{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING YOUR NEXT FAMILY CAR","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/what-you-need-to-know-before-buying-your-next-family-car","audioUrl":"https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/s.gum.fm/s-66df369f4e379c3700459a63/traffic.megaphone.fm/GBLL6324976784.mp3?updated=1774582174","description":"Kelly is in for a solo episode today and this one is great if you are thinking of buying a car for your family. Drawing on her years of consulting experience, Kelly shares everything you need to know before heading to the dealership. She'll break down what to know before you go, what to know while you're there and the most common mistakes you could make. Can you make your current car work? What are your plans for the next 5 years? She'll give you all the questions you'll need to ask yourself before deciding which car is right for you. "},"annotations":[{"startTime":77.8,"endTime":107.68,"type":"concept","title":"car buying process","url":"/glossary/car-buying-process","quote":"today's episode is gonna be all about\nlike what I think families need to know\nbefore starting the car buying process.\nYou got to remember, I do these consultations","canonicalId":"concept:car-buying-process","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The “car buying process” is the sequence of steps from researching vehicles to negotiating price and completing financing. For families, the key is matching the vehicle to real needs (seating, safety, budget, and total cost) before committing."}},{"startTime":110.1,"endTime":144.0,"type":"concept","title":"buyer's remorse","url":"/glossary/buyer-s-remorse","quote":"My biggest fear is that people buy a car and get buyer's remorse. Because one, ew, what a yucky feeling. Two, a very expensive mistake to make.","canonicalId":"concept:buyer-s-remorse","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Buyer’s remorse is the regret people feel after purchasing a car, often because the vehicle doesn’t fit their needs or the deal wasn’t worth it. In family-car shopping, it can also show up as realizing the car isn’t comfortable, practical, or safe enough for how you actually drive and carry kids.","simplifiedExplanation":"Buyer’s remorse is when you regret buying a car right after you get it. It usually happens when the car turns out to be more expensive than expected or not as good for your family as you thought."}},{"startTime":243.0,"endTime":249.5,"type":"concept","title":"slowing down the process","url":"/glossary/slowing-down-the-process","quote":"So I think when it comes to like picking your next family car. One, I'm all about slowing down the process and trying to make your current car work...","canonicalId":"concept:slowing-down-the-process","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Slowing down the process” refers to taking time before buying a new vehicle—especially when you’re expecting a baby or your family situation is changing. The underlying strategy is to avoid rushed decisions that can lead to poor fit and buyer’s remorse.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re saying don’t rush into buying a new car. Take your time so you don’t end up regretting it later."}},{"startTime":288.4,"endTime":330.0,"type":"concept","title":"minivan","url":"/glossary/mini-van","quote":"Like I didn't like that I felt like the industry was just telling moms, okay, you have three kids, you have to drive a minivan. Sorry, this is your only option.","canonicalId":"concept:mini-van","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A minivan is a family-focused vehicle designed to carry multiple passengers comfortably, usually with sliding rear doors and lots of interior space. In the context of this episode, the speaker is pushing back against the idea that having children automatically means you “have to” buy a minivan.","simplifiedExplanation":"A minivan is a roomy family car made for carrying kids and gear. The point here is that the speaker thinks moms shouldn’t feel forced into one specific type of car just because they have kids."}},{"startTime":404.46,"endTime":405.94,"type":"car","title":"Volvo XC90","url":"/cars/volvo/xc90","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/2018_Volvo_XC90_2.0.jpg","quote":"[400.0s]  So like I had a consultation this week\n[402.9s]  and it's a mom of two.\n[404.5s]  She was in a Volvo XC90.\n[406.2s]  She had a five year old and a two year old.","canonicalId":"car:volvo:xc90","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Volvo XC90 is a midsize three-row SUV designed to carry families and fit child seats in the second and third rows. In this conversation, it’s brought up because rear-facing child seats can take up a lot of space behind the front seats.