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Finding a Family Vehicle
- By Brenda Williams
- Published 18 October 2008
- Car Buying
- Unrated
One of the most daunting parts of buying a new car can be when you have to buy a car that your whole family is going to be riding in; one that should you get in an accident will keep everyone inside safe, but is also stylish and comfortable for those notorious family road trips. Though the way for family likes to travel and the size of your family can have a profound effect on which car works best for you, there are a few things most families can need in their family car that they can find in most styles and types of vehicles. That is why I don’t intend to sell every family on a minivan or a Toyota Camry, just make a few distinctions that both protect your family and promote the activities that your family wishes to pursue.
Most families can’t get by going on trips in a small “econobox” and at the same time don’t want to be stuck driving a giant cargo van to soccer practice every day. Practicality and sportiness both have to make compromises for each other; probably sportiness has to make a great compromise to practicality in the interest of the utility of the vehicle and the safety of your family.
There should really be four standards which affect your decision; safety and safety features, reliability, economy, and personal concerns. First is safety, this is probably the most important issue with the family vehicle because nobody wants to hear about a drunk driver crashing into a family driving to the beach and everyone inside being killed. Sorry for the grotesque image, however it is a scary reality that could happen to anyone. Fortunately you can find the right features in most vehicles to keep your family safe. One important development in the automotive industry is introduction of side curtain airbags; these cushion side impacts and keep glass and debris from shattering into the vehicle where it could injure passengers. Other developments include new stability controls and anti lock brakes as well as traction controls, but the most important issue that needs to be examined is the crash test safety rating that both the government and certain private companies do because these are designed to give the most accurate definition of how your car should react in an accident should it be involved in one.
The next big issue is reliability, nobody wants to end up with a car that breaks down as you drive it off the lot, more importantly is you need a car that is always in condition to be driven in those “family emergencies”. Finally is economy, you want something that provides for your needs and the needs of everyone in your family. You also don’t want to spend too much money on a car that small children are going to be spilling fruit punch and mashing crackers into the carpet in. Finally, you have to keep in mind your own personal concerns or else no matter how much time you spend looking for the perfect car it might end up being the wrong car for you.
Most families can’t get by going on trips in a small “econobox” and at the same time don’t want to be stuck driving a giant cargo van to soccer practice every day. Practicality and sportiness both have to make compromises for each other; probably sportiness has to make a great compromise to practicality in the interest of the utility of the vehicle and the safety of your family.
There should really be four standards which affect your decision; safety and safety features, reliability, economy, and personal concerns. First is safety, this is probably the most important issue with the family vehicle because nobody wants to hear about a drunk driver crashing into a family driving to the beach and everyone inside being killed. Sorry for the grotesque image, however it is a scary reality that could happen to anyone. Fortunately you can find the right features in most vehicles to keep your family safe. One important development in the automotive industry is introduction of side curtain airbags; these cushion side impacts and keep glass and debris from shattering into the vehicle where it could injure passengers. Other developments include new stability controls and anti lock brakes as well as traction controls, but the most important issue that needs to be examined is the crash test safety rating that both the government and certain private companies do because these are designed to give the most accurate definition of how your car should react in an accident should it be involved in one.
The next big issue is reliability, nobody wants to end up with a car that breaks down as you drive it off the lot, more importantly is you need a car that is always in condition to be driven in those “family emergencies”. Finally is economy, you want something that provides for your needs and the needs of everyone in your family. You also don’t want to spend too much money on a car that small children are going to be spilling fruit punch and mashing crackers into the carpet in. Finally, you have to keep in mind your own personal concerns or else no matter how much time you spend looking for the perfect car it might end up being the wrong car for you.
