The right direction: How to get the best car loan
We love our cars. In fact, the number of registered vehicles in 2021 was almost as many as the country’s total population. But it's no secret that buying a car is a costly exercise.
In fact, the cost of a new car has risen by an average of 7.4 percent in the past year, according to the latest figures.
Add car insurance, registration and general running costs, and it's easy to see why many people opt for a loan when buying a new set of wheels. But with so many lenders in the market, how do you find the best car loan for your needs?
Second best: Are used cars still worth your money?
If you've been shopping for a secondhand car recently, you've likely noticed they're still not cheap, especially if you want to avoid ending up with a lemon.
The pandemic caused production delays and a shortage of new cars, driving up demand for the next-best option. While prices for used cars have come down somewhat, they are still higher than pre-Covid levels.
According to the Moody’s Analytics' price index, the average used car now costs 20 percent less than its peak in May 2022 but is still 40 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Sure thing: Are new car warranties a safe bet?
For many of us, cars are our second most expensive investment after our home. So it's only right to want some peace of mind when it comes to buying one.
Enter: the car warranty. In Australia, most new cars come with a manufacturer's warranty. That warranty covers you for a set period of time, usually three years. But in recent times, we've seen an increase in the number of brands offering longer warranties. Up to 10 years in some cases. It's a persuasive marketing tool.
Total recall: The rundown on car recalls in Australia
If you hear the words “recall” and your car make and model in the same sentence, it can send you into a spin. That's probably because car recall is almost always associated with negative thoughts, such as danger, the potential for accidents, and maybe even expensive repairs.
But are car recalls always bad? Is there ever a good time for a manufacturer to announce a recall?
The right path: Don’t let fines take their toll
If you live in a major city where tolls are part of your everyday commute, you probably don’t give them too much thought – until the next time you hear they’re going up again.
But if you don’t use them very often, or are visiting from out of town, it’s easy to get stung by tolls. Particularly if you don’t have an electronic tag or pass that makes it easy to pay as you drive over tolled roads.
Before you know it, that one unpaid trip on a toll road could add up to a lot of pain.
More sustainable vehicle choices other than Tesla – Here’s your ultimate guide on switching to Electric Cars
One of the most visible and exciting developments in sustainable living are electric cars, like those released by Tesla, and soon we will be seeing a lot more of them on the road. Electric cars have been around for decades before they were popularised by Tesla and now many others. However, there are still many questions that arise when talking about them. We are going to take a look at the most frequently asked questions, myths, and facts about electric vehicles.
Asking the Right Questions: A Comprehensive Guide on Car Insurance
If you have a car, you need car insurance, that part is simple. Deciding on car insurance, that can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to begin. To assist you in feeling confident in your choice for insurance for the years to come, we've shared the top things you need to know.
Smart phones capture hellish holidays
A mobile phone camera at our ready disposal compels many of us to capture and share our life moments, even the no-so-great ones. No longer reserved only for happy snaps, such as family portraits, sunsets and visits with exotic animals, a mobile phone camera can capture your best evidence when things go wrong.
Take Mr Jonathan Kearins recent holiday for example. After researching on the internet, he booked and paid for a romantic holiday at a 4-star resort described as ‘newly opened’ and ‘luxurious’ on Thailand’s renowned Phi Phi Island. What greeted Mr Kearins and his girlfriend upon arrival however, fell way short of the idyllic accommodation described on the internet booking website.
The 2 minute car service that will save you hundreds
For most of us, cars get us from A to B and carry ‘stuff’. You put fuel in it, take it to the mechanic when the book says so (well, sometimes). In return, it gets you to where you need to go without causing a fuss. End of story, right?
This would be a short article if this were 100% true.
4 ways we’ve gotten out of car-related fines – part 1
This article is part 1 in our series on how to avoid unjust and unfair fines
Here at Two Hoots, we hate dodgy fines! So we've pulled together a series of tips for getting out of car-related fines in cases where we feel it was unjust or unfair to be fined.