6 Must-Know Tips for Buying a Family Car

Around 15 million cars are bought and sold in the United States each month. These range from the highly sought-after collector Porsche to a sensible family Toyota. With so many options available to any family looking for a new ride, careful consideration of car transport companies, safety concerns, and even if there is a USB charger available for a kid’s tablet are all crucial.

The best thing you can do is take the time to consider all the options on the table and involve input from every member of the family. That way, you find an excellent new vehicle to schedule pickup and delivery before your next vacation. Here are some tips to help you get started.

#1 – Set a Smart Budget for Your Vehicle Purchase

A reliable family car is an investment. You need to view it as a monthly expense, even if you’re paying the total price in cash, as there will be the variable cost of gas and some maintenance. Most buyers stick with putting a down payment on a new car and then agreeing to a term loan of anywhere from 36 to 72 months (3 to 6 years).

Start by looking at an auto loan calculator and the current auto loan interest rates. You can adjust the down payment, interest, monthly obligation, and any other considerations, such as vehicle shipping fees from car transport companies or taxes and dealership fees. That should give you a good idea of your optimal budget for a new family car.

#2 – Prioritize Your “Must-Have” Features

The fun part of buying a new family car is seeking out the features you know you’ll enjoy the most. Again, you’ll want to talk to your family as a feature a teenager desires could be different from someone in their mid-40s. Here is a good starting point:

• Entertainment: Items like rear-seat infotainment, Bluetooth connectivity, USB charging ports, quiet cabin design, and HD audio.

• Towing Capacity: If your family enjoys camping or has a boat.

• Space: Is there enough seating for the size of your family, plus a guest or pet? Can you fit a stroller, weekly groceries, and child activity equipment all at once?

• Fuel Efficiency: Are you going with an EV or do you need something in the 25-35 MPG range with 4WD?

• Location Appropriateness: Make sure your new family vehicle fits the local climate for snow, excessive heat, a lot of sun, or air conditioning needs. That could also include sunroofs, heated seats, and aftermarket fog lights.

• Reliability: The lower the maintenance, the greater your peace of mind on longer family road trips.

Balancing all the features will help iron out the logistics of what transport carriers you’ll need to find to ship your car back to your doorstep after the purchase.

#3 – Choosing the Best Car Transport Companies

Shipping your vehicle is necessary whenever you purchase a family vehicle over the internet or from a local dealer with inventory across state lines. Interstate automobile shipping does take a bit of work. You want to select the best auto transport services that follow all interstate transport laws and can walk you through preparation steps like emptying the vehicle, gathering all documents, and doing some pre-travel maintenance checks.

You’ll need to select the delivery timeframe, addresses of pickup and delivery, and whether you prefer covered or open-air shipping. The provider should carry shipping insurance, but it doesn’t hurt to talk to your insurance provider as well, just in case.

Always double-check the quote or estimate. Any domestic transport company that doesn’t include the total price is a red flag. There could be hidden fees that you don’t want to pay when your new car is on the truck in front of your house. Clarity, trustworthiness, and a good reputation are 100% worth a little extra upfront so you get the car you need.

Finally, the best car transport companies will include real-time tracking or multiple contact options, so if there is a storm or delay, you can speak with the driver and get things back on track.

#4 – Check Vehicle History & Car Trends

You can compare your new vehicle’s cost to the Kelley Blue Book value and conduct a Carfax report that will give you a complete history of the family car in question. That should provide info on previous ownership, any accidents, maintenance needs, or title issues.

Car and Driver is another good resource. There, you can read up on the latest industry trends, so when a salesperson tries to focus on one feature, you’ll already be informed and can make a clear decision without any sales pressure.

#5 – Managing Buying Stress

Buying a new family vehicle is a significant expense, and the process of cross-country car shipping can seem daunting if this is your first time. Talk to your friends, family, coworkers, or other connections who recently bought a car. That will help you know what to anticipate and get many of your questions answered.

It also helps to keep a notebook of your search, interactions, and potential car options. Organizing your search goes a long way to ensuring you get the deal your family needs and not something you’ve always dreamed of owning instead. It can be a little challenging to fit a family of four plus a dog and a stroller into an Audi TT Coupe.

#6 – Warranties & Dealership Offers

The final tip is to seriously consider any special deals or warranties. You can usually find a great deal at the end of the year when dealerships are trying to “unload” their inventories and work with good car shipping companies to get cars off the lot.

The end of the month should include some special offers as well. That is when salespeople want to hit quotas and will be more willing to negotiate. Follow a few dealerships’ social media accounts and you’ll see when those deals start popping up.

Finding a fantastic family vehicle and arranging vehicle shipping from reputable, experienced, and professional car transport companies takes a little upfront work. However, when you get the satisfaction of driving around your family with everyone feeling comfortable and safe, all that work will be incredibly rewarding.

Final Thoughts

Take your time and trust yourself. Do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions of anyone you’re interacting with along the way. Your next family vehicle could be one quick phone call or web search away.