So, it’s time to sell your car in Melbourne. You have thought about it for some time, but it has to go. Parts are wearing out and you are not willing to start shelling out tons of money for repairs. Plus, the technology that comes in new cars has really sparked your interest. But where do you start?
Across the time span of 30 years of experience working with cars, Find a Car For Me has had a lot of valuable experience selling cars on behalf of customers. Because of this experience, plus our expertise in buying cars for people; we understand the difficulties that arise when a person decides they want to upgrade to their next car. Contact us by email or call us to find out why it’s best to use Find a Car For Me’s Car Selling Service in Melbourne.
Sell Your Car Online in Melbourne
When it you
decide that “it’s time to sell my car in Melbourne”, you have plenty of
options. From listing it privately, to selling it at an auction, and even trading
it in.
All these options
may sound great in theory, but they all come with their certain set of unique
downsides. For example, when you say to yourself: “I want to sell my car online
in Melbourne.” That may seem like a good idea at the time, but let’s have a
closer look at this option.
Selling your car online is a big undertaking.
Why? The reason for that being is because selling your old car over the
internet will take up a lot of your time. More than likely you will have to
list it on several sites, along with the thousands of other vehicles, print
flyers and post them up all over town, list it on Facebook marketplace, and so
on.
There will be a lot of “tire kickers” out
there as well, meaning you will get several messages from people that seem
interested only to find out that they never show up, or if they do show, they
will offer a ridiculously low price or even worse, they will start finding
issues with your pride and joy. This also means that you will lose valuable
work or free time.
Even if you manage to sell your car online in
Melbourne, you will have to get a road worthy certificate for the transfer to
go through.
Overall, in order to sell your car online in Melbourne, you must have a lot of time and patience at your disposal.
Sell My car Melbourne
Sell Your Car To a Dealer in Melbourne
Another option is to sell your car to a dealer in Melbourne. This may seem like the best option as it is the quickest, but as we all know, car dealers often offer a very low offer or low trade-in value. The reason for that is because they are looking to make as much profit as possible when buying or selling a vehicle.
They will take your car in and do an in-depth inspection of it. When that is done, they will inform you of all the “issues” they found with it. That’s their job, to offer as little as possible for your vehicle. And if you want to sell your vehicle to them instead of trading it in, you can be that the offer will be even lower. A lot of people are taken in by this option simply because it is the easiest, but this is a great way to lose out on a lot of money.
Sell Your Car Melbourne
Sell Your Car Through a Car Auction in Melbourne
If you are a gambling type, and want to sell
your car fast in Melbourne, you may put it in an auction. Let’s dive into this
option a little deeper. The car auction market can be very volatile. There are
a lot of factors that need to go right in order to get top dollar for your
vehicle.
Is the auctioneer going to do his job
properly?
Will the right buyer be there?
Will there be more than one interested party
at the auction?
Will my car get damaged by someone during the inspection
week?
If any of these things don’t go according to
plan, you will more than likely end up selling your car under the market value.
All these things have to line up just right in order to ensure you get the best
amount price for your car. If just one of these factors do not go right, you
can take a huge loss.
And let’s not forget about the auction fees which you will have to pay. Some auctions have fees as high at 30%!
Car Selling Service Melbourne
Sell Your Car Through a Car Auction in Melbourne
The best option when it comes to selling your
car in Melbourne, is to hire a car broker like Find a Car For Me. A broker is
your saving grace, especially if you are not an expert in the auto industry. Unlike
the options mentioned above, using our car selling service in Melbourneis
truly the easiest option.
Find a Car For Me make the process as
stress-free as possible because we are the professionals when it comes to selling
your old car in Melbourne.
We take over the process of selling your car.
No more dealing with people that do not show
up. No more haggling for the lowest price, etc. Find a Car For Me does all work
for you to ensure you get the best possible price without you going thorough
any of the hassle.
Best of all, Find a Car For Me knows the
market! There is a difference between the market values and the book value. The
Red Book is often way underpriced in terms of what your car is worth, which it
why potential buyers will always use the Red Book evaluation as leverage.
Seeing as Harvey has 30 years of experience in
selling and buying cars in Melbourne. The skills Find a Car For Me have
acquired over the years and their relentless quest to get you the best price
will definitely work in your favor. You will also have the chance to determine
a price for your car with your broker one on one, making the experience a
positive and personalised one.
We know that the used car market has gotten a
bad rap over the years, but that has all changed now. That may still be the
case with some of those shady used car dealerships, but for the most part, car
brokers in Melbourne are here to work with you and provide you with the best
price for your vehicle.
