Experience in Buying Cars in Australia

TasBurrfoot · January 2013

Hi folks, let's talk about your experiences in buying a car here in Australia...

I have not regularly driven for the past 4 yrs as we were previously based in Singapore; cars are very expensive there but the good thing was that the transport system can practically take you around the small island. However I am very much aware that getting a car is really a necessity in Australia as buses and trains can sometimes be unreliable.

We have set aside a small amount for us to get a car hopefully within the first 2 months upon arrival - plano namin a cheap (yet reliable) car so that it can be of help to us when we go around and for us to practice na rin with regard to our practical examination when we will be getting our license. Yung mga brand new car, saka na yun when we are already stable in Melbourne. Eheheh!

Thanks!

Nadine · February 2013

@psychoboy: Hello!

I arrived po in Brisbane about a week ago. So far sa mga nakausap ko na car agents/dealer, pumapayag ng walang downpayment, ready to drive away! Lalo ngayon na clearance sale for 2012 stocks kasi dadating/dumating na mga 2013 stocks. I'm talking about new cars anyway.

Iba I think for used car because you have to check the history of the car itself before you decide. But available naman yan from legit dealers.

Also, dahil wala naman ako car dito ngayon, they are more than willing to pick you up, bring a similar car na gusto mo para test drive na rin. They will also do full tank on delivery of the car you will buy.

I guess kelangan nila ng business ngayon. Kaya they go the extra mile.

TasBurrfoot · February 2013

@psychoboy: Hello!

I arrived po in Brisbane about a week ago. So far sa mga nakausap ko na car agents/dealer, pumapayag ng walang downpayment, ready to drive away! Lalo ngayon na clearance sale for 2012 stocks kasi dadating/dumating na mga 2013 stocks. I'm talking about new cars anyway.

Iba I think for used car because you have to check the history of the car itself before you decide. But available naman yan from legit dealers.

Also, dahil wala naman ako car dito ngayon, they are more than willing to pick you up, bring a similar car na gusto mo para test drive na rin. They will also do full tank on delivery of the car you will buy.

I guess kelangan nila ng business ngayon. Kaya they go the extra mile.

@Nadine - re: brand new cars, I reckon they would be needing a payslip right?

brand new would be ideal sana but it would cause a very big dent to the baon...

Nadine · February 2013

Madami option po, if hindi pa kayo too keen on getting a new car. Wala po hiningi payslip Sir kahit financing pa ang option with NO downpayment po yun.

But of course if you're buying spot cash, lalong ok.

P.S. Napansin ko talaga dito, uso ang walking dahil malayo bus and trains. Buses are ok naman po, never napupuno unlike Sg (in Brisbane, not sure about bigger cities). But not necessarily ontime lagi. Also, not all areas are served. Hindi din cheap ang fares.

MclarenF1 · February 2013

Hi @Nadine, what sort of documents were required from you by the dealer or the bank when you were inquiring about buying a brand new car? Thanks

Nadine · February 2013

Hello po!

Passport, visa, bank account details (I opened with NAB, wala pa laman yun), driver's license. I was supposed to submit my tenancy agreement (to prove your address), pero to follow pa sakin. I talked to the business manager of toyota. I think sila na nakikipag usap sa bank mismo if you'll be approved or not.

TasBurrfoot · February 2013

Hello po!

Passport, visa, bank account details (I opened with NAB, wala pa laman yun), driver's license. I was supposed to submit my tenancy agreement (to prove your address), pero to follow pa sakin. I talked to the business manager of toyota. I think sila na nakikipag usap sa bank mismo if you'll be approved or not.

Tempting... Ahahaha!!

Would you have any ballpark figure as to how much would the monthly cost would be?

Also, would they sell cars even if you don't have a local license yet?

MclarenF1 · February 2013

Thanks @Nadine for the info.

Nadine · February 2013

@psychoboy: quite tempting. I got approved for financing po (yaris 2012), but I changed my mind. Hehe!

Anyway, for as low as 118/week on a 457 visa for 47 months. Pero depende din po kasi sa mga add-ons. Madami pwede idagdag kasi. Eto barest minimum.

Yup, accepted Phil license although nag submit din ako international permit. You can buy and drive without local license po.

Nadine · February 2013

@MclarenF1: no worries po! Yung business manager po will ask a few details from you. Tapos, saka nila sasabihin what documents they will need and offer you financing options.

TasBurrfoot · February 2013

@psychoboy: quite tempting. I got approved for financing po (yaris 2012), but I changed my mind. Hehe!

Anyway, for as low as 118/week on a 457 visa for 47 months. Pero depende din po kasi sa mga add-ons. Madami pwede idagdag kasi. Eto barest minimum.

Yup, accepted Phil license although nag submit din ako international permit. You can buy and drive without local license po.

