Minivan Buying Guide Things to consider when buying a Minivan in Guam
Minivans, are popular as family cars, and a large part of their appeal is their ability to accommodate many passengers at one go. They are perfect for those with large families, or drivers who need to ferry many people regularly.If you’re looking to buy a minivan, here are the things to consider before you make your decision.
Number of seats
Many minivans offer seating for up to seven. However, some smaller minivans can accommodate only five or six passengers
On the other hand, there are also larger minivans that can take up to eight or more passengers
Consider how many people you have to ferry on a regular basis before you decide on how many seats your minivan should have
Size and type of seats
Minivans that can accommodate seven or more typically have three rows of seats
However, the third row of some minivans can be especially tight and lacking in room
For some minivans, it is recommended that the third row is used for children or smaller-sized adults only for shorter journeys
Important to test out whether the seats are comfortable enough to accommodate your passengers.
Also, how easy is it to fold or configure the seats for more space if required
Access
Minivans usually have four doors, so access to the rearmost third row
Take note of how easy the second row of seats fold down to allow accessibility to the third row
Some larger minivans have two separate individual seats in the second row, allowing one to walk through between them to get to the third row
This is especially useful for parents who want to get to their children in the third row easily
However, such features tend to be available on more expensive models
Some minivans have sliding doors, which aids with access especially when space is tight
Storage space
As minivans are usually used by families, the amount of storage space available is an important consideration
Trunk space tends to be reduced in minivans due to the extra third row of seats, but they can be folded down if more space is required
Find out also if there are any other hidden storage compartments throughout the cabin that can be used to put smaller items
Comfort and convenience
For larger-sized minivans, it would be useful if there are separate air con vents for the rear passengers, to ensure that they can travel in comfort
Some minivans, especially the more premium and expensive ones, also come with rear entertainment systems, which are especially useful for parents who want to keep their kids entertained on long journeys
Other convenience features that minivans may have include small fold out tables on the back of the seats, USB ports or 12V power sockets for rear passengers to charge their devices, or rear window blinds to block out the outside sun and heat
Safety Features
Safety features are important considerations when buying any car
If you’re buying a minivan to drive your family around, it’s important to note what are the key safety features that are included
In particular, minivans should have rear reversing cameras to aid with parking and reversing, due to their larger size and reduced all-round visibility
For those who have smaller children, also take note if the seats have ISOFIX anchor points to accommodate child seats
Size and drivability
Minivans come in various sizes, but most tend to be on the larger side as they need to accommodate the additional seats and passengers
Important to take a test drive to see if the size of the minivan is something you are comfortable with
Visibility is also a vital consideration. Test whether it is easy to see out of the back, or if there are any driving aids to help assist with reversing as visibility might be affected when carrying a full passenger load.
