You may have bought a car for personal use in the past, but what if it’s your first time looking for a family vehicle? These cars are often built for very different purposes! Therefore, while you may have been looking for horsepower and ergonomics before, you’ll now need to think carefully about fuel economy, load-bearing and more besides.
With that said, where do you start? Buying your first family car doesn’t have to be a hassle. Here are some essential things you should keep in mind while shopping around.
Paying For Your Car
One of the first things you should consider when buying a family car is how you are going to pay for it. Many people prefer to look at car finance, as cash purchases can be limiting. Car loans are a useful option as they’re tailored to a specific need, however, they’re only really on the cards if you have a good credit score. It’s a similar ballpark for home loans too.
Therefore, make sure to check your credit file and to explore your finance options. You may have some of the cash available for a car outright, but borrowing will significantly increase the number of vehicles to choose from.
The More Doors, the Better
Depending on the size of your family, you’re going to need plenty of ease of access. Safety should be your top priority when motoring, and when you have children in the back, you’re going to need plenty of escape routes if an emergency occurs. Look for cars with plenty of doors, preferably five, so everyone can get in and out safely.
Suspension Should Be Capable
A fully loaded family is going to be much heavier than a one-person sports car can handle. That is especially the case if you’re all travelling together on holiday! Family cars and SUVs are built with capable load-bearing suspensions, which is perfect for growing families and for those who are likely to get out a lot.
Car Seat Adaptability
When your children are young, you are going to need to make sure that your rear seats are flexible and adaptable. That means making sure you can fit baby seats into the back without much hassle. In addition, you can also invest in a quality baby car seat to ensure your child is safe while traveling or going out to run errands. If this interests you, you can look for exclusive online sales on baby products like car seats and strollers to get discounts.
Extensive Boot Space
As mentioned, families tend to travel. Bigger families also tend to bring home plenty of shopping! Therefore, always look for a family car with a lot of space to the rear. You’ll thank yourself years down the line.
On-Board Comforts
A good family car should have plenty of on-board comforts to help appease younger riders. For example, air conditioning and fan heaters should be easily accessible in the back, and there should also be some flexibility for added comfort. With family cars, you are going to need to think just as much about the rear seats as the front ones.
Safety Guaranteed
All family cars will likely have undergone safety checks before being made available for sale. However, some cars have proven safer than others. Do some research – you can easily find car safety ratings online. Is it really worth risking your family’s safety for the sake of a few dollars?
Forget About Aesthetics
Well, don’t forget about them altogether. There are plenty of great-looking family vehicles out there. However, if you put more priority on finding a car that looks sleek and attractive than one which actively protects your family, you’re going about things the wrong way. Be willing to sacrifice some of the more superficial aspects while shopping around.
Finding your first family car can be daunting. However, there are plenty of great motoring resources available for you online. If in doubt, why not ask a fellow parent or someone in the industry?
