September is a great time to shop for a new car. Dealers want to make room for next year's models, so they're eager to deal on this year's remaining stock. But before you sign any papers, make certain you're getting the right vehicle. That means taking it for a test drive. Here are a few expert tips for making the most of your test-driving experience.
Prepare
Before you head to the dealer, know your budget and the features you want and need in a new car: Four-wheel drive or two-wheel? How much available seating? Do you need an auxiliary input for your MP3 player or are you happy with a CD player? How about anti-theft devices? "Make sure you know what you want before you go get it, and plan for the future a little bit," says Steven Paul, owner of Test Drive Technologies, a company that tests and inspects vehicles for buyers.
Inspect
When you get to the dealership, be sure you're test-driving the exact model you'll be buying. "A car with larger wheels or a sports suspension will drive very differently than one without," says Joe Lorio, senior editor of Automobile magazine. "You won't be getting a real picture of how your car will drive."
Take Charge
With all the excitement and nervousness that surrounds purchasing a new vehicle, it's easy to overlook obvious flaws. To ensure you find out everything you need to know about this car, take charge. Don't let the salesperson distract you. "Respectfully tell the salesman that you'll ask the questions while driving, that you're concentrating on the car," Lorio says. "If you know right away that it's not the car for you, don't be afraid to cut the entire process short."
Drive Hard
Don't settle for driving around the block when testing a vehicle—take it on bumpy back roads, drive in the city with some stop-and-go traffic, and bring it up to maximum (legal) speed on the freeway. "When you take it on the highway, accelerate hard," Lorio says. "You'll need to know if this car has enough get-up-and-go to merge onto a busy highway. Don't treat it gently just because the salesman is with you."
Arrange Financing, Insurance First
Of course, a test drive isn't the only thing you should think about doing before buying new wheels. To obtain the best financing rates, you may wish to secure a loan from your preferred lender ahead of your actual vehicle purchase. When you are ready to buy, this will help you stay within budget and protect your credit, too. Check with your State Farm® agent for competitive loan rates from State Farm Bank®.
Finally, before you drive your new vehicle off the lot, it must be covered by insurance. Call your agent before you buy to make the arrangements.
Get more vehicle buying tips from State Farm.