Do You Need Two Family Cars?

Having a car is a convenient way to drive around everywhere with full freedom. However, there will be moments when you and your spouse may have to use it for your own needs at the same time, creating a bit of difficulty in determining who gets it.

Furthermore, once your kids start to grow up and become licensed student drivers, they may also want to have their own vehicle to get to the places they want to go. This can raise conflicts in how you schedule activities like sport, social gatherings and school drop offs, and can mean that someone will usually have to compromise or relent their freedom to use the car.

If this is a constant struggle, the question that naturally follows is: Does the family need to buy a new car to compensate for this lack of resources? While there are clear-cut benefits of owning two cars, there are also some notable difficulties in actually purchasing a reliable vehicle, with one primary one being the financial side of things.

In any case, the right answer will hinge on your family’s routine, budget, and the alternatives that can be exhausted before picking this expensive but often worthwhile option. Let’s explore this question through a deeper lens and determine if it’s worth it or not to get two family cars.

Let’s start!

2. Assess Your Financial Capacity

Before getting a second car, it’s important to take a good look at the family finances before making any hasty decisions.

While the benefit of mobility can immediately boost the household’s quality of life, the consequences of having to pay a large amount can be a burden that one has to live with for an extended period – and we’re talking about years here, not weeks or months.

If you’re not in a good position to take on additional debt, then it’s a better idea to hold off on the purchase and save up until you reach a decent savings amount. Alternatively, you can take out loans from loan providers to give yourself a chance to secure the car immediately and pay it off afterwards.

You can explore Azora’s loan options for a start, but just ensure you have a stable cash flow source coming in to be able to pay the monthly premiums promptly.

That said, the best thing you should do is to continue saving up if you dream of having a new car for your family. Money matters, and it’s a personal balancing act to weigh the pros of a car and the costs of taking on more debt. So be sure that your family is financially capable of buying a car before actually buying one. If not, then postpone and reconsider the purchase at a later date.

2. Gather Up Everyone’s Thoughts

Another consideration you should make is the overall opinions of everyone else in the family.

While you, as the parent, may have more weight in the discussion, it’s a good idea to hold a formal discussion on the matter to know where everyone lies when it comes to this decision to purchase the car.

For instance, if your spouse has a different view, then it’s important to reconsider your options or wait until a later time, specifically when they’re willing to have a change of view or if their ongoing preoccupations that may be clouding their judgment are dealt with.

Furthermore, you should also consider what your kids or teens think. If they’re unable to clearly lay out their thoughts, it’s a good idea to step into their shoes and see if their routine warrants the need for an extra car now or in the future. However, it’s very likely that your teen, especially those who are older and who have had their driving lessons, will want their own car.

Getting everyone’s perspective ensures the decision reflects the family’s shared priorities rather than just one person’s immediate need. In any case, everyone should ideally be in the affirmative camp before the family makes a purchase for the second car.

3. Consider the Routine and Schedule of the Family

Your family’s daily schedule plays a huge role in determining the value of the second car.

If one parent leaves early for work while the other needs a car later in the day for errands or school drop-offs, for instance, a single vehicle may mean the formation of a bottleneck in one’s schedule—or someone having to compromise.

If your children have sports or activities after school while a parent has work, then having only one car can also add to the conflict. This is particularly true if there are no other options for your kid to get around.

Looking closely at how your household moves throughout the week helps you see whether a second car would benefit your family. Is it more of a convenience thing or for urgent family matters? Evaluate and assess this before making a purchasing decision.

4. Consider Carpool and Public Transportation Options

Before committing to the cost of a second car, it’s worth considering other alternatives that your family can choose aside from getting one.

For instance, if there’s reliable public transportation in your area or a school bus program, then consider those options instead. You can simply have the kids dropped off at the bus stop or train stations and have them navigate their way to school themselves. You can also consider carpooling with a local neighbourhood in the area that may be going the same route as you.

However, if there are issues that prevent them from being independent, like high levels of crime in the neighbourhood, infrequent bus schedules, or a disability, then buying a car and assigning an available parent to drive them to school may be more ideal.

In any case, it’s all about availability. If the available public transportation near you is not reliable or nonexistent, and you have no other choice but to strain your resources to ensure everyone can get where they need to be, then it may be worth considering getting a spare vehicle on top of your current one.

5. Think About Long-Term Needs and Trade-Off

When deciding on buying or holding off on a second family car, it helps to look beyond present-day challenges and consider how your needs may evolve in the future.

If your children are approaching driving age, for instance, a second vehicle might soon become practical for school or part-time jobs.

Conversely, if your spouse is looking for remote work or is about to get a remote job that doesn’t need them to constantly commute, then having two cars is less necessary.

It’s also important to consider the monetary trade-off of the car. Getting one is not a one-time purchase, you’ll also have to pay for the fuel, repairs, and maintenance work required of it over the years. Plus, that money spent could’ve gone to other things that could support the household.

Given this, it’s important to weigh both the long-term benefits and current trade-offs of the purchase carefully. This is to ensure that getting a second car is a wise investment for you and your family today.

Best of luck in making your decision!