July 2001 Volume 82 Number 7 "serving the protectors"

Buying a Car on Your Terms

It’s important not to over-spend when buying a car, if only because you’ll need to have enough money left to maintain it properly, and to have something in hand should problems develop. There’s a range of other bills that you can expect either immediately or soon after your purchase, such as stamp duty, registration/transfer fee, car insurance, fringe benefits tax, etc.

On the other side of the equation, there are strong reasons to get the best car you possibly can. A new car is likely to be safer, more fuel-efficient and kinder to the environment. It will also be easier to drive. However, the depreciation is usually very high in the first year, and insurance and routine maintenance can also be costly.

The big question is how much you can sensibly afford. The answer depends on how you go about funding your purchase. You can buy a car by: paying for it with savings; taking out a personal loan to cover all or part of the cost; borrowing money from the seller (dealer finance); or private leasing.

Our staff will help you find the loan that suits your needs rather than our own. We can help you set a budget and make sure the repayments are right for you. Applications can be made in person, by post, by fax 8231 3350, over the phone 131 844, and over the Net (www.policecu.com.au).

Car-Buying Check List

Choosing the right car can be a difficult decision. Ask yourself the following questions before committing to a purchase. If the answer to every question is “yes”, then it looks as if you’ve found the ideal car.

• Have I shopped around and considered all of my alternatives?
• Will this car do all the things I require of it?
• Do I feel comfortable and secure driving it?
• Does it have the features I most want and need?
• Is it sufficiently safe?
• Can I comfortably afford the total cost?
• Is the mechanical, body and interior condition acceptable?
• Is the car likely to be reliable?
• Has the correct age been verified and is it the exact model it is claimed to be?
• Am I paying the correct market price (or less!) for this model?
• Will this car hold its value?
• Will I be happy owning and driving it?

Buying a Car on Your Terms is an easy-to-follow guide to the smart, sensible way of purchasing a new or second-hand car. Your free copy of this booklet is available by phoning Credit Union Services on 131 128.

Congratulations to PGA Competition Winners

By nominating a member to join the PGA club, Wayne Smith has won a weekend getaway for two at Villa Monte Bello. Anita Daminato was the lucky new PGA member that Wayne nominated and she has also won a weekend for to two at Villa Monte Bello. We wish you both a wonderful weekend.

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The Police Journal Online is an official publication of the Police Association of South Australia and is published monthly. Editors of kindred publications can seek permission from the Editor to re-publish any Police Journal Online article. Copyright 2001  The Police Association of South Australia sustance