You could always try your hand at one of the
options mentioned above, however the chances are very slim that you will be
able to get a better price than someone who has worked in the auto industry for
years.
There is a reason people choose a car selling service in Melbourne over doing it themselves. We get it, you have a busy life, and this is where the professional brokers come into play. After all, this wouldn’t be such a huge industry if it didn’t work.
If you have any questions or want to sell your car through us, please don’t hesitate to call us or email us and let us show you what you can get for your used car today.
There are such a large number of small SUVs
available now that it can be very difficult to choose what’s best for one’s
needs.
Yet while they all seem to blend together,
there are upsides and downsides to each. Among the upsides to all SUVs listed
here are that they have 5-star ANCAP crash test safety ratings, wonderful gas
mileage, and enough space for a family and their gear. Whether one’s main
priorities are technology, safety, efficiency, performance, or space, there is
a small SUV to suit those purposes.
Harvey Milder, the founder of Find a Car For Me has experience getting clients deals on many SUV’s and as a result, is in a good position to recommend the best ones to clients. If you wish to get the best SUV to buy for yourself or any other type of car, please contact Find a Car For Me by email or phone. For more information on our car buying service in Melbourne, please click here.
Mitsubishi ASX
The Mitsubishi ASX is one of the oldest small
SUVs available right now, having been around in more or less its current state
since 2010. This means that the interior is less than cutting edge as compared
to the other competitors.
Despite this, the little Mitsubishi has a an interior that features up-to-date technology, good performance, and the highest possible crash test rating from ANCAP.
It also has an excellent new car warranty at 7 years demonstrating Mitsubishi’s confidence in the car. Truth be told, the design of the ASX is so old that most of its bugs should be ironed out by now.
As with many other small SUVs, the rear seat
is cramped for adults, but the said rear seat does fold down to allow for extra
cargo space. It also represents excellent starting at $24,990 (at time of
writing) which helps to explain its popularity in Australia.
The ASX might lack rear space, but it does not lack in interior technology.
Best SUV To Buy – Mitsubishi ASX
Mazda CX-5
Starting at $31,990 the Mazda CX-5 is one of
the more expensive options here. However, for your money the Mazda CX-5 provides
you with one of the better drives in its class.
Fun to drive specifically, and fun to be in.
The CX-5 has a more straightforward interior layout than other small SUVs,
while not lacking any entertainment options such as Apple Car play, Android
Auto, and several USB ports. There is even a fighter jet like Heads Up Display
available on certain models.
While other SUVs are becoming more like living
rooms on wheels, Mazda has purposefully made the CX-5 just a bit sportier than
the competition, in having a cockpit setup with a similar simplicity to their
legendary sports cars.
The price of the CX-5 might not suit everyone, but it is an excellent buy.
Best SUV To Buy – Mazda CX-5
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is about style, and safety.
The rear seat may be cramped, but the interior is plush and is matched with
elegant styling.
The crash test ratings might be the same as
others on this list, but the standard list of active and passive safety
features on this car are truly superior to the competitors. Features like lane
keeping assist and driver attention alert are all standard even on the S base
model which starts at $28,990.
Complementing its accident avoidance features
are is the styling. Kia says the lines were inspired by modern fighter planes,
and with small SUVs this shape is among the best to the eyes available. The
styling is enhanced by the standard fitment of 17-inch alloy wheels.
Style and safety are an excellent combination.
Best SUV To Buy – Kia Sportage
Honda HR-V
Often overlooked in this segment is the Honda
HR-V. Because of this, it means that you can get a car with top quality for a
little more than the price of a Mitsubishi ASX.
The Honda HR-V is classic Honda, in the modern
era. Classic Honda means lightweight, with excellent build quality and
first-class engineering. All this leads to wonderful efficiency, reliability,
and usability.
This user-friendliness extends into the
interior, which has just about every audio input under the sun, including USB,
AUX, Bluetooth, and HDMI. The HR-V also
warns you when you need to add more air into your tires.
The HR-V offers the convenience of being able
to enter the car and start it without taking needing to take your key out of
your pocket. This is fantastic particularly when you have your hands full of
shopping and potentially young kids.
More importantly, classic Honda means
outstanding build quality and reliability. The engine sips fuel, and does so
whether in the city or out cruising, due to the HRV’s lightness. Furthermore,
the Honda 7-year warranty should provide plenty of confidence.
The rear of the little SUV is also easier to
fit a pram in than several other choices on this list.
Ease of use and high quality should not be overlooked.
Best SUV To Buy – Honda HRV
Suzuki Vitara
I am often surprised that I do not see more
Suzuki Vitara’s on the road. And this is because they are the cheapest option
out of all the cars that I have written about in this article. Starting at
$23,990 the Japanese built Vitara offers similar pricing to a hatchback.
