So, you want to buy a new car. You have considered the features you want and you've gone to car comparison sites like Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, CarSmart.com, Cars.com and Autos.yahoo.com to research car prices, value and reliability. Now, it's time for the most important part of your decision-making process... the test drive.

What New Car Do You Want to Drive?

Before you go for a test drive, you need to decide what kind of new car you want and need. Assess your needs in terms of size, power, performance and safety features. What comfort items are important to you? Do you do a lot of city, highway or off-road driving? Do you need tow capacity? Is your preference for an automatic or manual transmission? Do you need a comfort car or a workhorse? Make lists of your requirements and research the available vehicles that meet your needs. Once you determine the class of car that you want, look at cars that are in your price range and narrow the field to a few frontrunners. Now, it is time to drive these cars.

Entering the Dealer Showroom

When you go in to take your test drive, remember you are not there to buy a new car. You are there to drive a car and determine if it is the kind of car you want. Do not be shy in letting the salesperson know you are not going to buy a car that day. Tell him you are not ready to talk numbers and that you are at the very beginning of your car research project. Need some extra help making sure you walk away after the test drive? Try some of these solutions:

• If you have done pricing research, leave it home. You won't be ready to negotiate if you do not have your research with you.
  
  
• Do not take your checkbook. If you are not able to make a down payment, you are less likely to be coerced into buying a car.
  
  
• Take a wingman. Ask a friend to go along and remind you of your goal – to simply drive the car.

Meeting Each New Car

The new car test drive begins before you even start the car. Are the seats comfortable? Is there ample leg room in both the front and back? Are the armrests adjustable to a good height? Can you easily see in all directions from the driver's seat? Are the gauges and controls easy to read and understand?

Consider whether this new car will hold the number of passengers you routinely drive. Can it accommodate car seats for all the children you drive? Does it have enough cargo space for the things you would like to carry? Is the cargo area flexible enough for the things you transport – bikes, golf clubs, pet carriers, warehouse store-sized paper products?

How to Perform a Test Drive on a New Car

Now you are ready to take that new car for a drive. Take the car on surface streets and on the highway. How does the car handle? Does it drive smoothly at various speeds? Is the vehicle quiet even on the freeway? How is the acceleration; are you able to smoothly merge and pass? Do the brakes feel responsive?

Find a parking lot or a quiet street and try some tight turns. Is the turning radius conducive to u-turns and hairpins? Is parallel parking effortless? Can you easily reach all of the controls while you are driving? Can you position the mirrors optimally for seeing traffic in all directions? Remember, when you are buying a car it is really important to test drive it in a variety of situations.

After Your New Car Test Drive

You've gone for your drive; now it is important not to let the shiny paint and new car smell go to your head. Have you driven other cars in the same class for comparison? Evaluate how this car stacks up; make pro and con lists for all the new cars you are considering.

As your test drive comes to a close, the salesperson is going to start applying pressure; his goal is to send you home in that new car. Your goal is not only to buy a car, but to buy the best car for the lowest price possible.

Get out of the car and tell the salesperson thank you for letting you drive the new car. Now, you need some time to think about it. New cars are readily available and there will be ample opportunities to purchase a car. Do not believe the salesperson that the car you just drove is the only silver model with a moon-roof that they will get in all year!

Now it is time to go home and evaluate your car buying options. Once you determine the car you want, it is time to research new car prices and the amount over dealer invoice the car commonly sells for before you sit down to negotiate. Finally, put aside the infatuation you feel for the car and hold out for the terms you want!