6 Reasons to Bring the Kids Car-Shopping

Getting opinions from the whole family before you buy a new car can help you make sure that everyone is satisfied. Checking out a vehicle with your kids can also give you a good preview of what a typical drive to school or journey to Grandma’s house will be like. It will keep you from choosing a ride that’s uncomfortable or impractical for your needs. Here are some more reasons why you should bring your kids car shopping.

Your Kids Will Feel Included

Buying a new vehicle is a big decision that impacts the entire family. You can show children that you care about their opinions and feelings just by asking them to come along. You can also prevent complaining later. For example, if your kid really wants you to get a yellow sports car instead of a blue SUV, you can taken them to the dealership and show them that the family can’t fit in a coupe. After you listen to what they have to say, you might even decide to compromise and get a sporty-looking SUV that everyone likes.

It’s a Good Learning Experience

Taking your kids along when you buy a car gives them a chance to see what the process is like and learn how to interact with salespeople. You can show them what to look for and consider when they’re old enough to purchase a vehicle by themselves. This could include budgeting for car payments, checking insurance costs, considering fuel efficiency, and looking at depreciation rates and resale values. With these skills, people won’t feel nervous or pressured to make a hasty decision when they buy their first cars.

You Can Make Sure There’s Plenty of Room

Image via Flickr by ShanMcG213

The vehicle you choose should have enough room for all your family members, your pets, and any luggage you would normally take on a family trip. If you like to go camping or canoeing or you often haul building materials or other items, consider an SUV with roof rails and plenty of cargo space or a truck.

You can also search for a truck with a cover for the bed, a vehicle with additional storage under the floor or cargo area, cargo tie-down hooks, and cargo organizers or nets to keep small items in place. If you’re checking out a truck or SUV, make sure the tailgate or liftgate is easy to use and the loading height is low enough to prevent back strain. A hands-free power liftgate or a tailgate that swings open like a door could make loading and unloading luggage and cargo easier as well.

If your children are still growing, make sure there’s enough leg and headroom to let them sit in the back comfortably even after a few years. Ask everyone to sit in the vehicle at once, and give them a chance to adjust the seats. Then, ask if anyone feels cramped or uncomfortable. If the rear sears fold, try them out and make sure they’re easy to move. Bring car seats, strollers, backpacks, or any other gear you travel with often and make sure it fits easily with lots of room to spare.

Kids Can Check Out the Interior Options

The vehicle you buy now could become your child’s first car in several years. Ensure that they can see through the rear window and side mirrors easily, and ask them if infotainment or driver assistance features are easy to use or distracting. You should also ask if kids can get in and out on their own and buckle their seatbelts. If you let them have drinks in the car, check the number of cup holders. USB ports or electrical outlets in the back seat can make doing homework or watching a movie on a laptop much easier. Some vehicles come with two- or three-zone climate control, Wi-Fi hotspots, or rear entertainment systems with DVD players as well.

Ask kids if they can understand how to use these features, and give them a chance to try them out. If the heating or air-conditioning system leaves a warm area in the back seat or one of the sets of headphones produces low volume in one ear, you need to know about it before you start negotiating. Today’s children are often extremely tech-savvy as well. Your child can help the buying process go faster by testing these features with you.

You Can Check Out the Safety Features

If your kid uses a car seat or a booster seat, bring it and see if it fits into the seat easily. You’ll also need to remove it quickly when needed. Many vehicles have sensors in the front seat that detect the sizes of occupants and turn off the air bag when needed. Have your child sit in the front seat to make sure it works. Also, check for a spare tire and make sure you have everything you need to change it if needed. Some new cars only have tire repair and inflation kits.

Everyone Can Take a Test Drive Together

If your kids can’t stay comfortable and sit still during a short test drive, you could need a vehicle with more room or entertainment features. The kiddos can also let you know if the ride feels less smooth in the back seat than the front or if the noise from traffic seems louder. Everyone can also get a chance to see if they like the materials the seats and dashboard are made of. If you don’t love the ride, tell the dealer the kids are feeling tired and you need to think about it. That way, you can take your time and test drive a few more options if you feel like it.

Can you think of some more reasons to take your kids car shopping? Contact us at Stan McNabb Chevrolet of Columbia and let us know so we can add it to the list. We can help you can your children find the perfect vehicle for your family. We’re a family-owned business with decades of experience and we’re happy to answer questions from you and your kids.