Ten things to consider before you buy a new family car
A new addition to the family usually means goodbye to the impractical two-seater sporty number and hello to the roomy van-sized car! But how on earth do you decide which type to buy?
1. Safety first
Making sure your new car is as safe as it can possibly be will be important now you have a family to consider. Compare safety aspects such as air bags (which can be in the front and back), daytime running lights and anti-lock brakes. Also check the car’s alarm system and safety records.
2. What can you afford?
It’s easy to get lured into cars that are out of your price range, but start by looking at what you can afford first. Then, if there really is nothing that suits you in your price range, consider saving up first before buying the car, or paying in monthly instalments (which almost always end up being more than the car is worth, but at least it’s spread out over a few years), or perhaps taking out a loan. Just be very careful that you are not jeopardising the family finances because you want a flashy 4x4 that will cost a fortune in fuel.
3. Does size matter?
Even if you only have one child now, you may have more in the future, not to mention buggies to fit in the boot, travel cots, scooter and bikes and space for your children’s friends. If you have three or more children (or you are planning too), you are going to need something bigger. Can you fit three car seats across the backseats of the car you like? Are you likely to need a mini-van rather than a car (will you be doing school runs, for instance, and taking more than three kids in your car)? Do you travel a lot and require boot space for camping equipment or golf clubs? It might be useful to write a list of the kind of journeys you are likely to make in your new car.
4. How far do you drive?
If you only do the school run and a few trips to the supermarket it may mean you have different needs to someone who travels on motorways to see the grandparents frequently. Compare fuel efficiency to the kind of mileage you would do in all the car models you are looking at to see which works best for you.
5. Do brands matter?
Compare what each car brand has to offer. Does a certain brand make a difference to you and what does that brand throw into the deal (sat nav, CD/MP3 changer, free insurance for a year etc)?
6. Style vs function
A family car is likely to experience a fair amount of wear and tear, be it from baby sick, raisins stuck to the floor or muddy wellies, so bear this is mind. Children also have a lot of ‘stuff’; crayons, stickers, toys, snacks, baby wipes etc, so check the car to see whether it has good storage.
7. Should you buy new or used?
This really depends on your finances but if you go for used, be sure to buy it from a reputable used-car dealership or Auto Trader. Used family cars are going to have suffered their own wear and tear in the past so keep that in mind. Always view a car first and take somebody along with you who knows about cars. Weigh up the downsides of buying second-hand (for example, wear and tear, how many miles it has on the clock and what problems it may have had in the past, the fact that it probably won’t be under warranty or be attached to a garage) against the cost of a brand new car which may come with deals such as free insurance for a year, extras like sat nav and free repairs for a certain amount of time. Always make sure a used car has an up-to-date MOT certificate, tax and has a logbook.
8. Read as many reviews as possible
The great thing about the Internet is that you can read honest reviews by other parents about which family cars they approve or disapprove of. Sometimes digesting lots of new information about a car can be confusing and to read a review by another parent is refreshing and can give a clearer picture.
9. How flexible is the car?
Can the seats be taken out to make more boot space? Can more seats be added for your children’s friends? Are there cup holders for children (and coffee holders for tired mummies)? Sometimes it’s the little extras that make a car easy for a family to use.
10. Engine performance
Do you drive on motorways or in the city? Do you tend to make long journeys or just the school run? Do you require a car with a large engine or do you rarely drive over 40 mph? If you mostly do short journeys in a town or city it might not be economical to buy a car with a big engine. Deciding that your family car should be fuel efficient rather than powerful is going to help you to narrow down your search for the perfect family car!
