Top Car Buying Tips
1. Dealing with a licensed motor vehicle dealer is a lot less risky than buying privately. It’s impossible to tell whether the seller is really the owner. You could end up out of pocket if the car is repossessed.
2. Plan with care. I’s easy to get sucked in by the glamour of the cars. Remember what you want before you go. You’ll need to read up. This means research. Brochures from the manufacturers are a great resource. Reviews written by independent sources are invaluable. Use the internet and call the NRMA technical advice line (free to members) for more details. Even independent reviewers can have favourites (e.g. the Dog and Lemon Guide), so ensure you read several different reviews rather than just the one.
3. Try to gather as much info as possible on the car. Grab a calculator as well.
4. Speak to owners of the car you’re interested in. People who know will give the most honest opinions about the car. If you struggle find anyone who owns one, just ask around. You will, however, only get a quick “review” this way.
5. Think about where to get accessories – will you buy through the dealer? Car dealers generally aren’t the cheapest option for car part (albeit convenient). A quick saving is the stamp duty saving you’d normally pay on the parts.
6. Decide before you go whether you will trade-in your current vehicle or sell it privately. Understand that wholesalers need to make a margin when they give you a trade-in price. You must have a pragmatic & realistic expectation? If so, you got a good deal and should be happy. Privately sold cars can have big risks too.. Yes, you have a legal comeback, but it’s a lot of hassle.
7. If you’re trading in, it’s the changeover that matters!).
8. Use a car broker.An intermediary with the experience and buying power could save you heaps.
9. Set yourself a budget before you go. Get a pen and write the budget down! No exceptions. Don’t get sucked into some fantastic sounding finance deal~Don’t get sucked into an unbelieveable finance deal~Don’t get suckered into some fantastic finance deal that isn’t what it seems~Nothing to pay until XYZ deals can often be too good to be true~What out for too good to be true finance deals.}~Don’t get sucked into some fantastic sounding finance deal~Don’t get sucked into some great sounding finance deal~Don’t get conned into some unbelievable deal on finance~Careful of the too-good-to-be-true finance deals~Be wary of fantastic finance deals~Check for too good to be true deals.}.
10. If financing, get a pre-ap before going. Reputation with finance companies is a plus. Check all your finance options – not just the dealer’s.