If you are shopping for a new or used car, USA TODAY Cars offers these tips to make the most of your test drive.
First, said Matt Smith, head of Consumer Insights for car shopping site CarGurus, always set up an appointment with the dealership before showing up.
“Otherwise, the car you wanted might be sold already,” Smith said. “And negotiate a price ahead of time. These people are professional negotiators, so get as much in writing ahead of time. Showing up and saying, ‘What have you got for under $20,000’ is not a successful negotiating strategy anymore.”
Do not be afraid to ask detailed questions about the vehicle, added Ivan Drury, director of insights at Edmunds.com, because even the same model can undergo drastic changes from one model year to the next, some obvious and others not.
“You don’t want to buy a new vehicle in July only to find out that the next model year is being sold in September and has that one feature you really want,” Drury said. “This applies to used vehicles as well, saving money by purchasing an older version of the same model might not be worth it if you find out after the fact that you missed out on that one little option that could make your life so much easier.”
Car shopping advice: How to get the best deal when buying a new car: see what the experts say
The test drive is as important as the negotiations, so here is how to approach it:
“Test the stereo, but only briefly,” Drury said. “During most of the test drive, silence is golden. You want to hear any noises or just in general how much road noise enters the cabin. Pair your phone, see if the infotainment system is up to your expectations, if it or any other features annoy you today, they’ll annoy you tomorrow and for the rest of your ownership experience.”
Smith has this list of tips to consider when test driving a new or used vehicle:
Drury noted that a bad weather day can be good for a car shopper.
“There will be fewer people at the dealership and you can test drive a vehicle during a time in which you really need to know what you’re getting into,” Drury said. “Bright, sunshiny days are great and all, but newer vehicles tend to have less glass for safety reasons and that could translate into more blind spots than you’re accustomed to.”
For used vehicles, the opposite is true. You want a bright-enough day so you can see the vehicle to spot imperfections. Still, Drury said, make sure to drive it in the rain, too, before buying it to see whether there are any leaky seals or foggy headlights or taillights. And, even if it is hot outside, test the heater, heated seats and heated steering wheel. If it is cold, try the AC or ventilated/cooled seats.
If you are buying a new car, preview the options that help every time you drive the vehicle. For example, heated or ventilated seats are nice if the weather in your area varies greatly. If you are bad at parking, then cameras can help, Drury said, “but opting for a moonroof that you keep closed 95% of the year, probably not as worthwhile.”
Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

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