That said, the Suzuki Vitara is a little basic
in some ways, but at almost a third the cost of some higher end competitors,
the lack of frills is just fine.
There are some other caveats with that price,
however. The Vitara uses more fuel than other small SUVs, and does not offer
more legroom or cargo space than what is average for this type of vehicle. This
is due to the fact that the Vitara is a little smaller than its competitors.
This means that it makes the most sense for an inner-city buyer.
While the performance of the base model is
adequate, Harvey always steers customers towards the turbo engine options as
they provide an excellent compromise of performance and fuel economy. However,
these are significantly more expensive than the base model. Maybe a slightly
used turbo would be the pick here.
Also, the Suzuki lacks some of the active
safety gear that is offered by some of the competitors. That said, it still
achieves a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
In any case, the Vitara is a wonderful budget option.
Best SUV To Buy – Suzuki Vitara
Hyundai Kona
With its slim line headlights, the Hyundai
Kona is the slick and cool new kid on the block when it comes to small SUVs.
Introduced only a couple years ago, the Kona
comes with Hyundai’s awesome five-year warranty, a boat load of technology, and
good performance. The cost of this all-round capability is literal cost. While
something like the Vitara can be had for $23,990, the most stripped-down Kona
starts at 26,000 new and climbs steeply from there in price.
Hyundai has also used low quality materials on the interior of the Kona meaning
that the interior ambience is compromised somewhat.
And the Kona’s back seat is cramped enough to
only really be comfortable for small children.
When price and space are less important than technology though, the Kona is a good choice.
Best SUV To Buy – Hyundai Kona
Toyota C-HR
Whenever I recommend the Toyota C-HR to
anyone, the first thing they do is point out that it has a small capacity
engine.
However, the performance from that engine is
quite strong. And that’s only the beginning.
The Toyota C-HR is about the cutting edge,
compared to other current small SUVs. Offering a hybrid option sets it apart
from other SUVs in this list, and that is before mentioning a fully electric
version that will soon be available overseas.
The styling is deliberately ultra-modern, an
attempt to dramatically differentiate the C-HR from every other modern small
SUV. It succeeds at this, as while most SUVs blend together, the C-HR stands
out in any setting. More importantly, the interior quality and style really is
second to none but it does not offer as much room as some of its competitors.
With excellent resale values, this car is a
favorite of Harvey.
Technology and style combined are worth a look.
Best SUV To Buy – Toyota C-HR
When it comes to finding the best SUV to buy, while there may be many choices, understanding one’s requirements helps narrow the field. What could help further is engaging the services of a local Melbourne car broker. Find a Car For Me offers clients an easy way to get the best deal on a car. Harvey will find the best car for your needs and will then get the best price. Please see the car buying services page for more information.
For more information, please contact Find a Car For Me by email or phone.
Harvey Milder has been a car broker for decades, buying and selling cars
for clients both in Melbourne
and interstate. He has also been offering a teacher’s car buying service (and a corresponding teachers’ car selling service)
specifically since his student days.
Harvey has a top-notch ability to tailor the right car to
academic lifestyles, budgets and individual needs, developed over many years as
a used (and new) car broker both in Melbourne and across
Australia. Harvey also understands teachers needs perfectly thanks to his
experience in the teaching environment during his own part-time academic
career.
Harvey can hook teachers up with their dream cars, at dramatically reduced costs. He helped one of his own lecturers buy a beautifully maintained 3-year-old Alfa Romeo at 30% of its new price, a bargain the client had never imagined was possible. Harvey fondly recalls his joyful face on receipt of that car.
Harvey has been approached repeatedly regarding his teachers’ car buying service and his teacher’s car selling service. For this reason, he has decided to share his advice as to the best buys for academic staff in 2020 (priced at $25,000 and under). These include both used and, where price permits, new cars in all categories. Here are his top tips.
The Best Small Cars for Australian Teachers
New: Volkswagen Polo
Look no further than a Polo for a premium car at a small
price, with excellent fuel efficiency. For a decade, the Polo has eclipsed all
competition in its class. It offers strong performance for its size, thanks to
the punchy 3 cylinder turbo-charged engine, which provides you with excellent
fuel economy.
The base model 70TSI Trendline
starts at $17,990. It includes a large touchscreen with Apple car play and
Android Auto, as well as all the safety gear. However, it’s the small touches
that make this car such a joy to travel in. For example, all four windows have
auto up/down and can be operated using the remote control on the key just like
an expensive prestige car. The plush ride quality is outstanding, exceeding all
expectations for this class of car.
