The Upgrade
Written by Juliet Potter: 07-October-2007
Do you need to upgrade?
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There comes a time in every girl's life when you realise your car is just not up to scratch and that you need to upgrade. But be warned – procrastinating on the decision can be detrimental. Leaving your decision too late can become a real liability. As cars age, they not only begin to look a little worse for wear, they also begin to cost you more to fix and maintain than what they're actually worth. Then you can start to kiss some serious money goodbye that could be better spent elsewhere.
Benefits of the upgrade
Upgrading (at the right time) has heaps of benefits, and I'm not just talking about your ego or social life. Brand new cars now come with a standard three-year or 100,000-kilometre warranty, which can even be extended for a price that you can negotiate with the dealer. And hello peace of mind – because it's a brand new model, all you'll have to think about is regular servicing, putting in the petrol, the occasional oil change and which CD you're going to play next in your six-CD-stacker stereo.
Yet another benefit of upgrading is improvements in the car itself. With car companies now pumping out more new cars than ever before, it makes sense that they're spending millions of dollars on improvements in such a competitive marketplace. As a result, you can expect to see a dramatic difference in the more recent models and and certainly more bang for your buck – from a more economical engine to safety features (think airbags, ABS, anti-lock braking and stability control to assist in cornering). And with the car companies now beginning to ask what women really want (and actually implementing these changes), you'll see more creature comforts, such as cup holders, mini fridges, gadgets and storage than ever before!
The best time to upgrade?
The best time for an upgrade is normally every three to four years or whenever you get that feeling that your car is reaching its used-by date. Once the car clocks 100,000 kilometres, its value decreases substantially, so you're less likely to get a decent trade-in price after time.
How to make the trade
Selling privately sure can save you money, but it is time consuming. Trading in to a dealer is an easier option and (if you're confident) can be done in one easy transaction. But make sure you know what kind of price to expect before you hit the dealership by logging onto www.ebaymotors.com.au or at www.redbook.com.au. Researching, being confident and knowing you can shop around is essential to getting a good price. You go girl.
Check out NRMA CarWise. They give you a detailed report on your car, which you can then show to any prospective buyers! Check it out here.
Upgrading online
According to a recent eBay survey, 91 per cent of women believe men get a better deal when buying a car. To ensure the girls get a better deal, eBay Motors allows us to buy, auction or sell our cars online without disclosing our gender.
Yet another benefit? eBay Motors have put in place a protection plan against buying a lemon up to $20,000. And check out www.trakonline.com.au who can give the tick of approval by way of a vehicle report for your potential dream car (just in case) within 48 hours Australia-wide.