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Volvo XC90 is a family SUV with three rows. It’s often chosen because it has room for kids and car seats, but rear-facing seats can still make the front-seat area feel tight.","imageAttribution":"Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":408.2,"endTime":428.9,"type":"concept","title":"child seat fit / space constraints","url":"/glossary/child-seat-fit-space-constraints","quote":"[408.2s]  and it's just so tight,\n[409.7s]  like with that rear facing seat behind my husband.\n[411.9s]  And I'm like, no, I get that.\n[414.3s]  But like, are you, do you like the size of that car?","canonicalId":"concept:child-seat-fit-space-constraints","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Child-seat fit is a major factor in family car shopping because the required seating positions can affect legroom, comfort, and usability for adults. This segment highlights how the same vehicle can feel “tight” depending on whether the child is rear-facing versus forward-facing.","simplifiedExplanation":"How well car seats fit in a vehicle matters a lot for families. A car can feel cramped with a rear-facing seat, but it may feel much better once the child moves to a forward-facing seat."}},{"startTime":467.78,"endTime":470.28,"type":"car","title":"Honda Odyssey","url":"/cars/honda/odyssey","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/1996_Honda_Odyssey_RA1.jpg","quote":"... across  in like a Ford Edge or you get the Honda Odyssey,  like there is still challenges.","canonicalId":"car:honda:odyssey","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Honda Odyssey is a minivan built for families who need lots of passenger space and practical features for daily driving. It often comes up in discussions about “challenges” because minivans are designed to solve common family needs like easy access to the rear seats and flexible seating layouts. In a podcast, it’s a relevant example when comparing how different vehicle types handle family transportation.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Honda Odyssey is a minivan made to carry people comfortably, especially families. It’s designed with roomy seating and easy ways to get in and out of the back seats. People talk about it when discussing which vehicles work best for everyday family use.","imageAttribution":"TTTNIS (CC0)"}},{"startTime":560.7,"endTime":563.4,"type":"part","title":"cargo cover","url":"/glossary/cargo-cover","quote":"How to get more leg room, how to have more trunk space by just getting a cargo cover. Like basically just ways to make your current car work.","canonicalId":"part:cargo-cover","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “cargo cover” (often called a tonneau cover) is a retractable or removable panel that sits over the trunk area. It can help keep cargo from shifting and can improve day-to-day practicality by making the trunk feel more organized and usable.","simplifiedExplanation":"A “cargo cover” is a panel that goes over the trunk. It can help keep things from sliding around and can make the trunk area easier to use."}},{"startTime":573.5,"endTime":580.5,"type":"term","title":"car seat swaps","url":"/glossary/car-seat-swaps","quote":"So now that I'm talking about this, I definitely think I wanna do like a long form video of that because there are so many just car seat swaps that you can make to make your current car work.","canonicalId":"term:car-seat-swaps","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.82,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Car seat swaps” refers to changing which child seats you use (or how they’re installed) as kids grow and as your seating needs change. This can affect everything from third-row access to whether you can fit three across.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Car seat swaps” means switching to different car seats or reinstalling them as your kids get older. It can change how easy it is to use the back seats and how much room you have."}},{"startTime":587.4,"endTime":591.4,"type":"concept","title":"car seat setup","url":"/glossary/car-seat-setup","quote":"but like, I think if you look at your car seat setup, no matter the ages of your kids. And if you ask yourself like, where are the kids gonna be in a year?","canonicalId":"concept:car-seat-setup","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Car seat setup” is the specific arrangement of child seats in the vehicle, including which seats are used, where they’re installed, and how front seats are adjusted around them. This setup strongly influences access, comfort, and whether you can fit multiple seats.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Car seat setup” is how your child seats are arranged in your car. Where they’re placed and how they affect the front and back seats can make a big difference in day-to-day usability."