It’s one thing to buy a car when you’re single. You can prioritize what you want and spend the amount of money you’re comfortable with without worrying about others’ preferences. However, this all changes once you have a family. When you have a partner and kids, you must consider their needs alongside your own. This is where looking for used cars in Montclair can be a great option. Not only do you find reliable vehicles that fit your family’s needs, but you also have the chance to save money and get a car that will last you through various stages of your children’s lives, accommodating their activities and necessities as they grow.
While many of us think of bigger cars as being those key to the hunt for a family vehicle, you have to consider more than just size when buying a family car. Ideally, you’ll want a vehicle that can meet all of your usual “must-haves” — fuel efficiency, reliability, perhaps a few particular tech features here and there — while at the same time fitting your entire family. Furthermore, though you’ll be working with two incomes if you shop with a partner, you also have to consider a lot more people in terms of your budget. Your money might not stretch as far as it did when you were a single person, and the fact is that most parents need to consider saving their money for the long term. All of this can be quite overwhelming when you search for a family car, which is why we’re taking the time to give a few recommendations. These cars may not work for your family, but they’re definitely worth giving a look — at the very least, they’re a jumping off point! Whether they’re made of stainless steel — one of the five most commonly used metals — or not, here are a few things to consider. From there, you can move on to a car dealership and begin your hunt in earnest.
1. The Chevy Tahoe
Chevrolet is a name that most Americans know that they can trust, based on the manufacturer’s long-standing history in the United States. Although there are multiple Chevys that work for families, the Tahoe stands out as the best possible option. The fact is that, as an SUV, the Chevy Tahoe isn’t going to be the most fuel-efficient option on the market, which is what initially dissuades a lot of families. However, the car is quite large, giving space not only for kids, but pets as well — making it ideal for long road trips or the kinds of big moves you may be inclined to make while your kids are young. The Chevy Tahoe, depending on the year you buy, tends to have strong horsepower and for that matter has a great towing capacity — which makes it great for a road trip in which you’re towing a trailer or another type of extra. The Tahoe also allows families to have the same amount of space as what is offered by a minivan, or even more, without compromising style and allowing you to easily go off-road if needed. It’s really perfect for an outdoorsy family, and most newer versions still offer the types of entertainment systems that most families favor in this day and age. It’s really no wonder that the Chevy is so admired — to the point that it’s earned the J.D. Power & Associates’ quality and dependability awards, more so than any other brand.
2. The Honda Accord
Many consider the Honda Accord to be the typical type of family car, favored by many and a reliable classic. This car isn’t as bulky as a minivan or SUV, offering a streamlined look; but its interior remains family-friendly, and it tends to feature the types of high quality materials that make you feel like you aren’t compromising, while at the same time giving parents the ability to save the money they need. At the same time, these cars offer a ton of trunk space, and the 2019 Accord, for example, offers a variety of tech advancements, including lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. Safety is obviously the chief concern for families, and therefore it’s crucial for a car to offer as many safety features as possible. Across the world, 1.25 million people lose their lives in car accidents each year, with an additional 20-50 million people sustaining injuries or permanent disabilities following such accidents. The Honda Accord is also fuel-efficient — while you won’t have as much space as what’s offered by an SUV, it’s going to ultimately save you money in the long term.
3. The Ford Expedition
Going back to SUVs, it’s important to consider an alternative to the Chevy. One of the best alternatives, giving you options, would be the Ford Expedition. This car is known for its comfortable interior — and considering how much time your family will be spending in the car, this shouldn’t be discounted. After all, each day there are more than 1 million chiropractic adjustments given, and many of those are the result of people spending time in uncomfortable cars. The Ford Expedition is relatively fuel efficient as well, and the 2019 offers features such as a rear-facing camera which make it easier to hit the road. Its independent rear suspension also makes the vehicle ideal for long-distance cruising as well; again, it’s a great road trip car!
The fact is that you don’t have to pick one of the above cars — but this is a great place to start. Embark on your search for the right car with confidence! You’ll be glad you did your research.
