Know what you want to buy before you arrive at the Car dealership. Don’t make the mistake of arriving at a dealership without researching the car you want to buy. You can research new car information online. There are car reviews online and manufacturers websites provide technical details and model specifications. Use these important free tips for buying a new car to help you in the new car buying process.
This will help you to improve your knowledge and be better informed when you purchase a new car. www.wacarlocator.com.au is a good place to start. Request a price on the car you wish to buy. There are other websites that display new car pricing. www.wacarlocator.com.au will get you an obligation free new car price. When you are considering a new car purchase check pricing and availability online.
BENEFITS OF BUYING A NEW CAR
1. You Get Current Safety Technology
The motor vehicle industry has invested billions of dollars in making your new car safer. Every year manufacturers are using new technology to enhance safety in new cars.
Safety features that are becoming cheaper and are appearing on more vehicles as standard safety equipment:
Stability control:
• This system helps drivers to avoid accidents by:
• reducing the danger of losing control and skidding as a result of over-steering.
• Your car if fitted with stability control becomes active when a car loses traction and a driver loses control of their car.
Adaptive cruise control:
• This is standard cruise control with extras. Adaptive cruise control maintains the vehicle’s pre-set speed but unlike standard cruise control, this new system automatically adjusts your speed so that you maintain a pre-set distance between vehicles ahead of you. The system will apply the brakes to maintain the distance independent of the driver.
Lane departure warning:
• As your car moves toward or reaches the lane markings on the road, the driver will get a warning.
• This can be a visual alert and/or an audible tone, a vibration in the steering wheel and/or a vibration in your seat.
• This depends on the system that has been fitted to your car.
• These systems assume that when your indicator is on you are intentionally crossing the lane and as a result no alert is given.
Blind spot warning:
• The new generation sensors monitor the road on either side of your car and send a visual warning in your mirror and dash if there is a vehicle in your blind spot.
Rear-view camera or Reversing Camera:
• Most cars have a blind spot when reversing.
• Blind spots are known to cause of a high proportion of rear collision accidents.
• Cars that have built-in video cameras fitted to the rear as standard are becoming more common.
• The wide-angle camera displays the immediate surroundings behind a vehicle and when paired with rear parking sensors sound an alert to the driver to make them aware of any danger.
• The reversing camera has helped to reduce the amount of accidents and injuries by alerting drivers to what is behind their cars.
Anti- Lock Braking:
• Anti–lock braking systems also known as ABS helps prevent your wheels from locking up and skidding and this allows you to steer to safety in an emergency braking situation.
Multiple airbags: Please read the warning at the bottom of this paragraph.
• An airbag or correctly known as a supplementary restraint system (SRS)or supplementary inflatable restraint (SIR). The word supplementary means that the airbag has been designed to work in conjunction with seatbelts and to protect you rather than replace the seat belt.
• The idea is that the airbag inflates as soon as an impact has been detected and an impact has occurred. The bag deflates rapidly after inflating.
• This is an important feature: If the bag didn’t deflate it would not absorb the energy created and you would bounce off. An air bag consists of a cushion, a flexible fabric bag, an inflation device or module and an impact sensor.
• Warning: do not travel with your feet on the dash, do not drive hunched over the steering wheel, try and sit at least 10 inches or 25 centimetres away from the steering wheel when driving. Seat children under 12 in the rear seats. Do not have forward facing safety capsules in the front seat. Air bags deploy with explosive force and severely injure you if you are not prepared correctly.
• Check with your vehicle manufacturer about air bag safety recalls.
Traction control:
• A Traction Control system maximises grip and the stability of the car on the road during acceleration by measuring wheel rotation. It helps to control wheel spin by reducing engine power or by temporarily applying the brakes to that wheel, this allows the car to accelerate smoothly, even on slippery surfaces.
Emergency brake assist:
• Emergency brake assist also known as brake assistance is a term for a technology that will increase the braking pressure automatically in an emergency. This is combined with adaptive cruise control.
Tire pressure monitoring:
• This system uses a sensor that is mounted in the wheel to measure the air pressure in each tire. When the air pressure in any tire drops 25% or more below the manufacturer’s recommended level, the sensor transmits that information to your car’s computer system and warns you via a dashboard indicator light.