The Volkswagen Polo offers it all. It’s a car that meets the demands of both the head and the heart.
Best New Small Sized Car For Teachers Volkswagen Polo
Used: Suzuki Swift
Many of my clients find this a surprising recommendation as
Suzuki is not one of the larger automotive companies in Australia. However, it
is a sensible one, due to the many merits of modern Suzuki Swifts.
The flimsy feel of late 20th century Swifts is
long gone, replaced by a solid car which retains both the legendary reliability
and lightweight feeling of the Suzuki brand. Even in base models, this car is a
gift that keeps on giving.
However, I will always recommend
the GLX Turbo and especially the Suzuki Swift Sport. At this stage these two
models have experienced a healthy dose of depreciation, particularly the GLX
Turbo. Both models possess all the active and passive safety equipment expected
for their class, and offer fun and youthful styling with lots of interior space,
as well as excellent performance levels while using the smallest amounts of
fuel.
If you’ve got a bit more budgetary flexibility and love to drive, I highly recommend the sport model for its brisk acceleration and smooth handling, thanks to sports tuned suspension and complimented by sports seats. It offers fuel efficiency and a really great city and country driving experience.
Best Used Small Sized Car For Teachers Suzuki Swift
The Best Small/Medium Cars for Australian Teachers
New: Toyota Corolla
Like the Volkswagen Polo in the previous category, the
Toyota Corolla has, in more recent years, stepped up to become more of a
premium offering in its class. Tasteful, angular lines define the dashboard,
and the car offers precise steering and with a driving experience that far
eclipses earlier Corolla models.
Toyota car have always offered unrivaled reliability, and
the Corolla is no exception. As such, Toyota’s in general are relatively easy
cars to sell once you’re ready to move on to your next car.
I have to add that it’s not easy
to find a brand-new Corolla that fits into the $25,000 budget. That said, it’s
still possible, and I’ve seen it personally.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Volkswagen Golf VII here, but I also don’t recommend the purchase of a new car that’s about to cease production, at least not in the absence of an unbeatable deal.
Best New Small to Mid Sized Car For Teachers Toyota Corolla
Used: Ford Focus Mark IV
The Ford Focus has a strange tendency to be forgotten about
on the used car market, despite getting rave reviews by journalists. It’s been
touted as being one of the best cars for handling in its class, as well as
being extremely well-equipped for its price.
It’s likely that the transmission issues experienced by some
Fords in years gone by have contributed to the Focus getting frequently
overlooked. However, the models I recommend have well and truly moved past any
such problems. Better yet, from a buyer’s point of view, this lingering
reputation means that the Ford Focus has a really weak resale value. That makes
it possible to buy a one-year-old focus in new condition for the price of a
brand-new Volkswagen Polo.
The base model Focus Trend offers a fuel-sipping 3 cylinder
engine that punches above its weight plus a great stereo to complement its
excellent handling and ride quality. Clearly, the effort has been put in by
Ford to make good on the past issues.
Furthermore, the tasteful styling sits on an all new
chassis. This means you can be sure that the car has benefitted from Ford’s
latest research and development efforts.
The Ford Focus really is too good a bargain to turn down. Especially since it comes with a 5-year warranty.
Best Used Small to Mid Sized Car For Teachers Ford Focus
The Best Mid-Sized Cars for Australian Teachers
New: Holden Commodore
Again, some readers are likely to find this a surprising
choice for best mid-sized car within the listed price range. However, as Holden
has recently announced that importation of the Commodore and the Astra will
cease, prices have dropped dramatically, and it’s now possible to get a new
Holden Commodore for the same price as a new Volkswagen Golf.
For that price, you’ll get Holden’s signature excellent
styling, keyless entry and start plus Advanced Park Assist. The latter means
that the car that parks itself, even in the base model.
On top of all that, the Commodore includes advanced safety
features like lane departure warning, meaning you’ll be notified if you cross
over lanes. It also has forward collision alert, which is a mechanism that
senses an oncoming head-on collision and stops the car. Pretty fancy.
The car also drives beautifully.
The only real downside is resale values, which will be low due to Holden’s decision to withdraw from the Australia market. However, the impact of that will be mitigated if you get a good deal on a new vehicle and intend to keep your Commodore for 5 years or more.
Best New Mid Sized Car For Teachers Holden Commodore
Used: Ford Mondeo
The Mondeo offers the exact same value equation as the Ford
Focus in the previous category. As with the Focus, it provides the feel and
driving experience of a far more expensive car than it is. The Ford badges are
the only clue that you are not driving a German vehicle.
