When you’re set on buying a new car, it’s pretty hard to tell yourself to be patient. But the best rule my dad ever told me was that you should never ever EVER buy a car the same day you test drive it. It’s been a pretty good rule, and it’s kept me from making some bad decisions. Anyway, the test drive shouldn’t be consumed by your brain being like “buythecarbuythecarbuythecar,” it should be methodical – think about the important things regarding this vehicle and then use those things to decide which vehicle you’re going to buy. Because, you should be test driving more than one! Yeah, seriously. Even at the same dealership.

So what are the things to look for? Check them out here.

You definitely want to make sure the ride is 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.

Acceleration is what a lot of people look for in a vehicle. 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? Remember this as you drive.

Are the brakes responsive? Would you trust them to save your life? Test them out by trying all different types of braking – slow, short, forceful – and see how you feel. Remember that hybrid cars will pretty much universally feel different.

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

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 up to your spec, and that you can actually see out of the car (unrelated, but wanted to pop that one in there).

After your test drive, make a list of pros and cons! And then DON’T BUY THAT DAY. Make sure the dealer will hold the car for you and then come back later when you’ve had time to think. That’s the dream car recipe!