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Looking for a family car? With several people to consider, you’re probably keen to ensure the one you get is the right one. Here are a few pointers to make sure you find the car that does everything you want it to.
A new car is a big spend. The kind of big spend that requires a budget. Calculate all the costs of the car before you purchase it, if possible, so you don’t get any nasty surprises.
Firstly, you’ll choose between making one up-front payment or paying monthly using finance. Check how much road tax you will need to pay each year, as this differs depending on how environmentally friendly the car is considered.
Seeing as petrol prices fluctuate, it can be hard to predict this. Work this out on a “worst case scenario” basis so that you are sure you can afford the running costs, no matter what happens. Use your annual mileage as a guide.
You can’t know what your insurance premiums will be for certain before you purchase the car. You might need to do a little bit of research to see what insurance group your new car is in, as this could see you paying a lower or higher premium than before.
The size of your family is the most obvious factor that will influence which family car you decide on. But there’s more to this that you need to think about.
Consider legroom, especially if you have tall passengers or kids who are going through a growth spurt. You will probably want to ensure the car is comfortable for everyone for years to come, not just in the present moment.
Consider also the size of your driveway, if you have one. Bear in mind that the smaller a car is, the easier it is to park, both at home and around town. So, if you don’t need a very big or long car, you may want to avoid it.
And then there’s boot size. If your family takes a lot of holidays or needs a lot of weekly groceries, check those reviews out first to make sure the car has ample space in the boot.
Protecting the people you love is vital. Driving with kids can present various distractions, so getting a family car with excellent safety features is vital.
In addition to basic features like reverse parking sensors, look out for:
It’s great to have the reassurance of knowing your car will emergency brake for you should your own instincts be too slow. And with adaptive cruise control, you’ll have assistance with keeping a safe braking distance.
With blind-spot assist, your car will give you a visual or audible warning when another car or pedestrian is in your blind spot.
Make sure the car has tyres that are appropriate for adverse weather conditions. Long-distance travelling and rural driving will demand more of your car. You might even want to consider upgrading to Uniroyal tyres.
Other practicality features
As well as seating and size, there are a few other practical features to look out for. If you have kids, look for a car with an interior that’s super easy to clean. Find a car with minimal nooks and crannies to simplify this. Consider leather seats, as they wipe clean much more easily than fabric.
With any new family car, you need to think of the unique needs your family has. Where you live, what types of trips you take and how often you use the car are all important factors for you to consider.
This is a collaborative post.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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