Buying a family car is one of the major decisions that involves huge deliberation and research. Since a car will probably be part of your daily life for years, finding an automobile that will suit your family’s need for safety, comfort, and pricing is crucial. Whether upgrading from a smaller car or buying your first family car, read along for our guide on how to make an informed selection. The following are five things one should consider while purchasing a family car.
1. Assess Your Family’s Needs
Your first step in purchasing a family car is assessing the current and future needs of your family. Consider the ages of your kids, how many people would be traveling in the car regularly, and the type of activities your family does. For example, if one has a big family or one that is about to grow, then a car with extra seating will be great, such as a minivan or SUV, but in cases where one frequently drives in the city, then it is easy to park or maneuver the car through a small city.
Again, don’t forget about storage: According to your needs, a family vehicle should be able to store strollers, sports equipment, groceries, or even luggage when going on a family vacation. Check the trunk size and how effortlessly things can be loaded in and retrieved. Lastly, think about how long you’ll keep the car. An automobile that fits a young family today might not fit when your kids are older.
2. Research Vehicle History and Reliability
And of course, don’t forget to check the vehicle’s history and reliability in case you are buying a used car. A report on vehicle history will come in handy, containing information on whether the car has had any accidents, its maintenance records, and if it has any recall defects. This can give you an important warning against acquiring a vehicle with hidden problems.
Using the VIN Decoder will allow you to quickly access important details about the car’s past, giving you peace of mind about your purchase. Make sure the vehicle has been well-maintained and that any recalls have been addressed. If the car has been in a major accident, consider looking for another option, as past collisions can compromise the vehicle’s safety and performance.
A VIN decoder is a superb tool that helps in unlocking relevant information with respect to the vehicle’s history. By specification of VIN only, important details like accident history, previous ownership, mileage discrepancies, and any recall or repair records get exposed. The VIN decoder shows these details to the buyer, saving him from some costly mistakes, such as buying a car with concealed damage or tampered mileage. It’s there to provide transparency to allow buyers to make informed, confident decisions, proving the authenticity and condition of the vehicle.
3. Set a Realistic Budget
Set a budget to avoid financial pressure. Take into consideration how much you can afford to pay out of pocket and how much you can afford each month if you will be financing the vehicle. Keep in mind that the sticker price is merely the starting point. All those added ownership costs, insurance, maintenance, and registration can easily double the overall cost or more.
If you are selling your current vehicle, be sure to consider the likely trade-in value of your purchase. Most online sites and many dealerships provide a mechanism to estimate the trade-in value of your vehicle. You may also want to consider extended service warranties or service packages, as those can be time savers if you feel like the vehicle will require a lot of maintenance over the course of its lifetime. These options do add additional upfront costs, however, so balance those options against the total budget.
When financing, make sure the rate of interest works for you. Check your credit rating in advance for stronger negotiations over financing terms. A well-planned budget will keep you from overspending and ensure you stay in a comfortable financial area when making your decision.
4. Prioritize Safety Features
Family vehicles should be all about safety. Newer models of cars feature a number of helpful safety features that contribute to making driving safer by reducing the opportunity for accidents and protecting your loved ones in case one occurs.
Following are some of the standard safety features you should look for in a car:
– Airbags: Motor vehicles should be fully equipped with side, curtain, and frontal airbags.
– Anti-lock braking system (ABS): ABS prevents the wheels from locking in case of an emergency stop. This greatly improves control when steering.
– Electronic Stability Control: This aids in control of the vehicle in slippery conditions or when making sharp turns.
– Blind-spot monitoring: This is the technology used by the system to alert you whether a vehicle has entered your blind spot to reduce the risk of collision on lane changes.
– Rearview cameras and parking sensors are amenities for parking and reverse driving, keeping you away from obstacles and making you aware of the area around you.
Check the rating of the vehicle through reliable sources, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The ratings involve crash tests, giving an idea as to how well the car will protect its occupants in case of an accident.
5. Test Drive Multiple Options
Never underestimate the power of a test drive; a car that seems perfect on paper may not feel just that comfortable or practical when you sit at the wheel. The test drive gives you a notion about the performance, handling, and comfort level of the car. Pay attention to the acceleration, braking, and ease with which it is maneuverable, especially if you plan to drive mostly in tight spaces or on highways.
Also, take a look at the interior design. How easy is it to install child seats? How enough are the leg rooms for passengers in the second and third rows? Are there enough USB outlets and cup holders and storage compartments that could suffice your daily family needs? These are often minute details that might have been overlooked; still, they could mean so much in terms of keeping your family comfortable and at ease.
You can easily get an idea as to what would suit your family by taking several test drives. If at all possible, take the family members along with you so that they can also give their input as they too would be spending a good amount of time in the car.
Conclusion
Buying a family car is among those big investments that require being thoughtful over many aspects. Making an assessment of your family’s needs, an achievable budget, emphasizing the safety aspect, multiple test-drives, and researching its history are major steps to working your way up to making an educated choice for your loved ones’ comfort, safety, and reliability. With these steps, you are good to go for finding your family’s dream car.
