Did you know that at least 20.1 million people in Australia use a car?
That means there are countless drivers running up the miles on their cars, experiencing break downs, and wanting upgrades to their current vehicles. Oftentimes, you might just want a newer car because you want it, or you might even want a vehicle because you need it.
All of this leaves consumers wondering where to search for new and used cars and how they can get the funds to secure the purchase. With the inflation rate in Australian sitting at around 6%, many Australians are wondering how they can purchase the car they want without having to break the bank. Along with affording the car you want to have, comes with actually finding it.
With multiple ways to source new and used vehicles while living in Australian it can become a chore finding the best search method. With the help of technology and evolving trends, you’ll learn how to easily find the new or used car of your dreams. Keep reading as we talk about the different ways you can find your dream car today.
What Is the Best Way to Source a New or Used Car
Choosing a new or used car is really up to you. Before you start trying to source the vehicle you need you’ll want to decide what that actually is. After deciding what you’re going to be looking for, you can move on to how you can source vehicles to look at in person and even test drive. While the main thing when searching for a new or used car is to be fully aware of exactly what you’re looking for, there are ways that you can make this easier.
The best way to do that is to make a detailed list of what you’re looking for in a car so you can be more specific when looking for it. Another great way is to use online tools to help you source your car based on the features you need. It will also depend on the experience you want to have.
Do you want to talk to someone in person and sit in a vehicle right away? Would you prefer more of a self-help type of shopping experience? Or, would you prefer the entire process to be completed online?
At least 74% of Australians still prefer going to a physical dealership, but with multiple methods of shopping and testing out vehicles for a trial period, you don’t have to feel tied to that method. With either route, you’ll still always want to ensure you’re doing your research on different options you have and what you should be checking when you see it in person.
Why Is Shopping Around a Good Idea When Car Buying?
When it comes to buying a new or used car, shopping around is a great way to find a great deal on a car. You can do this by looking at different car dealers in your area, and seeing what they have to offer. You can also look online at different car dealers to see what they have available.
An easy way to do this would be to use comparison options online. This way, you can look at vehicles side by side and compare their;
- Cost
- Release date
- Mileage
- Features
- Accident or previous owner reports (if buying used)
The best way to find out if a particular dealer has what you’re looking for is to call them to see what they have available or to go down to the dealership. Another way, which is a method that is growing in more popularity is to use online inventory sites.
Depending on where you are in Australia, there could be several car dealers in your area. If you’re not sure which one to go to or where to start, you can ask online forums, or search for car dealers in your area to see what people recommend.
You can also do a Google search for car dealer reviews or community reviews to see what others have to say about specific car dealers in your area. Overall, doing a bit of shopping around will allow you to get the most for your money and the best deal based on what you want.
Where to Search for New and Used Cars
On average, an Australian will keep a car for about six years. This means there are always people in the market for a new vehicle. With prices constantly rising on basic things, this leaves large numbers of consumers wondering where they should start with their new car search.
If you’re looking for a new car, there are several ways to find one. One of the easiest ways is to look online. Let’s talk about some of the top ways you can get started with where to search for new cars.
Using Online Car Shopping Platforms
You can use online car shopping platforms such as Carvana, CarSales, or even Autotrader. Shopping for a car online doesn’t have to be a hassle. In fact, the process is quite the same without the “salesmen factor”. Some of the reasons why many Australians are turning more toward online sourcing options are:
- The ability to shop from the comfort of your own home
- You can compare prices and features of different vehicles in one place
- You can find a car that fits your budget and needs without pressure
- Ability to more easily find care that is close to you based on your are
- Options to still test drive the car you choose; oftentimes a week
- Chances to get instant quotes for the vehicle you want to buy
These are only some of the reasons why online shopping is a popular option and you also want to keep in mind that Australia is fairly car-dependent. This means that you could benefit from finding the car you need, in a fast and efficient way, including securing the funds for it.
Go the Traditional Dealership Route
You might have noticed that we mentioned at least 74% of Australians still prefer to go into a dealership. This often has to do with wanting to sit inside the vehicle right away. This is also preferred when you want to have the chance to do test drives. Another reason for this is to ask salesmen direct questions. If you want to go the traditional dealership route, let’s talk about why this could be ideal and what you will want to know first.
The first thing you will want to do is to find a dealership that has the car you want. The most simple way to do this is to do an online search. You could also verify they have the vehicle by calling or checking the dealership’s website. You could ask questions over the phone before heading down to the dealership or if you want a few good used car buying tips, consider doing as much research as possible before going.
This will decrease the opportunity that salesmen may take advantage of you as you shop around. With that, you’re going to also want to ensure you know what you can and can’t afford. Once you have done this, it is time to visit the dealership in person.
More to Know
When you arrive, make sure that you are prepared with your budget upfront so you aren’t leaving any doors open to be shown vehicles out of your price range. You should also be prepared with questions for the salesperson so that they can help answer your questions and concerns regarding the vehicle. This is often the best highlight for going to a physical location.
When it comes time to test drive, make sure that you take advantage of this opportunity so that you can get a feel for how it drives on different types of roads as well as how comfortable it is for passengers if you plan to have passengers. The main idea with the dealership is that you ‘ll want to take advantage of being onsite with the vehicle and having help a few steps away.
If everything checks out with what you see at the dealership, then it is time to start thinking about financing options and warranties before making your final decision on which car to buy.
Don’t Underestimate eBay and Private Sellers
At least 16% of Australians are getting their cars, both new and used from private sellers. One of the main reasons for that is that private sellers are oftentimes more flexible with their pricing and can be willing to negotiate. They also don’t have the overhead that dealerships have so they can oftentimes offer better deals.
Private sellers are also great for buying used vehicles because they oftentimes, they may have a lot of information about the vehicle and can tell you if there are any issues with it. You should also be aware that private sellers may not be able to provide you with a warranty, but this is something that you can negotiate with them because every seller is different.
If you’re looking for a specific vehicle, then eBay is a great place to start your search. You’ll want to make sure that you’re looking at vehicles in your area so that shipping isn’t an issue and so that you aren’t paying for shipping costs on top of the price of the vehicle itself.
You should also be aware of scams when buying from eBay or other online sources, so make sure that you do your research before making any purchases from these sources.
When it comes time to buy, make sure that you’re prepared with all of the information regarding the vehicle including mileage, condition, and history before making your final decision on which car to buy. Also, you should receive all paperwork you need to prove ownership and that’s all the process entails.
Arrive at Auction
Here is why an auction is a good idea. You can get a good deal on a car that is in good condition. You can also get a great deal on a car that is not in the best of shape f you are good with fixing cars. Going to live auctions and auction sites can give you a good variety. It can also provide you with some of the best deals and options for uniqueness.
You should also know that there are different types of auctions and they all work differently. Some auctions may be sealed bid auctions, which means that everyone has to put in their bids before they know what anyone else has bid on the vehicle. Other auctions are going to be open bid auctions, which means that everyone knows what everyone else has bid on the vehicle before they place their own bids.”
Finding the Car You Need and Being Able to Afford It
If you were wondering where to search for new and used cars, now you have a good starting point. Finding the perfect car isn’t the end of the journey though. You still have to be able to afford it. When you work with C1 Car Loans, you’re getting to work with a company that works to bring affordability back to car buying.
Whether you’re working to have what you need and want throughout inflation that won’t end anytime soon, or you’re hoping to get a well-deserved upgrade to your current vehicle, it can be done. See what you qualify for today by applying or contacting our team, it’s that easy.
