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7 Things You Should Look At When Buying a New Car

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It is hard to believe that it is time that we need to start looking for Bill to get a new vehicle. We spent a ton of time at the auto show this year and I've been looking at Kelley Blue Book's 12 Best Family Cars of 2017. I know this is a great list, because KBB.com’s editorial staff includes several parents with children spanning a full range of ages from toddler to beyond college. The editors enlisted the help of their families to put this year’s contenders to the real-world test. I love that real people are putting these cars through their paces. A single guy isn't going to put the wear and tear on a vehicle as my two kids are. Since we are close to 200,000 miles, we are are now looking for something new for our family before something breaks on his car. Both Kelley Blue Book and I agree on what you should be looking for in a new family vehicle:

  1. Safety. Who doesn't want to keep their family safe? I know I do which is why you should check that the vehicles you are looking at have the the 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
  2. Value. By considering a vehicle’s Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price, the 5-yearresidual value, insurance, fuel and maintenance costs, the 5-Year Cost to Own figures make iteasy to compare actual vehicle costs . Quite often,spending a little more on the right car can save you thousands in the long run over going for thebig rebate on another car. I love how they make this easy to compare apple to apples.
  3. Reputation. You want to make sure your vehicleshave earned strongreputations for durability, reliability and simply treating their owners right. You want your vehicle to last as long as you need it.
  4. Car Seats. This is important for so many reasons. First, if you have multiple children, you need to make sure all the car seats fit! I cannot tell you how many stories I've heard with parents having a 3rd child and not realizing that they can't get 3 (aff) car seats in the backseat of their vehicle. Is there enough distance between the front seat and the back seat toaccommodate both the seat and the child? Are the LATCH mounting points easy to access? Can you access the third row when two car seats are mounted? Do the vehicle’s seat height and door opening make it easy to buckle thechild in and lift them out?(Child car safety seats were very important in the consideration of the list of winners. KBB.com editors have an accompanying car seat guide with useful tips and specific details for readers.)
  5. Price. Before we ever buy a car, we check Kelley Blue Book (since they have been around 90 years and are the information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry plus, KBB.com serves the typical everyday car buyer and content is written to provide every bit of information necessary to make an intelligent car-purchase decision) to make sure we are getting the right price. We also shop around at our local dealers, because we have had different prices given to us at different dealers. (If you are looking at the Kelley Blue Book list, starting prices for this year’s winners range from about $20,000 to the low $30,000 range, with only one vehicle exceeding a $40,000 starting price.) Knowing the price when you walk in the door makes negotiating so much easier.
  6. Comfort. For us, this is huge. Bill is over 6 feet tall. I cannot tell you how many times he's gotten in a car, and he's too tall for it or if he puts the seat back, the poor passenger in the back has zero leg room. He also drives a ton, so he wants vehicles with lumbar support.
  7. Technology. Bluetooth phone connectivity and USB ports are almoststandard while rearview cameras and keyless entry and push button start areheading in that direction. Features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assists are bothhelpful and comforting in town and on the highway, while backup cameras/sensors and rearcross-traffic alerts greatly enhance parking-lot navigation. You have to figure out if you need that. We didn't think we did till we test drove a vehicle with it. The difference was staggering especially for someone who is on the road a lot.

What do you look for when searching for your next vehicle?

Lisa Martin

In April 2006, Lisa began blogging to stay connected with distant relatives and friends. As she delved into blogging, she discovered the potential to assist others by sharing her experiences. Lisa has actively engaged in numerous exclusive media ventures. Notable among these are her participation in events such as the Sony Mommy Bloggers Event, the Pampers Mommy Bloggers Event, the Epson Event in Chicago, the Stouffers Event, a memorable yacht excursion with Lands End, collaborations with 1-800-Baskets, an exclusive tour for bloggers by Mrs. Prindable’s, partnerships with Hallmark, PopCap games, Chicago Cubs Mastercard Priceless Events, and Rug Doctor. In addition, she has collaborated with Nutrisystem on a weight loss initiative, teamed up with Buick and Chevy, and served as a brand ambassador for Sprint. Lisa's collaboration portfolio also extends to Disney, where she has participated in press trips for significant movies such as Frozen, Guardians of the Galaxy, McFarland USA, The Good Dinosaur, The BFG, and Cars 3. Notably, for projects like Frozen, The BFG, and Cars 3, she was granted the privilege of walking the red carpet and conducting interviews with celebrities. The impact of Lisa's blog has gained recognition, with The New York Times referencing her content. Moreover, she has been featured in interviews by respected publications such as the Southtown Star, The Chicago Sun Times, and inside.

This Post Has 18 Comments

  1. candy

    I don’t need the car seats since we are well past that stage in our lives. The technology is useful but we don’t need tv screens in the back for kids or anything like that. More about over all safety, how well it is made, gas mileage and warranty.

  2. Alli Smith

    We always look at Kelly Blue Book before purchasing a car. Safety and comfort are always my top two concerns. Color is a big thing for me also. I’m very particular about the color of a car.

  3. Risky Ladies

    We need to start looking for a new car soon. I really, really want a BIG SUV. We have a minivan that my husband drives and I drive a sedan because there’s more room in the trunk.

  4. Ady @VGB

    When I had bought my previous cars I looked at the KBB, but I haven’t bought a car in probably 10 years! The car I have now is a lease but we definitely did the research to make sure I was getting a good car for what I needed it for and safe!

  5. robin masshole mommy

    I am brand loyal, so for me it’s never a question of which brand. It’s only a question of size and price.

  6. Pam

    These are such important things to consider when buying a car. Since I have a granddaughter now, I factored how a car seat would fit into my newest car.

  7. Christy Maurer

    I always check the Blue Book prices because people tend to overvalue their cars! Safety and price are my biggest things I look at when I buy a car.

  8. Comfort, price, reputation are the three things I look at before I purchase. I need cars with roomy interiors, which is why I prefer SUVs or crossovers. I also read a lot of user reviews. The opinion of others offer valuable information to help me decide whether to purchase or not.

  9. David Elliott

    These are good things to think about when you are trying to purchase a new car. Thankfully I just purchased one and will not have to think about this sort of thing anytime soon.

  10. Katie Kinsley

    While I’m most concerned about prices on my next vehicle, I’m also looking for an overall “better” car. I would LOVE to have an SVU for my next one.

  11. Jacqui S

    I always look at the reputation of the brand. And these days? Definitely technology :). Love the age we live in 🙂

  12. We always buy used. I haven’t bought a new new vehicle since 1988. Size in the front and back seats is important to me, amongst other things.

  13. Terri Beavers

    I purchased a new car last year and I could have used your tips. I checked out the value and reputation but didn’t think about the others.

  14. Buying a new car is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. It’s important to make the right decision. These are great tips!

  15. Kita Bryant

    Reputation is a big one for me. What has it been through? Because that’s what’s going to make the difference on long term outcomes.

  16. Bonnie @wemake7

    When it comes to vehicles I’m always trying to find the best deal. Great list!

  17. rika

    These are great tips.. I just bought a new car and I think we got a great deal. We compared prices within 200 miles, mostly online and phone.

  18. LaShawn

    My husband and I have been looking into buying a new car soon. I’m always trying to find the best deals. Thanks for the tips

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