It’s an exciting time when you’re in the market to buy a new car, but it’s difficult to narrow down the choices—especially with many models offering a surplus of sleek and extensive accessories and safety features. One way to decide is taking a test drive. It’ll give you an idea of what to expect when you’re on the road and how comfortable you feel with the car’s performance and accessories. Before you head out, remember these common do’s and don’ts of the process.

Do:

Your research.

Is there a specific model you prefer over others? Maybe you want a fun car for the weekends or something reliable for the weekday commute. Whatever you’re interested in, read reviews of the latest vehicles and look up their different features. This will help you figure out what you’re looking for and what to avoid.

Drive a familiar route.

Often, salesmen want to take potential customers on a certain route with smoother roads and less traffic. This gives people less time to tell if the new car will ride well or experience loud levels of engine or road noise. If you’ll be taking the new car on a busy road or on the freeway every day, map out a drive that is comfortable for you. Then, when you meet with the salesman, insist on taking this route. If they refuse, ask the manager of the dealership to take the drive alone; many places will allow it.

Don’t:

Go without family and friends.

When you’re buying a family car, bring family members along for the ride. Since they’ll be your passengers most of the time, ask for their opinions on the vehicle’s features and how it feels on the road. If other family members will be driving it, they should also test out the new car. Make sure everyone who will drive it regularly has a comfortable experience.

Rush your decision.

Buying a new car is a major investment, and test driving it is only one of the major factors to consider throughout the process. Don’t let a salesman start negotiating before or right after the test drive. A customer should never feel pressured to decide right away. After the drive, take some time to think about the different options and your family members’ opinions on each one. You should feel confident about your decision and know it’s the best choice for everyone.

When you’re ready to test drive a new car in Versailles, KY, head to Jack Kain Ford. Since 1961, they have been the leaders of selling Ford vehicles in Woodford County. Their inventory includes sedans, SUVs, trucks, and vans. They offer markdowns on new and used Fords regularly. If you’re ready to start test driving one of their vehicles, call (888) 685-1211. Visit their website to learn more about their new and used car offerings.