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‘Throughout the whole of life
one must continue to learn to live...',
‘We learn not in the school,
but in life.'
Seneca (c.3 BCE-AD 65)
Getting from A to B in Sydney
by Dina Zavrski-Makaric
Sydney is a unique and beautiful city. When it became my home 18 years ago, I felt quite overwhelmed by its size and, of course, the left side driving rules. Initially I thought I’d let my husband deal with the driving, but after three months it became obvious that he won’t be able to be the only official driver in our family with two children.
Getting from A to B in Sydney can be a real nightmare for anyone, particularly those new to this city of more than 4 million people, spread on 12,145 km?, divided into more than 300 suburbs. Living in Sydney requires not only regular travels from home to work and back, but you also want to visit some of the 70 plus harbour and ocean beaches, national parks, picnic areas, do your shopping, drive kids to school and Saturday activities, etc. One thing is for sure – you do need a car in Sydney and most Sydneysiders are dependent on their car. It is not unusual for a family with two children to have two cars.
We were lucky enough to have a couple of friends who helped us with buying our first car and introducing us to all the driving rules and general stuff one needs to know. But I often thought that if we had to do it on our own, or even worst, if I had to do it with my limited knowledge and expertise about cars – I’d probably still be riding on a bus. Questions like: Can you drive with your international driver’s license and for how long? Do you have to take another test? How do you choose between hundreds and hundreds of car dealers? Are they ‘newcomer friendly’ or if you don’t know much about the local market will you be taken advantage of? What are some general questions to ask when buying a second hand car? Who organizes insurance? Are there any independent support services available? Do you buy a new car or a second hand car? Is price negotiable and how much?
The following will hopefully answer some of your questions and also give you a direction on where to go and look for more information when deciding to purchase a car in Sydney.
General information on cars and driving
When moving to Sydney, you can decide to import a car, however, this could be a very expensive exercise unless the car is of a special value or is rare and you can’t separate with it. In addition to paying a shipping cost, you will also have to pay import duty. Much cheaper option is to buy a car upon arrival.
Australians drive on the left hand side of the road. When migrating to Australia as a permanent resident visa holder, you are allowed to drive with a valid driver's licence from another country (in English or with an official translation) for the first three months of arrival. After the three months, if you want to continue to drive, you will need to obtain the appropriate Australian driver's licence in your state of residence, which will usually require you to pass a knowledge test, a practical driving test, and an eyesight test. You must check the conditions with your local road and traffic authority, as conditions may very from state to state.
Once you buy a car you must buy a Sydney street directory. There is a few available which I tried over the years. One that I find the most user friendly is the UBD Sydney and the Blue Mountains. You can buy it at bookshops, newsagencies and most petrol stations for approximately $40.00, but if you shop around you can find it for $24.50. Believe me, you will never leave home without it!
Australia has very strict traffic and drink driving laws. Maximum speed limit in cities and towns varies from 50 km/h in residential areas, to 60 km/h on main city roads. There are also strict school-zones where you can only drive 40 km/h (couple of hours in the morning and afternoon), and these zones are frequently monitored by police. Outside cities speed limit is between a 100 and 110 km/h, unless a sign indicates differently (never above 110 km/h). Penalties for drink-driving are quite severe, and seat belts must be worn by drivers and all passengers (front and back seats) at all times. It is the driver’s responsibility to make sure that when the car is moving passengers are buckled up.
Leaded and unleaded petrol is sold by the liter, and the cost varies during the week. On Mondays and Tuesday it is often at the lowest price, but this can also vary. In May 2006 the cost of 1 liter of unleaded petrol was between $1.30 and $1.40. Prices are also higher in country areas and around public holidays. There are plenty of petrol stations, most operating from early morning hours until late at night and almost always on the weekend.
Buying a new or a second hand car
New and second hand cars can be purchased from a dealer, privately, at auction or online. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages.
