposit on your new car (if you accept the trade-in offer), but will also give you time to look at the new car on your own.

6. The test drive
Test drives often begin with the salesperson behind the wheel. Use this to your advantage. Turn the radio off and ask lots of questions. Once you’re in the driver's seat, pay close attention to how the car handles in various conditions. It is important to cover back roads, hills and highways on your test drive, so you can feel how the car handles on different road conditions and at different speeds.

The following are important considerations when test driving a car as each driver's needs are different, and you need to make sure this vehicle fits your own:

Does it feel comfortable?
Are the controls easy to work, and easy to reach?
Does the car accelerate well on the freeway on-ramp or is it sluggish?
Does it have the smoothness you want?
When changing lanes, do you have a large blind spot?
Will it fit in your garage?
What about putting your child in the back with ease?

Other features and functions to try on your test drive include testing the wipers, checking how you like the rearview mirrors, visibilty, the height and comfort of the seats, the leg room and more...

Try opening the bonnet, taking off the petrol cap and adjusting the seats. You don't want to discover how difficult these things are after your test drive has lead to a purchase.

7. After your test drive
Once you've returned to the dealership, your test drive mission complete, get your current vehicle keys, a trade-in price on the current vehicle, and leave! Remember your promise: No Buying Today!

8. Write down your impressions of the test drive
Take note of the good and bad points of the car, as well as any offers the salesperson may have made to you. If there are specials with expiry dates, or extras that you qualify for, keep a record of these. They may mean the difference between buying this particular car and another one. Remind yourself of the service you have received – this may also be a factor that determines whether you return to that particular dealership.

Good luck and happy shopping! Remember, if you’re prepared and professional in your approach to test driving and buying a new car, the experience will be all that more pleasureable.