Perth - Buying a Second Hand Car - HELP!

[Progressive]

Hi guys,

After putting it off for a few weeks, I’m going tonight to look at a car I’ve had my eye on for a while. It’s nine years old, from a local dealership (Glendalough, Perth) and looks to be in decent nick for its age. So all pretty average, nothing to out of the ordinary.

After my test drive and negotiations this evening, what else is there to sort out? I am completely ignorant to how it all works over here. I understand that there are ‘on-road’ costs? Something called ‘rego’? I will also need to sort out insurance, any recommendations there? I’ve been so caught up in the move over here (relocation, visas, passports, house hunt, work etc.) that this has fallen off my radar.

Any pointers or advice would be very much appreciated!

PS. Out of interest and as a sanity check; 2003 VW Polo 1.4 with 70,000km for $9,500. Does that sound right!? I’m completely out of touch with value for money! The plus sides are that it’s the right spec, transmission, colour and it’s a stone’s throw from where we live.

Before getting flamed, SWMBO needs to drive it and she won’t entertain many other suggestions (Impreza, Commodore and Falcons aren’t an option). Am I being mugged paying that much for such a car? It will be used for the shopping, weekend excursions and the odd road trip.

[Mattt]

Carsales & Redbook will give you an idea on the pricing.

Most dealers advertise a 'drive away' price - so what you see is what you pay, it's private sales where you have rego/stamp duty etc on top.

Insurance would be the other thing - the compulsory third party (inc in rego) is only for personal injury, not property damage or your own car - so worth getting comprehensive.

Captain Compare and other such sites will do a comparison for you.

[Bibbs]

You have to pay 'stamp duty', which usually lands in your post box a month or so later.

http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/1382.asp

'Rego' is like Road fund Licence. It's 6/12 months and I think is based on the weight of the car.
My Hilux is $550ish a year. It includes 3rd party insurance.

http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20446.asp

Insurance is not compulsory, but mine is about $500 a year for the wife and I. They had no interest in points/fines/mileage etc. Just the car and location.

Small cars are expensive as usually they are new-ish. People didn't buy them 'back then'.

[Progressive]

Thanks for the information chaps. Very helpful. I've just got an insurance quote which was a pleasant surprise!

I'll go and view the car tonight and make a decision on it. $9,500 seems an awful lot for a nine year old small car, can't get away from that! Guess I need to stop comparing with the UK all the time!

Any further information is welcomed! Cheers.

[Progressive]

As an aside, a few of the guys at work have suggested against buying a European car considering the cost of spares and repairs when they go wrong?

Any experience of this? Should I be put off and stick to Ford, Holden or Japanese?

[Bibbs]

'European' here is seen as a luxuary car. Something to aspire to. Dunno why.

I'd stick with Japanese, unless it's something exotic (and I don't count an a3, a 3 series or C class as exotic).

Maybe a Yaris for that sort of price (early ones were called an Echo)?

[Hitch78]

Sound ridiculously expensive. I was looking at 2009 1.6 Zetec Fiestas for the wife at 15k last week. That's a much better car at a third of the age for admittedly more money but it has to be a better bet if you have the funds.

[Mattt]

Bibbs said:

You have to pay 'stamp duty', which usually lands in your post box a month or so later.

http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/1382.asp

In QLD it was included in the dealer's price - is that not the case in WA?

[Progressive]

Hitch78 said:

Sound ridiculously expensive. I was looking at 2009 1.6 Zetec Fiestas for the wife at 15k last week. That's a much better car at a third of the age for admittedly more money but it has to be a better bet if you have the funds.

$5,500 over budget I'm afraid. Can't really stretch to that at the moment. At the price point we're at, there isn't much better ie. that's the best we've seen for our budget.

[Hitch78]

Price of second hand cars in Oz makes me cry. I'm seriously considering buying two new ones straight off the boat with a view to keeping them for five years which is not my way at all.

[Progressive]

Next question then, it's up for $9,500 online, where do I go in with a bid? $8,000?

I've confirmed that this excludes the 'on road' charge, whatever that may be...

[Bibbs]

Mattt said:

In QLD it was included in the dealer's price - is that not the case in WA?

Depends .. if the dealer can 'forget' about it and not mention it. They will.

If they see pasty white person and heard an English accent, and see the person walking in (or in a hire car), it'll make it easier for them to 'forget'.

[Progressive]

Bibbs said:

Depends .. if the dealer can 'forget' about it and not mention it. They will.

If they see pasty white person and heard an English accent, and see the person walking in (or in a hire car), it'll make it easier for them to 'forget'.

I'll bear that in mind. Cheers. *Applies fake tan*.

[Hasbeen]

I just sold a 2007 Mazda 2, equal to a Polo in my belief, for $6400.

One owner, in mint condition, full service history, no accidents, & never required anything but servicing.

The Germans are trying very hard to penetrate the Oz market, & they may get somewhere as the euro collapses, but it’s hard to beat the Japs in Oz. This is particularly so, with better reliability of their cars, with years of experience in our conditions.

[rolty]

Great thread - I'm in the same situation.

Distinct lack of interesting metal for a good price it seems in Perth. As has been said, European cars really seem to demand a premium here - even things like a 1.6 MKIII Golf is silly money. Still at least the petrol is cheap!

[Ten Four]

9500 is insane!
I'd be looking around ~6-7 for that sort of thing... I'm close to the area too, guessing its a main dealer?

The process is
-Fill out a transfer form, sign life/money etc away.
-Send your part of the form off.
-Wait a month-ish for a fee that is calculated on purchase price on the transfer form.

Rego is 6 monthly/yearly and depends usually on engine size etc but doesn't vary that much.
Insurance is not compulsory; SGIO are having a beat any competitor quote by 10% ATM.

edit: this one? http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/glendalough/cars-va...

Daylight robbery imho.

If you absolutely must have a newish small auto hatch, I'd stay with something japanese / hyundai i30 sort of deal..

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/applecross/cars-van...
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/maddington/cars-van...

Also if you fancy an auction, there is one close by where 80% of the cars are 5k or under so with your budget, you'd pick up something really nice and below market value - should also give you an idea of what cars go for in Perth.

http://aberdeenautoauctions.com.au/

Edited by Ten Four on Wednesday 20th February 15:29

[james280779]

I am selling my wifes 2011 ford fiesta for $17,500 - only 23k and FSH , owned since new.

transport to your door would be another $500 or so.

[Progressive]

The car is on the gumtree link above. Went to see it. Was a bit of a big. Plenty of dents and scrapes. Inside was the same story. Wouldn't have taken it with 25% knocked off.

Back to the drawing board!

[Ten Four]

WeirdNeville said:

Ten Four said:

Rego is 6 monthly/yearly and depends usually on engine size etc but doesn't vary that much.

It's about $18 per 100Kg kerb weight + admin costs! (12 month rego)
See here: http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/LBU_P_Fe...

Ten Four said:

Insurance is not compulsory; SGIO are having a beat any competitor quote by 10% ATM.

That's only to beat a renewal quote, so you'd have to have had insurance for a year already.

I'm about to jump into the fray already. Either a 2001+ish Pajero or else a whatever we can afford wagon! Not really looking forwards to car hunting in an unknown market.

Not quite. You don't have to have insurance already. Do an online quote, email to them, they beat. That's how it worked for me.

[Colonial]

Any of these word be a better bet imo

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/toyota-...

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/mazda-2...

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/honda-ja...

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/ford-fie...

As examples.