Tips for Buying a Family Car

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When I shopped for a car before I had my son, my biggest concern was if the car was pretty, well, at least when I was in my teens and early twenties.  As I got older and more mature, I looked for a vehicle that was more practical. After I had my son, we needed a family car… then I got really practical.

Gone were the days of sports cars and two-seaters, but honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Once you have a family you look for different things in a vehicle.

If you are just starting a family or adding to your small family there are some things you need to look for when you go family car shopping…

 

Tips for Buying a Family Car

Research

Before stepping foot onto a dealership’s lot, you should do some research. Research is important no matter what kind of vehicle you are in the market for. You want to go armed with information and have a good idea of what type of car you’re interested in. Know how much you can afford as a down-payment. Decide if you want a new or used car before you leave your home.

A great resource to check out is cars.com. I think you will find this website to be invaluable when it comes to finding the right vehicle for your family.

Make it a Family Affair

If possible, bring everyone in the family to the dealership. This way you can do a “fit” test and make sure you whole family fits into the vehicle comfortably.

Also, make sure everyone can get in and out the vehicle easily. For example, if you have a large family and need a vehicle with three rows of seating, pay attention to the second row, and that it’s easy to get into the third row.

How Easy is it to Install a Car Seat?

If you have a child or children using car seats, take your car seat and install it in the vehicle you’re interested in buying. Make sure it’s easy to install. Having your car seat properly installed is crucial for the safety of your kids.

Speaking of car seats, last week was Car Seat Safety Week. At cars.com they have all the information you could ever need on installing car seats properly, so be sure to check it out.

Bring Necessary Paperwork With You

Make sure you have your driver’s license, insurance information, etc. This will speed up the process so you and your family can drive off the lot in your new family car.

Good luck and happy car hunting!