BROWSE CAR REVIEWS BY:
MAKE
MODEL
Click on a car body type for search results.
 |
 |
| SUVs (two rows) | SUVs (three rows) |
 |
 |
| Crossover | Minivans |
 |
 |
| Sedan | Hybrids |
 |
 |
| Wagons/Hatchbacks | Just for Fun |
Buy a Car Without a Fuss, Even With Your Kids
Oct 24 2007 by Colette Fischer
10/24/2007
Part 1: Do Your Homework
Forgive me for being brazenly blunt, but buying a car stinks! I mean, it really, really stinks — almost as much as the recently vomit-drenched carpet in my son’s room, which is now sure to be permanently stained Gatorade-orange and tomato sauce-red. Why is car shopping so bad that I feel compelled to compare it to this? Well, there are tons of options, sometimes presented by over-aggressive salesmen, and the whole thing ends with you forking over a huge chunk of money.
I submit, however, that it’s about time this perception changed. For one thing, cyberspace has completely simplified the process, but the secret really lies in recognizing and separating the two main components of this process: research and purchase.
First, you need to peg your dream ride. After you’ve put the babes to bed and are ready to collapse into a heap because you haven’t gotten any sleep for days (or weeks, maybe years), grab a latte instead and let your fingers tango to some tunes while entering the e-sphere. Research vehicles that make sense for your family, lifestyle, budget and personal taste.
Our Mother Proof reviews are specifically geared to you mamas out there and should give you a great place to start, if you can stand our humor. Keeping it in the family, Cars.com is also a clever resource; it’s a great source of lots of valuable information, including new- and used-car buying guides and current cash-back rebates and financing incentives. You can compare the cars you’re interested in side by side to see how they stack up, read reviews, find out what cars have won what awards, etc. Even pricing information is a cinch to gather, as Cars.com spits these figures out in a jiffy, options and all.
Once you’ve pared your list of potential cars down to a manageable number, it’s time to test drive them, then test drive them some more. Here at Mother Proof, we drive cars for one- to two-week stints, and I can tell you there are umpteen nuisances and/or pleasant surprises that don’t jump out at you during one test drive.
First, test drive your favorite cars sans bambinos. Basics to cover include car-seat installation, cargo space, comfort, driver controls, blind spots, storage compartments, safety features and kid- and family-friendly features. Look the vehicle’s interior over from front to back. Take notes. Let the salesman know you’ll be taking your time so he keeps from rushing you. Test drive as many cars as you think you may be interested in without the kids so you can narrow down your list before you go back with them.
After the list is narrowed, go back with the kiddies. Ask the dealership to pull the vehicle you’re considering right next to your current car so you can easily transfer the car seats and kids. Take note of how they fit with kids inside (especially if you’re trying to squeeze three across one row) and how comfortable the kids are in the back. Remember, comfortable kids are happy kids, and happy kids make one chipper mama. Liven things up by bringing books and non-messy snacks (no chocolate bars!) along for the little ones.
Now, even if your tush is fused to the heated leather seat of your dream car, get out! Hold tightly to your checkbook, don’t even think about buying and hastily take your leave. Only after you’ve identified your wheels of choice, free from any impulsive decisions — especially you serial shoppers out there — can you enter into Phase 2: The Purchase, coming tomorrow.
