You’re tired of relying on friends, family, or public transportation to go from point A to point B. You want to own a car. But a car is expensive, and that means that you should do it responsibly.

Buying a car responsibly means that you should try to evaluate if a certain car is the ideal one for you and your lifestyle. Are you going to use your car mainly to commute to work? Or is it going to be the main family car that you’re going to use to go to the grocery store, pick up the kids from school, and go on a family vacation?

The best way to decide if a car is the right one is through a test drive. During the test drive you’ll be able to see if you feel comfortable driving it, if the car responds well, if it’s large enough for your needs, etc.

Keep reading to find out other details about test driving and what you should pay attention to while doing it. Click here to see Queen Creek automall inventory.

Know What You’re Looking For

When in the market for something, it’s generally good advice not to walk into things blind. That goes double for expensive things such as cars. After all, you want to be sure to get your money’s worth.

When testing a car at the dealership, try to be as aware as possible of the situation. You might want to have some roads in mind to test out the car’s handling or even have a prepared playlist to test the car’s sound system.

Listen to the car’s engine as you test it out. You should notice how it reacts when you touch the accelerator or tap the brakes. Does it feel natural to you?

Above all else, be sure to take your time. It’s said that thoroughness pays. In these instances, thoroughness could save you money. You may want to test drive one size smaller or one size larger just to see how your preferred SUV measures up. For instance, if you are favoring the Jeep Cherokee, you may ask to drive the Renegade or the Grand Cherokee.

Check Everything

When you’re testing out the car, you want to give yourself some idea of what it’ll feel like in daily use. This, of course, means you want to check the car’s comfortability. It’d be pretty bad to buy a car with seating you don’t find comfortable.

A standard check for everyday use might include bringing your kids and their car seat along to ensure it fits. Be sure to call or text those close to you to get their opinion. They’ll be riding in that car almost as often as you, after all.

Test driving is also a good way to check gas usage. The salesman will probably have numbers prepared for you, but it can be hard to understand those numbers practically. It might better serve you to get a practical idea of what the fuel economy is like.

When on the road, ask your sales staff person to tell you about the driver assistance features. Are there any you can test safely while driving? Examples include lane departure assistance and automatic braking.

You won’t be allowed to take the vehicle off-road, but a test drive is a good time to ask about the four-wheel drive system and the SUV’s ground clearance. Unless you are at a Jeep dealer, you should be asking if the four-wheel drive can be used to take the SUV on the trail.

Leave Satisfied

Test driving a car is always something you should do. It’s very beneficial to yourself to the point where it’d be weird not to test drive it. You can avoid so many problems through basic checks and tests that it’s surprising. There are even local car dealers who will bring the car, SUV, Jeep, or truck to you for the test drive.

So the next time you’re about to spend money on a new car, remember to check it out first, lest you be met with quite the costly disappointment.

One of the most exciting times in a person’s life is when they go to buy their first car. Starting at age sixteen, people start looking for their first car which can be an overwhelming process. First-time car buyers need to keep a few things in mind before making a purchase. Get your smartphone or pen and paper ready and make sure you’ve checked off the following items before you commit to purchasing your first car.

Establishing a Budget

Establishing a budget for your new vehicle is the first step when buying your first car. Knowing your financial limit is crucial. If you estimate your weekly, biweekly, or monthly car payment before purchasing, you can determine whether or not a car is in your affordable price range.

Knowing this information can limit your search and narrow your options, making the car buying process easier because it eliminates the clutter. You shouldn’t waste time on options that do not coincide with your financial means. For instance, if you can afford $30,000, you should aim for a new Jeep Cherokee or shop for a certified preowned Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Knowing your monthly spending abilities, you can choose the car that best fits your needs while staying within your budget.

Identify Essential Features

Once you’ve calculated your monthly budget, you can begin to identify what you need and want in a car. For example, if you are trying to purchase your first car for around-town driving, you may not be concerned with mileage and longevity. Whereas, if you are looking to buy a vehicle that will save you on gas while commuting to work long distances, you may look at different models.

If you need additional seating because you have a large family, you may forgo the sleek, stylish, and compact models. Similarly, if you see yourself towing boats, campers, or other large items, certain vehicles may not meet the power requirements for those towing jobs. There are many things to consider when buying your first car, and your needs and wants should always be early in your search.

Other features that might catch your eye include:

• Power seat adjustment

• Ventilated seats

• Touch screen infotainment systems

• Backseat LCD screens

• 3D parking assistance

• Blindspot monitoring

• Built-in dash cameras

Do Your Research

Doing your research will be the best way to ensure you are happy with your vehicle investment. Researching models and makes of various cars and comparing specs and available upgrades is one of the most crucial aspects of first-time car buying.

Locate a Dealership

Once you have done the proper research, it is time to locate a dealership. It is crucial to find a dealership that carries the type of vehicle you are interested in purchasing. You may want to try a CDJR dealer for variety. They carry Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram, which gives you a bigger range of choices in one place.

Go in with a firm budget and ensure the dealership understands your personal vehicle needs and wants. Express that you have done your research and be clear about things that matter to you when it comes to having the perfect first car. Remember that the customer is always right.

Test Drives

Never purchase a car without test driving it. Testing it out gives you a good feel of the car, the way it handles, and how powerful it is. For example, certain manual cars may not be the best fit for you, and certain automatic cars may not drive the way you thought they would. Some have features like assisted driving and reversing that you never thought you needed.

When test driving any potential vehicle, don’t forget to test the “bells and whistles” too! If a car has a sunroof, then you should test it out. Whether the vehicle is new or used, you won’t regret testing all the available mechanics, including windows and air conditioning.

Conclusion

Once you have conducted your research and test-driven your top choice, evaluate the purchase price and ensure you are getting every bang for your buck. Keep in mind that many dealerships offer similar vehicles, and you don’t have to jump on the first one you love.