I'm a new mom and need to buy my first family vehicle. What kinds of things should I consider?
Lorraine P. emailed us at expert@sweetspot.ca, and car expert Sara Lacey answered;
So you need a new car - the family kind of car. Here are some tips to make the transition a smooth one:
Narrow your choices: Make a list based on the things that are most important to you. For many people, this is price, style, and fuel efficiency. Write down all the features that you love in your current car, and everything you'd love to have. Don't be afraid to say what you want. My friend bought a car in July. When October came and she went to use her seat heater on the first cold day of the season, she realized she didn’t have it in her new car.
Confirm your choices: People often forget to check on safety ratings and reliability for their top car choices. You can look to Consumer Reports and J.D. Power for reliability statistics on your top car contenders. Check www.safercar.gov for NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, and the International Institute of Highway Safety for their test results. In 2009, IIHS added a rollover test making it harder for vehicles to earn their “Top Safety Pick” distinction. (Ed. Note: The above links are American. For more information on Canadian testing results, visit www.tc.gc.ca.)
Test drive, with gear: Be sure you do this before the baby comes. To cut down on time spent test driving at a dealership, contact one of the internet sales managers at your dealership and schedule an appointment. Tell them you’re pregnant and would appreciate them being prepared for you. Send them copies of your license and registration so you don’t have to wait for them to make copies. Don’t forget to bring any gear with you that you’ll be toting with you regularly, including car seats and strollers. Test them facing backwards, checking the legroom, since your child must face backwards for as long as possible. Check those latch connectors, and verify that the back bench is flat enough that the seats don’t sit at an odd angle.
Remember what’s important: Make sure the vehicles you’re looking at will be comfortable for you to drive around in all day long. When your baby starts getting active and social, you’ll probably spend a lot more time in the car.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Can you reach the rearview mirror?
- Are the cupholders deep enough to hold your favourite beverage?
- Do the backseats have accessible cubbies and cupholders?
- Does your car seat fit properly?
- Do you have good visibility?
Be flexible: You might have to compromise on some of the things on your list. Be prepared and know what’s most important to you so you can feel as good as possible about your purchase.
Sara Lacey spends her time punishing automobiles with the help of her children so you don't have to. Her expertise cuts through the monotony of torque and displacement and gets right to the things important to every mom - cup holders and latch connectors. Sara writes about cars for MotherProof.com & Cars.com. She sits on the board of theRocky Mountain Automotive Press Association.
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