Just look at the front styling! Or the overall styling for
that matter; it really is a champagne experience on a beer budget. The Mondeo
has plenty of interior and boot space and can be had with a petrol or a diesel
engine. As such, fuel consumption will not be an issue.
The pick of the range would have
to be the top spec Titanium for its airbag equipped seatbelts, driver fatigue
warning system, heated front and rear seat plus the massive sunroof, which is
standard.
After 2 or 3 years, the Mondeo Titanium sells for around half of its new price, making it a similar price to a new Toyota Corolla. For this reason, it should never be bought new, but it makes for a very sensible second-hand purchase.
Best Used Mid Sized Car For Teachers Ford Mondeo
The Best Small SUVs for Australian Teachers
At the time of writing, there are no brand-new cars that I can recommend within the $25,000 maximum budget, so will review the best used choice.
Used: Toyota CH-R
I absolutely love this car.
It wasn’t exactly love at first sight, though. The styling
is stunning, but my initial view was that the value proposition was poor,
because it only has a 1.2 turbo.
Yet, when I drove one, I realised that it was a game-changer
for the small SUV class.
In years gone by, small SUVs were something of a necessary
evil. You might have needed one to accommodate a small family, but it meant
sacrificing your desire for a stylish car that drives well.
The CH-R has changed all that. I was incredulous at how well
it handled and found I could take it around all types of corners with ease. The
chassis was just that good. The interior quality was also lovely – comparable
to a Lexus – with beautiful details, such as the diamond shapes cut into the
headlining, the materials used on the dashboard and that brushed metal gear
shifter.
The 1.2 turbo, as it turned out, felt like it was up to the
task. While this is not a high-speed car, I never felt that I was left wanting
for much more power around the city.
I was driving the base model, and found it to be extremely
well-equipped. Blind spot warning is a standard feature. The thick,
leather-bound steering wheel felt great in my hands.
Resale values for this car are quite high, so it’s not the best value in this class, but in my view, it’s nonetheless the best buy in its class.
Best Used Small Sized SUV For Teachers Toyota CH-R
The Best Mid-Sized SUVs for Australian Teachers
Again, at the time of writing, there are no brand-new cars that I can recommend within the $25,000 maximum budget, so will review the best used choice.
Used: Honda CR-V (RW)
For a long time, it seemed like Honda was asleep at the
wheel. Having been regarded as pseudo prestige cars during the late 20th
century, with their top quality and super high-tech vehicles at the time, Honda
then failed to release anything special for about 15 years post-millennium.
However, the 2017 release of the new CR-V changed all that.
It was evident at first sight that this was a return to form for Honda. The
quality and design of the dashboard was that of a far more expensive car. The
CR-V was also one of the first cars in its class to provide a small
turbo-charged engine for fuel efficiency, an indicator that Honda was beginning
to re-embrace its old identity as a technological leader, too. It has excellent
handling, a great ride and comfortable seats, to boot.
Like the Toyota CH-R, it’s a stylish car and works well for
family transportation needs.
The market has been slow to catch on to the high quality and
all-around excellence of the CR-V, so it’s priced a lot lower than its
competition.
With Honda’s legendary reliability, the CR-V will bring you and your family many great years of motoring.
Best Used Mid Sized SUV For Teachers Honda CRV
The Best Sports Cars for Australian Teachers
At the time of this writing, there are no brand-new sports cars that I can recommend within the $25,000 maximum budget, so will review the best used choice.
Used: BMW 2 Series Coupe (220i)
The BMW 2 series is, admittedly,
a bit older than some of the other sports cars at this price point. However,
being one of the final BMW rear wheel drive cars that is still relatively new,
I determined that it deserves top spot on my list, despite the fact that only
the 220i is a realistic buy within the $25,000 budget.
The recommended 2 series remains
a current model, despite a recent facelift. It rides a lot like a luxury car,
except when you’re turning corners, of course. Like all BMWs, the 2 series is
more than capable of taking corners quickly.
There are also rear seats which
fit adults comfortably enough for shorter trips and can carry luggage for
weekends away.
Admittedly, the 220i isn’t the
fastest car in the range, but it should have enough pace for most people
seeking a sports car. However, its stylishness – both interior and exterior –
more than compensates for its average acceleration. That said, if you can spare
an extra $2 – 3,000, the BMW 228i will possess everything I have written about
with the extra pace that the chassis deserves.
The 220i will cost you more to service than a Japanese car. However, this car is an absolute pleasure to own, and people will think it’s worth twice as much as you actually paid.
Best Used Sports Car For Teachers BMW 220i
To find out more about how Find a Car For Me can get you the best deal, please contact us by email or by phone.
