| "> | | | | * Car dealerships will generally be more expensive |
| All the Barefoot team members have only ever | | | | than a private sale, so tread carefully. |
| owned second-hand cars. We just don't see the point | | | | Watch out! |
| in driving around in a $50,000 car that in three years will | | | | * Make sure the car has a roadworthy certificate. |
| be worth $20,000. Cars are depreciative assets, and | | | | Otherwise there could be all sorts of hidden costs lying |
| unless you need to compensate for something there is | | | | within your defective car. |
| no real point in forking out for the latest model | | | | * In a private sale, make sure that the person selling |
| Commodore. | | | | you the car is the owner. Otherwise you can't fill out |
| So buying second hand is always best, and who | | | | the paperwork. |
| knows - it might just be old enough to be retro cool. | | | | * Inspect the car thoroughly. There are several dodgy |
| Think Toranas and old minis! | | | | tricks that car dealers will try to pull to make a bomb |
| Here are some key pointers for the smart buyer | | | | look like a wedding cake. |
| when it comes to navigating shady second hand car | | | | Watch for these dodgy tricks: |
| dealerships and making sure your car loan is more | | | | * Worn brake pedals or driver's seats are a common |
| than it needs to be. | | | | indicator of excessive mileage. |
| Remember: | | | | * New floor mats are a dead giveaway in an old car: |
| *Decide how much you can afford to spend. Getting a | | | | check underneath, they might be hiding a patchy or |
| full car loan is a bad idea, because as we mentioned, | | | | damp floor. |
| it's a depreciative asset which means that if times are | | | | * Scratches or fingerprints on the odometer cover |
| tough and you have to sell, you won't recoup nearly | | | | could indicate it has been tampered with. Another |
| enough to cover the loan. | | | | indication is umbers that don't line up properly. |
| *If you do need a small car loan to cover part of the | | | | * Shiny paint jobs could indicate replacement panels |
| price, don't get roped into a finance plan at the used | | | | fitted because the car has been involved in an |
| car dealership as these are generally designed to rip | | | | accident. Check the paintwork matches surrounding |
| you off Look around for a better deal on your car | | | | panels. Paint marks around the headlights are signs of |
| loan, but also beware companies that advertise with | | | | a respray. |
| lines such as "no application refused".. | | | | * Oil leaks under or around the engine or blue smoke |
| *Remember that the price asked for the car isn't the | | | | when you start up are an indication that the motor is |
| only cost. There is stamp duty, a transfer registration | | | | burning oil. |
| fee and the all-important insurance. | | | | * Engine knocking or ticking noises indicate excessive |
| Where to go: | | | | wear. |
| * The Trading Post is a great place to start looking, | | | | * Bouncy suspension indicates worn struts or shock |
| and you can feel very Australian while doing it. Just | | | | absorbers. |
| make sure you don't end up with a pair of jousting | | | | * Check tires for wear or uneven patches |
| sticks. Also check out the online version at au. | | | | * Vibration or shaking when driving the car indicates |
| * au | | | | poor wheel balance or alignment or poor tyre pressure. |
| * au | | | | * Clunking gear changes indicate a faulty gear box or |
| * redbookasiapacific.com/au/ | | | | universal joints connecting to the drive shaft. |
| * Car markets are essentially the same as buying | | | | * Check log books to ensure the vehicle has been |
| privately, but they give you the ability to see several | | | | regularly serviced. |
| cars in the one place rather than hitch-hiking all over | | | | Follow these tips and make sure that any car loan you |
| town. | | | | have doesn't become a burden! |