Park assist or Self- parking cars:
• Park assist,
• This refers to an automated parking aid which utilises radar technology, cameras and sensors.
• This allows the car to do most of the work itself when parking into a spot located either in a car park or at the side of the road.
Pedestrian detection:
• Auto Emergency Braking is a technology that has been developed with vehicle and pedestrian safety in mind. It can help to prevent a collision and/or can reduce the impact and speed of a collision.
• This technology combines a camera and radar to detect people in the path of the vehicle you are driving.
• Pedestrian movement is analysed relative to the direction of your vehicle and is calculated to decide if they are in danger of being hit by you.
• AEB will alert you to a crash before it happens.
• This gives you the chance to use the full braking capabilities of your car and can also apply your brakes independently if the situation becomes critical.
It is very important to be aware that these systems are designed to support the driver in emergency situations and that you should still pay full attention and remain responsible for the vehicle.
Adaptive head lights:
• Adaptive headlights turn their beam in the direction the car is travelling and adapt to the direction of your steering.
• This allows safer driving on curves and hills as the headlights adjust to the way the car is heading.
Fuel Efficiency.
3. Be Aware of Fuel Efficiency Breakthroughs.
The more fuel efficient your car is the less it will cost you in running costs.
Government regulations regarding fuel efficiency have strict requirements for manufacturers to keep improving fuel efficiency.
There will be continuing improvements in the fuel efficiency of larger vehicles like people movers, SUV’s, luxury cars, sports cars and recreational vehicles.
If you do a lot of kilometres, you can balance the higher upfront cost of a new car with the long-term savings of a more efficient engine.
4. Electric and Hybrid Alternative Energy Vehicles.
Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles promise to dramatically reduce energy costs per kilometre driven. For their equivalent size vehicles, the economy savings and ratings are in triple digit figures. Electric cars aren’t the only low running cost alternative vehicles. Diesel is making a comeback. They offer very efficient kilometre per litre, especially on the highway.
Honda sells a methane-powered version of the Civic, this is popular where natural gas is cheap. Hydrogen cars are being sold by Toyota, Hyundai, Mercedes and Honda; several other car manufacturers are working to develop hydrogen cars. As the technology advances and production costs fall new car buyers will be able to buy more efficient and cheaper alternative energy vehicles that not only increase fuel economy but may also improve the air that we breathe.
5. Check the Price.
A low advertised price for a new car may have caught your attention. Often the advertised price is for a base model car and you may have to pay more to get the extras you want. Before you take your test drive, sort out the price of the car. Often you won’t know what the price is and the salesperson may not be willing to give you a price, let alone the best price until you have a contract in front of you and you are being asked to sign. Always ask the salesperson how long your car is licenced for. Sometimes this can be the difference between quotes. Some dealers will quote 3 months registration some 6 months and others for 12 months. It pays to check.
If you plan to trade in your current car, research market values for your trade in vehicle. When you know the value of your trade it can be a powerful bargaining tool. The team at www.wacarlocator.com.au can get you a price on your trade.
6. Check Out Your Finance Options Before Going to a Dealership.
Dealership interest rates can be higher than rates obtained through your bank or a finance broker. A finance broker such as www.loans123.com.au is a good place to start researching car loan rates and avoid multiple enquiries on your credit file. www.loans123.com.au is a great place to start for many car buyers because they take the hassle out of the process. Be aware that making multiple applications can damage your credit file by lowering your credit score.
You can use www.freecreditreport.com.au to get your credit report and credit score for free. Your credit scores have a big impact on the type of loan that may qualify for and the interest rate you’ll receive. If you are lucky enough to have a high credit score you will qualify for a lower interest rate. Important free tips for buying a new Car. Steve Sell Loans 123 for new car finance. call 1800 100 100.
7. Negotiate Terms
Buying a car can be like a chess match. Each side does what it can, not to give up the advantage. Next to buying a house, purchasing a new car is one of the biggest investments most people make. What you decide to do now may affect you for the next 7 years depending on your loan term. Without being aggressive let the salesperson you are dealing with know up front that you have done some research into the car you are buying and that not going to be able to overcharge you. In dealership terms you are not a “wood duck”
Don’t be overawed when you walk into the new car dealership. Be confident, know what you should pay for the new car you have chosen and don’t feel bad about walking away if you are unhappy with how you are being treated.
