Things to consider when Choosing a Family Car
Need a new family car? There are many things to consider, especially with today's gas prices and the wide variety of vehicles available. Between local newspapers and the Internet, a tremendous array of new and used vehicles are advertised. Local dealerships, private owners and even auction houses offer vehicles for sale. You can troll classified ads (both in the newspaper and online), dealer lots, and sites likeCraigslistandeBay Motorsfor weeks looking for the car of your dreams at the right price. To narrow your search and save countless hours you should write down exactly what you need before you start searching makes and models.
First, how many people of various sizes do you need to transport, and for how lengthy a drive? Though many vehicles seat five passengers, some are pretty cramped in that second row. If your family of five will be in the car for hours at a time it may be a bad idea to choose a small sedan with a tight back seat. To ensure that three kids will not erupt in squabbles due to practically sitting in each other's laps on road trips you may need to consider upgrading to a full-size sedan or larger. Economy cars, though good on gas, can be miserable for those crammed into the back seat.
To make sure your family fits, always test drive a prospective buy with the full family present. If you have growing kids but neglect to bring them along, you may find out too late that Jimmy's gangly legs have gotten too long for the back seat of that Toyota Corolla! If your children are still growing, take their growth into account as well, particularly if they are of an age where growth spurts are about to strike. Though a mid-size sedan may fit your three kids in the backseat comfortably right now, what about in three years? It may be worth it to buy a larger car now than to sell today's mid-size buy in a few years and upgrade.
Secondly, how much are you willing to spend on gas? Given the current economy, gas prices are no small issue. Many people are torn between wanting the comfort of a larger vehicle but the fuel economy of a smaller vehicle. For this research make sure to read online reviews about car models. Though you may find with some test drives that a Nissan Maxima or Ford Taurus is the perfect size for your family, is the advertised miles-per-gallon accurate? Many car reviewers will post online whether or not a vehicle got as many MPGs as claimed. Making sure you're willing to live with a less-than-advertised MPG based on well-written reviews could save you a lot of annoyance down the road. Purchasing a fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicle based solely on its advertised 40 MPG highway, without looking at any reviews or critiques, could leave you disappointed.
The debate between comfort and fuel economy must also include a third variable: Cargo space. How much stuff do you expect to carry? While you may assume that your new car will be mainly a grocery-getter, consider that it may need to replace any other vehicles you own in a pinch. If your SUV is in the shop and your annual family roadtrip is coming up, can your new car fill in? If your spouse took the pickup and your kids' soccer practice is in thirty minutes, can your new vehicle haul the necessary sporting equipment? Though a small vehicle may have better fuel economy and still fit the people, you can be in a world of hurt if you have big cargo needs.
Like the issue of growing children in the back seat, the issue of cargo can be complex and require some planning and predicting. Though your kids may be small now, what activities might they do later that would require you to haul stuff? Sport teams? Scouting and campouts? Art groups? If you or your spouse was an active Scouter and wants to put the kids into Scouting as they get older, can your new car carry tents and backpacks? If you or your spouse is particularly artsy, can your new vehicle handle easels and buckets of paint for your budding young artists? Do you or your spouse plan on being particularly active team or activity leaders or volunteers? Will you be expected to help ferry children and supplies?
Being realistic about your near-future cargo needs can save you heartache in the future. If you want to be social parents who are active in your children's extracurricular events you may want to spend more on gas and upgrade vehicle sizes. If you are not worried about being a designated cargo-hauler or team driver you may opt to go with a smaller vehicle. Though parents with bigger vehicles are often more popular among group members and other parents, beware the fact that those with big vehicles are often expected to use them! Buying a full-size pickup or SUV can virtually guarantee that you will be asked to haul stuff or kids.
Fourth, how durable do you want your vehicle to be? Will it take a beating on back roads or remote campgrounds, or is it a smooth pavement junkie? Again, honest planning is key. If you plan to be an outdoorsy family you may want to opt for a more rugged pickup or SUV that will not limit you from pursuing the better campsites or remote vistas. If you are content with sticking to the road you may be wasting money by purchasing the four-wheel-drive truck or SUV with the off-road tires. Since four-wheel-drive vehicles are heavier and less fuel efficient, costs may add up over time even if the four-wheel-drive costs the same up-front as same-model two-wheel-drive. Do not let a lack of "sticker shock" allow you to buy too much vehicle and get hit with "pain at the pump" later.
Most pickups and SUVs never leave pavement, so be realistic about whether or not you need an off-road-capable vehicle. Though not having a durable off-road vehicle when you need one can be a disaster, having an off-road vehicle when you don't ever need it can be expensive proposition.
Fifth, what are your plans for getting rid of the vehicle years down the road? Though this is a minor consideration, it should still be taken into account. Are you planning to hand the car down to your teenage son or daughter? Do you want to trade it in or resell? Is it a collectible? Planning to hand the car off to a teen might mean opting for a safer, less exciting vehicle. Though you and your spouse may be able to afford the gas and insurance on a powerful vehicle what about your teen driver years down the road? Can they ably handle such a vehicle?
Wanting to resell a vehicle on the market rather than trade it in at a dealership may require you to consider a more popular, contemporary vehicle. Though you may ordinarily favor imports, if most of your peers and colleagues prefer domestic vehicles you might want to consider a domestic vehicle that you can more easily resell in a few years. Being saddled with a vehicle that won't sell, at least for a decent price, can be costly and take up garage and driveway space.
Finally, if you're looking for a real keeper, can you get parts and maintenance for it? Though an exotic family car may seem both affordable and fun in the moment, sometimes exotic vehicles cannot be serviced anywhere. Having the nearest dealership three hours away may suggest that you switch to a more contemporary vehicle.
