As time goes by technology is improving at a rapid rate, increasing our chances of survival in car accidents. Statistics reveal that in Victoria, 1 in 4 cars are unsafe, that is 27.9% of our cars. It is also evident that darker colored vehicles have a higher chance of being involved in a car accident, whereas lighter colored vehicles provide better visibility to drivers.

Purchasing a new car provides the driver with the newest and safest technology, hence the importance of eliminating older vehicles from the road. New technology has decreased the number of deaths and serious injuries, due to safer car features.

Various features that are included in most vehicles are:

ABS Brakes: ABS brakes prevent brakes from quickly locking up. In fact they usually prevent an accident from occurring due to being so effective.

Reverse Cameras & Sensing System: This feature is currently on specific vehicles, unless you have requested them. They allow the driver to have a view

Driver Fatigue Warnings: When the driver is on the road for more than 2 hours a warning will appear, reminding them to take a break preventing high levels of fatigue.

Airbags: Are currently in most vehicles and have saved many lives in the past. They are usually located in the centre of the steering wheel and on the side of the doors. When the car is in a severe collision, this will be detected and the airbags will automatically pop out in only a matter of seconds.

Car manufacturers claim that from 2012 head protection technology will be mandatory in all new vehicles. It is vital to be driving a car with high safety features, as drivers can be quite dangerous (i.e. intoxicated or fatigue drivers).

For more information on how to go about financing a safer car in the new year call Natloans on 1300 955 791 or visit www.natloans.com.au

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When in comes to finding the right car it can often be quite difficult due to the huge range of cars in the market. There are all sorts of designs, colors and varying features. Although they are all used for the same purpose the extent of luxury varies significantly depending on the make/model.

If you know nothing about car shopping you have a few things to learn! Finding yourself the perfect car can be done online, by a dealership or even in the local trading post. The first place to start is at the car yard, allowing you to choose a car that you like and is between your budget. Once you have chosen a few cars of interest your investigation begins in order to narrow your search down.

Websites such as www.carsales.com.au offer a wide range of new and used cars, allowing you to search according to the make, model and even location in which the car is currently in.  This is the most popular way of finding a car, checking online daily to see if the right car is on the market.  If and when you find the car, call the owner to pop by for a test drive! Remember to ask:

• Whether the car has been completely paid off?

• When the registration is due?

• If the car has been in any major accidents?

If the car has traveled a significant amount of kilometers you may be able to negotiate with the owner to drop the price even further. Look for any flaws of the vehicle, even if it is a scratch here and there to drop the price to a satisfactory one!

If you aren’t up with technology the trading post is a great way to find your car! Although you may not be able to see a visual at all times, if you know what you want it should be fine due to you will be taking it on a test drive before you make the purchase.

Knowing what you want to buy will allow you to find the best deal available and narrow down your search quickly. Reading up on reviews will also guide you in the right direction. For more information on what deals are available on new and used cars contact Natloans on 1300 955 791 or visit the website www.natloans.com.au

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Before Gillard was elected to be Prime Minister she proposed the “Cash for Clunkers Program”, now the citizens of Australia are eligible for this benefit if they meet the criteria. This program has been proven successful in European countries, that is many individuals are favoring newer and smaller cars. What happens during this process is that individuals trade in their car that has aged significantly and receive 1,000-2,500 euros to go towards a new car that is better for the environment.

In Australia, as of January 2011-2014 Gillard will provide up to $394 million to support motorist in buying new, low emission, fuel efficient vehicles. This aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions of one million tones, whilst at the same time removing 200,000 pre-1995 cars off the road. This will benefit motorists in two aspects: saving $344 million in fuel costs and they will be traveling in safer cars!

There are a few conditions:

• Your car must be given up to be crushed and sold as scrap metal.
• You must be purchasing a new vehicle to be eligible for the $2,000 rebate.
• There is a list of specific vehicles you may choose from, there are at least 370 vehicles that are eligible so you shouldn’t have too much difficulties finding a car that suites your needs. Some vehicles that you can choose from are: Toyota Prius, Suzuki Auto, Holden Barina Spark, Honda Jazz or the Hyundai Getz.

This program has proven to be quite successful internationally, if Australians are open to this suggestion we will be cutting down on a significant amount of pollution that will benefit us all in the long run. If you are considering financing a new vehicle contact Natloans on 1300 955 791, to see if you are eligible for these funds in the new year!

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It is quite exciting knowing you will be driving around in a new vehicle, however have you really thought about whether it’s worth purchasing a brand new vehicle? Yes, surely you will be the very first owner, but is it really worth it?

If you have money to spare go for it! These days you can purchase a vehicle that is only a few years old and majority of these cars are as good as new and there are hundreds to choose from (i.e. Mazda 6, Holden Commodore, Toyota Yaris, Honda Accord). At the end of the day each car has the same features and performance levels, the only difference is the price you pay.

Another target market that would suit the category “used cars”, are new drivers. Statistics reveal that young and new drivers have a higher chance of being in a car accident or will bump their car here and there unintentionally. Why pay for a new car knowing that the moment you drive away from the dealer the price will drop a few thousand.

Where to find your next purchase?

