When it’s time to upgrade your family vehicle here are 5 things to consider

When it’s time to upgrade your family vehicle here are 5 things to consider

Don't take your choices lightly when upgrading to a new family car. Consider these factors to make sure you get a vehicle that fits your family well.

How Much Room Do You Need?

Image via Flickr by Piutus

If you have a family of three, then you can probably feel satisfied with a coupe or sedan. Bigger families should consider the advantages of roomier SUVs and wagons.
Don't forget that you also need room for cargo. If your kid plays soccer, then you don't need a lot of room to store her equipment. If she plays cello in the school orchestra, then you're going to want more cargo space. Heaven help you if she wants to learn the drums.

Do You Need to Lower Your Fuel Expenses?

The average driver burns over 550 gallons of gasoline per year. At today's prices, that means spending well over $2,000 a year just to drive your car.
If you want to lower your fuel expenses, choose a hybrid car or a smaller car with great fuel efficiency. You'll save money in the long-run. Plus, you'll do your part to keep the air a little cleaner.

Do You Need Financing? 

If you need help buying your new car, then interest and fees will make the overall price higher. The advantage is that you get to spread the payments out over time.
Know how much money you can afford to spend on your down payment. The bigger your down payment is, the lower your interest rate is. A big down payment also means that you have to borrow less.
Reputable sellers like BMW dealership Baltimore can help you explore your financing options to find one that fits your budget.

Can You Afford the Latest Gadgets?

New cars have really cool features that make them safer and more fun to drive. Some of the best options include:

• Navigation systems
• Rear cameras
• Lane departure warning systems
• Bluetooth and iPod connectivity

To get the newest technology, though, you have to buy a new car.
Look over your budget to decide whether you can afford to buy a brand new car. If that puts a lot of financial pressure on your family, then look at cars from 2012 or 2011. Many of them have great features at a fraction of the price.

Do You Have a Teenage Driver in the Family?

If you have a teenager who's about to get her driver's license, then consider looking at cars with high safety ratings.
Teenagers have higher accident rates than any other age group. They don't have much experience, so they don't know how to respond to emergency situations. You can't always prevent them from making mistakes, but you can buy a car that protects them during an accident.
Also, don't get a car that will tempt your teen to drive recklessly. If you get a car that churns out 400 hp, you're begging for trouble.
What factors do you consider when upgrading to a new family vehicle? Have you ever made mistakes that you wish you could take back?

Author Bio:

Matthew Thompson is a writer who lives in Louisville, KY. He drives a '99 Mercury Cougar, but his wife is going to make him upgrade this year. Spending money isn't something that makes him particularly happy