| When it comes to buying a family car, women | | | | Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Senses when |
| are well and truly in the driver's seat. Buying your | | | | the car is "out of control" in heavy cornering and |
| first family car or upgrading to fit in the growing | | | | helps to correct the car's direction.iv. Reverse |
| tribe can be quite daunting with decisions ranging | | | | Parking Sensors. An audible sound when reversing |
| from choosing from what's out there and suiting | | | | indicating that something is behind the car.v. |
| your needs to how to go about negotiating a | | | | Reverse Parking Camera. A camera mounted on |
| great deal. The following will help you to select the | | | | the back of the car with a screen in the front |
| right family car and have a great experience doing | | | | dash/console showing what is behind the car.vi. |
| it. | | | | Seat Belts. Check how many seat belts there are |
| 1. Deciding What You Wanta. Short List. Have a | | | | in the car and that they are all 3 point seatbelts. |
| look at the cars on the road and ask your friends | | | | (Some vehicles still have a lap seatbelt in the |
| about their cars. Work out what style you would | | | | centre rear seat).vii. Child Locks on Doors and |
| like, a hatchback, a station wagon, an SUV, a | | | | Windows.viii. Cargo Barrier/Net. Helps to prevent |
| people mover, a sports car or a sedan.b. Set A | | | | items in the boot of a station wagon or SUV |
| Budget. New car prices vary enormously ranging | | | | from flying forward whilst driving. |
| from $13,000 to over $200,000. Once you've set | | | | Tip: According to a recent study undertaken by |
| your budget, your short list will be more useful.c. | | | | Monash University Accident Research Centre, you |
| Research. Go online to have a look at the | | | | are less likely to be in an accident in a white car |
| features that are important to you. This may | | | | than other car colours. The least safe is black and |
| include fuel economy, eco friendly, storage | | | | dark colours that blend with the road colour. |
| compartments, safety features and comfort | | | | 3. In the Dealershipa. Test Drive. Dealerships may |
| features. When you're online, have a look at the | | | | not always have the exact model you want for a |
| RRP of the cars you like. And remember, the | | | | test drive, so it is good to book an appointment. |
| advertised price is always negotiable. | | | | There's nothing worse than getting in there with |
| 2. Car Features to Considera. Boot Space. How | | | | the kids and there's no car to drive!b. Take Kids |
| easy is it to get a pram in and out of the boot? | | | | Or Not? If you've got kids and are going to take |
| How much space is left with the pram in there? | | | | them with you, bring your car seats so that they |
| As prams can vary enormously in size | | | | can join you on the test drive. Some dealerships |
| (Emmuljungas are quite big, for example) take | | | | have play areas and activities for kids to allow |
| your pram in with you. Some people choose to | | | | time to discuss your needs with a sales |
| buy their pram first and then the car!b. Child Seat | | | | consultant.c. What Day Is Best? Dealerships are |
| Anchorage Points. Most cars will have 3, with | | | | the busiest on the weekend and you may have |
| some people movers having up to 5. Also, see | | | | to wait for service. If you can, test drive during |
| where they are located. Some are towards the | | | | the week.d. On Your Own? A lot of women will |
| back of the boot, which means that the seat | | | | take someone with them to a dealership. |
| straps can interfere with boot space.c. Storage | | | | Sometimes it's for a second opinion and other |
| Compartments. You can never have too many | | | | times it's to get the low down on the technical |
| spots to put your things. There is an even | | | | stuff or to negotiate on your behalf. You're |
| greater need when you have kids. It is great to | | | | spending a lot of money so do what is |
| have somewhere to put some spare nappies | | | | comfortable for you. |
| wipes for emergencies or backseat pockets and | | | | 4. How To Get A Good Deala. Buy a car in |
| door pockets for your child's books and games. | | | | stock.b. Buy during a factory supported sale. This |
| Drink holders also come in handy. Some cars will | | | | is when you will see special deals being offered on |
| have them in the front and rear!d. Car Size. This is | | | | television.c. Some colours may be overstocked so |
| a dilemma for many. Going from a small hatch to | | | | you may get a better deal on a white car instead |
| an SUV or station wagon can be a big step. But | | | | of the popular silver, for example.d. Buy towards |
| do you really need a car that big? One of the | | | | the end of the month or end of the year.e. |
| most important aspects is that you are | | | | Negotiate. This may include money off the RRP |
| comfortable in the driver's seat and have good | | | | of the car or items for free such as floor mats. |
| visibility out of the front, side and rear windows. If | | | | 5. Car Servicing Some dealerships will offer you |
| you are looking at a bigger car, try reverse | | | | benefits when you buy and service your car with |
| parking and parking it in a shopping centre car | | | | them. Whilst you may not be thinking of these |
| park. I went from a small hatchback to a large | | | | when buying your car, it is a good time to ask as |
| station wagon thinking this is what I needed. After | | | | they can save you time and money. |
| about a year, I went back to the small hatch! Also | | | | Some benefits include:a. Free car cleaning when |
| consider how many children you are planning to | | | | servicing.b. Free (or really competitive) loan cars |
| have and over what time frame. On average, | | | | when servicing your car.c. A courtesy shuttle |
| people in Australia keep their car for about 5 | | | | service to your nearest station or bus stop.d. |
| years. If you are planning 3 children in a short | | | | Some models come with free servicing, so take |
| space of time, a larger car may be more | | | | this into account when choosing your model.e. |
| practical.e. Safety Features. When you are | | | | Some premium car dealerships offer a service |
| carrying around your precious cargo, safety | | | | where they pick the car up from you and drop it |
| becomes a priority. Here are some features | | | | off as well when you book it in for a service. |
| worth considering.i. Airbags. Front, side, knee and | | | | Tip: Keep a record of your car services in the log |
| curtain airbags.ii. Anti Lock Braking System (ABS). | | | | book provided. This may get you a higher price |
| Helps the car to stop sooner and gives you some | | | | when selling you car. |
| driving control under heavy braking conditions.iii. | | | | |