If you are thinking about purchasing a new family car then you have come to the right place. There are lots of factors to consider when a new car is needed, from the engine size to the running costs. It is easy to forget all the costs that go into owning a car, you have the insurance, tax, vehicle checks, and fuel. Before all those costs come into it you actually have to be able to afford the actual car.
You might be wondering whether it is more beneficial to buy your car outright or on finance. Buying it outright is much better and affordable if you have the means to do so, this way the car will be yours, and the only monthly costs you have to worry about are the running and maintenance ones. Getting a car on finance means paying a deposit and then a monthly fee for up to five years until the car is paid off. Once the car is paid off it then becomes yours.
So what are the contributing factors you need to think about when looking at family cars? Let’s find out.
Size
The size of the car is important as you need to ensure that everyone fits comfortably. Cars claim to have 3 full-sized back seats but occasionally in reality they do not. You can fit two people comfortably and then a smaller person sits in the middle. You need to ensure everyone fits and is happy with the way the car feels. If you have car seats you must make sure they fit securely in the car, either with the seatbelt or with the Isofix anchor points.
Another aspect to consider is the boot. Is it big enough for all the family paraphernalia and shopping bags that need to fit in there? You might have a buggy that needs to fold down and fit in there. You may also have a dog so they will need to fit in the boot. Consider how the boot opens as well, if it’s a hatchback with a flappy boot these can cut off a large portion of usable space.
Buy New
When buying a car you need to decide if you are buying the car new or second-hand. There are pros and cons to both of these options. The biggest bonus of buying a previously owned car is the price, used cars are always cheaper than new ones. You can get the car you have always dreamed of owning if you buy it second-hand. The biggest disadvantage of buying and owning a used car is its reliability. The more mileage on the car the more chance of it giving up on life. So be wary of this when looking into used cars, be sure it has low enough mileage to give you good usage.
New cars will have the latest technology such as rear camera sensors and built-in navigation systems. You will also have a guarantee with a new car that won’t come with a used one. If anything goes wrong or if any parts need replacing them you will be covered. Most companies will offer the chance to trade in your old vehicle when buying a new one and this could knock a chunk off the final price. If you are wanting to trade in your old vehicle then look out for companies who advertise as we buy cars.
We hope this helps you understand what you need to consider when buying a new family car. Remember your budget comes first, so you may want all the luxuries of the car world but it needs to fit in with your budget.
