Your family car has to be lots of different things all at the same time. It needs to have enough space and safety features to be able to transport your family around safely and comfortably. It also needs to be able to accommodate all of the luggage and accessories that are part and parcel of a typical family journey in your car. These are just some of the key considerations that need to be at the front of your mind when you put in a search term like used Volkswagen dealer Austin TX to find a vehicle that matches your needs. Here’s a look at the main points to consider when carrying out a search for the family car that best suits your needs and budget.
Your search should always begin with a budget
There always needs to be a decent dose of financial realism to rein in your spending ambitions. Naturally enough, you want a car that meets all of your family’s needs, but it’s also nice to be able to own a vehicle that looks good and is even fun to drive.
In search of fulfilment on all of these terms, it’s far too easy to let temptation overrule financial common sense. It always pays to be disciplined about what you can realistically afford to pay outright for a car, or have an affordable monthly figure in mind if you are going to be financing your purchase.
Budgeting is an integral aspect of family life. You have to set limits and know what you can afford when it comes to everyday purchases like shopping for groceries. The same rules of engagement apply when it comes to a major financial outlay like buying a car.
Make sure you have a clear idea of what you can comfortably afford to pay for a family car (even a second-hand one). That outright or monthly figure will then be your guide to help with your search criteria.
Once you start narrowing down your options and only looking at family cars you can afford, it will make the search process easier, and it will help keep your family finances in good shape.
Work out how much space you need
If you end up with a family car that’s too small, it can be hugely frustrating and inconvenient, especially if it hinders your family’s plans and movements on a regular basis. Sit down and work out exactly how many people are likely to be travelling in the car on a typical journey. Also, calculate how much cargo space you will need to carry everything onboard that you need for a typical trip.
Ultimately, you don’t want any of your family to feel cramped or uncomfortable while travelling. You also don’t want to compromise on safety. That means you have enough storage room to keep everything safe and secure in the back.
Some vehicles offer good flexibility with split rear-folding seats, for instance. This level of versatility could be really useful and give you more transportation options.
Think about body style
Another key consideration is body style. Not surprisingly, a minivan is often considered to be the default option for many families. It is the quintessential body style that tends to give you a good range of seating and transportation options. However, that’s not always the required solution.
It could be that an SUV or even a compact midsize works best for your specific needs. The best thing to do is check out a few different styles and see which they align with what you think you will need on a regular basis.
You will quickly find that there are pros and cons to each option. Weigh these up and choose a body style that has the least amount of compromises for you.
Check out the features
Although you might be attracted to the idea of a great infotainment system, for example, it would be wise to prioritise key features like a LATCH system if you are going to be ferrying young kids around.
Other notable features that could be helpful to you include a rearview camera that makes reversing into spaces easier, especially when there are many distractions inside the car. It can also make life a lot easier when you have a feature like a hands-free power liftgate. You will likely have your hands full at this point, so being able to load and unload without manually opening the trunk could be a valuable feature to have.
Make a list of potential must-have features, and this will help narrow down your vehicle search options.
Safety should always be a top priority
At the end of the day, your top priority is to keep your precious cargo as safe as possible during your journey. Keeping your family safe means choosing a model that has a proven level of safety standards that help you achieve that aim.
It’s easy to check out the official safety ratings of any make and model. Preferably, you will want to choose a family car that scores heavily on that front. Choosing a vehicle that has been awarded a 5-star overall safety rating by NHTSA would be a good benchmark to aspire to.
It is fair to say that most modern vehicles adhere to a certain standard of safety. However, when it comes to keeping your family safe, there is no room for compromise or half measures, so make this a top priority.
If you follow these key requirements during your car search process, it will help you to find a family car that is closest to your budget, size, flexibility, and safety requirements.
Once you have a few models in mind for your shortlist, it’s a good idea to arrange a test drive. This will give you the chance to put the vehicle through its paces and see how it meets your family’s needs.
Having drawn up a shortlist and arranged a test drive, you will then be in a position to buy a family car that aligns perfectly with your requirements.
