What to Consider When Shopping for a Used Family Vehicle

It wasn’t that long ago when most American families drove station wagons and minivans. While these models gave families plenty of space for passengers and cargo, they were not the most fun vehicles to drive and didn’t provide other things that family drivers need to look for when buying a vehicle. This is why sales for these models declined as an increasing number of family drivers discovered that certain models like sedans, SUVs, and even pickup trucks could meet their needs. However, drivers can’t buy any vehicle and expect it to be ideal for use as a family vehicle. We’d all love to drive a Ford Mustang, but this classic sports car may not be a great idea for your family.

One thing that has become clear is that many of today’s families are working on tight budgets, so choosing to find used cars for sale is a great way to find your next family vehicle. Used cars cost less than comparable new ones, helping them better fit your budget. In fact, you can often buy a used vehicle with more features at the same price you would pay for the same model new at a lower trim level. This is why we proudly offer families like yours an incredible selection of high-quality used vehicles. At Loganville Ford, you can find a used Ford SUV or pickup, or a used model from another top brand that your family is sure to love. Here are some points you should consider when buying a used family vehicle.

Affordability

Most families today are finding it harder to make ends meet than ever. Food prices nationwide have spiked, while gas prices have fluctuated. Providing your children with food, shelter, and clothing is costlier than ever. This is why you should consider a used vehicle when shopping for a car for your family. Whether you prefer a sedan, SUV, or pickup truck, you will find the prices more affordable when you buy one used. This doesn’t mean that used models aren’t as good. This is simply the effect of depreciation on a vehicle’s resale value. As a result, you can get an incredible family car when you buy a used one. You can then use that savings to help with the other parts of your family budget.

Roominess

Not all vehicles are created equal. Some have more space than others. A compact Ford Escape is an exceptional compact SUV, but it only seats five passengers. If you have more than three kids, a used Escape just won’t work for you. Similarly, a used sedan like a Honda Accord or Chevy Malibu also only seats five. A three-row SUV model may be the way to go if you have a large family. A used Ford Expedition or Explorer will make more sense if this is the case. These three-row models can seat at least seven passengers. In the case of the Explorer, you can find a used one that seats up to nine. This will be useful when you have to go places with the kids and their friends or relatives.

You should make a similar consideration if you are looking at using a pickup truck as a family vehicle. While you can find a used Ford F-150 with a regular cab at a great price, this model will only have one row of seats. It doesn’t work well as a family vehicle, especially if you have minor children who should not be seated in the front row of any vehicle. Instead, you should probably look at an F-150 with a Super Cab or Super Crew since these cab styles have two rows of seats.

Fuel Economy

This item goes hand-in-hand with affordability. Gas prices are generally higher today than they were even five years ago. To better fit your vehicle into your family budget, you should factor in the cost of gasoline. Some models are more fuel-efficient than others. With many Ford models like the F-150, Explorer, Bronco Sport, and Escape, you get a number of different engine options. Some are built for performance, while others may give you better fuel economy. With pickup trucks, you can even find ones that will deliver unrivaled towing and hauling capabilities, but at the expense of fuel efficiency. You can even find hybrid powertrain options on a number of used models, like a used Ford Escape or Toyota Prius. These will give you exceptional fuel economy, which in turn will save you money.

Keep in mind that the EPA estimated fuel economy numbers for most models may not be the same from one year to the next. Check the EPA website for fuel economy figures for each year, make, and model you are considering. While you may not achieve the same fuel economy as the vehicle did when it was brand new, it is still a good general guideline of what you can expect. It should still be more fuel-efficient than other models with lower EPA estimated numbers when new.

Safety

One of the biggest considerations for any parent is ensuring their child is safe. This is especially true when we are considering used vehicles. We want to ensure we are driving a model with features to help us avoid a collision and ensure all passengers are safe if an accident is unavoidable.

This is actually a two-part equation. First, you want to avoid collisions. This is why you will want to find a used model with advanced driver assistance and safety technology. Most used Ford models have at least some of the Ford Co-Pilot360 advanced technologies. These features include a pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, which recognizes that there may be an imminent front-end collision with a pedestrian, cyclist, or another vehicle. It will alert you so you can take evasive action, then automatically brake to bring your vehicle to a safe stop.

Unfortunately, not every crash is avoidable. Sometimes, you can take all possible precautions but fall victim to a reckless driver. Knowing whether the used model you are considering as a family vehicle does well in a collision is vital. Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) run crash tests on most passenger vehicles. These are then published on their websites, allowing you to see if the make, model, and year of the used vehicle you are looking at did well in the crash tests. The NHTSA uses a rating system of one to five stars, while the IIHS also lists the safest models in each vehicle class as Top Safety Picks. This will let you know if your precious cargo will be protected if you are involved in an accident.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Most modern vehicles come equipped with advanced infotainment systems. These combine important vehicle information with entertainment features like an audio system, all accessed through a convenient touchscreen like the Ford SYNC system. These provide entertainment and enable you and your family members to stay connected wherever you go. They allow you to connect your smartphones using various methods like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Some of the more recent models even offer wireless connectivity, so you can stay connected even if you forgot to bring along your charging cables. Connecting your phone to the system allows you to make hands-free calls and texts while streaming your favorite apps. Instead of a chorus of “Are we there yet?” from your kids, you can play music and entertainment to keep them engaged while you focus on driving.

Find the Right Family Vehicle For You

Choosing the right family vehicle involves many different factors, including vehicle type, personal budget, and features. The good news is that you can find many great used models that will be ideal for family use, especially the SUVs and pickup trucks from Ford. Finding one that combines the safety, fuel economy, and advanced technology you need should not be a problem. Stop in today and drive home in your next used family vehicle.