Families with bad credit often struggle with having a car that fits size and safety needs. Life happens, and sometimes you make less than perfect choices, but that doesn’t mean you don’t want the best for your loved ones. If you’re dealing with a poor credit score, but need a car that’s reliable, safe and roomy, here are some used vehicle options that are ideal for your situation.
What Does It Mean to be The Best?
Family cars typically need to fulfill a wide spectrum of things. It makes it more challenging when you are trying to buy a car that possesses those things with bad credit. That said, you can focus on a few important details during your search. The best used cars for bad credit need to have:
- Comfort and safety
- Ability to fit child seats
- Cargo space
- Extra features and some entertainment
If you can find vehicles with any of these items, you’re one step ahead. Plus, it’s also ideal to find cars that maintain a decent resale value, aren’t highly expensive to repair and are known for their reliability.
And the Winners Are…
Compact
- Kia Soul: The Kia Soul is an odd-looking vehicle that has a lot going for it. Not only does it earn a stellar NHTSA 5-star safety rating, it also gets great mileage. The Kia Soul can typically be found at great prices, and reviewers are loyal fans of this boxy ride.
- Honda Civic: The Civic has been a top name in compact vehicles for years. Although not the most inspiring design, you know when you buy the Civic you’re getting reliability, value and a roomy ride despite the overall size.
- Mazda 3: Mazda’s Zoom Zoom philosophy let’s families have a top-notch vehicle with a sporty edge. The kids will enjoy zipping around in this surprisingly smooth compact car that has remained steadily popular throughout the past decade.
Midsize
- Subaru Forester: Used Subaru’s aren’t always easy to come by, but if you can find one they are great family vehicles with plenty of space, and they hold value incredibly well.
- Honda Accord: Over the years, the Accord has won more than its fair share of awards. It’s also been a vehicle that holds excellent value, which makes it a great investment new or used.
Small SUV
- Toyota RAV4: Sometimes your family needs more than just seating for four or five. You may need seating and cargo space, and a car with a little more oomph. The RAV4 is excellent for that, and it has great resale value as well.
- Honda CR-V: Honda hits the list multiple times for the same reason. Value, reliability and, in the CR-V’s case, it’s a great, roomy family car.
Large Family Vehicles
- Ford Explorer: Not all families are small, and if that’s the case, you need seating for seven and room to haul. Recent model years of the Explorer get excellent MPG and good ratings. It’s a perfect larger-family vehicle.
- Chevy Tahoe: The Chevy Tahoe is available with either seating for seven or eight, making it a good choice for extra-large families. The mileage isn’t as good as the Explorer, and it can be slightly pricier, but it’s ideal for people who need a vehicle that can tow.
Researching Your Potential Vehicle
Researching your potential vehicle is incredibly important. Once you’ve decided on your budget, look at vehicles that fit within the price range. Factor in things that are most important: Do you need good fuel economy, extra room or a top safety pick? Once you’ve narrowed it down, do your research on:
- Which model years are best and have good used car ratings
- Available features
- Mileage
- Average cost of repairs
- Resale values
At the dealership, also ask for a vehicle history report. Make sure that there’s been no extensive damage or anything that could have compromised the integrity of the vehicle.
Buying a Car with Bad Credit
If you’re attempting to buy a car with bad credit for the first time, there are some things you’ll want to know. If you can take a few months to get your score up a little more, take it. Small changes in your financial habits go a long way to improving your situation. Bring important information that will make you a valid candidate; like pay stubs, proof of residence and anything that shows you’re trying to make your situation better. Lastly, really assess your budget. Factor in insurance, gas, maintenance and annual fees. That way you can choose a monthly payment you can really afford. By making all your payments on time, you will further improve your credit score.
Families need vehicles, and there are several great choices for those looking to buy one even with bad credit. Make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision.