How Do I Choose the Right Family Car?

Owning a personal car is considered a necessity rather than a luxury. Otherwise, how do you navigate everyday life without mobility at your beck and call? You need a car to drive to work, take your kids to school, run errands at the grocery store, etc.

While owning a car is the norm in developed countries like the USA and the UK, the case is different in developing countries where there are more pressing needs such as affording basic needs and paying school fees.

Citizens of developing nations rely heavily on public transport that comes in the form of buses, taxis, and trains. Advanced countries have established and reliable public transportation network that solves the problem of traffic congestion in cities. Although public transportation comes cheap, it also poses convenience challenge. More often than not, taking the bus or train means walking to the bus stop and waiting in line with fellow commuters.

Having to wait for transport is nerve racking if you are running late to an appointment or if you need to make several stops across town. On the other hand, owning a personal car is convenient, and you are more likely to achieve more tasks within a day as compared to taking public transportation.

Why Do I Need A Family Car?

Raising a family is a responsibility that comes with a myriad of errands throughout the day. Imagine a day in the life of a working mother. You need to drive your kids to school, drive to work, pick up a prescription at the local pharmacy, drive the older kids to after school activities, and make it back in time to prepare dinner.

Running errands throughout the day is a reality for many homemakers and working mothers, and it is nearly impossible to make everybody happy without a reliable means of transportation.

What Do I Need To Know When Buying A Family Car?

The perception of a family car is changing as car buyers become informed and their tastes change over time. Manufacturers are responding to the shift in consumer demand by adapting the latest technology to family type cars to make them more appealing.

One such technology is door speakers for bass that may come with the car, or you can install while upgrading your vehicle. These speakers emanate better sound with clarity to match the best music systems at home.

Fine tuning your car can be an expensive affair, and you want to be sure that the changes will not interfere with other functions of the car. Before upgrading the sound system, find out which door speakers for sound quality are compatible with your vehicle and do a test run before making the investment.

Whether upgrading from a small car to a bigger size car to suit your expanding family, deciding which car to buy can be mindboggling. You will need to discuss various options with your spouse and sometimes even the kids before settling in on a family car that works for you. Below are useful tips that will shed light before making that purchase.

1. Budget

Raising a family can be financially exhausting for parents as they are faced with bills such as mortgage, health insurance, tuition, student loans, groceries, utility bills, etc. all competing for the same paycheck.

These responsibilities can put enormous pressure on parents as they try to provide the best life for their kids while trying to stay afloat and not sink into financial messes. You need to decide how much money is available to buy a family car, and you may even consider trading in your current vehicle for a family-size one.

2. Purpose

As discussed earlier, family cars are multipurpose and are used to run various errands for the family. It could be carpool, family vacations in the woods, to run your florist shop or a weekend car. Also, consider the number and age of the occupants.

If you are ferrying a bunch of rowdy teenagers to a dance recital, you will need room to accommodate costumes and musical instruments. If you purpose to take the vehicle for weekend vacations in the country, invest in door speakers for sound quality to make the road trip even more enjoyable.

3. Safety

Regardless of the purpose or number of occupants, you want a car that meets the safety standards requirements as stipulated by law. Safety concerns may differ for various reasons such as climate. If you live in an area that experiences heavy snow in the winter, you may want a car that can withstand slippery roads without veering off the road. Ensure that the car has top notch safety features such as electronic stability control, ABS brakes, and airbags on the front and side. Your car dealer should be in a position to address your safety concerns on any vehicle you wish to test drive.

4. Brand Of The Car

This can be a tough decision to make as there are so many models available in the market from Japanese, German, American, etc. each model bearing different specifications. Discuss various options with your family at dinner and let everyone voice their opinion. Remember, this a family car and your kids will appreciate being included in the selection process. You can make it more fun and take the kids to the local dealership to see various models available. Seeing the cars in person is more practical you can test drive several models and see which one fits.

5. Fuel Consumption

This is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a family car given the frequency of usage. Compare different engine capacities and fuel economy numbers for various cars from reliable sources. If you are keen to control your carbon footprint, select a model with high green credentials that will keep a lid on your fuel budget.

6. Financing

Once you have decided which type of car that fulfills your family’s needs, you will need to discuss how you will pay for the new car. Most people will apply for financing so they can pay monthly installments rather than pay in cash. Qualifying for funding is not guaranteed as the bank will want to check your credit rating first. If you have a good credit score, securing a loan should be a walk in the park. Check with your bank to see to how financing you qualify for and be open to other options such as trading in one car for another.

7. Trustworthy Dealer

Buying a car is not a small feat. It is a big decision that requires careful thought and extensive research. While friends, colleagues, and family may give their two cents on the perfect car, they are not experts! You need a qualified car dealer who can give sound advice and whose passion goes beyond a hefty commission check. Please visit the dealership in person instead of relying on phone calls and emails.

Conclusion

Whether you are looking to trade in one car for another, or you only need a family car for just a while, settling for one can be a daunting task. It is not as easy as writing a check or making a random purchase online. Buying a family car is a thought-intensive decision that affects the entire family and is further complicated by limitations such as finances. Take your time with the tips above that promise to will ease the process of finding the perfect family car.

Christina Powell is a chief editor at WheelOnRoad.net – a blog that is focused on sharing tips and tricks about automotive. Find her on Twitter at @WheelOnRoad