Atomic Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 I'm trying to determine how much 'haggling' is normal practice when purchasing a new or used car. I'm also told by family that new car prices are much less, that is apart from euro ones which are about on par from what I've seen from a Merc and Audi perspective. For example a simular spec'd new loaded shape honda CRV is around $A40k whereas the equivalent price in the UK is nearer $A60k. A third less... However a Merc C200K estate is around $A60K and pretty much the same in the UK. Any comments/advice? Cheers, AG> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted March 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Guess it was a long shot. Ty for looking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32Ash Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 I'm sure Rachel H will be able to give you some pointers. I'm not sure what time it is where she is; you might be waiting a while for her to appear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted March 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 I'm currently harrassing some inlaws but I dont see them as a particularly good source of info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Start with a site like http://www.drive.com.au/ and http://www.carguide.com.au/ to get a real idea of the cost of toys down here... FYI - you can get a stonking 6 litre V8 Commodore for around $50-60K RRP. A fully optioned MkV .:R32 will cost you way up around (or past) the $70K mark though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted March 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Should I give up with the idea of buying a eurpean car in terms of value for money? And is there any stima attached to large engines in Aus? most the mondeo sized cars ive seen are 4.0L+... shocking for me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 V8 GMH and V8 or hot V6s in Fords, Toyotas, Mitsubishis and so on are the norm here. It's not quite as insane as the USA, but... Live a little. Second hand Euro cars are great - but you can buy all the hot WRX, or EVOs here as well as some other interesting and quick Asian stuff that might not be found on your side of the pond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted March 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 I just need to convince the misses that she wants to drive a big (and big engined) car to the kids school every day. Not a minor consideration... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Nah - Aussie homes and roads are built for these things. What will keep you in check are the Police and the speed cameras that are just about everywhere now in urban areas. Remember too, this country is huge compared to where you're from, and big cars make it feel smaller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted March 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 I bow to your knowledge What would you recommend for a family of 4 car, based around Sydney. Wife wants something compact and 'not scary', I want something to blat when I get to use it at the weekends. The more freely it revs the better Or to put the dilema in a different context... currently the Wife has a new A150 merc, I have a (albeit old) A8 Audi. What would you find for the middle ground? Cheers P.S. It must have leather... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Middle ground? Hmmm - I'd go Japanese. Based on the "revs freely" and "must have leather" comments, check out the new Subaru Liberty or Outback, and a new Mazda 3 or Honda Accord Euro... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted March 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Will check em over, ty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 I'm no expert, but I'd be looking at the medium size domestic stuff. Holden Commodore and Ford equivalent. Not exactly German, but plentiful and cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted March 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 I am looking at those as well in fact I'm looking at so many it's hard to narrow down the choice. What about the ability to haggle on the price? is there much margin to be had? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted April 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 Well I went, looked, drove and to be honest... still no real idea. Hire car was a Mitsi 380 'Family Car'. All I can say is... #1. It felt like the plasics were from my 1983 Metro! #2. Dispite having a 3.8L engine and sounding reasonably throaty the performance didnt really feel much better than my 2.8L A8, I was expecting much more with the bigger engine and smaller car. #3. It drank petrol like it was out of fashion. I think I averaged 8L/100km (Approx 18 MPG) which considering the speed limits and general traffic conditions was pretty poor... So no Mitsi for me...! Very confused over other cars I saw. Big engines, low speed limit and by far the mileage people were doing didnt justify the extra cc's. European quality cars cost a lot more (such Audi A4) but normal ones (such as Ford Focus) were much less. In addition (and a good sign i think) cars hold their value much better there than in the UK. I'm likely to get a runaround for a few months while I decide on what to get for real unless someone wants to recommend a decent family car that doesnt have alloys 20" wide, isnt painted bright orange or green and the leather seats dont purposfully look like vynl. Back in 6-8 weeks for real... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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