You’ve decided it’s time for your family to enjoy life. So you’re looking at cars with room for car seats, luggage and little Johnny’s soccer gear. Congratulations!
Head over to the Edmunds website to view car prices, there are also some important things you need to consider first because buying a family car is different from buying a vehicle that you drive by yourself.
Here are five things to consider before you buy a family car:
1. Will You Be Sharing Your Ride?
Those wheels aren’t just for your new soccer star; they’re for the whole team! When you have multiple drivers sharing one vehicle, it’s important that everyone is on the same page about what the car needs to make everyone’s life easier.
2. How Many Car Seats Fit?
Car seats are becoming very specialized these days, so finding one that fits in your vehicle is important – but finding out which ones can fit may require some trial and error. If your infant car seat is too wide for the middle of the backseat, you’ll be forced to install it on one side, which could affect your roominess. If the child safety seat doesn’t fit well in either position, bringing a convertible car seat or booster might help ease your concerns about compatibility. You can purchase these before the infant carrier is outgrown, then just switch it out as necessary.
If you plan to have a second vehicle for your older children, remember that you can use it as their main car seat as well as your primary one. This way, there won’t be any question of which seats will work in the new family car.
3. Cargo Capacity
Cargo capacity is important if you need to transport lots of gear and/or passengers on a regular basis. Suppose multiple people will be lugging sports equipment or cargo; the more room, the better. For example, more passenger space may seem like a luxury, but it can come in handy for days at the beach with extra wet suits, towels and cooler bags.
4. How Much Room is Left for Cargo?
If you live in an area where you won’t be able to rely on public transport, you’ll need a car that can handle transporting more than just passengers. Sometimes, cargo space is even more important than passenger space because you will be using it for school projects, groceries and other items that don’t fit as nicely as your child’s booster seat.
5. Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency can affect your budget in a big way, so it’s important to consider it when making a purchase. Even if you live in an area where carpooling or public transport are more reliable options, fuel costs will add up over the years.
Bonus Tip: Safety
Safety is another important consideration when buying a family car – it’s not worth sacrificing for cost or fuel efficiency if safety is an issue. Fortunately, modern safety features make driving around town with your little ones safer than ever.
There You Have It
As you can see, there are a number of things to consider when buying a family car. It’s worth taking the time to look around and find one that fits your needs perfectly!
