5 things to consider when buying a car for your family
Are you thinking about buying a car for your family?
If you're looking into buying a car for your family there's a few things you should consider before you make your final decision. After all it's no small purchase when it comes to buying a car for your family.
#1 What is our budget?
Always figure out what you can afford before you start looking at buying a car for your family. What is the maximum you can comfortably afford? Remember you still have car insurance, gas and maintenance costs to think of in addition to the actual cost of the monthly car payments.
#2 Used or New?
There's something to be said whether you're buying new or used. Used cars of course cost less but what condition is the car in and will you have to put any money into it to fix it up in the beginning? How long before you have to put money into that car to maintain it and the list goes one. There are lots of reliable used cars out there you just need to be aware of any potential additional costs and the condition of the car.
Buying new also has its advantages. It's new, there shouldn't be anything to fix in the first few years or more. Generally (not always) you can get a better interest rate for a new car, sometimes 0% interest. Of course a new car depreciates as soon as you drive it off the lot and insurance is usually more for a new car.
Write down the pros and cos for both new and used cars and go from there.
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#3 What kind of car will suit my family?
Now you know your budget up next is what type of car will suit your family? Think of your needs now, size of family, will it be driven for work, pleasure, or? What's the gas mileage on it and does it work for our driving needs. You not only need to consider your needs now but a few years from now (will our family grow, will we have a dog etc..) unless you plan on change cars every few years.
#4 What features are a must and what are nice to have?
When buying a car for your family what are your must have features for the vehicle? What would be nice to have but you could live without. As we all know those features can have a big impact on the final cost of your car.
#5 Research the type of vehicle you want
Once you've figured out #1-4 then make a short list of the make of vehicle you want and what year. Then do your research, check out consumer reports and research car reviews. If you have friends or family that have that make and model ask them how they like it, what problems they have had with it if any.
While you can never predict 100% how great a car is you've at least done your due diligence to find out as much as you can before you buy.
Feel free to check out some of our car reviews like this one on the 2013 Kia Sorento.
Buying a car can be stressful. If you do your homework and take your time, it will help reduce the stress. Always remember that price on the window should be negotiated. They can and will give discounts. I offer a very low price and explain that I will buy it, if they work with me. I always have them add something for free in the end also.
Thanks for the important information since I plan to purchase a family car by next year for sure. It is truly an important purchase that you have do carefully.
Thanks for the information, it gave me a lot to think about since my daughter turns 16 next month and is expecting a car 🙂
Yes, there are definitely pros and cons to buying either used or new. When I bought mine I knew I would have depreciation as soon as I drove off the lot but I'm so picky that I couldn't have found the one I wanted used. So I bought new and even then I had to order from another province. I've also used Consumer Reports to research and I find that they're analysis of cars is pretty accurate.