Taking a test drive is a good way to get to know the vehicle you are interested in up close and personal. But remember, your new vehicle needs to not only feel great measure up to style as well as practical demands. Use this checklist to help determine whether the vehicle you want is really the vehicle for you.

General Test Drive Advice

If you are uncomfortable taking the car of your choice for that first spin and want to get a feel for it first, just ask the sales person to give you an on-road demonstration ride.

Vehicle Checklist

Create and bring with you on your test drive, a vehicle checklist of all the options and features you would like to have. As you ask questions, simply mark a "Y" or "N" next to each item according to the Salesman?s responses.

Some of the features and option you might want to cover on your checklist could involve:
- Exterior Options (styling, paint, trunk, wheels and tires, for example),
- Interior Options (doors easy to open and close/entry and exit of vehicle, comfort, etc),
- Performance (engine size, brakes, engine noise, brakes etc.),
- Handling (steering response/support, cornering, highway feel, vibration etc.)
- Safety (anti-lock brakes, air bags, traction control, etc.).

Reading the Window Sticker

A window sticker is more than information about a vehicle's price. A vehicle's window sticker contains plenty of useful information to help you in your vehicle search.

Vehicle Description

This section contains basic information about the vehicle, including its model year, color, number of doors, engine and transmission type, and its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Keep in mind:
- Does the window sticker's VIN match the vehicle's VIN (usually located in the
inside of the driver's door or on the dashboard)?
- Look at the "actual mileage" paragraph to find a more realistic explanation
of the vehicle's fuel capabilities.

Standard Equipment

Standard equipment is a list of features available on the vehicle at no extra cost to the buyer.

Keep in mind:
- Are airbags standard?
- Is power steering standard?
- What is the warranty length?
- Compare standard equipment as some models have a larger selection than others.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy figures identify how many miles a vehicle can travel per gallon of gasoline based on tests performed in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This section also offers comparative ratings for other vehicles within the vehicle's size class (e.g. large, luxury, compact).

You will find information about the vehicle's engine and transmission.
The window sticker also displays information about a vehicle's fuel economy for both city and highway driving.

Keep in mind:
- Fuel economy figures can vary depending on driving conditions and style as
well as a vehicle's options.
- Look at the "actual mileage" paragraph to find a more realistic explanation
of the vehicle's fuel capabilities.

Pricing
The pricing section involves several components:
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

This number is the manufacturer's suggested base price and does
not include options or destination charges.

Optional equipment
Optional equipment provides an opportunity to enhance your new vehicle, but at additional expense. This section includes a breakdown of pricing for options and option packages.

Destination charge
This number includes the cost of shipping the vehicle to the dealership.

Total price
This is the sum of all the above charges.

Keep in mind:
- Total price does not include ownership costs like registration, insurance, and taxes.
- Review Other Costs of Ownership to learn more about the operating costs associated with owning a new vehicle.
- Optional equipment lists the "suggested" retail prices.