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Your car is quite possibly the second biggest investment you will make next to your home. For this reason, when buying a new family car, there are some things to consider. Although
We recently bought a van and I am so happy with our decision! I never thought that I would WANT a minivan, but, oh man, I love it. My husband now wants his car to be a minivan too!
Safety Features
The first thing to look for is safety features. Accidents happen, and they are almost impossible to predict when and where. If you have kids in the back, then their safety should always be your first priority, and that all starts with choosing the right vehicle.
The obvious safety features you need to look out for include multiple airbags and stability control. ABS brakes are also recommended. The cabin should be sturdy, and you should also be aware of the crumple zones. This is where the car will absorb impact should you ever get in a crash. If you are buying pre-owned, make sure that the car is certified. You can find a Subaru certified pre-owned here.
Will Everything Fit?
This includes PEOPLE. Does everyone in the family fit? That seems really obvious, but a car that supposedly “fits 7” may not fit YOUR seven. Especially with carseats, 4 people can really take up a lot of space.
Seat capacity is important, but that’s not the only thing that you need to be thinking about. You also need to think about the items that you are probably going to be taking on road trips with you or even the shopping that you are going to fit in the trunk of the car.
A bigger car doesn’t always mean more space, so try and find a model that maximizes space efficiently rather than the biggest looking car. If you have a teenager then it is a good idea for you to choose a vehicle that has plenty of legroom, or even one that they can get insured on one day.
When we were shopping for our van, I specifically looked for a model that we could fold the seats into the floor to use as needed. This has been AMAZING on trips.
Comfort
Comfort is key if you want to maintain your sanity on long road trips. When you are choosing a car, look out for air conditioning points and also make sure that the back of the car is well ventilated as well. A lot of car dealers will let you take the car out for a test drive and this is a fantastic way for you to get a feel for the car without having to worry about making a bad decision.
When you do the test drive, try and do one on your own, and then one with the whole family. You are making a huge investment at the end of the day, so the least you can do is make sure that it is going to benefit you.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel-efficient cars are way better for the environment and they are also great for your wallet as well. A lot of new parents are always looking for ways to save, so by taking this into consideration, you can be sure to benefit yourself in the future. Don’t be afraid to ask your dealer about some of the fuel-efficient models that they have available.
Sometimes paying more for a fuel efficient car saves you more in the long run because of gas. Take a look at the pros and cons of each option!
Family Friendly
Probably my very favorite feature of our van is that it has a DVD player. This is a lifesaver on long trips. Think about what the needs of your family are. For us being able to have hands-free,
We chose a van because we have kids. I thought for a long time that I wanted an SUV. Big, but not a mini-van… It’s not the same. Those sliding doors are amazing. I love that I can push a button and the doors open or close. I love that my kids aren’t slamming doors into other people’s car.
Maybe for your family, these features are not necessary or wouldn’t be that helpful. Think of what YOUR family needs.
Get Shopping!
These are just SOME of the important things to think about when buying a family car. Price is just one factor. Comfort is also important!
Love your tips for buying a new family car. I like to make sure the car is safe, family friendly and can handle all the groceries.
Love your tips Meagan! We have been starting to research more for a new family car and these tips are perfect!
Now that I have a van that I love, I realize how many just little details make things better for our family. A lot of features that I wouldn’t have even thought about are the things that are so convenient! Having a button to close my back hatch has CHANGED my life. I’m short and not very strong and closing that thing I had to basically use all my body weight! haha
Good tips! We bought a new car when my daughter was born and it didn’t have enough room for us down the road when baby #2 came around! Good tips!
Yes! Many years ago when my husband got his SUV he got it thinking that along the road when he had kids, it would be big enough. It’s not bigger inside than just a regular car. It’s so crammed in there! Now he wants a van lol.
I love all of your tips!! These are super helpful!! We’ll want to get a new car before too long and I’ll definitely be using your advice. 🙂
I’m so glad you liked it! It was surprising to me how many features were so helpful that l wouldn’t have even thought about!
These are great tips! So true that seating 7 doesn’t mean seating YOUR 7. Excellent point and one to remember when looking! Thank you for this post. I am going to be in the market for a bigger car in the next year or so and I will be referring back to your post.
Awesome! I’m so glad you liked it!
Good tips! My hubby and I are currently looking at making the jump into a minivan as well! We like that it is so much easier to climb into the 3rd row in a mini van as opposed to a SUV where you have to fold down seats and climb over them to get back there!
Getting everything and everyone to fit is key for us! We are minivan people now because we simply need the space. lol
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