If you’re not a motor vehicle expert, but want a great deal on your new car, here are a few tips:
- Research prices and offers beforehand. Go window-shopping online, visit the caryards after hours and check out the car section of your local newspaper. This should give you a basic understanding of the cost of the car you’re looking at. Be wary of dealer promotions, for example; ‘free on-road costs’ does not always mean ‘drive-away price’ e.g. dealer delivery charges could still apply. Compare other brands with similarly priced vehicles
- Decide what you want in your car. Is a sun-roof critical, leather seats, good fuel-mileage, number of air-bags, reversing camera, etc. Prioritise what you must have, what you’d like & what you don’t care about. Keep this in mind if the salesperson tries to sway you towards a model you don’t want.
- Organise your finance. If you’re not going to pay cash up front, get a pre-approved car loan which you know you can afford. That way, you can negotiate on the basis you’re paying cash, giving you bargaining power. Finance from the caryard is rarely the best value.
- Take it for a test drive. Drive the car as you would in real life; ie in town, on the highway, in a tight carpark, take it home and try it in your garage, towing your trailer, everything you would do if you were to own it. Put the kids in the back & see how much room there is.
- Take your time. A pushy salesperson won’t make you feel happy with your purchase. Consider the incentive for the dealer to make ‘a sale’; end of month, end of year, end of model, his competitors, etc
- Consider ALL the costs. Fuel, servicing, insurance, CTP, as well as the financing costs. Maybe the dealer will negotiate on servicing costs, extra warranty, etc
- If you’re buying a used car? Get an independent mechanic(you trust) to check it out first. Check out the service history. Take someone you can trust with you on the test-drive.
- Be careful when buying after-sales accessories. Paint & interior protection, tinting, etc can seem like a good idea, but know what a good price is for those items & either negotiate them as part of the sale or visit an independent provider of those items.
Then enjoy your driving, be safe and happy in the knowledge you have a great value car deal.
