Test driving: The feel of the wheel

Car salespeople like to say, “The feel of the wheel will seal the deal.” There’s a lot of truth in this, and yet you might be hesitant to test drive your choices. It’s a hassle schlepping to a car lot and fending off eager sales staff.

Here’s an easy way to get the job done: Set aside a morning, preferably on a weekday, when car lots are empty, and call a dealership’s internet department. Tell the internet manager you want to schedule a test drive, but you won’t be buying on the spot because you’re still comparing different models. Drive your three target cars back-to-back so all your impressions are fresh in your mind.

Review your research and make a decision

After your test drives, leave the dealership. If you’re still undecided, go back to the car finder and pull in a new candidate. But if your decision is obvious, you can move on to the deal-making phase.

Whether you’re aware of it or not, your emotions and intuition will play a part in your choice. There’s nothing wrong with that — have a good time. But don’t let your feelings run away with you. Cover the practical bases first, and then open the door to the fun factor. Then you’ll have a car that you enjoy and that serves your needs.