How to test drive a car

With the July 4th weekend upon us, consumers may be hitting the dealerships to take advantage of the holiday savings, possibly looking to downsize to a more fuel-efficient model. Given the economy and related challenges in the automotive industry, there are a number of deals to be found, though precious few on the most thrifty vehicles. Check out the best new deals for the latest incentives on Consumer Reports recommended cars, plus learn about the recently extended Chrysler $2.99 gas promotion and our comparison of their overall owner costs with other similar models.

Time to test drive
When looking to buy a car, one of the most important steps is the test drive. Even though our reviews can tell you what particular pros and cons a certain model has, you just don’t know how the car will fit you without taking the car out for a spin. This is much more than a casual cruise. Some of the most important aspects to consider are ride comfort, performance, acceleration, braking, handling, quietness, and visibility. But, also consider the detail elements that matter most to you, such as rear seat comfort, room for child seats, or cargo space access. Ultimately, you want to ensure the vehicles’ overall performance and character matches both your wants and needs, as it will hopefully be your travel companion for years to come.

To aid in comparing models, it helps to drive any vehicles you're considering all on the same day while your impressions are still fresh. Making notes immediately after each drive can help with the inevitable tough decision. Spend as much time as possible behind the wheel—30 minutes, if possible—and drive it over different types of road surfaces and in various driving conditions. Plus, plan your own driving route before you visit the dealership or seller, rather than rely on a salesperson or the seller to tell you where to drive. Their route may hide or minimize problems with the vehicle. Keep the radio off so you can listen to the car’s noise level and try to do your test drive during the daytime and not in the rain. Finally, don’t feel rushed to buy on the same day. If you need to drive the car again on another day, you should—after all, it’s your money.

For a primer on how to test drive, watch the accompanying video. For more information on buying a car, including a more-detailed explanation of how to test drive, see our new and used car buying guides. Check out our forum to discuss car buying with other consumers.

—Liza Barth

Choosing the best GPS for Father's Day

Finding the perfect gift for Father's Day can be a real challenge, especially if you've gone through the gifting staples of golf balls, ties, tools, action movies, and beer-of-the-month club through the years. If you're stuck for a great idea, a portable GPS navigation device can show your appreciation for dear ol' Dad.

The latest devices can help on daily commutes with real-time traffic data, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling, and smart points-of-interest features to locate the cheapest, nearby gas station. Dad can use the photo viewer to proudly show off the kids, and display pictures of his favorite dream machine, or even sports team in action. No doubt, he would enjoy his new navigation tool and travel companion, especially on long road trips.

Of course, choosing the right one can make or break the gift.

Fatherly GPS buying advice
In choosing a device, weigh your budget against your father's needs. There are many extra features available that may sound enticing, but in the long-run he would most appreciate an easy-to-use device—the performance attribute that is weighted most heavily throughout our testing.

Features to consider:
An important feature commonly referred to as "text to speech" translates map data by speaking street names. So, rather than  simple "left" or "right" instruction, the device would say, "Turn right on Main Street."

Wide screens not only display more map area, but provide larger touch-screen buttons to ease data entry —particularly appreciated by users with large fingers.

Bluetooth-connectivity can enable hands-free cell phone operation and pair with a phone to deliver traffic and other data to capable devices. This can be a welcomed feature for a mobile business person, though it is typically available only on mid-level and premium devices.

Be wary that traffic features often require a monthly service and possibly an extra-cost receiver. So, bear in mind that this feature will cost him money to use. (The Navigon 5100 and 7100 include free traffic.)

We also caution against buying a model based on bargain pricing over our Ratings, as we have found few low-cost units to be good. That said, both Garmin and TomTom have entry-level units that have performed well in our tests and are available with a full range of features. Of particular interest, the current TomTom One series is being replaced by the new 130 and soon-to-arrive 330 lines, driving a price reduction on the One and One XL models. The new TomTom devices feature a completely redesigned body, a new integrated locking mount, and larger speaker. While the hardware has been updated, the software has the familiar TomTom interface—similar to that used on the well-rated One 3rd Edition.

Garmin will soon release new Nuvi "2x5" models that build on the strong Nuvi 200 series with the promise of swifter satellite acquisition times, shaded maps to indicate elevation, and ability to choose user-supplied pictures from the Garmin Connect Photos site to use for seeking landmarks. We have not tested these Garmin units yet, but we expect they may lead to deals on the current Nuvi 200 models.

Latest GPS Ratings
We have just updated our exhaustive GPS navigation device ratings, adding:

• Garmin Nuvi 5000
• Mio Moov 310
• Navigon 2100 max
• TomTom One 130, One 130S, Go 730T, Go 930T

These join the ratings of dozens of other GPS devices from Alpine, Cobra, Dash, Delphi, Garmin, HP, Harman Kardon, Jensen, LG, Lowrance, Magellan, Navigon, Panasonic, Pharos, Pioneer, Sony, and TomTom.

In the weeks ahead, we plan to purchase and evaluate devices from Garmin, Magellan, TomTom, and Uniden.

If you do buy a unit for Father's Day, take the time to set it up with your dad's home address, favorite points of interest, and family photos—if capable. After all, he likely assembled many toys for you through the years.

