Plan for your purchase
Decide what you want and what you can afford before you start shopping around. Talk to someone. A good start would be to check the Advertiser and the Trading Post for listings of cars. Make sure it suits your needs and that you can afford to run and insure it. Don’t rush into it, it’s an important decision and you could be left with a mountain of debt. Before buying a car, check out the following website:
www.b4usplashcash.ocba.sa.gov.au/car.html
Think about:
Up-front costs – stamp duty, transfer fees, insurance and registration (it’s illegal to drive an unregistered vehicle).
On-going and running costs – petrol, oil, servicing, tyres, insurance etc. You probably need to factor in about $90 per week for on-going costs.
Loan repayments – this will depend on the cost of your car and the terms of the loan. Shop around for a loan. There are many different types, and it can take some research to find the one that suits you.
Remember to account for interest charges
Parking costs – these can add up!!
Investing in a roadside assistance scheme eg. RAA, RACV or NRMA
You've decided!
There is no doubt that having your own wheels does give you independence.
You can go where you want when you want…BUT that’s only if your car starts and you can afford the cost of petrol, insurance AND the surprise costs that come up just to keep your car on the road.
If you have looked at your budget and you can afford to buy a car or a motorbike these are the things you should consider:
1. Do your research. Set yourself an amount to spend and find out what year and model of car or bike sells for that price. You don’t want a bomb, so don’t just buy a car or a motorbike because it’s cheap or looks hot. There is nothing sexy about a flash car that won’t start. To compare prices on different models of cars and bikes go to:
www.redbookasiapacific.com/au/
2. Don’t be talked into something you don’t want. Car sales people are notorious for their powers of persuasion. Be firm. You’ve got a budget to stick to.
3. Ask about the warranty. By law, a licensed car or bike dealer must provide a warranty. If you buy at auction or privately you will NOT get a warranty.
4. Check that the car or bike is not stolen. If you buy privately you also want to be sure that there is no money owing on the car or bike. The Register of Encumbered Vehicles (REVs) and the Vehicle Securities Register (VSR) can help to confirm this. Check out REVS or VSR, depending on your state.
Buying privately
This is an attractive option for some people as it is possible to pay less buying privately. But remember, you have no protection from the Second-hand Vehicle Dealers Act 1995 and warranty does not apply.
Make sure the person selling the car is the owner - ask for proof. Make sure there isn’t any money owing on the car - ring the Vehicles Securities Register on 131 084 and ask them for a certificate to be sure.
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