Your Guide to Choosing the Right Family Car
A car is one thing almost everyone plans to buy at some point. Unit sales for the luxury Cars market sector are anticipated to reach 216.10k vehicles in 2027, according to Statista. When you become a parent, your priorities quickly change from looks, sound systems, and horsepower to more functional things like car safety and budget. Here’s a guide for choosing the right family car.
1. Exterior
To find the ideal family car, start with the exterior. You may not think much about it, but how easy it is to enter and exit your vehicle will significantly impact your comfort levels. That car seat you bought can get heavy with a baby in it.
Consider how wide the passenger doors open and how you’ll bend when unloading or loading car seats. Doors that open too wide can be difficult to maneuver in confined parking spaces. A minivan’s sliding doors truly shine in this situation. Think about it; you won’t have to be concerned that your kid will ding the car door next to you.
A minivan’s doors open without worrying about that while providing a sizable aperture and a decent loading height for car seats. Most minivans, including the 2018 Honda Odyssey EX and above and the 2018 Toyota Sienna LE, feature power sliding doors, which make it much easier to get in and out. Plus, they look cool.
Another aspect to consider is ride height, which affects visibility. It’s one of the main reasons people choose SUVs and minivans. However, these may be a bit more difficult for small children to enter and exit independently due to the raised ride height. Luckily, you can invest in sidebars or running boards you give your kids an extra boost, similar to a stepping stool.
For better visibility, go for models with driver assistance features. Giving up cargo space may be necessary if you have a large family and want a third row of seats. Look for add-ons that will allow you to carry more luggage. For example, a hitch receiver and roof racks will let you use rear bike racks and rooftop carriers.
2. Consider Your Budget
This one is pretty obvious, but you need to consider your budget when choosing a car for your family. You don’t want to get something that’ll cause you to overspend. Look for something small that still serves your needs. Other than the initial purchasing costs, you need to consider fuel, insurance, and repairs which are important to ensure you get the most service from your car.
For repairs, you have two options. You can either go to dealerships or independent shops. According to MarketSource, independent car repair shops do 75% of aftermarket vehicle repair, while dealerships account for 25% of the share.
Another cost you must consider is legal representation, including car accident and personal injury attorneys. According to Chip Forstall, after an 18-wheeler collision, the driver and the driver’s employer are at least two of the potential defendants. To ensure you get fair compensation, you’ll need the help of a legal professional specializing in your type of case. They’ll help you navigate the complex process of gathering evidence, preparing witnesses if necessary, and presenting your case in court.
3. Safety Systems
The previous several years have seen a rapid advancement in safety tech. There’s never been a better time to purchase a new family car. These technologies include blind-spot warning systems, parking sensors, and backup cameras. Although cameras have become commonplace, most other safety features aren’t.
If it’s within your budget, there are things you should consider investing in. For example, you may be interested in automatic emergency braking. This safety technology will monitor the speed of the vehicles in front of you and automatically slow down or stop your automobile. It’ll determine a response depending on the best action to prevent you from getting into a collision.
When you have a family or are at least planning to have one soon, you have much more to consider when buying a car than a single person. Getting a two-passenger sports car won’t make sense, not to mention it’s a bit selfish. Use this read as a guide for what to look for in a family car.