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If you’re the kind of family that loves going on adventures like long road trips and visiting off-the-beaten-track places, it’s important that you find the perfect car.
To help you get started, here are six genius tips that you’ll want to take note of.
Make Sure There’s Plenty of Seating Room
First off, you need to find a car that will accommodate your family size. You not only need to think about how many family members there are. You also need to think about the ages of your children.
After all, three teenagers will take up a lot more room than one teen and a toddler. And if you have young children, you will need enough space for booster seats. For most families, a large car with three-row seating in the back, with the opportunity to install booster seats, is the best option.
If you only have one child, or perhaps two young children, a smaller car may suffice; though you could need to invest in a larger vehicle as your children grow. Look at your specific needs for your family size to ensure you buy a car with enough seating space.
Ensure There’s Lots of Storage Space
When going on adventures as a family, you not only need to consider the amount of seating space your car has. You also need to consider the amount of luggage space. Depending on the type of adventure you’re going on, you could need to take a lot of things with you in addition to suitcases.
For instance, you may need enough room to accommodate things like fishing equipment, rock climbing equipment, camping equipment, picnic baskets, or skis. You’ll also need plenty of room for all those other vital things you should take on a trip, such as snacks, water, entertainment, and a first aid kit.
So, you could need a car with a large trunk. You may also need to install a roof rack.
Get Your Loan Pre-Approved for Maximum Peace of Mind
If you’re taking out a loan for the car you’re planning on purchasing, you should definitely get your loan pre-approved before you start planning your adventure in detail. You can then gain peace of mind.
Once your loan is pre-approved, you’ll know how much you can afford to spend on your vehicle and start searching for one within your price range.
By getting a firm offer from a lender for your car loan, you can find what you can afford, discover the best rates, and gain more flexibility.
Look for a Car That Is Built for the Great Outdoors
If you’re planning on driving outdoors down narrow and winding roads or through rough terrain, you need to ensure you buy a car that is up to the job. Four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles are good choices for exploring rugged terrain and back roads, thanks to their power and traction.
Also, one important thing to look at is the amount of clearance between your car and the ground because when you drive through rugged terrain, you’ll likely encounter high and low parts in the road. The higher your car’s clearance is, the more you won’t have to worry about low clearance issues.
Make Sure the Car Has Good Mileage
You also need to ensure the car you buy has good gas mileage. Otherwise, your upcoming adventures could be more expensive than you think. When looking at how much you can afford for buying a new or used car, make sure you take additional costs like gas into account.
Picking a vehicle that gets quality miles per gallon is crucial for any road trip adventure.
Consider the Safety Features of Potential Cars to Buy
Lastly, while safety is important for all drivers and passengers, safety is likely to be more at the front of your mind and high on your list of priorities for a car when you have children. You’ll obviously want to keep your family as safe as possible. Therefore, find a car that has all the safety features you need.
It could be worth investing in a newer model because new cars tend to have the latest safety technologies. You could get a car that comes with beeping seat belts to indicate when people don’t have seat belts on or you could look for a vehicle that has safety features like backup cameras and automatic lights.
