Choosing the perfect family car is an important decision, particularly if you do a lot of driving for both work and leisure. You want a vehicle that is not only practical and spacious but also safe, reliable and falls within your budget. Whether you’re embarking on a weekend road trip or navigating daily school runs, finding the right car can greatly enhance your family’s comfort and convenience. It’s a lot to ask for but as long as you’re asking the right questions you should be able to settle on a car that fits the bill.
New or used?
Deciding between a new or used car is the first step in your search. Purchasing a new car offers the advantage of reliability, warranty coverage, and all the latest features. On the other hand, buying a used car can provide substantial cost savings while still meeting your family’s requirements and you know what they say about a new car losing 10% of its value the moment it’s driven off the fore-court.
Consider your size and space requirements
Consider the size of your family and the number of seats you need as you’ll want to make sure that everyone has sufficient legroom and headroom and can feel comfortable on long journeys. You’re also going to need to assess the cargo space for strollers, sports equipment, and luggage, depending on your situation. Remember, bigger cars will typically also use a lot more fuel too so finding the perfect balance between size and function is the best way to go here.
Set a realistic budget
Before embarking on your car-buying journey, establish a firm budget that includes not only the purchase price but also ongoing costs such as fuel, charging (for electric cars), and insurance. You can benefit from a multi-car insurance policy and save money if you have multiple vehicles. Also, remember to explore different financing options and compare insurance quotes to ensure affordabil-ity and peace of mind.
Prioritise safety
The safety of your family should be a top priority when choosing a family car. Look for vehicles equipped with advanced safety features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. The internet offers a wealth of information on the safety aspects to consider during your car search.
Test drive with the kids
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s time to get behind the wheel and take the car for a test drive. Bring the kids along to see if the car suits your family’s needs. Assess the ease of child seat installation (which we all know can be incredibly fiddly at the best of times), visibility from the driver’s seat, and overall comfort for everyone. This hands-on experience will provide valuable in-sights into how well the car accommodates your family’s lifestyle.
Now you’ve picked your new car make sure you follow the advice on what to do before driving your new car home.