Are you part of a Newcastle family looking for a new car? Not sure where to begin? Our guide will help you with the ins and outs of buying a car as a parent or carer in Newcastle, covering all your questions with clear and direct answers. See how you can get behind the wheel of a new car that ticks all the boxes now and into the future.
Setting a budget
Before you begin looking at vehicles whether in person or online, you need to have a budget in mind. How much can you afford to pay back each month? What about the expense of petrol and maintenance? Add all of this to your calculations.
Look for cars and other vehicles that have the features you “must have,” such as storage capacity, fuel efficiency (or range, if you’re buying electric), satnav, safety features, and similar things.
Getting a car for now and the future
If you’re planning for a family or have one bub in tow, you have to ask if your car will be “future proofed” – will there be a brother or sister – perhaps two? Will you be towing caravans and visiting the Outback? Taking cross country trips? Going off-road to explore the Gap Creek area or Boarding House Dam in the Watagans? Heading to regional sports carnivals? Lugging school bags and sports equipment?
A medium-sized car may not cut it. You might have to consider station wagons, minivans, or the ever-popular middle-ground, the SUV. With so much choice on offer, you can likely find a variant of your vehicle as an Electric Vehicle (EV) or hybrid petrol-electric.
Should you stick with petrol or go for EV or Hybrids?
There is a lot of buzz is in the air about EVs and hybrids – and for good reason. Prices are coming down on EVs and are becoming comparable to similar-sized and apportioned SUVs, hatches, or sedans.
EVs require far less maintenance than petrol cars and will “pay for themselves” as the cost to power them using electricity is far cheaper than fuel (especially as of 2023.) If you haven’t considered going electric, look into the infrastructure in your area to see if it’s a good fit for you and your family’s lifestyle.
Also note that the Federal and NSW governments are offering various incentives for people to buy EVs – though these incentives won’t last forever.
Buying new vs a used car
It’s true: the price of a used item will always be less than something new. The inverse is also true: buying something new will mean a higher price but less cost as time goes on in terms of fuel, maintenance, and repairs.
New cars have modern safety features, better fuel efficiency (or range), and other bells and whistles to keep the youngsters entertained and safe with new driver assist functions. (To be fair, you should only consider vehicles with a five-star ANCAP Safety rating anyway.)
Older vehicles are a higher risk and lenders may “punish” you with higher than baseline interest rates when it comes to finance. When it does come time to get a loan, you should research options with a qualified broker.
The middle ground is buying certified used or ex-demo – they may not be completely factory fresh, but they’re close enough to it; and you’ll get a guarantee and a cooling-off period if you change your mind.
No matter which types you choose, you must test drive before you buy. EVs drive and handle a lot differently to petrol cars, for example. Make sure you like to drive it – and it suits your family situation.
Buying at a dealer or going private
If you do want to buy used, you can save a lot of money by going through a private seller.
When purchasing from a private seller, you are practically on your own opposed to dealer sales. Since you’re transacting with another individual and not a company, there are no “cooling off periods” or consumer protections.
You need to make sure you can sight a logbook, VIN and roadworthy certificate (RWC) – if the seller dithers, walk away. You should also look up any potential vehicle on the Personal Property Security Register to ensure you’re not buying something dodgy.
You also need to inspect the car from top to tail – if you aren’t a petrolhead, bring someone knowledgeable or an independent assessor with you. Insist on a test drive – if the seller is cagey, it’s another sign to walk away.
With all this in mind, you should be able to pin down a car that is right for your family and where to get a good bargain – it really is up to you how much effort you want to spend on it. A dealer is convenient but costs more; but unearthing a diamond in the private seller rough can be a slog, but you can save a lot!
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