8. Agree on a Purchase Price. Do Not buy on Monthly Payments.
Most car salespeople are trained to sell on payments and will offer very attractive monthly payments to potential buyers. Our important free tips can help you.
Do not be misled by a seemingly affordable payment option. These payments are often quoted as weekly payments to make them seem less.
An example of this is a payment of $100.00 per week may fit your budget. This is a payment of $430.00 per month. There are 52 weeks in a year. 4.3 weeks in a month. $100 per week x 4.3 equals $430.00 per month. Negotiate the purchase price of the car, do not be swayed by the monthly payment. Do not finance your car for 7 years. If you can’t afford your car over 5 years at the longest term look at a cheaper car. Be sure that the salesperson has disclosed the total purchase price of any car that you buy. Often there are extra hidden costs that may not be disclosed until you sign the contract. These can include stamp duty, luxury car tax, dealer delivery costs and fees to name a few.
9. Use the Internet to Learn About or Even Buy the Car You Want.
Purchasing a car online is an option for you to consider. A salesperson in a dealership wants to negotiate the highest price possible, as his commissions are based on the gross or profit in the car. Purchasing a car online can be more convenient than visiting multiple dealerships. Many new car dealerships put new car prices online. f you decide to buy a car online, you should test drive it before you commit. You can negotiate online and sign a contract subject to:” Test drive to purchasers’ satisfaction”.
10. Leave Your Trade in Out of the Discussions.
You should not mention your trade-in until you have agreed on a price for the new car. The reason for this that any discount you have been given by the dealer, he will try and make up for by giving you less for your trade. Negotiate the purchase of the new car and the trade price separately. Negotiate the best price you can get for the new car you want to buy, then work on getting the most for your trade-in. These may mean getting outside prices for your trade in.
11. Don’t Forget Insurance.
Insurance can be a major cost in the purchase of a new car. It always pays to get insurance premium quotes. You will need to provide information about the car’s make and model and your personal information including driving history, your age, where you live and claims history. Some sports cars and European cars can have higher premiums and excess’s than conventional cars.
12. Try to Avoid Spur of The Moment Buying
Do not arrive at a dealership on a whim. You should have conducted a lot research before you set foot in a dealership and buy a vehicle. You will have plenty of time after the purchase to think about what you should have done. By conducting some research into the type and make of car that suits you and is affordable you will be in a better position choose a car that will last you for many years without costly repairs.
Extended Warranty
13. An extended warranty is an insurance policy for your vehicle.
This is usually an extension of the new car or manufacturer’s warranty. The word “extended” is used because you are buying an additional warranty on top of the one that is offered by the manufacturer. If you’re buying a new car, the car will come with a manufacturer’s warranty that provides coverage for your vehicle. Some manufacturers now offer up to seven years new car warranty. You should only consider this if you are planning on keeping the car for longer than the manufacturer’s warranty period.
14. Always Test Drive the Car You Wish to Buy.
You should test drive the car to check that it is suitable for your needs. As a result of driving the car you should feel comfortable. There are some cars that you won’t feel comfortable driving or do not suit your body shape or posture. If you drive the car with children regularly you should bring them on the test drive. Because they must be comfortable as well as you. If the car is not right, they will quickly let you know.
However, whilst your comfort is important you should check the following:
• View: Ensure you able to see each of the mirrors, see out the windows and have a clear view of the dashboard gauges and any navigation aids.
• Controls: Sit in the driver’s seat and use the indicators, reach for the air conditioning and windshield wipers. Make sure that everything is easy to use.
• Some people find that some of the controls and gauges are hard to use or see clearly.
15. Why buy a car towards the end of the month?
• A dealer may need one more deal to reach a bonus or incentive.
• The salesperson may need one more deal to get to his sales bonus, as a result you may get a better deal than at any other time.
• Another good time to buy is at the end of the financial year. There are often great deals to be had.
• January and early in the year when dealers are trying to move the previous year’s cars.
In Summary:
Buying a new car is a major purchase for most people. It is important to research each aspect of the process.
Remember a new car purchase should be broken down into 3 components:
1. Get your finance pre-approved.
2. Research and confirm the price of your new car.
3. Get a price on your trade before you go to the dealership.
You can educate yourself using our important free tips for buying a new Car.
This ensures you are well prepared and confident about getting the best deal possible on a new car.