When it’s time to purchase your next vehicle, one of the decisions you will need to make is what type of body style best meets your needs. With so many styles to choose from, including coupes, sedans, trucks, SUVs, minivans, and more, it can be difficult to narrow down your options. By taking an honest look at how you typically use your vehicle, though, you’ll be able to make a wise choice. To help you with this choice, here are a few tips to help you decide which type of car is best for your family.
Family Size
One of the biggest factors in choosing a body style is the size of your family. If you are married and have four children, then that automatically eliminates some body styles. If you have three or fewer children, though, then you can technically choose from just about any vehicle type. It’s important to plan for your family size in the present as well as for any growth that you plan to occur in the future.
Family Age
The age of your children is another important factor when choosing the body style of your next vehicle. This is important because, in general, younger children need more “accessories” when they travel than older children do. This includes large items like strollers, cribs, large toys, and other bulky items.
To accommodate all of these items, it’s a good idea to have a large vehicle from a provider like Cronin Ford, even if you only have two or three children. As your children age, though, their belongings tend to get smaller, and their need for “accessories” tends to lessen, meaning you can opt for a smaller vehicle.
Purpose of Vehicle
If you plan to use your vehicle for a lot of family vacations, then it’s probably better to opt for a larger vehicle. Even with older children, the luggage needed for an enjoyable trip can take up quite a bit of room. If you plan to use your vehicle more for driving around the city, though, then you can opt for something along the lines of a sedan or small SUV.
Entertainment Requirements
Though all modern vehicles are equipped with features to help keep you entertained, some have extra features that are helpful for the unique needs of families. If you tend to bring a lot of devices with you when you’re out and about, for example, then it makes sense to get a larger vehicle with extra USB charging ports. Plus, if you enjoy having a DVD entertainment system, this preference will limit your selection to a few certain vehicles that tend to be larger in size.
There’s Always Trade-Ins
As time goes by, the needs of your family are likely to change. Your children will grow up and move out of the house, leaving you with fewer people to transport. The good news is, though, that if you no longer need the capabilities of your current vehicle, then you can easily trade it in for a vehicle that will more closely match your requirements. This will help ensure that you always have the perfect vehicle to enjoy as you’re driving down the road.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan
