August 2002 Volume 83 Number 8 "serving the protectors"

You don’t want your new car purchase to drive you up the wall. Let this handy guide steer you in the right direction to a less stressful car-buying experience.

New or used?

While new cars are constantly being improved in terms of safety and on-road efficiency, it is the cost of depreciation, insurance, maintenance and even warranties that can prove expensive.

Used cars, particularly those still under warranty, might be more cost-effective. In a sense, you’re letting the first owner or owners of the car bear the brunt of that extra expense.

Finances will obviously largely dictate which way to go for most people, but there are safety considerations that shouldn’t be overlooked when buying older cars.

More modern cars might seem as if their crush factor is high, but that is a design feature that allows the metal to absorb the impact of any collision.

Yard or private?

Getting your hands on the right vehicle at the best price is the next step. Buying a new car is easy, but the used-car market is more diversified. A used car dealer will have no end of bargains available.

Buying privately is also an option – at auction or through classified ads or a “car broker”.

When shopping privately, it is very important to make sure the car is legally for sale or, indeed, whether there might be some finance owing on it. You don’t want to find out afterwards that the car has been stolen or is about to be repossessed. Check with the Vehicle Security Register, on 131 084.

A good look at the vehicle logbook or service record will deliver some meaningful insights into the way the car has been maintained. Unless the car is covered by a transferable new-car warranty, you won’t have one, and that could spell disaster. In this case, a thorough once-over by an independent mechanic is a must.

Even greater caution should be used if buying at an auction, because the car is usually sold “as is”, and the opportunity for a comprehensive mechanical check is not available.

Need versus want

At the most basic level, you need to assess how many people you will want to transport, and that might include hangers-on like the dog, or even a couple of bikes. Clearly, size is important.

Fuel-guzzling four-wheel drives are expensive to run and can lack in the suspension department, but are very versatile.

The modern wagon is terrific for transporting the snooker team, but can be a bit noisier than a sedan. Family sedans offer good value, but their big engines can use a lot of petrol. It’s easy to park a little car and they often run on the smell of an oily rag, but safety can be an issue. Small cars can also be just as expensive to fix as their larger cousins. Making informed decisions is getting easier all the time, because there is so much information available through avenues such as the Internet, motoring organizations, magazines and newspapers.

If you are well-armed with knowledge about the kind of car you want and the sorts of prices you would expect to pay for various models and makes, you will be in a much stronger position to negotiate a decent price. The negotiation side of things will work more in your favour if you are thoroughly prepared, but before you enter into any contract to buy a car, make sure you understand your rights and the obligations of the dealer. The Australian Consumers’ Association offers free assistance and advice.

Phone Police Credit Union today on 131 844 for information on car loans, motor vehicle insurance and other car-related products and services.

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