If you’ve ever been in the market for a new car (which, hey! Do you need a new car?) then you know that the most important part of the process, besides actually buying the new car, is test driving everything you’re interested in so that you can make an informed decision. But I for one always get carried away with the test drive itself and focus on how awesome the car is instead of the things I should be focusing on, which are the factors that really go into making a decision on buying a car. So, keep these things in mind when you’re test driving and you should be good. Check it out.

• Is the ride good?. Is it bumpy, smooth, or does it seem disconnected? Depending on what kind of car you’re testing, you should have certain expectations, but make sure the vehicle meets or exceeds them.

• Are the brakes responsive? Would you trust them to save your life, if they had to? Test them out by trying all different types of braking – slow, short, forceful, etc. – and see how you feel. Remember that hybrid cars will feel different than other types of vehicles when it comes to braking.

• How is the acceleration?. Make sure that the one you’re testing can get up to speed the way you want it to. If not, look at a different car. Can it handle hills and merging into highway lanes?

• Is the inside of the vehicle noisy? Make sure the sound level in the cabin is bearable, because things only get worse over time. You should also make sure the sound system is what you want.

• Do the steering and handling meet your expectations? This is what people really notice about driving, and so if it’s not the best, the car might not be the one for you. Try quick maneuvers as well, like pulling a U-turn on an empty road. How is the turning radius?

• Can you actually see out of the car? Visibility is SUPER important, so if you can’t actually see out of the vehicle because of blind spots or windshield position or whatever, pick another one.

If it helps, print out this list and take it with you so you remember what to think about. Good luck!