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Finance Ezi | Australian Finance Brokers
Finance Ezi | Australian Finance Brokers

When buying a car it’s important to be realistic with what you can afford to spend. The following guide will help narrow down your choices to a few specific models, and also decide whether to go for a new, or second hand car.

Saving the whole purchase price is ideal, if possible, but taking out car finance for part of the purchase is still an option. Car dealerships will often suggest you borrow from their finance company, but this can end up costing you more. At Finance EZI we have the best connections through our broad panel of lenders, allowing us to provide more choice and even pre-approved loans, so you can shop with confidence.

The following are 3 key considerations you should make before buying a car;

Insurance premiums

Car insurance is another big expense and regardless of what car you choose, expect to pay a lot higher-than-average premiums simply because you’re young. A cheaper option is to be added to your parent’s policy if the insurer allows, but eventually you’ll have to bite the bullet and go it alone. The good news is, after a couple of years of safe driving, your premiums should drop reasonably quickly.

Private or Dealer? New or Used?

Buying a car privately might cost less, but buying from a dealer can be a safer way to go. All licensed car dealers have to comply with applicable government regulations, which you don’t get that with a private sale. If you do go for a private sale, always get an independent inspection by a qualified mechanic. It’ll cost a little, but it’s money well spent to give you peace of mind.

There are a few things you can do yourself to check the condition of a car. Look for any bumps or mismatched colours, and whatever you do, don’t buy something that’s full of rust. Rust areas are often filled with fibreglass, so wrap a magnet in some cloth and run it over the car to make sure there’s metal under the paint. Check the suspension by pushing down on the car. When you let go, the car should move then settle in a balanced position. See that there’s plenty of tread on the tyres and no rusty water in the radiator. Hoses should be soft and spongy and it’s a good idea to park the car on a clean surface after you’ve driven it to check for any leaks.

Another good reason to buy from a dealer is to be sure there’s no money owing on the car. By law, licensed dealers can only sell cars that are unencumbered. When buying privately the buyers should check that the car is debt-free. Stolen cars may be repossessed without compensation, so always insist on seeing the owner’s I.D as well as the car’s certificate of registration and proof of original purchase if possible.

How Much Should I Pay?

Used car prices vary widely, but you can usually negotiate a lower price than the seller is asking. Don’t open the bidding first – make the seller give the first price. If you think it’s realistic, offer something less. If the seller gets close to that price, do the deal. In case it’s not, look elsewhere. A great place to look is right here on the internet. Where you’ll find hundreds of private sellers and car dealers with a wide variety of used vehicles and boats.

If you’re buying privately and the seller asks for a deposit, there is no set amount, so leave as little as possible. Make sure you get your deposit back if the car fails the inspection.

There are also some ideal times to buy a car from a dealership. If you’re buying a new car and you don’t have to have the latest model, end of year run-out sales can save you heaps. The last week of the month is usually a good time to buy – Dealers and sales teams will be keen to meet the monthly sales target. And did you know Monday might just be the best day to buy a car? The dealer could be feeling either generous or desperate, depending on how his weekend went!

Before buying a new car contact the team at Finance EZI on 1300 003 003 for great savings on car finance rates.

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Finance Ezi | Australian Finance Brokers