}},{"startTime":752.6,"endTime":754.0,"type":"car","title":"Toyota Grand Highlander","url":"/cars/toyota/grand-highlander","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/2024_Toyota_Grand_Highlander_XLE_AWD_in_Blueprint%2C_Front_Right%2C_09-10-2023.jpg","quote":"this Toyota Grand Highlander, okay, this car has a jacked up third row for car seats. It actually has great leg room.","canonicalId":"car:toyota:grand-highlander","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Toyota Grand Highlander is a larger three-row SUV built to carry more passengers, with a focus on family use. In this segment, the hosts are evaluating how usable the third row is for real child-seat setups, not just how many seats the brochure claims.","simplifiedExplanation":"This is a Toyota SUV that has three rows of seats for families. The point here is whether the back row is actually easy and safe to use for kids’ car seats and boosters.","imageAttribution":"Elise240SX (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1017.5,"endTime":1023.4,"type":"concept","title":"keep the car for three years","url":"/glossary/keep-the-car-for-three-years","quote":"if you don't want to keep a car, I think families should open up the possibilities like, what if I just kept the car for three years?","canonicalId":"concept:keep-the-car-for-three-years","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The speaker contrasts long-term ownership with a shorter ownership cycle (about three years). This can reduce the risk of outgrowing the car, but it changes the economics—especially resale value and depreciation.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re suggesting you don’t always have to own a car for a decade. Buying and selling sooner can help if your family needs change quickly."}},{"startTime":1032.8,"endTime":1037.5,"type":"concept","title":"lease","url":"/glossary/lease","quote":"So you have two options to keep a car for three years. One, you lease. Leasing is a great option for growing families.","canonicalId":"concept:lease","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Leasing is a way to drive a car without owning it. You pay for the car’s depreciation over a set term (often 2–3 years) and typically return it at the end, sometimes with options to buy.","simplifiedExplanation":"A lease is like renting a car for a few years. You make payments based on how much the car is expected to lose in value, then you give it back (or sometimes buy it)."}},{"startTime":1063.1,"endTime":1066.6,"type":"concept","title":"miles","url":"/glossary/miles","quote":"Now, if leasing, whether it's just too high of a payment or you drive too many miles, the other option is you buy a very pre-owned car.","canonicalId":"concept:miles","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Most leases include a mileage allowance (e.g., miles per year). If you exceed it, you typically pay per-mile overage charges, which can erase the monthly-payment advantage.","simplifiedExplanation":"Leases usually come with a limit on how many miles you can drive. If you go over, you may have to pay extra at the end."}},{"startTime":1066.6,"endTime":1069.6,"type":"concept","title":"pre-owned car","url":"/glossary/pre-owned-car","quote":"the other option is you buy a very pre-owned car. And I am always talking about the benefits of pre-owned cars","canonicalId":"concept:pre-owned-car","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Buying a pre-owned car means purchasing a used vehicle rather than a new one. It can reduce depreciation costs and often lowers the purchase price, but you should consider condition, maintenance history, and remaining warranty coverage.","simplifiedExplanation":"A pre-owned car is a used car someone already drove. It can cost less than buying new, but you should check that it’s been maintained well."}},{"startTime":1087.4,"endTime":1090.3,"type":"concept","title":"mileage","url":"/glossary/mileage","quote":"you drive it for three years, you put 10,000 miles a year on it, okay, now it has 130,000 miles, okay, now it has 130,000 miles, like it's literally probably worth maybe 20% less.","canonicalId":"concept:mileage","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.83,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Mileage is how many miles a car has been driven, and it strongly affects resale value and perceived wear. In the segment, the speaker uses mileage (e.g., 10,000 miles per year leading to 130,000 miles) to illustrate how value changes over time.","simplifiedExplanation":"Mileage is how much the car has been driven. Higher mileage usually means the car is worth less, because it’s more used."}},{"startTime":1103.3,"endTime":1106.8,"type":"concept","title":"depreciation","url":"/glossary/depreciation","quote":"Because so much of their depreciation has already happened on the first driver, it was their problem. Now it's not your problem.","canonicalId":"concept:depreciation","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Depreciation is how much a car loses value over time. Newer cars typically drop in value faster early on, so buying a car after some of that drop has already happened can reduce your loss when you sell or trade it later.","simplifiedExplanation":"Depreciation is how the car’s value goes down as it gets older and more miles on it. If you buy after the biggest drop already happened, you usually lose less money later."