TUKSO!!

vangievc · February 2013

@psychoboy: quite tempting. I got approved for financing po (yaris 2012), but I changed my mind. Hehe!

Anyway, for as low as 118/week on a 457 visa for 47 months. Pero depende din po kasi sa mga add-ons. Madami pwede idagdag kasi. Eto barest minimum.

Yup, accepted Phil license although nag submit din ako international permit. You can buy and drive without local license po.

Mahal papo yan per week nyo na yan...

Bare in mind na Kung phil license ka, no work, etc...mataas ang interest rate mo. toyota has their own financing...recently nag offer sila 1.2%,Nissan 0% and last week I received a letter from Honda they are offering 1.5%....I would suggest new car is better para walang sakit ng ulo. Mahal magpagawa ditto.at least new car may warranty pa. You can have $500 down payment.kelangan po nila yan to hold you at the same time e you will sign the contract of sale....never I have experience na pauutangin k nila without work...kc they have to make sure na may monthly repayment ka na nka allot sa car mo....your capacity to borrow is significant...

I bought a CRV 2013, monthly repayment $850 per month for 5 years with $13T balloon payment.Novated lease po Ito. Pinadaan ko sa company...libre gst ng lahat expenses sa car...but this is different situation...I am sure you want to know the basic stuff.

Kung may work na kyo at kahit one month plang kyo sa company pwede n kyo bumili car. Brand new bilieve me.ha ha ha. Kahit may cash kyo better look for instalment with very low interest rate, keep your money and use it for you other basic needs...

lock_code2004 · February 2013

parang maglalakad muna ako pagdating dyan.. hahah..

dito sa US, im paying 220 car + 80 insurance montly.. for 4 years
this is a second hand 2008 Honda Civic... na binili ko nung 2011..
so parang 300/month in total... medyo mataas ang insurance ko.. kasi wala akong credit history..

im hoping that i can get a car on the same budget 300/month..
kung hindi.. bisikleta muna.. lol..

TasBurrfoot · February 2013

@psychoboy: quite tempting. I got approved for financing po (yaris 2012), but I changed my mind. Hehe!

Anyway, for as low as 118/week on a 457 visa for 47 months. Pero depende din po kasi sa mga add-ons. Madami pwede idagdag kasi. Eto barest minimum.

Yup, accepted Phil license although nag submit din ako international permit. You can buy and drive without local license po.
Mahal papo yan per week nyo na yan...

Bare in mind na Kung phil license ka, no work, etc...mataas ang interest rate mo. toyota has their own financing...recently nag offer sila 1.2%,Nissan 0% and last week I received a letter from Honda they are offering 1.5%....I would suggest new car is better para walang sakit ng ulo. Mahal magpagawa ditto.at least new car may warranty pa. You can have $500 down payment.kelangan po nila yan to hold you at the same time e you will sign the contract of sale....never I have experience na pauutangin k nila without work...kc they have to make sure na may monthly repayment ka na nka allot sa car mo....your capacity to borrow is significant...

I bought a CRV 2013, monthly repayment $850 per month for 5 years with $13T balloon payment.Novated lease po Ito. Pinadaan ko sa company...libre gst ng lahat expenses sa car...but this is different situation...I am sure you want to know the basic stuff.

Kung may work na kyo at kahit one month plang kyo sa company pwede n kyo bumili car. Brand new bilieve me.ha ha ha. Kahit may cash kyo better look for instalment with very low interest rate, keep your money and use it for you other basic needs...

Sana hindi ito mabasa ng asawa ko ms @vangievc, dream car nya ang CRV! ahahaha...

Nadine · February 2013

@vangievc:

. Essentially why I backed out po, naghahanap pa ako ng mas mura sa 118/week. Ang need ko is just getting from point A to B.

I prefer the simplest first car - compact para fuel efficient na rin (ako lang gagamit) and it will be my first car in Au. May nakita ako mazda2 2012 (17k) vs honda jazz 2012 (17k) din vs yaris (16+k)? Automatic po eto. Any thoughts po sa inyo especially sa mga car enthusiasts?

.... Salamat!!!

Yun talaga sinasabi ng mga pinoys I've talked to dito - get a new car na lang para iwas sakit ulo. Honda nga daw 1.5% and toyota 1.2. Ang sarap sana ng novated lease but I am not too sure if I can get my company involved.

TasBurrfoot · February 2013

@vangievc: . Essentially why I backed out po, naghahanap pa ako ng mas mura sa 118/week. Ang need ko is just getting from point A to B.

I prefer the simplest first car - compact para fuel efficient na rin (ako lang gagamit) and it will be my first car in Au. May nakita ako mazda2 2012 (17k) vs honda jazz 2012 (17k) din vs yaris (16+k)? Automatic po eto. Any thoughts po sa inyo especially sa mga car enthusiasts? .... Salamat!!!

