Buying a car. What type? Before we arrive? Driving costs?
#1
Buying a car. What type? Before we arrive? Driving costs?
I'm trying to research costs associated with buying a car when we get to Oz. Can you anyone provide advice on the following:
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
#2
Victorian Evangelist
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, by the beach, living the dream.
Posts: 7,704
Re: Buying a car. What type? Before we arrive? Driving costs?
This thread may help you a bit, although it's not quite up to date -
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376751
Buzzy
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376751
Buzzy
#3
Re: Buying a car. What type? Before we arrive? Driving costs?
This thread may help you a bit, although it's not quite up to date -
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376751
Buzzy
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376751
Buzzy
#4
Re: Buying a car. What type? Before we arrive? Driving costs?
I bought a car today, in NSW - we started at 9am, drove along the main road stopping at every used car lot on the way to see what they had. Started off with a clear idea of budget & 'musts' (mainly four wheels and aircon) and by ten to four (and about ten car lots later!) I'd put down a deposit on something below my budget. Going to pick it up tomorrow!
Personally I think it would not be a good idea to buy second hand without seeing and driving it yourself, but new might work - depending on your budget. Always always negotiate the price down, they do not expect you to pay the advertised price.
Based on my experience today, I would say if you aren't too fussy then there are lots of cars out there and it isn't something you need to worry about too much.
Personally I think it would not be a good idea to buy second hand without seeing and driving it yourself, but new might work - depending on your budget. Always always negotiate the price down, they do not expect you to pay the advertised price.
Based on my experience today, I would say if you aren't too fussy then there are lots of cars out there and it isn't something you need to worry about too much.
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Lake Macquarie
Posts: 83
Re: Buying a car. What type? Before we arrive? Driving costs?
First things first: Get a cheap rental car for a couple of weeks. It isn't that expensive, and you will quite likely get a very good return on that money. I say that because it's very easy to buy the wrong car for the wrong price when pressed for time.
If you have the budget for a new car that's great. Compared to Europe used cars hold their value better here, so I think new cars can be a good buy.
For myself I knew that we would be spending a lot of money when we came here, and I didn't know how long we would be on one income only. So I opted for second hand.
If you need something to get the job done, without being fancy you can get very good deals on 2-3 year old Falcons, Commodore and Magna's. What I said above about holding value do (generally)not apply to these cars in the first 2-3 years, although the Commodore holds value better. Part of the reason is that they are used a lot as fleet cars, another is that the big sixes are falling somewhat out of fashion with the high(ish) petrol prices. Don't know about 4WDs, sorry
If you have the budget for a new car that's great. Compared to Europe used cars hold their value better here, so I think new cars can be a good buy.
For myself I knew that we would be spending a lot of money when we came here, and I didn't know how long we would be on one income only. So I opted for second hand.
If you need something to get the job done, without being fancy you can get very good deals on 2-3 year old Falcons, Commodore and Magna's. What I said above about holding value do (generally)not apply to these cars in the first 2-3 years, although the Commodore holds value better. Part of the reason is that they are used a lot as fleet cars, another is that the big sixes are falling somewhat out of fashion with the high(ish) petrol prices. Don't know about 4WDs, sorry