The Family Car Doesn’t Have To Be a Mini Van

If you grew up loving cars, you probably never want to imagine driving a minivan when you “grow up”. As a teenager, you probably fantasized about driving a bright red convertible Corvette, cruising down the highway in style with a warm wind rippling through your hair. If you’re the outdoorsy type, maybe you always wanted a Jeep Wrangler or Land Rover Defender to take you deep into the wilderness to explore all those remote trails (like something out of a classic car commercial, rugged and tough).

Regardless of what you hoped you’d be driving later in life, the responsibilities of adulthood—a job, a commute, a mortgage, a family—sometimes means making the responsible decision. For many of us, this means we may be as surprised by our homes and our families as we are by the vehicles sitting in our driveways!

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Look outside. If you’re like most people, chances are that your family vehicle isn’t a glamorous sports car or an off-road monster. Instead, it’s probably a Sedan—a Jetta, an Altima, a Fusion, or maybe even a good old Honda Civic. You might be your family’s “official chauffeur” and drive a mini-van, safe and sound and packed with lots of “stuff”. While these are all levelheaded options, looking out at your driveway may still inspire the occasional sigh of disappointment.

Let’s face it—if you’re into cars, you’re always going to want to drive something a little more stylish, a little sleeker, even if you aren’t able to dish out major bucks. You’re still going to want something that packs some power under the hood, but without sacrificing that much-needed space for the kids, the equipment, and the pets.

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For all our competing needs, Sport Utility Vehicles may be the best compromise out there. They offer space for the kids, for the mini-moves, and for transporting bulky items without looking like a behemoth. They provide the safety features you expect from a larger vehicle—things like anti-lock breaks, side-impact airbags, and child safety locks—but not without a touch of power and style, allowing a bit more rev and speed than the safest, boxiest tanks with features like 4-wheel drive, power steering, and V6 engines. And while a new SUV can be fairly expensive (especially for those drivers with families), there are amazing deals on fuel-efficient and dependable vehicles to be had—you just have to know where to look.

Popular used car sites like Kijiji offer an amazing selection of options when you want to buy a used Ford escape online. You can choose by price, year, color, mileage, features, and dozens of optional add-ons. It’s a one-stop website to find what you’re looking for, and quick—with Kijiji, you’re always presented with a wide range of options, locations, and deals, letting even the choosiest buyers find the make and model that suits their particular needs.

If you’re unfamiliar with buying a used car, don’t let the second-hand nature of the deal put you off. There are major benefits to going the used route, especially for the responsible buyer. Obviously, the most ideal benefit is simply cost: buying a used car through Kijiji will save you tons of money, as you’re able to compare prices and shop around at your leisure. A used Ford Escape, for example, typically won’t run you more than $10,000 to $12,000. Note that a used car also won’t lose its value the second you drive it off the lot, as is the case with the brand new cars.

So the next time you are ready to make a move for the company car, expand or downsize your family’s vehicle, or trade in an old friend, consider getting something that combines safety, style, power, and fuel efficiently. An SUV may be the perfect choice!

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Faisal

Faisal is the cofounder and automotive photographer at Unfinished Man. He provides insider perspectives on the latest rides through his acclaimed photography. Faisal also serves as the site's watch expert, staying on the pulse of emerging timepieces. His seasoned eye for men's lifestyle products makes him an authoritative voice.

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