Buying a car can be a very exciting time for you, especially when you’re starting a new family. Even though the thought of a new car is exciting, there are still things you want to consider when making such an investment. If you’ve never bought a car before or just want to make sure you make the right choice for your new family, consider these simple but helpful tips.
New or Used?
The first question you should be asking yourself when buying a car is whether you can afford to buy a new car. After all, most new cars have ample safety features and they’re better on gas mileage than an older model. Even if you can’t outright afford a new car, however, there are ways to finance or lease a car in order to avoid such a hefty down payment.
Used cars are more affordable, but you might still want to consider financing options instead of buying it outright. In fact, many dealerships enable you to lease a used car if you look hard enough. Plenty of older models still have great safety features, making them ideal for your new bundle of joy. Just get a history on the vehicle before you buy to make a more informed decision.
Where to Look
Depending on where you live, there are dozens of car dealerships within an hour radius. As a result, there will be plenty of options to choose from. It will be easy to find something that’s right for you and fits your budget.
However, money isn’t always the biggest factor. As many as 54% of consumers would buy from a dealership that offers their preferred experience even if it did not have the lowest price. When considering where to buy a car, keep in mind where your friends have done business before and how successful or unsuccessful that interaction was. If you have never bought a car and consider customer service an important part of your decision, ask people you know to give you pointers on their experience.
Down-the-Road Decisions
This is particularly relevant for those buying a used car, as they will likely need repairs sooner than a new car would. In fact, the total repair cost for a vehicle in the United States is $305.55 on average. So you’ll have to ask yourself a few questions: how long should this vehicle last before something needs to be repaired; how soon can I afford something needing to be repaired; and how long until the repairs needed are worth more than the vehicle itself?
If you’re buying a used car, you might have to look a little harder for a little longer. Don’t give up hope! The perfect car is out there for your family.
Car Safety
Depending on the type of car you buy, one may be safer than the other. This is especially important for blooming families. For example, an SUV or a big “boat” car will likely have a better chance of keeping you safe in the event of an accident. Smaller cars, on the other hand, might not fare as well in a collision. Other safety features, like automatic driving controls or backup cameras, are only available for certain vehicles. It may be worth a conversation with your auto insurer to find out which cars are deemed the safest when buying a car.
It’s important to note that driver safety is just as important. Limit the number of people who have access to your car to prevent accidents. Alcohol and other illicit drugs play a role in more than 15,000 car injury deaths each year, so making sure your family and friends understand the importance of driver safety is something to consider when buying a car.
These are just a few of the things to keep in mind when buying a car for your growing family. Whatever vehicle you decide on, be sure to drive safely.
Pictured Top: The Rock Father™ recently bought a new family car — the 2020 Kia Sorento, in black, of course.