}},{"startTime":1112.7,"endTime":1116.3,"type":"concept","title":"buy a new car","url":"/glossary/buy-a-new-car","quote":"You should not go buy a new car and be like, no, I'm gonna get out of it in three years. That's a bad idea. You're gonna lose a lot of money if you do it that way.","canonicalId":"concept:buy-a-new-car","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Buying new and then selling quickly is usually expensive because new cars experience rapid early depreciation. The speaker warns that exiting in about three years can mean you “lose a lot of money” compared with buying pre-owned or leasing.","simplifiedExplanation":"Buying a brand-new car and selling it soon usually costs more than people expect. New cars drop in value quickly at first, so you can lose money fast."}},{"startTime":1269.6,"endTime":1271.6,"type":"term","title":"double stroller","url":"/glossary/double-stroller","quote":"has to have trunk space because I have a double stroller. Like in three years, those issues could be gone.","canonicalId":"term:double-stroller","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A double stroller is a bulky, wide piece of baby equipment that can be difficult to fit in smaller trunks or tight cargo openings. Mentioning it highlights how real-world cargo dimensions drive vehicle choice for families.","simplifiedExplanation":"A double stroller is the kind that holds two kids at once. It takes up a lot of room, so it can be a good test for whether a car’s trunk is truly big enough."}},{"startTime":1465.28,"endTime":1470.7,"type":"concept","title":"test drive","url":"/glossary/test-drive","quote":"of like, I think you need to test drive.\n[1467.5s]  I think three cars is plenty of cars to test drive.","canonicalId":"concept:test-drive","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A test drive is your chance to evaluate how a car feels in real-world conditions—comfort, visibility, braking, and how it fits your daily routine. For family cars, it’s especially useful for checking ride quality and ease of getting kids in and out.","simplifiedExplanation":"A test drive is when you drive the car yourself before buying it. It helps you see if it’s comfortable and easy to live with, not just if it looks good on paper."}},{"startTime":1469.6,"endTime":1472.9,"type":"concept","title":"research","url":"/glossary/research","quote":"[1469.6s]  I think you can do enough research\n[1470.7s]  to get cars on and off your list.","canonicalId":"concept:research","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Research is the step where you compare options using reviews, reliability histories, safety ratings, and ownership costs. It helps you narrow down choices so your test drives focus on the cars most likely to work for your family.","simplifiedExplanation":"Research means looking up information about cars before you go shopping. It helps you avoid wasting time on cars that won’t fit your needs."}},{"startTime":1581.1,"endTime":1582.5,"type":"term","title":"rotating car seat","url":"/glossary/rotating-car-seat","quote":"Third row access, we could change it overnight with maybe a rotating car seat. More legroom, we could change it overnight with maybe a car seat with a lower profile.","canonicalId":"term:rotating-car-seat","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A rotating car seat is a child seat that can swivel to help you place a child in and out more easily. In family-vehicle fitment, rotation can dramatically improve third-row access by reducing awkward reach and making installation/use simpler.","simplifiedExplanation":"A rotating car seat can turn so you can put your child in more easily. That can make it much simpler to use the back seats in a bigger vehicle."}},{"startTime":1592.7,"endTime":1596.3,"type":"concept","title":"CPSTs","url":"/glossary/cpsts","quote":"which is why I think having multiple CPSTs on the team is so important because we've all seen different things","canonicalId":"concept:cpsts","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"CPSTs are Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians—professionals trained to help families choose, install, and use child car seats correctly. The host emphasizes that having multiple CPSTs brings a wider range of hands-on experience with different vehicles and seat setups.","simplifiedExplanation":"CPSTs are trained experts who help parents install and use child car seats correctly. They’ve seen lots of different cars and setups, so they can spot what will actually work."}},{"startTime":1660.0,"endTime":1666.7,"type":"concept","title":"choosing a car seat with a lower profile","url":"/glossary/choosing-a-car-seat-with-a-lower-profile","quote":"Choosing a car seat with a lower profile, [1661.7s] so a car seat that sits lower to the vehicle seat, [1665.0s] that's gonna give you so much more legroom","canonicalId":"concept:choosing-a-car-seat-with-a-lower-profile","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Choosing a lower-profile forward-facing car seat can improve comfort by reducing how much vertical space the seat occupies. In practice, a lower seat position can increase the effective legroom available for the child in the third row."