Buying Guide: Make Your Decision The Right One |
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1. Set a realistic budget
Decide how much you can afford to pay, and
do your best to stick to it! Remember that while many
older prestige and sports cars have finished depreciating
and, in some cases may be appreciating, to maintain
its value you must be able to afford maintenance, repair
and running costs. Contact car clubs associated with
the make you are interested in, as well as local repairers,
and try to determine future repairs and maintenance
costs, as well as parts availability and costs. |
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2. View the car in daylight
View the car in clear daylight and take a
friend to confirm what you see. Do not arrange to meet
at a service station or have the seller bring the car
to you. While your at it, check the seller's address
is the same as that recorded in the logbook and seek
additional reassurance that the seller lives where they
claim to. |
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3. Ask for, and check, all paperwork
Check that all documentation supports the claims of
the seller. At the very least this will include registration
and insurance paperwork. Where possible, review receipts
for work carried out and establish that regular servicing
was completed at the manufacturers required intervals.
Many older and unique cars are sold with claims that
many thousands have been spent on the car. The paperwork
should support this. |
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4. A professional inspection usually
pays for itself
An independent inspection (by your State or Territory
Motoring Service) will help to identify potentially expensive
mechanical problems and can also spot the signs of major
accident repair. Their report will either give you greater
confidence that the vehicle is a good buy, tell you to
walk away, or provide the basis for negotiating a price
that takes into account the additional costs necessary
for rectification work. If the seller won't allow an inspection,
walk away. |
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5. Remember, 1 in 5 vehicles are
damaged each year
Nearly 1 in 5 vehicles require bodywork each year - and
given the age of most classic and unique cars chances
are some work has been done. Never assume a car is free
from major accident damage and, if in doubt as to the
quality of repairs always seek independant advice. |
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6. Look for signs of clocking
Reducing the clicks of a vehicle by turning back the odometer,
or 'clocking', is a common trick used by unscrupulous
sellers to obtain a higher price. Check the log books
and service intervals to ensure the numbers add up. Then
examine steering wheels, gearshift and seats for excessive
wear, and look outside for stone chips. These rules also
apply to restored cars. |
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7. Take a varied
test drive (make sure you’re insured!)
Make sure that you test drive the car on a range of
roads for a drive of at least 10-15 kilometres. Check
you are properly insured and take a friend with you.
Look and listen carefully for rattles, creaks and banging
noises. Watch for smoky start ups (especially blue smoke).
Pay special attention to the steering, and check for
wandering and pulling under braking, bearing in mind
that wide tires can make cars more sensitive to white
lines and camber changes. |
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8. If
you’re unhappy –
walk away
Try not to get emotionally attached to the car, even though
it may be exactly the right make and model you have been
searching for. Don't let the paintwork, engine or price
blind you to aspects of a car that don't add up. And always
remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably
is. |
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