Photo by Tim Mossholder from Unsplash
The COVID-19 outbreak forced the automobile industry to pump its breaks hard. Production slowed down, and sales plummeted to 63.8 million units worldwide in 2020.
Even so, the automobile industry bounced back from the effects of the pandemic. Production came roaring back, and global sales increased to 66.7 million units in 2021.
If you plan to buy a car for your family, perhaps now is a perfect time. Workers and students have returned to their workplaces and schools, and attractions have reopened. Thus, having a private car gives you and your loved ones the convenience of traveling anywhere and at any time.
However, buying a family car is a serious decision and requires a lot of thought. After all, a considerable amount of money is involved. To help with that, here are a few tips for choosing the right vehicle for you and your family.
Set a budget
Owning a family car has become necessary for many households. It makes going to work, buying groceries, and shuttling the kids to school easier and faster.
Nonetheless, a car is a major expense and can take up a large chunk of your household’s income. So before you shake hands with a car dealer, you need to consider what you can afford. Once you have set a budget, make sure to stick to it.
Also, your budget should not be limited to the purchase price. It must include insurance premiums, maintenance costs, highway tolls, parking fees, and fuel. The average annual cost of owning a car in Australia is between $8,551.95 and $16,650.05, depending on the type of vehicle you want. Make sure you can afford that before signing a deal. The sort of prices that you are looking at can be found here.
Identify your family’s needs and wants in a car
Shopping for a family car can be overwhelming. Car companies will present you with so many brands, models, and features, making it more difficult to decide what to choose.
Don’t let the seemingly endless options pressure you into making an immediate decision. Rather than deciding the specific brand, model, or feature you want, consider your family’s needs and wants in a car.
For example, you may want to determine how many seats you need, how much space you want, and which safety features and comfort add-ons are the most important. You can then narrow down your choices based on your assessment.
Do your research
Have you narrowed down your selections? The next step is to learn more about the vehicles on your list.
However, don’t rely on the words of car dealers and salespeople. Their opinion may be tinted with bias since their main goal is to close a transaction and get the commission.
Research on your own. You can begin by looking into and comparing the vehicles’ safety ratings. You may also want to educate yourself about their future fuel and maintenance costs. Visit auto-centered forums, and ask for advice from car owners.
Test drive with your family
Photo by Zac Harris from Unsplash
No amount of reading can give you an actual experience of your selected car’s performance on the road. Have you already identified the specific family car you want? Go for a test drive with your family!
You can take the new car for a ten-minute spin or test drive in places you will probably be driving every day. Regardless, make sure that you try its features, inspect its parts, and check its comfort and convenience while on the wheels.
Takeaway
Buying a family car is a massive commitment. As such, it requires thorough planning. Besides the appearance, you should also take note of other factors, such as affordability, suitability, safety, and convenience.
Maintaining your car is also a must to keep it looking good and performing well. You can protect your car against stains and scratches by investing in high-quality car covers.
Author Bio
Jennifer Coleman is a community relations officer at FitMyCar.com.au and a contributing writer to several car-related blogs and websites. Jennifer enjoys traveling and going to auto shows.