Top Tips For Family Car Shopping

Collaborative Post.

For any petrol heads considering starting a family, one of the first things that might cross your mind is the ‘family car’. Traditionally, family cars have been perceived as stuffy, sensible and boring and that’s a reputation they simply haven’t earned. In fact, some of the coolest cars on the market would make ideal family cars, particularly the ever-popular Range Rover. Just because you’re settling down that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a substandard vehicle, especially if you follow the tips below:-

Will it fit?

We’re not just talking about dad’s ever-expanding waistline here. If you’re a young family then you’ll probably need to make sure that not only will the backseat be able to safely and securely fit a child seat but that the boot will fit the baby’s pram alongside the weekly big shop.

Second time around

A new car will lose a significant amount of its value the moment it’s driven off the forecourt. Used cars, however, offer much better value. By shopping second-hand, you’ll get much more bang (not to mention space and power) for your buck. Many secondhand dealerships, such as Unbeatablecar, also offer finance options.

Ask the right questions

When you’re standing in the showroom, you don’t want to feel like an idiot with nothing to say. Turn up with a list of pre-prepared questions already in mind. How is the fuel economy? When was its last MOT?  

Choose your seller wisely

Car salesmen are notorious for being sleazy and amoral, but most of them are simply trying their best to make a living and will not go out of their way to deceive you. Still, it always pays to be vigilant as there are rogue traders out there.

Airbags

Whilst you should always seat your children in the back, if a situation arises where this is not possible you’ll want to make sure you can switch off the passenger airbag.

Go during the week

If you can get the time off work then you’ll often find that the dealerships are significantly less busy during the week. This will give you more one-on-one time with the sales staff and more time with the vehicle to ask questions and check out the features.

Check it in person

Whilst car shopping online might be incredibly convenient, you never want to purchase a car sight-unseen. If it seems too good to be true then it probably is, so make sure you give the car a thorough inspection before you sign on the dotted line.

Warranty and insurance

Check for warranty and insurance prices before doing the final deal as you might be able to find more reasonable terms elsewhere. Remember, you can always buy an extended warranty later too.

Research

This should go without saying, but prior online research is always recommended.

Bring your family

Finally, make sure you bring your family to the showroom before driving away in your new car. Get them to set in all of the seats, test out the car’s features and make sure they are comfortable with it. It is, after all, just as much their car as it is yours. That’s what family is all about, right?