Yun talaga sinasabi ng mga pinoys I've talked to dito - get a new car na lang para iwas sakit ulo. Honda nga daw 1.5% and toyota 1.2. Ang sarap sana ng novated lease but I am not too sure if I can get my company involved.

If you want more fuel efficiency, try getting a car no more than 1.7 liter... Also get a manual transmission - you will burn lesser fuel here than automatic.

Nadine · February 2013

Sir @psychoboy, I grew up po on manual satin hehe! Pero sanay na sanay nako sa Cebu na pati kung saan corner ako need bumaba to 2nd gear, alam ko. Anticipated ko na yun. Tsaka yung 20km/hr natin, masaya nako dun sa trapik ng Pinas

.

Dito hindi lang car ang baliktad, pati roads!! Nakakalito when I tried driving even if I'm a driver na for about half of my life. Naisip ko if I have automatic, di ko na isipin ang gear na yan, roads na lang. Make sense po ba?

Oo nga pala, I finally admitted to myself kailangan ko ng lessons! Roads, rules etc.

barloval · February 2013

@ psychoboy, pare madali lang mag buy ng car dito, mas mahirap pa yung kumuha ng license. anyway kung may phil licenise ka pwede ka naman mag drive dito up to 3 mos.

@ topic, bumili ako ng car from a private seller, okay pa naman mga condition mga car dito kahit malaki na mileage, hiway mileage namin unlike sa atin na kung umabot na ng 100K's sira sira na. yung nabili ko is 98 crv, 4K, spent some for the replacement of timing belt and okay na.

basta bili ka muna ng cheapy ones, pag okay ka na income mo, saka ka bili ng new.

brent · February 2013

@Nadine, agreed on driving automatic lalo kapag baguhan sa AU. Laking manual din ako sa Phils, and when we did the initial entry with my family, I rented out an Automatic Kia Cerato, and downloaded a free GPS app... perfect.
Planning to buy automatic when I get settled in AU this yr.

TasBurrfoot · February 2013

Sir @psychoboy, I grew up po on manual satin hehe! Pero sanay na sanay nako sa Cebu na pati kung saan corner ako need bumaba to 2nd gear, alam ko. Anticipated ko na yun. Tsaka yung 20km/hr natin, masaya nako dun sa trapik ng Pinas .

Dito hindi lang car ang baliktad, pati roads!! Nakakalito when I tried driving even if I'm a driver na for about half of my life. Naisip ko if I have automatic, di ko na isipin ang gear na yan, roads na lang. Make sense po ba?

Oo nga pala, I finally admitted to myself kailangan ko ng lessons! Roads, rules etc.

I got you here!

dapat extra careful kapag magdrive...

vangievc · February 2013

@vangievc: . Essentially why I backed out po, naghahanap pa ako ng mas mura sa 118/week. Ang need ko is just getting from point A to B.

I prefer the simplest first car - compact para fuel efficient na rin (ako lang gagamit) and it will be my first car in Au. May nakita ako mazda2 2012 (17k) vs honda jazz 2012 (17k) din vs yaris (16+k)? Automatic po eto. Any thoughts po sa inyo especially sa mga car enthusiasts? .... Salamat!!!

Yun talaga sinasabi ng mga pinoys I've talked to dito - get a new car na lang para iwas sakit ulo. Honda nga daw 1.5% and toyota 1.2. Ang sarap sana ng novated lease but I am not too sure if I can get my company involved.
If you want more fuel efficiency, try getting a car no more than 1.7 liter... Also get a manual transmission - you will burn lesser fuel here than automatic.

I've been to that...my previous one was micra before 4.8 km /100 km 1.3 liter...:-) ,, OK nmn sya at talagang matipid.he he he..Sa babae pwede na ito. Nag offer pa nga ang nissan ng 0%.

Recently lang ako nagpalit ng car. I just realise that I need to upgrade and enjoy the fruit of my hardwork. :-) ..

vangievc · February 2013

@psychoboy: quite tempting. I got approved for financing po (yaris 2012), but I changed my mind. Hehe!

Anyway, for as low as 118/week on a 457 visa for 47 months. Pero depende din po kasi sa mga add-ons. Madami pwede idagdag kasi. Eto barest minimum.

Yup, accepted Phil license although nag submit din ako international permit. You can buy and drive without local license po.
Mahal papo yan per week nyo na yan...

