Nowadays, having a car is a necessity rather than a luxury. But because of its value and after-sales costs, it’s always been a consideration for dads starting a family to get secondhand instead of a brand new one.
What do they need to set as non-negotiables, and what can they compromise, if any? In this article, real dads weigh all the factors on buying their first family vehicle.
It’s no surprise that budget is the top consideration in buying an auto, since it also sets the tone for choosing whether to buy new or secondhand. Daddy Carl Collado, 31, believes that significant responsibilities such as “obtaining car insurance, maintenance, and registration” are involved in owning a car. So for him, “Why buy a brand new car when a reliable secondhand car can serve the same purpose? There’s no need to stretch the budget for a brand new car when viable secondhand options are available. We just need to be resourceful and discerning in our choices.”
For 33-year-old Daddy Pochi Marasigan, car know-how greatly affects one’s decision making process, whether the car in question is brand new or secondhand. According to him, “Setting aside driver preference and passenger preference, everything may boil down to the family budget in terms of daily costs, payments, and maintenance.”
For other dads, comfort for the entire family is priority on deciding which car to buy. Number of children and their ages may be factored in as well, as it would tell what kind of vehicle will keep pace with the family’s lifestyle.
“Personally kasi, depende ako. ‘Yung first buy kasi namin ng car, more on budget ang kinonsider ko since nagsisimula pa lang kami noon,” Daddy Aldric Orlina, 33, shares. “Pero ‘yung second namin na bibilhin two years from now, pinag-iisipan na agad namin ng wife ko, pero more on comfort na namin and ng bata. Secondary na lang ‘yung budget.”
Moreover, Daddy Aldric mentioned that daily or regular travel will push one to consider leg room, seating, and other features aligned with comfort such as adequate headroom, adjustable bolsters, and bottom cushions. Most importantly, he stressed the importance of good lumbar support promoting good posture so passengers can maintain the spine curvature.
For first-time buyers, features truly play an important part in choosing a family car. Apart from power and performance, all vehicles of good value meet minimum safety standards.
Daddy Joe Marlon Equiza, 33, prefers brand new over secondhand cars for “security, less maintenance issues, and peace of mind.” He also encourages dads to think about the main purpose of buying the car. “Is it for personal use, for going from point A to point B, or for business or work? Second, the number of passengers and load capacity. Third is the budget. From there, considering those things, you can narrow down your options when buying a car.”
Dads of newborns or toddlers put their little ones’ safety among others. This is the case for Daddy Mark Angelo Ballesteros, 35, who shared that “the security of the baby while inside the car is important, so I’ll lean towards a brand new car because with a secondhand car, the durability and some safety features might be compromised. Also, for maintenance costs, with a brand new car, I’ll spend on maintaining it at the dealership, while with a secondhand car, I’ll need to ensure that its engine is still okay because it might cost more for repairs if it frequently breaks down.”
Choosing a car from a pool of brands and preferences can influence a dad’s buying decision. It is best to identify which car manufacturers appeal most, and what kind of make resonates with one’s lifestyle. Reviews also help in making sound judgments, although it is highly recommended that dads themselves conduct thorough research on their own.
“Maybe your family has a history na of owning a certain brand, or ‘di kaya naman, ito ang udyok ng friends mo or new style of car that looks great,” Daddy Isaiah Dominic Alilio, 33, shares. “Then again, you should not forget these items: history ng brand in terms sa after-sales support, maintenance and warranty, spare parts availability, fuel efficiency, safety features, and reliability. You’ll have a sound decision on what type of car you’ll be getting. If budget permits and kaya ng brand new, then all is good; If secondhand naman, okay din. You’ll just have to consider additional items like mileage, car history, and maintenance history.”
When it comes to purchasing a car for a growing family, size is non-negotiable. Space is the new style, after all, so ample seating and cargo capacity should ensure every member’s comfort and convenience.
Daddy Bryan Paulo Cabrera, 30, provides this comprehensive line of reasoning: “First thing to consider is family size—what vehicle will fit my family. A smaller-sized family can fit in a sedan, for example, or a larger family needs a seven-seater. After that is budget. For example, you need a seven-seater. Given my budget, can I purchase a brand new seven-seater? If not, I’ll resort to a secondhand. Since I am buying a secondhand car, I’ll then look into the major brands. I am looking for stability and reliability since there is no more warranty. While looking into those factors, this also relates to the safety of the vehicle.”
A growing family also means a growing number of needs and luggage. This is what Daddy Von Eugenio, 39, primarily considered. “When my family grew to four members, my number one consideration should be a seven-seater car to fit all the baby’s needs like stroller, baby bags, and the likes. So we bought a mid-range SUV: Toyota Rush—seven-seater, fuel-efficient, and I can also put my bike on it when I have a bike ride somewhere.”
A family car may be a dad’s first huge purchase, so it’s important he takes his time to review and evaluate his options. Dads leave these pieces of advice for their fellow dads to think about:
“When it comes to buying brand new versus secondhand, the bottom line for me is the utility you get for the money you pay. This includes how much a car will cost over its lifetime. This line of thinking actually makes it challenging to shop for cars because in realistic use cases, there is nothing that a flashy new SUV can do that a ten-year-old MPV can’t—including lasting another ten years if maintained properly and used sparingly.” Daddy Joey Rogers, 34
“With regard to choosing a brand new or a secondhand car, there’s pros and cons in buying both. If you buy a brand new car, you’re sure that it is reliable and doesn’t have any mechanical issues in exchange for a more premium price. Whereas in buying a secondhand car, you can get a good car at a much cheaper price, but since the car is already used, you need to be ready for any mechanical issues that might show up.” Daddy Joey Ariate, 37