The two broad categories you can start searching is either online websites or pop in to your local dealership. It would be ideal to begin at a dealership where you can see a range of vehicles, to choose what model suits you best and this also allows you to see what prices are applicable for each.

Having a few models in mind will guide you in the right direction. If you decide to purchase through a dealer, that is great! But remember to negotiate a price that you are satisfied with, get your moneys worth.

If you choose to buy through a private sale, you will need to undertake extensive research in finding the best option. That is, the right model, color, low kilometers and to check whether the car has been completely paid off from any previous loan.

For more information on what rates and loan terms are currently available contact Natloans on 1300 955 791.

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After years of testing and innovative ideas Nissan has come up with an impressive, stylish electric car! Who would have thought that the car industry would change that rapidly that there would be no need to ever have to refill our tanks with petrol or gas? It was not long ago that the hybrid cars were seen as an amazing invention, to reduce the amount of damage us drivers do to our environment and now we are seeing a product that will potentially be even better.

In 2009, Nissan launched the electric car overseas and it is predicted that by 2012 it will hit the Australian market. These cars have been requested from thousands, even though they are still yet to be produced or available in specific countries. In various countries, the government has offered a rebate for individuals who wish to buy the “Leaf” car. However at the moment Australia isn’t too keen in implementing this grant, this doesn’t mean they won’t. At the moment they are supporting Toyota’s Hybrid car due to it being “beneficial” for the environment, only time will tell if this grant will be offered to Australians.

Where can you recharge?

Believe it or not, anywhere you find an electricity plug you can recharge. Whether it’s at work, at home or even at a supermarket! A batteries lifetime will depend on how well you maintain your car; Nissan estimates that it has an 8-year lifetime! When batteries are no longer useful, the company aims at using there power for other purposes and find ways to reuse/recycle them.

They solely run on a battery, benefiting individuals in the way that gas is not needed and they produce zero emissions.  It process is simple, in order to run your car all you must do is to charge it for 8 hours for a completely full battery, or “quick charge” it for 10 minutes. It is vital that these cars are not charged on quick charge several times a day, this doesn’t charge the battery to its full ability and may reduce the life of the battery.

It is a good idea to plan ahead in your financials; you may not be eligible for a loan at the moment due to having defaults or being bankrupt. This does not mean to say that you will not be eligible in the near future. So don’t wait around, speak to your local financier to see what can be done in order to be one of the first in Australia purchase the stylish Leaf. For more information on how to go about financing your new vehicle contact Natloans on 1300 955 791 or visit the website www.natloans.com.au

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Are you thinking of buying a new car? Before you sign any contracts or pay one dollar you should consider various points. You want to be buying a car that is within your budget and most importantly suits your needs.

What should you keep in mind when shopping for a from a car dealer?

1. Remember to do your homework, read reviews, speak to your mechanic and any friends that have the same car. They will give you an honest opinion.
2. Decide on a budget and seek for a pre-approval before you even think about finding a car, you want to know that the finance is there when you find the perfect package.
3. If your buying from a dealer does not get persuaded by their discounts in purchasing another vehicle you know nothing about!
4. Pay a professional to inspect your car if it’s not brand new! Various companies offer this service, specifically for the pre-purchase of your car. An engine test and a road test is taken out and you receive a detailed report in order to guide you in making your decision.
5. Do not pay a deposit unless you are certain the car is in excellent condition.

How about private sales?

1. Check that the car is paid off! The only service “Register of Encumbered Vehicles” will provide you with a certificate that there is no money owing on the car.
2. Have your car examined by your local mechanic; you don’t want your purchase to be faulty!
3. Be sure that the owner is who they claim they are, in case it is a stolen vehicle.
4. Negotiate a fair price with the owner.
5. Take the care on a test drive!

Take the time to examine your car thoroughly, taking on necessary tests and measures so that you can be satisfied with your purchase. You don’t want to be buying someone else’s problems and having to pay another that much to fix mechanical problems!

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Considering buying a car for the first time but unsure about how to go about making the right purchase?

Here are a few tips to guide you through your journey….Three main points that must you must think about are:

• What price range should I be looking at?
• When should I seek for car finance?
• What are my finance options?

What price range should I be looking at?

Before you even think about what car you want to buy, you must see how much you can afford. Take into consideration your weekly expenses remember although you will potentially have a car to make you way around you must always have enough money to repair, service and stock up on fuel. Another question you must ask yourself is whether you will you be financing the entire amount or putting forward a deposit? To get a better idea of how much your repayments may be use our Car Loan Calculator to see what your budget looks like.

When should I seek for car finance?

Once you know your budget, the next step is to organize your car finance. In some cases you may need a guarantor or your partner to go on the loan as a co-borrower, this occurs in cases when you don’t have enough capacity to fund the loan alone. Aim to get an Approval first, this way you know your finance is ready and all you need to do is find the right car.

What are my finance options?

You have two options a personal or car loan. Keep in mind that personal loans are very difficult to get these days financiers are very strict on their terms and conditions. A car loan is what you need and is easier to arrange. With loan terms of up to 5 years you won’t even notice that you are repaying your car, keep in mind the more you pay the earlier you will own your car. In addition, you may make larger or additional payments throughout your loan term if you wish.

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