Another option available to those who don’t have time to look for a car or lack in expertise necessary for buying a car, is a service of a car broker. I spoke with Ralph Bauer of Aussie Car Search and asked him a few questions on topics of interest to newcomers when buying a car in Sydney.
| Q: | How does a Sydney car market compares to those of UK/USA/Europe? |
| A: | Motor vehicles are usually somewhat more expensive here, in particular secondhand vehicles. Due to the larger distances in Sydney and Australia generally, vehicles have higher kilometers compared with the year they were made. |
| Q: | What specific advice would you give to a newcomer buying a new car in Sydney? |
| A: | It is important not to rush into decisions. Sometimes it is more cost effective to rent a vehicle for a week or two, and/or consult a broker who is not attached to any particular brand. You can discuss the type of vehicle you need and also obtain the prices. This service is usually free as the commissions are paid by the car dealerships on purchase. That way you can actually save yourself money in the long run. |
| Q: | Is there a particular time of year that is in favour of people buying a car? |
| A: | December and January are traditionally good times for new car purchases as often great deals are offered on last year’s stock. End of June, being the end of financial year in Australia, is also a good time to buy a new car. |
| Q: | Would your advice on buying a second hand car differ, and how? |
| A: | Yes. There are a lot of pitfalls to take into account when buying a secondhand car, and unless you have experience in buying cars, you need to do a bit of homework regarding what you should be paying for a vehicle and, very importantly, have the vehicle you intend on buying examined by a qualified mechanic. There can also be a lot of hidden costs associated with a second hand car, such as repairs, new tires, registration and warranties. All of this should be taken into account when negotiating a price. Again, a licensed consultant can save you time, money and stress by doing it for you. |
| Q: | What are some of the things to look out for when buying a second-hand car? |
| A: | This can be quite complex, but generally find out if the vehicle is encumbered (the Register of Encumbered Vehicle is available on-line. Also if it’s on the “Right Off Register”, is it of sound mechanical order, what is its service history, what are the hidden extra costs after purchase eg. registration, mechanical repairs, spare parts. For example, the cost of spare parts for UK, American and European made cars can be quite high in Australia. |
| Q: | NRMA provides an independent vehicle assessment. Who else provides this type of service and what is the cost of an assessment? |
| A: | The car brokers and consultants, similar to me, can arrange not only the mechanical assessment but also assess the true value of a vehicle. As far as the cost is concerned, it is important to shop around. For example, my fee for this kind of service is $150.00. |
| Q: | How can one choose from all the car dealers? Are there any questions to ask that would clarify who is a ‘good’ and who is a ‘poor’ car dealer? |
| A: | In my 20 years of experience I’ve found that even the best dealers offer cars for sale that I personally wouldn't buy. There are also a lot of new car dealers who sell quality second hand vehicles, often at a premium price. This is where it helps if you have knowledge and experience, or asking an independent broker, as they have the buyer’s interest at heart. |
| Q: | Car-dealers have a bit of a reputation for being women-unfriendly. What would you suggest to a woman who doesn’t have a husband or a male partner and has to buy a car on her own? |
| A: | Be informed and prepared, so you come across as if you know what you are talking about. Ask friends and make a check list at home, listing all the possible questions you might have. Don’t commit if you still have uncertainties. Consider using a broker that makes you feel comfortable. Make sure that the service includes a consultation, car sourcing, test driving, vehicle inspection, price negotiation, car delivery to the door, finance arrangement, insurance, warranties etc. A good car broker will take care of all the worries and leave you with a peace of mind, knowing that you purchased a sound, reliable car for the right price. |
| Q: | Is price negotiation acceptable? |
| A: | Absolutely! It is quite achievable to take at least a thousand dollars off the asked price. Again, do your homework and find out the true market value. Check out the Red Book Australia website, where you can research values of new and used vehicles. |
| Q: | What else can one negotiate on? |
| A: | It’s always worth trying to negotiate the price. Warranty, registration, and general repairs are some of the things you can negotiate on. The seller wants to sell. |
Other useful sources of information
The NSW Roads and Traffic Authority website - information on licensing and registering a car;
‘The Car Buyer’s Handbook’ prepared by the NSW Department of Fair Trading - a must read for anyone buying a car in New South Wales
The National Roads and Motoring Association (NRMA) Motoring & Service - information on how to buy a car, car reviews, vehicle inspections, operating costs, approved dealers and more.
I can’t emphasize enough the importance of informing yourself about different options and services, particularly before making a commitment. Getting to know people in your neighbourhood or at work and asking questions is the best way to start. People are generally willing to help and give advice. The more advice you have the better decision you will be able to make.
Article – Getting from A to B in Sydney
Dina Zavrski-Makaric