Consider Your Lifestyle
Before buying your first family car, you'll want to think about your current lifestyle:
- How many kids do you have and what ages are they? Stop and think about what activities they are involved in and what you and your partner are obligated to. If you have carpooling duties, you'll need a different vehicle than if you are having your first baby.
- How long you plan to keep the vehicle? You may have one or more transitions such as adding more kids to the family or the kids you have now entering a new phase such as their pre-teen or teenage years. The demands on a vehicle will be different for the lifestyle changes you may face.
One of the first things you'll look at is the array of safety features:
- Airbags
- ABS Brakes
- Parking assist to help prevent accidents
- Some vehicles are designed to prevent rollovers in the event of a crash
Price
When you look at a family car you will likely have a budget to consider. Compared to when they purchased their first car most people have more responsibilities than they did back then. The monthly payments will weigh heavily on which cars you are willing to consider.
However, the price of the car is not the only budgetary consideration. You'll also want to think about how the car you select will change your car insurance policy, especially if you currently enjoy cheap car insurance on an older car that's already paid off.
Buying a family car may not seem as exciting as purchasing your very first vehicle did, but it can be quite an adventure. Take your time to shop around and decide what is most important to you, and welcome this transformation into adulthood with a car that is both stylish and practical.