DXB2OZ Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 When buying a car, do you bargain in the same way as you do over white goods and electronics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Oh absolutely, and shop around, do not just buy from the first dealer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caz Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 And don't be shy to ask for extras on top of reducing the price. This could include rego, extended warranty, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnYellowBrickRd Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Don't buy a car that doesn't have a roadworthy certificate. In the first place it is illegal to sell a car without one, and this law protects the buyer as you won't buy something you'll regret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansaPlease Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Definitely. Especially if it's a new car. A few hours of homework across different dealers can save you a few thousand. When I bought my current car, after I'd done my homework, I spent four hours in the dealership negotiating with the sales guy and his manager. Nearly walked out in the end and finally managed to get the car $7,000 cheaper than when we started. $7,000 for four hours work. Easy! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 For sure haggle, and check the fine print on your contract! if you pay up early they mail you on many contracts. So to get around that, I pay double on my cars, then pay it up to the last $10, and leave it. Hehehee. Also check the cost of tyres, they are expensive here. PS, I paid up my one car yesterday! Yippeee!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 When we bought our eldest son's car (Holden Astra with 75000kms on it) the dealer said 'I hate selling to South Africans. I always get screwed!' ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B007 Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 Is there Any does and don'ts when buying a car>If you are Freshly out RSA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 Is there Any does and don'ts when buying a car>If you are Freshly out RSA Look at carsales.com.au for new and used cars. Some from private sellers and some from dealers. We have bought through them both times. There is a huge range of each make/model to compare. I would say the biggest DONT is not to overspend. I have seen to many expats buy some flashy 4x4 (to impress the Jonese most likely) and then come unstuck with repayments, fuel costs, service charges, etc. I have literally seen people sell the wifes Lexus and the husbands top of the range 4x4, because they could not find jobs and are going back to RSA. And then I think, WTH, why do they need 2 cars in the first place and then buy as if you are a long time, settled resident. If your future is not 100% settled and you dont earn a steady stream of dollars yet, dont buy big. I know a lot of people come with cash and buy the car outright. I would not necessarily do this, unless you have a big pot of funds. I would rather get finance and overpay on the monthly installments. In the settling in phase, having cash for unforeseen events is more helpful than a car completely paid off. ps. My dad was in the car industry all his life and the one lesson he taught us was never to buy brand new. Rather n demo model, or something 1 or 2 years old. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansaPlease Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 (edited) Once you have bought your car, most dealers will go off to process your paperwork and say "oh, Sally, our car care specialist would like to have a quick word with you..."In comes Sally, an attractive but assertive lady who congratulates you on your purchase and starts telling you what an important investment it is. She tries to sell you paint/surface protection, usually somewhere between $1000 and $2000 or more. She acts a bit surprised if you decline, I mean, why would you not want to look after your car?!Do not fall for it. It is overpriced soap and wax and it's where they make massive margins. Tell Sally (nicely) to take a hike! Edited July 17, 2014 by HansaPlease 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 I'm always so mean to poor 'Sally' . Buzz off I can get my windows tinted elsewhere for half the price...Agree with Rozelle. My husband drove a $3000 Ford Falcon for our first year in the country. A bit of a step down from the Prado he had in SA, lol, but it was perfectly fine and to this day he speaks about how much he loved the thing! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansaPlease Posted July 17, 2014 Report Share Posted July 17, 2014 We bought our latest car on a Sunday, so Sally wasn't there. When we went to pick it up on Friday, she realised that she had missed a sale prospect and it looked like she wanted to eat the salesman alive because he didn't introduce her to us. He was genuinely scared of her: "but...but... Mr Hansa bought the car on Sunday, so I didn't get the chance to introduce you to him..." he stuttered as she shot him a look that cut right through him... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinK2409 Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 Hi everyoneThis may be a bit late, but hoping someone can share some insights please.We will be selling our two (paid off) cars here in SA (most likely in December) before moving to Sydney in January on my 457.My question is - how likely are banks to grant credit if you arrive brand spanking new from a different country with no credit history? We will probably only buy one small-ish car that is not older than a year or so. I would be ok to buy it cash, but I totally agree with Rozelle that the spare cash may be necessary for unforeseen expenses. Further, it would be good to start building up a good credit record in Aus. I will obviously have copies of my employment agreement / TFN / evidence of local bank account with some cash in it (maybe 50% deposit)? