Buying a new car in Australia involves the same basic steps you take when buying in other countries. You look at the model you want, check competing brands, even email a few dealers to inquire about discounts and promos and ask about payment and/or financing schemes.
One of the tips to buy a new car in Australia is to look at the ANCAP ratings, a readily available guide that gives vehicles from one to five stars, with 5 being the highest. Recommended buys are in the 4 and 5 star rating. Sometimes, the difference between a 4 and 5 star rating for a car is the lack of a single feature, so a 4-star vehicle is not necessarily a lot less safer than a 5-star rated one, which one should remember as one of the tips to buy a new car in Australia.
When you shop around for a new car, it’s easy to get excited by all the features a car offers, and this is not helped by the fact that dealers and salesmen will always try to have you spend as much as they can make you. So, look at what you can afford before you start shopping around and stick to that budget. You may also want to consider alternative/flexible fuel cars as well as hybrids and electric vehicles. Only you can determine what type of vehicle suits your needs and budget and always bear in mind the operating expenses or running costs when purchasing a vehicle. The cost of running a car does not end with paying the dealer.
Consider running costs when you buy a new car. Service and repair costs will be covered by a warranty but there is also the cost of depreciation, insurance, and taxes. Another of the tips to buy a new car in Australia is that states differ in the fees they charge when you buy a new car. This is known as the stamp duty, which, aside from varying from state to state, also varies depending on how much your new car is priced. The percentage that you have to pay in duties rise with the cost of the car. As with most people, you will probably lease or take out a loan to pay for your car, so consider these amounts when you budget for the running costs.
As of this writing, most new car warranties in Australia cover a three-year period. Some have unlimited mileage, while others, like Toyota, specify a 100,000 kilometer limit. If you regularly drive long distances, you may want to consider an extended warranty – but read the fine print before you spring for an extended warranty. Some cover specific parts only, others specify a specific dealer for the warranty service.
One of the other tips to buy a new car in Australia, as well as in other countries, is that it is generally not advisable to trade in your used car at the dealer to defray the cost of buying a new one. It’s better to sell your old car yourself so that you get full value for your used vehicle. Another important thing to remember is that you must have insurance before you leave the dealer’s showroom. Having a crash within a few minutes of taking possession of your new car is not unknown.
mySpareCar has a guide on how to buy a car. Or you can visit the site if you’re wondering how to “sell my car”.