How to Choose the Right Vehicle

First you need to decide what type of vehicle is best for your situation. Take the time to determine exactly what your NEEDS and WANTS are, and most importantly, be sure to distinguish between the two. Many customers mistake one for the other. If the vehicle won’t properly suit your purpose, even if it’s a great deal, it’s not the right vehicle for you. Eliminate any models that do not suit your needs. Don’t waste time on vehicles that won’t work for your situation. Ask to see the vehicles log book or service records, if any. This will reflect somewhat the overall mechanical condition of the vehicle and its history. A vehicle that has been poorly serviced or maintained, will not be of the same standard as one that has been well maintained and serviced, nor will it have the same resale value now or down the track. Your budget will benefit.

BASIC QUESTIONS

Q*Do you carry passengers or pets regularly? Are the passengers young or elderly and how many do you carry?

Q* Are your circumstances likely to change in the lifetime of the car? A growing family could mean you need space for a pram, or just need more room for teenagers.

Q* What other cargo do you carry? Do you need to carry bulky work related items or sports equipment? You will need to judge the size of the boot or cargo area accordingly. Will you need roof racks or a tow bar to tow a trailer, boat or caravan? Consider whether the vehicles engine, drive-train and suspension is capable and strong enough to allow this.

Q* What sort of mileage are you likely to do? If a lot you will need to consider comfort, fuel economy and reliability. If you need the vehicle for short journeys only, a smaller engine may be more suitable.

Q* Is there anything in particular you want in this vehicle by way of additional equipment? You may want a sunroof, air conditioning, or an automatic transmission? Additional safety equipment such as ABS Brakes, SRS airbags, stability / traction control: May be important features high on your list. Here at All Choice Motor Vehicles we may try to help you decide but ultimately it is your choice.

The decision you make on the day you buy a car will have an effect on the money in your pocket long after you drive it home for the first time.

First work out what your budget is for the purchase. How much do you want or have to spend? Think about how long you will be keeping the vehicle and consider the cost of insurance, registration, fuel economy, servicing and spare parts. This is your budget, the starting point in your search for your car.

BASIC QUESTIONS

Q* How much is buying a car going to cost? The answer is straight forward on an out-right purchase, but is more complicated if you are changing your vehicle. You need to consider the cost of trading-in or the “change over” figure - ie the result of subtracting the value of your trade-in from the price asked for the car you want.

While a good price offered for your trade may sound like a good deal, it is the “change over” figure that is most important to you because that is the amount that will come out of your budget.

Q*Will you pay by cash, personal or car loan, finance deal, or even by credit card? When buying your new vehicle you have many options available, particularly when financing. The number of months that you can finance a vehicle will largely be determined by its age. In general 60 months is the most common term for vehicles up to 10 years of age. For example, you may only be able to finance an older vehicle for 24 or 36 months. You need to make a comparison here since it is conceivable that the monthly payment (Because of the shorter term) could be more on an older car than it is on a newer one.

Q* How will you finance that amount? There are ways of financing if you don’t have the cash to pay for it up front. But don’t “bury” yourself by overspending. Remember, it is only a car. It won’t make you smarter, better looking or richer. In fact, a hefty car payment could affect your life in a negative way. “At All Choice Motor Vehicles” financing is made easy for you by our expert consultant who takes pride in offering first rate personalized service aimed at providing you access to a variety of options best suited to your needs. One of the most important components of the car deal you get is the financing that goes with it.

Although the internet provides a lot of very useful information on vehicle purchases, you still cannot experience what the car is like to drive. Seeing the car, being able to smell the interior, find out how it handles and fits your needs, are all things you have to do at your local dealer.

The dealer will also be on hand to answer any questions you have regarding the vehicle. The goal of a test drive is to experience – as closely as possible- the same type of driving conditions the car will be used for after purchase. It is amazing the number of people who will purchase a vehicle without ever having driven it. This is where you begin to make comparisons not only with other vehicles but also among competing dealerships. Take the time necessary for proper evaluation of both. Examining a vehicle can be a daunting prospect for someone who does not know how they work. However, there are a few basic things which everyone can check out, even if they have no experience of cars.

• Never examine a car at night or in poor light conditions, always do it during daylight hours.
• Always try to view the car when it’s dry – rain can hide multiple scratches, dents etc
• Check under the bonnet, look for signs of oil leaks on top of the engine, and underneath. Use the dipstick to check the amount of oil and whether it’s clean. If the level is low or discoloured chances are the owner hasn’t been looking after the car properly.
• Take a look at the tyres to make sure they’re in good condition with plenty of tread.
• Check for visible signs of damage. Are there dents, scrapes, panels not matching up evenly?
• Always take a test-drive. Try to take the vehicle a reasonable distance on different road surfaces.
• Look, feel and listen for anything untoward while driving the car. Remember to turn the radio off so you can listen properly.
• Consider how the vehicle handles, accelerates and stops. How comfortable it is and how easy it is to make use of the different functions and features.
• Ask to see any vehicle history which could give you a good indication of the vehicles condition.

The staff at All Choice Motor Vehicles are friendly and helpful and they have a relaxed and informative approach to sales. We recommend that you “try before you buy” and even test-drive several vehicles before you decide which one is best suited to you. We will even encourage our customers to shop around because we are confident that you will recognize when it comes to quality without compromise and cars you can afford “All Choice” is your “Best Choice.”

When buying from a licensed motor dealer every consumer is protected by consumer legislation which also gives you the right to take legal action if your rights are not upheld. However, the same rights do not exist when you buy from a private seller.

• RESPONSIBILITY ON THE SELLER: A motor vehicle must be in a roadworthy condition when sold to a consumer. In Queensland, any vehicle offered for sale must have a current “safety certificate” displayed. This means that it is safe for the user, and for other road users. All goods sold should be:

a. Of merchantable quality ( Reasonable, acceptable quality given what was said about them and taking into account the age and history of the vehicle.)
b. Fit for the purpose they are intended for and they must be as described.

A motor dealer must not give misleading information or make false representation of the car, including its history (such as if the car has been crashed or the odometer replaced or misrepresented.) A motor dealer must also not give misleading information about themselves. A dealer should be able to supply you with documentation which is genuine. If a seller is reluctant to confirm the mileage is genuine, you should reconsider buying from that seller. If you have evidence that a car has been misrepresented either by a dealer or private seller you should report the matter without delay to THE OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING on 131304. If you are buying from a licensed motor dealer and particularly one that is a member of the motor trades association, you are always guaranteed clear title on your purchase. This is a history check on the car to ensure its not stolen or encumbered by any outstanding loan – either of these scenarios could result in the car being taken from you without you getting a cent back on your outlay.

Finally, a 24 hour or one business day cooling off period applies to all purchases and you are entitled to a mandatory statutory warranty at no extra cost (except commercial vehicles – motorcycles – caravans) This warranty protects you from financial loss if the vehicle is faulty. Remember, if you buy from a private seller you will not be given a warranty.

“All Choice Motor Vehicles is a dependable car dealership and we are proud members of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland. We offer an extensive range of tested vehicles which all come with warranty for your peace of mind.”

Two words sum up the best approach to the car buying process – Information and preparation. When you are confident about the car you wish to buy you should have everything in order. When everything is right – the car, the dealership and the price, relax and buy the car. If you have done your preparation, there is no need to agonize needlessly.

BEGIN TO ENJOY THE CAR!

"At All Choice Motor Vehicles our customers are under no obligation to buy and we believe every experience with us will be a good experience. Give us a call on 07 3290 6444."