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 Martin, dont know if you have set your heart on the Rhodes area yet. Can I throw a spanner in the works? If it is just you and your wife, no kids, and you work in the CBD, consider this. Look at Balmain, specifically in the area around Buchanan street. It is spitting distance from the city, but across the water, modern apartment developments and walking distance from Balmain villiage. There are lots of buses into the city, you could take a ferry, cycle or even walk in. There are lots of parks and foreshore walks to do. Tons of restaurants and coffee shops. We lived there when we arrived and did not have a car for the first 8 months. If you need a car you can rent one. If you need a bakkie (ute) or a van you could walk to Balmain rentals and rent one for the day (about $60), if you want to go pick up a purchase. I was out in Buchanan street with friends again tonight and would give my front teeth to live there again. It really set the scene for our life in Sydney. Here is an idea of the apartments there. Yes, its more expensive than the Rhodes area, thats because of location, location, location. http://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-balmain-414313411 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinK2409 Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 Wow thanks Rozelle! Good to know - from our (granted.. .limited) research Rhodes and Zetland looked like the only "new" places. My wife will not work at first so we don't want to go overboard on crazy rentals, but I understand that we might feel like we need a nice place to call home, especially as we will probably have some stress in setting in.Just out of curiosity, where do you live now? LOL: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 There are many new developements. Rhodes, to me, always feels a bit fake, built on the middle of nowhere. It is cheap because of the high density and distance to CBD. Especially if she wont be working initially, living in an established community, might just make the difference between feeling at home and drifting. When I had my second boy, my mountainbiking/surfing husband convinced me they needed a big backyard to play in. We are now in Belrose and my husband is 15mins from tge waves and mountainbikes from the front door. Yes, the boys have their own big yard we would never have been able to afford in Balmain. I did struggle with my move to the burbs. I found it difficult to see the atmosphere and community. Lots of residents are born and bred here, so despite them being mega friendly, we could not scratch the surface. Two years on, and now owning our own 1962 ugly duckling, that has now changed completely ( we wore them down). But if I won the Lotto tomorrow, I would be back in Balmain in a flash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinK2409 Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Thanks the advice Rozelle. I google mapped Buchanan street and does look amazing.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nallan Posted November 10, 2014 Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 The banks are hesitant to give you a car loan if you don't have 3 months of salary statements or from my exp. that is how it was, you can get financing from the dealership but interest rates can be higher and there are additional costs for financing - on a $20000 dollar car it was about $1500 for financing, they wont tell you unless you ask. I purchased a car from gumtree with RWC for $6000 and its perfectly fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted November 10, 2014 Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 I didnt find that at all Nallan,I walked into John Hughes and had my 457 and employment contract. Granted I had to put down a deposit, but am right now busy buying a new car through VW and there are no charges other than interest, and a loan creation amount. I also hammered them about 8K in free extras. Since you are on the losing end of any car purchase I feel its important to "get some value" back. :ilikeit: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nallan Posted November 10, 2014 Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 Well done , I approached Commonwealth bank - I'm a PR with a perm job however they refused to give me a loan, anyway it worked out for the best - I don't have monthly repayments and I'm happy with car. Hyundai were willing to finance the deal but there was lots of extra costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SA Aussie Posted November 10, 2014 Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 Martin,Agree with Surferman. Bought a new car back then (also 457) with no issues accept having to pay it off in 4 years.Also consider a fully maintained novated lease if your employer offers that. It is a brilliant and very tax effective way of buying even a 2nd hand car up to about 8 years old. That way it does not effect your cash in hand and the maintenance + petrol + tyres + license fees is all a pre tax deduction AND let it be known that you can have 2 or more leases at a time - this is very important info that I only found out a couple of months ago. Was not impressed about the lost opportunity on my previous 2nd car. Have that rectified now!Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted November 10, 2014 Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 What interest rate are you getting mate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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