Claire123

Hi,

Anyone got suggestions/recommendations on where to get a good deal on a car in the Melbourne area. Think I want a mid size that is a couple of years old but everything seems expensive at the mo/the dealers aren't helpful.

Thanks
C

Deutschmaster

Have a look at http://www.carsales.com.au/

ABCDiamond

You may find that used car prices tend to be a bit more expensive than the UK as they don't depreciate as fast.

Good for New car buyers who get a good resale value later, but not too good for the British buying a used car, who are used to cars depreciating faster.

Also make sure you haggle the price down. Our last one was haggled down at least $2,000 from about $14,000 ( I can't recall exact prices). But never pay anywhere near the asking price.

Gina123

Ive just bought a used car today from the Holden dealership in Mornington, we got nearly $2,000 off the car price and the price we agreed is the on the road price. Make sure you get the on the road price as that is the full and final price you will pay. We pick our car up tomorow. Now is also a good time to buy as its coming to the end of the month.
Plus we decided to stick with the dealership because we get 12 month warranty and all other used car garages were only offering between a month and 3 months.
I too found some sales people to be really unhelpful, but the people we dealt with at mornington were helpful enough, in fact our salesman was originally from portsmouth! Hope you manage to find a car
Gina

Murf

One of the best places to go car hunting is Car City on the Warrigal Road near Mentone. Loads of car dealers with a wide range of prices.

Pomster

the other options to try are car brokers- can't recall any names at the moment, but one might be called carbrokers.com.au, and something like cars4u.com.au.

Alternatively, try auctions. Fowles (might be Manheim now) have auctions of ex govt fleet over in Altona North every few weeks- try googling car auctions, Melbourne. Some mates have got good deals, but you do need to go on a work day which is hard if you have work to go to!

Geelong Gent

Dealers not helpful? They should be falling over for your business now. There is over 100K new vehicles to be sold in the next quarter with no buyers and used vehicles too clear to make room. May/June is going to be bargain quarter as this quarters will be largely unsold and next quarter arriving with no where to be stored

If you can't haggle 30% of the list price move to another dealer. Only use a broker if your meek, and be wary of the finance proposals they offer.

DownUnderPaddy

I'll echo GGs advice. As they highlight in these articles, it is the best Christmas in seven years for car buying. Have a read, it should help boost your confidence to realise that you are in a buyers market.

Buyers' market for new cars
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...010760,00.html

"With most dealers working on commission Wright says they need to continue to make sales to make an income in 2009."

"You don't want to kick a man when he's down, but in this climate they should be willing and flexible to offer discounts," he says. "If you don't ask for it you don't get it."