Preparing for a dealership visit.

The key to a pleasant and successful dealership experience is preparation and making sure all of your questions are answered. To avoid dealership anxiety, come prepared with questions in mind and goals for making your visit to the dealer an enjoyable experience.

Prepare Yourself

• Before visiting a dealership, schedule an appointment for immediate service.
• Request that your sales consultant have several vehicles that fit your needs pulled up waiting for your arrival.
• If you want to trade-in a car, bring the current loan, lease or title papers.
• Dress comfortably, as you would for any shopping trip.
• Be sure you've done your research: sales consultants can answer questions, but it helps if you know what to ask.

In the Showroom

Thoroughly examine the vehicle's exterior and interior in daylight or in a well-lit area. Be sure to ask yourself the following questions:

• Does it fit my lifestyle?
• Does the car fit me, or is it too big or small?
• Is it easy to enter and exit?
• Do the front and back seats feel comfortable?
• Does it offer enough cargo and passenger space?
• Do the interior features "feel right"; are controls where I need them?

Test Driving

We recommend you test drive a vehicle before buying no matter how others may praise it. A few notes:

• Schedule a test-drive appointment.
• Preferably on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday when things are slow, so you get personalized attention.
• Before you embark, the dealership may ask to hold or photocopy your driver's license. Some may also request other insurance or other background information.
• Most dealerships require a sales consultant to accompany you. Consider this an advantage: the consultant can answer questions and demonstrate features while you drive.
• Drive carefully but, where possible, tackle hills, rough surfaces, parallel parking and tight turns. Put the acceleration and brakes to the test. If possible, test drive the vehicle at highway speeds.
• Use the stereo, turn on the air conditioning, and generally determine how easy it is to adjust controls while you drive. Also, check for visibility or noise issues.

By taking these factors into consideration, you'll be better prepared and more likely to have an enjoyable experience while looking for your new vehicle.