With November already underway, many car dealerships are looking toward the end of the year They’re looking for ways to increase car sales to meet annual and monthly projections, and they want to clear last year’s models off their car lots. Car dealerships are getting more creative, and trying to find new incentives to push later model cars. If you’re in the market for a new car, this is good news for you. This time of year, you can get a really great deal on a 2016 model.

The problem with modern  car buying is that in many cases,  a person will buy a car without ever putting themselves behind the wheel. This is made possible by new technologies like online car buying, which have made it easier than ever to buy a car without ever having been in the same room with it. This can lead to some real buyer’s remorse, no matter how much of a deal you get on the price. If you aren’t happy with the way that a car drives, it’s not the right car for you. The best way to buy a new car is still to test drive it for yourself and make sure that it is what you want.

Buying a car is not an inexpensive proposition. For many, it means a car payment every month. Make sure that when you are making the payment, you can smile instead of having a feeling of being cheated. Just like putting on a new pair of shoes and taking a lap around the store, the way that you test drive a car is important for making sure that you’re making the right decision. Try these tips for the best test drive.

Don’t rush

Different cars feel different when you get behind the wheel. Drivers get used to a specific “feel” when driving. Before you decide on the type of car you want, make sure to do your research and find one that drives the way that you want. If it isn’t comfortable, you aren’t going to be happy. Nor do you have the time or the patience to sit behind every car on the lot before making a decision.

Don’t ever take it home without driving it

Every car buyer has the right to test drive a car before making the purchase. If you go to a used vehicles dealership and they insist that they don’t have the proper insurance, or that they don’t allow test drives, run, and run fast. You shouldn’t ever buy a car without taking it for a spin. If the dealership is telling you that you can’t test drive the car, that is a red flag. Any reputable dealership will happily let you test drive any of the cars on their lot.

Take many different routes

Cars are going to behave differently depending on road conditions. To get a fair estimate of how it drives, how it merges, how it handles rough terrain, or even how quickly it accelerates, you are going to have to take it on different local roads with different conditions. Make sure that you try different things, instead of just taking a loop around the dealership. Driving in traffic or taking bumpy roads is going to change the way the car drives. Testing a car using flat land at one speed isn’t going to give you the answers you need to ensure that you are going to be happy when you set out on your daily commute.

Make seat adjustments and consider long sitting times

Even if the car drives like a dream, if the seat is hard or uncomfortable, it won’t be so great when you set out on a long trip or have to drive it day to day. Find out how the seat reclines and adjusts, or if there are any other special conditions that can make sitting in it for extended periods of time, uncomfortable. An uncomfortable driver’s seat is something you’ll really start to notice when you’re driving the car every day.

Bring a friend

If you are going to take a test drive, don’t go alone. You need someone in your corner to be your Jiminy Cricket. When driving with a dealer, they are going to talk up the car’s great features, and downplay all the things that you may not be too sure about. A friend will be honest with you and play the devil’s advocate role, counterbalancing the car salesman’s enthusiasm.

Consider the reputation of a dealership

The biggest consideration to take into account is the reputation of the dealership. Do some research to find out what type of reviews they have, what their warranty information is, and how other customers rate their experience. Google reviews or other online review platforms are an excellent place to find out more about a dealership.

Buying a car is much easier than it was just a few short decades ago, but a deal is no deal if you aren’t happy with your purchase. Cars are a expensive big ticket item, and it’s a major purchasing decision. It’s a good idea, when possible, to physically test drive a car to make sure that it suits your wants and needs.