When it comes to buying a family car sacrifices have to be made. At some point it will become necessary to trade-in the coupe and turn your sights towards a ‘practical’ alternative mode of carriage for the family.
Buying your first family car does not necessarily mean your driveway will suddenly be ashamed to hold an unassuming people carrier as the majority of motoring brands today have designed, and disguised for that matter, a variety of family models to cater for all tastes and fashions irrespective of whether Daddy or Mammy is in the driver’s seat. However there are more important factors to consider first than how you look behind the wheel (even Jon Bon Jovi once proclaimed to making minivans look cool!) when deciding on a new family car, these include:
Safety 1st
Safety is of paramount importance to all parents when it comes to choosing a new family car. Whether you are buying a new or used car, you can compare the crash safety ratings of different makes and models on the European New Car Assessment Programme website www.euroncap.com
“Learn stress management and how to avoid being distracted while on the move. You’re carrying precious, irreplaceable cargo. If something or somebody needs attention, pull over and deal with it while stopped” says Brian Byrne, Editor of Irish + Travel Magazine.
Space
There is a great deal of baggage involved with babies and children, this is why space, with an emphasis on the boot, storage and a plentiful supply of compartments and cubby holes is essential.
Look at the ‘Estate’ of you!
5-seaters, 7-seaters, SUV, MPV, Estate, Crossovers – something for all the family is certainly an understatement. Look at the big picture: holidays, comfort, ease of access and ferrying friends. Pay special attention to ‘bench’ type seats which are common in some SUV 7-seat models as they may only be suitable for younger children.
“On the Continent there’s always much more interest in cars derived from vans, such as the Citroen Berlingo, as rugged family transport. We in Ireland tend to turn up our noses at the idea, but they make a lot of sense at a certain stage of family life, and they’re really tough too. And surprisingly good drives because van makers know their customers spend all day in their products” adds Brian Byrne.
Reliability
The issue of reliability is fundamental. Aside from the test drive, owner reviews make it easier for you to arrive at your final decision. JD Power surveys car owners in many countries to see which brands and models have the best quality and reliability records. Visit www.jdpower.com for further information.
Fill her up
With escalating petrol and diesel prices, fuel awareness is high on everyone’s list. However pulling a heavy cart may require a few horses.
“The power and glory of a high-horsepower engine might sound like fun, but family transporting is generally a period of many short journeys, so choose an engine that is a good lugger. That’s where modern diesels score, with good torque and easy on the wallet” says Byrne.
Take your seats
View any potential candidates with more than one child in mind. Consider that three individual rear seats are mandatory to your selection criteria especially if you are to factor in car and booster seats adjacent to each other. Choose a car that has a full lap and diagonal belt in that seat, as it protects better than a simple lap belt.
ISOFIX car seats can be plugged into the ISOFIX points in the car, however always check with the car manufacturer first for compatibility. Take note that each child car seat sold must adhere to strict safety regulations. Every year children are killed or seriously injured on our roads – often because they are not properly restrained when travelling. Be sure to avail of the fitting service provided by your authorised car seat retailer.
If you’re shopping for a new car, bring the car seat (and travel system) with you to test how easy it is to use. For further information on car seat safety log on to www.rsa.ie
It’s what’s inside that counts
Vomit, leaky nappies (yikes) and ice cream are just some of the ingredients of the everyday family car life so unless you plan to shrink wrap the upholstery, being precious about the interior should be the last thing on your mind.
“It might sound a little extravagant, but consider the leather option if there is one when buying. Leather is easily cleaned, hard wearing, and does not hold smells. Otherwise, look at industrial strength cleanable car seat covers like taxi drivers often use” adds Byrne.
Finally the best place to see the biggest selection of different models in operation is in the car park of your local supermarket, crèche or school. Ask your fellow family motorist for their opinion as you can be assured that they were in your shoes in the beginning.
