Buying a new car is one of the biggest financial
undertakings you'll ever face. Plus, with all the options out there, it can be
pretty tricky to decide what car best fits your family's needs. However, the
process will be painless and possibly even fun if you get organized, figure out
your priorities, and know what you're looking for when you first walk into that
dealership. Check out these tips for purchasing the perfect car for your
family.
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1. Consider Your Budget
Proper budgeting is probably the most critical step here.
Before you even set foot into a dealership, sit down with your partner or a
trusted family member and sort out your finances. Determine how much you will
be able to put down and how much you'll be able to afford each month, bearing
in mind extra fees that may be added at the last minute. For example, there are
dealership fees, taxes, and registration fees to contend with on top of the
price of the car.
Pay close attention to the dealer's current
auto loan rates, and compare them to those of other financial institutions
to ensure you're getting the best possible interest rate. The consequences of
not preparing could be very disheartening once you are actually looking at the
cars; you absolutely do not want to fall in love with a car and then check the
sticker on the window only to discover the car is well outside of your price range.
When you go shopping, tell the salesperson your budget and request that they
only show you cars in that ballpark; they may insist on a higher-priced vehicle
but stand firm. Remember, you are the one in charge of the appointment.
2. Size Up Your Family
Naturally, you will want to select a vehicle that seats your
entire family comfortably and safely, but there are also other things to
consider. Are you finished having kids, or are there more (potentially) on the
way? Do you have a large family pet? Or perhaps you have a child or family
member that regularly needs to transport oversized items (think a large musical
instrument or bulky sports equipment). If your child is involved in a club
where you coordinate with other parents for transportation, consider if you're
going to need an extra seat or two for additional passengers. Lots of SUV-type
vehicles have collapsible third rows, and there is always the trusty minivan.
With all the choices out there, you're pretty much guaranteed an option that
fits your budget and cargo needs.
3. Explore Safety and Entertainment Features
Now onto the fun part, the features. Of course, you want the
safest possible vehicle on your budget, so be sure to get a thorough rundown of
all the safety tech in your potential purchase. Your salesperson will explain
crash test ratings, airbag systems, and other fancy doodads like backup cameras
and lane departure detection that will all work together to keep your family
safe and sound.
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If you have kids or other frequent backseat passengers,
there are tons of options to keep them happy and entertained no matter how long
the road trip takes. Rear
seat entertainment systems will allow your kiddos to watch videos and
play games while safely strapped in their seats. Most cars now are Bluetooth
enabled so you can enjoy your own tunes (or peace and quiet) up front while
your kids are entertained via their own headphones.
Shopping for a family car doesn't have to be stressful at all; in fact, it can be downright fun. If you know what your financial and safety needs are when you get to the dealership, you can pick the family car with the features you want at a price you can afford.