—Jeff Bartlett

For more information on portable GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums. 

Also read "A car guy's Father's Day, parts 1 and 2."

Tips for Memorial Day road tripping

The unofficial start of the summer season begins on Memorial Day weekend and while gas prices are leading many to remain at home for "staycations" or alter their plans, there will be plenty of people who decide to hit the road this coming weekend and in the weeks ahead. If you are planning a road trip, here are some tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.

Check it out. Make sure your vehicle is working properly—check tires, wipers, and fluids. Also, take care of any scheduled maintenance such as oil changes or tune ups.

Be prepared. Bring supplies in the event of an accident or medical issue. Supply your car with an emergency kit—especially a flash light, blanket, and some tools. Also, bring along some first-aid supplies.

Know where you’re going. A portable GPS navigation system is a handy companion on a road trip. It’s a good idea to get used to the unit and map out your destination before departing. You may also want to take along a map as a backup—just in case.

Kid prep. If you’re driving with kids, make sure you pack enough snacks, water, games, videos, and music to keep them occupied during your journey.

Pack smart. Just because you own an SUV or minivan, doesn’t mean you should load it to the roof. Extra car loads reduce fuel efficiency and also could hinder visibility. Check your vehicle’s load capacity (in the owner’s manual) to make sure you’re in range.

Be patient. If you're driving during one of the summer's long weekends, expect to hit traffic. With that in mind, a good GPS system will be able to detour you to an alternate route. But even if you're traveling to a familiar location that usually takes, say, three hours, count on extra traffic making the trip longer and schedule refreshment and restroom breaks accordingly.

Remember the holiday. Take the time to not only enjoy the scenery, but also commemorate the holiday during your trip.

For more tips and advice on travel gear, family travel, safety, and car prep check out our Road trips guide. For advice on saving gas and fuel economy tips, see our Guide to driving green.

—Liza Barth   

Earth Day 2008: Driving green

When it comes to driving, it's not easy being green, even on Earth Day. After all, we need cars to commute and run essential errands. Plus, as a nation, we love the freedom cars provide. But even providing for our work and family needs, there are ways to reduce the environmental impact from our motoring.  Besides buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle, here are some suggestions that can be applied today with your current vehicle:

Car pool: There are many companies that offer ride-share programs that match you with others in your area. Another option is to check with co-workers or friends in the neighborhood to see if they are going your way. Telecommute (aka work at home) if your company permits it. This will save both fuel and, another precious commodity, your time. When possible, go shopping with family and friends, rather than alone, and "chain" together multiple destinations into one trip.

Park it: Leave your car at home and take public transportation if available, or use a bike, walk, or roller skate for more local trips. The latter options will give you some exercise, too.

Get flexible: See if your employer will allow a flexible schedule, so you are not commuting during peak rush hour times. Also, run errands at off hours to avoid driving in congested traffic.

Lose weight: Remove unnecessary cargo from the trunk, such as salt, sand, or shovel left over from winter driving. Removing a roof rack, you can lighten your load, reduce drag, and aid fuel economy. For SUVs and trucks, remove (or avoid buying) heavy push bars and side steps.

Slow down: Drag rises with speed. Slowing from 75 to 55 mph boosted gas mileage 33 percent in testing performed on a sedan and in a large SUV.

What are you doing to be a greener driver? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.

—Liza Barth

For more suggestions on how to live more green, visit Consumer Union's Web site Greenerchoices.org and our Earth Day special section. For more tips on saving fuel and alternative fuels, see our fuel economy guide.

Size matters - standard vs wide-screen GPS navigation

Portable GPS navigation devices are becoming increasingly available in wide-screen models, providing compelling alternatives to traditional, standard aspect-ratio units. Just a few weeks ago, the prices on the devices were such that upgrading to a wide-screen model would seem a true indulgence, but Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the sales that followed have put some good choices in the reach of many shoppers.

Scanning sales flyers and electronics sites, we see the price difference between a standard aspect ratio and a comparable wide-screen model is typically $50. While in some cases that can mean a more than 30-percent price jump, the cost can be a worthwhile concession for a moderate to heavy user.

In our ratings, we place emphasis on display performance and the control interface. Generally, the wider-screen models excel in both regards, using the greater display real estate to enable larger font for information displayed while driving; such as distance to next turn and estimated time of arrival.  The wide screen also allows bigger touch-screen buttons, which makes navigating through menus and entering addresses easier.  Plus, wider screens give a broader map view and are better suited to selecting display modes that use a side of the screen to indicate the next turn, often with a large arrow and a distance countdown. Easy-to-read map details, such as street names on approaching roads, can help when navigating in busy, unfamiliar areas.

Of course, units with a larger screen can obscure more view of the road. (With the Garmin nuvi 200 shown here, the 200W adds 1 inch in overall width, though height remains the same.) We favor designs whose screens are nearly the size of the case, maximizing the packaging efficiency and limiting visibility compromises, in general. For driving safety, extra care needs to be taken in where to mount bigger units, whether wide screen or otherwise.

Ultimately, size does matter. When the difference in cost is as little as $50, then it may be wise to invest in the larger screen.

—Jeff Bartlett

For more information on portable GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice.
Discuss GPS devices in the forums.