Tips for Finding the Perfect Family Vehicle

This conversation is sponsored by Cars.com. All opinions are my own.

At the end of last year we decided it was time to trade in our old mini van. We were having trouble with the air conditioning and the transmission was even starting to go out. It was a great vehicle, but the repairs would cost more than the car was worth. So we were on the hunt for the perfect family vehicle.


We have actually learned a lot along the way and I wanted to share some of my tips for finding the perfect family vehicle.


1. Evaluate the Vehicles Safety Features:
- Does it have a LATCH system?
- Does it have Good Performance in crash tests?
- Does it have antilock brakes?

These are just some of the questions that you need to ask yourself. And as far your new vehicle is concerned, safety should always be the top priority.

2. Think About How You'll Use the Vehicle:
- How many kids are you toting around?
- Where will you be mostly driving?
- What is the weather like that you'll likely be driving in?
- How much storage will you need?
- Are you going to be towing anything?

When we bought our new car we downsized space a TON. It ended up being fine because since our kids aren't babies any more - we don't have a ton of stuff to lug around, but we do like to vacation so that was a bit of an adjustment.

3. Make The Most of a Test Drive:
If you can, bring your whole family with you. Try to install car seats before hand and make sure your kids are easily accessible. Basically make sure the car can fit your life. Deciding, for example, to get a thor motor coach could change your whole family dynamic, especially if you are planning road trips. Another thing to pay attention to is the ride comfort and handling. On the other hand, if you are an off-road family, don't be afraid to take it on a dirt road.

4. Compare the Pros and Cons:
I was recently introduced to Cars.com and they seriously take the guess work out of car buying. The Cars.com website has a wealth of information to provide families with everything they need to make an educated decision on a vehicle. They offer videos and extensive reviews, along with other essential information about a wide variety of cars. If a make and/or model of a vehicle has had poor reviews, you can find it on Cars.com.

5. Figure Out Your Price Point: And last, but definitely not least it comes down to what you can afford without breaking the bank. When you are considering buying a new car, make sure to consider how much car insurance is going to be as well as if the vehicle has good gas mileage. Do you have an a damaged car you can salvage for profit? Also take into consideration if you are driving an hour and a half to work each day, something fuel efficient is a no-brainer. Cars.com has an easy search tool that let's you pick different cars in your price range.

Do you have any tips for finding the perfect family vehicle? What do you think of my tips? Have you ever used Cars.com?

This conversation is sponsored by Cars.com. All opinions are my own.

6 comments

  1. no i haven't used cars.com but I think I will next time. Visiting endless dealerships and car salesman can be so annoying.

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  2. I had been searching for a car for the past 2 months and read many tips. Then I got luckly and someone found a great deal for me.

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  3. I had been searching for a car for the past 2 months. Then I got lucky and someone found me a great deal.

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  4. You have some great suggestions here.. I don't think I have heard anyone say they took their family with on test drive.... BUT it so smart. My nieces hates her car now that she has a baby. She has found out they take a lot of room in a car which she does not have.

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  5. Great tips! Since having children, my most important thing that I look for in a car is safety and storage.

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  6. Great tips, I never would have thought to try installing carseats before buying but it makes so much sense. I may need to fit 3 in a row (something my current car can't do). Thanks for sharing.

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Thanks!
♥,
Diana