Bare in mind na Kung phil license ka, no work, etc...mataas ang interest rate mo. toyota has their own financing...recently nag offer sila 1.2%,Nissan 0% and last week I received a letter from Honda they are offering 1.5%....I would suggest new car is better para walang sakit ng ulo. Mahal magpagawa ditto.at least new car may warranty pa. You can have $500 down payment.kelangan po nila yan to hold you at the same time e you will sign the contract of sale....never I have experience na pauutangin k nila without work...kc they have to make sure na may monthly repayment ka na nka allot sa car mo....your capacity to borrow is significant...

I bought a CRV 2013, monthly repayment $850 per month for 5 years with $13T balloon payment.Novated lease po Ito. Pinadaan ko sa company...libre gst ng lahat expenses sa car...but this is different situation...I am sure you want to know the basic stuff.

Kung may work na kyo at kahit one month plang kyo sa company pwede n kyo bumili car. Brand new bilieve me.ha ha ha. Kahit may cash kyo better look for instalment with very low interest rate, keep your money and use it for you other basic needs...

Sana hindi ito mabasa ng asawa ko ms @vangievc, dream car nya ang CRV! ahahaha...

You can have one soon. Madali lang naman bumili(este mangutang) dito kapag may work. he he he. It will be a dream come true..:-)

TasBurrfoot · February 2013

@ psychoboy, pare madali lang mag buy ng car dito, mas mahirap pa yung kumuha ng license. anyway kung may phil licenise ka pwede ka naman mag drive dito up to 3 mos.

@ topic, bumili ako ng car from a private seller, okay pa naman mga condition mga car dito kahit malaki na mileage, hiway mileage namin unlike sa atin na kung umabot na ng 100K's sira sira na. yung nabili ko is 98 crv, 4K, spent some for the replacement of timing belt and okay na.

basta bili ka muna ng cheapy ones, pag okay ka na income mo, saka ka bili ng new.

How is the mileage sa CRV mo boss @barlova?

Exactly what we plan to do, cheapie muna - pang practice and a utility car to drive us around and then when we have stable source of income na, pwede na yung porma car!

wolfeyez · February 2013

bili n agad ng SUV kahit 2nd hand..ako nagsisi ko nung jazz yung nakuha ng wife ko..uso kasi dito yung outdoor activities specially camping..
about driving rules madali lng nman matuto..ska dito wlang bigayan..laging may priority kung sino mauuna..specially s crossing saka roundabout(rotonda) kaya hindi nakakalito..

batangbunyi · February 2013

Kung hindi magaling sa kotse or walang kakilala, I suggest na new car na ang kunin.
Saka pwede manghingi ng kung anu-anong freebies like registration cost (aka rego) & CTP.

super agree w/ everyone na ang dali mangutang nakakatakot na pag minsan, no dp cars, $5k starting credit card limit, 5% deposit sa homeloan.

Metaform · February 2013

Guys magkano ang interest rate for a car loan at aling bank ang pinakamababa? Which is lowest in terms of interest? Car loan or personal loan?

LittleBoyBlue · February 2013

@Metaform yung nakita ko, may promo volkswagen sa Golf at Jetta model 1.5% for 4 years yun at fixed intereset rate. Mas mababa interest pag pinili mo 'secured car loan', ibig sabihin pwde nila bawiin kotse mo kung di ka makabayad, bukod sa kukunin nila, yung difference ng value ng kotse mo sa remaining balance mo, babayaran mo rin.

Metaform · February 2013

@LittleBoyBlue maganda yan parang rent to own. In-house financing yan diba? Mas advisable BA yun kaysa mag-loan sa bank?

LittleBoyBlue · February 2013

@Metaform tingin ko wala nman problem sa in-house, kc volkswagen nman. Sabi lng sakin wag ako uutang sa mga mliliit na car dealership, dami daw string attached. Di ko alam kung totoo yun.

lapinigan · February 2013

Good day po sa lahat. Bago lang po sa site, tanong ko lang if student visa po pwede din kaya magpafinance ng sasakyan.

sheep · February 2013

Pwede naman sguro mangutang ng sasakyan if you are a student visa kung ma proved mo lang na you can pay it,halimbawa kung you have a job to support you but i am not familiar with this..,better to ask some dealer,sa akin i bought second hand at gumtree so far ok naman siya..i scared to get brand new kasi maliit pa na man sahod ko at medyo malaki per week pag brand new.if you lived in sydney or melbouned maganda pag automatic kasi no hassle especially in roundabout pero kung sa regional ka,pwede na ang manual sa akin it's a manual pero pagdating ko sa roundabout at nagstop ako kasi mahaba ang pila at pag shift ko ng 1st gear kung lalarga na simpre mhina pa takbo mo...nako katakot takot na busina ang inabot ko minsan,eh alangan nman na sagarin ko ang pagtapak sa 1st gear,di naman pwede mag second gear kasi baka mamatay ang makina in thhe middle of the road. he..he..kung saan kayo comfortable doon nal ang...