Full disclosure: We love buyers who research cars online. You are the reason we are in business. But would you believe that 10% of shoppers buy a car without ever driving it?

No matter how much information you find about a car online, there are things that have to be experienced. Factors like comfort, visibility, and driving style will vary from person to person, and those are things you simply can’t evaluate online.

Factors to consider on a test drive:

Oh say, can you see? Identify the car’s blind spots, and make sure you can adjust the mirrors correctly to parallel park, reverse out of driveways, change lanes, and perform other driving operations safely.

Junk in your trunk. If you routinely haul items in your trunk, take them with you to the dealership. Don’t get your new vehicle home to discover that your double stroller, your golf clubs, or dog crate, or other important cargo won’t fit.

Have a seat. Most of your time will probably be spent behind the wheel, so make sure it’s a good fit. Make sure all power-adjust features work correctly and all necessary controls are within reach. If you have a family or carpool or regularly transport any other passengers, you’ll want them to be comfortable as well. Climb in to check out rear legroom. See how easy the seats are to adjust. If there are removable or fold-flat seats, see how easy they are to operate.
 
Hit the road. Don’t just cruise around the block. If possible, take the car on varied terrain to evaluate performance on different surfaces and in different traffic conditions. Make sure the car can take you where you want to go by testing the highway acceleration, parking garage maneuverability, hill-climbing capabilities, or whatever your case may be

Having said all that, we invite you to browse CarLocate.com for the car of your dreams. Then, to avoid future nightmares, make sure to contact the dealership and go take it for a spin!

If you’re shopping for a car, chances are you’re researching prices. We’d all like to think there is no such thing as a budget, but if you need a new car for not a lot of cash, we can help.

The 2014 Nissan Versa is currently at the top of the list of least expensive cars in the U.S. With a starting MSRP of $12,780 (including the $790 destination fee), the 2014 Versa brings 109 hp and 107 lb-ft of torque. With the standard 5-speed manual transmission, the new Versa will also be easy on your wallet at the gas pump, with estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.

Also on the list of affordable new car options is the Chevy Spark. Starting at $12,185 (plus additional fees and taxes) the tiny Spark offers 84 hp and 83 lb-ft of torque.  With the five-speed manual transmission, the 2013 Spark achieves 32 mpg city and 38 mpg highway, or 28 mpg city and 37 mpg highway with the automatic transmission option.

Another choice for drivers on a budget is the Ford Fiesta. The 2013 Fiesta S offers 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque, with fuel economy estimated at 29 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. With a base price of $13,200, it’s also a sporty bargain.

Less money does not have to mean less quality or driving satisfaction. Let this be your starting point, and explore many other options on Carlocate.com.

Buying a new car is a big decision. MSN Autos recently released a list of helpful tips to make sure you drive away in the right car for the right price.

Vehicle Features

Before looking at any specific car, determine the features and equipment on your must-have list. If you simply can’t live without back-up sensors or a third row seat, narrow your shopping list down to only vehicles with those features. It will save you time, and possibly keep you from falling in love with and buying car that doesn’t fit your needs, avoiding a bad case of buyer’s remorse.

Resale Value

While you are most excited about the car you want right now, chances are it won’t be the car you want to drive forever. Resale value could be as important as purchase price. This is a complicated evaluation, because the residual value will be affected by the car’s condition and mileage, which can be hard to predict. Some features, like energy-saving technology and new safety devices, can cost more up front but also add to the resale value.

Car Insurance Premiums

In addition to your monthly vehicle payment, you will also be shelling out for insurance expenses. While driving record will play a big part in your insurance costs, the type of car you purchase and the safety features it offers can affect your insurance payment as well. Larger trucks can often cost more to insure because they can cause more damage in an accident, and cars with specialized powertrains, like hybrids, can be costlier to insure because they are costlier to repair.

Find more on these and other car-buying tips at MSN Autos. Happy car shopping!