}},{"startTime":1709.3,"endTime":1715.5,"type":"concept","title":"real world trial and error","url":"/glossary/real-world-trial-and-error","quote":"It's not something that can be chat GPT'd. It takes real world trial and error.","canonicalId":"concept:real-world-trial-and-error","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Real world trial and error” refers to testing car-seat fit in actual vehicles and configurations rather than relying only on marketing specs or generic guidance. This matters for families because car-seat compatibility depends on vehicle geometry, seat angles, and how multiple seats share space.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re saying you can’t always tell if a car seat will fit just from the description. You often have to test it in real cars to see what works."}},{"startTime":1748.5,"endTime":1754.2,"type":"car","title":"Volkswagen Atlas","url":"/cars/volkswagen/atlas","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/2021_Volkswagen_Atlas_1X7A0389.jpg","quote":"But Sam, who's a CPST on our team, she has four kids, her kids are the same ages. And she is so happy with her Volkswagen Atlas. I could never be in an Atlas.","canonicalId":"car:volkswagen:atlas","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Volkswagen Atlas is a midsize, three-row SUV designed to fit families while staying smaller than full-size options. Here it’s mentioned as a “smaller car” that still works well for another parent with four kids, highlighting that vehicle fit is personal.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Volkswagen Atlas is a family SUV with three rows. It’s smaller than some big SUVs, but it can still work for families depending on what you need.","imageAttribution":"Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1816.1,"endTime":1820.2,"type":"concept","title":"filter by how many kids they have","url":"/glossary/filter-by-how-many-kids-they-have","quote":"So when you go to a vehicle page, you'll be able to filter by how many kids they have. We might add more filters in the future.","canonicalId":"concept:filter-by-how-many-kids-they-have","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"This is a shopping-focused filtering concept: tailoring car information to family size. For listeners, it highlights how to evaluate vehicles based on practical needs like seating and child-carrier fit rather than only performance or styling.","simplifiedExplanation":"They want you to sort car reviews by how many kids the reviewer has. That way, you can see what the car is like for families similar to yours."}},{"startTime":1838.6,"endTime":1841.2,"type":"concept","title":"test drove it","url":"/glossary/test-drove-it","quote":"If they bought it, if they test drove it, if they just sat in it, I wanted to be able to offer that because I think it's really valuable.","canonicalId":"concept:test-drove-it","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A test drive is where many “family car” decisions get made, because it reveals comfort, visibility, and ease of living with the vehicle. For shoppers, the test-drive experience can highlight whether the car works for daily routines like loading kids and navigating tight spaces.","simplifiedExplanation":"A test drive is when you actually drive the car before buying it. It helps you figure out if it feels comfortable and easy to use for your everyday life."}},{"startTime":1873.0,"endTime":1873.0,"type":"term","title":"blinker","url":"/glossary/blinker","quote":"I had one consultation a couple of months ago and she's like, I don't like the sound of the blinker.","canonicalId":"term:blinker","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “blinker” is the turn-signal system, including the audible click or sound some vehicles produce when signaling. If someone “doesn’t like the sound of the blinker,” it’s a reminder that small usability details can affect day-to-day satisfaction.","simplifiedExplanation":"A blinker is your turn signal. Some cars make a noticeable sound when you use it, and for some people that sound can be annoying enough to matter."}},{"startTime":1921.5,"endTime":1923.98,"type":"concept","title":"New York auto show","url":"/glossary/new-york-auto-show","quote":"Time to think about how anything else. Oh, New York auto show is coming. If you want me to,","canonicalId":"concept:new-york-auto-show","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The New York Auto Show is a major event where automakers display current vehicles and often preview upcoming models. For shoppers, it’s a chance to see new family-focused features in person and compare options before buying."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"The Car Mom LLC / tentwentytwo Projects","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/what-you-need-to-know-before-buying-your-next-family-car/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}