Even if you’ve never shopped for a car before, you can probably guess that taking a vehicle for a test drive is one of the most, if not the most critical step in the car buying process. While some motorists may tell you that securing financing is the most important step, the truth is that you don’t need financing until after you test drive an automobile and confirm it’s the right vehicle for you.

While you may already know that you should see how a car handles, test its brakes, and learn how the vehicle’s features work during a test drive, you might not realize there are things you should do before you arrive at our Florida Lexus dealership to see how one of our automobiles performs on the road. A few of the things you should do include:

  • Research: Before you go for a test drive, you have to figure out which automobile(s) you want to take on the road. Review your lifestyle to figure out the kind of body style you want your next vehicle to have. Then, perform some research to identify the specific models that have that body style and will support your lifestyle. Continue your research to determine which of those models fall within your budgetary constraints.
  • Schedule an Appointment: Once you know which Lexus model you want to test drive, contact Lexus of Jacksonville to schedule a test drive.
  • Make Copies: After you’ve scheduled your test drive, make copies of your license and car insurance card. While the dealer will still have to see the originals, having pre-made copies of these items will save you and your salesperson valuable time.
  • Bring a Friend: As Lexus dealers near Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, we can tell you that it’s often beneficial to bring a friend when you test drive a car because your buddy may notice things that you overlook. Contact a trusted friend and make sure the person will be available to accompany you during your test drive.

Now that you know how to prepare for a test drive, why don’t you schedule one today? Give us a call, contact us online, or stop by Lexus of Jacksonville to make an appointment for a test drive now.