Top Car Buying Tips : e

Buying a car can be exciting and daunting. It's a major purchase that people on average do about 10 times in their life. There are so many new cars to choose from, in fact, Australia is one of the most competitive car markets in the world. You've got a choice of over 40 brands with over 300 different models, not including the model variants. So if you've got your heart set on a Volkswagen Golf, you then need to decide which of the 14 different variants is the one for you!
We've put together this guide to help you through the stages of the car buying process to make it easier and faster for you.
Research - You know it's time you deserved a new car and you have a budget in mind. (Don't worry if you end up going over your initial budget, most people do!) The best starting point to find out what's available is to have a look on the road and talk to your friends, family and work colleagues about their cars. Also have a look online.
Create your short list - Once you've had a look around and found out how far the budget will stretch it's time to create your short list. It's always good to compare at least 2 models at dealerships so that you can weigh up the best option for you. One will usually just "feel" better than the other. Also, when looking at the cost, it's good at this stage to find out ongoing costs such as fuel, insurance and servicing.
Test drive - Not everyone chooses to test drive, but it is a good idea. You'll be able to assess visibility, zippiness and ease of parking. You can also have a good look at storage, seat functionality-are they split fold, can they be removed completely to put in your skis, bike or luggage for long trips? Have a listen to the sound system and see whether you can plug your iPod straight in.
Finance - There are many ways you can pay for your car. Cash/cheque, personal loan, lease or dealer finance. If you are borrowing the money (lease or loan) compare the interest rates and application fees. It's good to have an idea of how much you can borrow and repayments before you start to negotiate.
Negotiate - Cars prices are negotiable. Sales Consultants are well versed in negotiation strategies. Before you go into the dealership, check out what deals are currently advertised. Deals can include free on road costs (registration, CTP green slip for NSW and stamp duty), free leather seats and free air conditioning. Some offers will be supported by the manufacturer and others will be at the dealer's discretion. You can usually get a good deal on a car in stock at a dealership, an old model or when they are overstocked with a colour or transmission type. Whilst prices are negotiable, dealer profit on some models can be quite small. For example, cars around the $15,000 price tag may only net less than $1,000 to the dealership. Once you've agreed on a price you may be asked for a holding deposit and to confirm your order by completing the necessary paperwork. Don't feel compelled to sign anything on the spot. Sometimes it's good to sleep on it!
To Accessorise or Not? When buying a new car, most dealerships will introduce you to add-ons including window tint, fabric protector, alloy wheels, headlight and bonnet protector and much more. If you are anticipating normal suburban driving there really is no need to add anything to a new car as most are built well enough to endure these conditions. However, if you wanted to make your car look more sporty you can 't go passed alloy wheels and a darker window tint!
Melissa Pye is an Australian pioneering the way women are valued in the automotive industry and works with leading auto brands to educate them on the needs of women. Her site, Her Car, is the only site in Australia where all of the new car reviews are written by women!
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