January 2nd, 2012 | 
Author: Young people looking for their first car or first new car will always experience a little “sticker shock” when they realize how 
genuinely expensive cars are. People who are used to used cars, which may cost a tiny fraction of what they did when they were new, will be amazed at how expensive new cars are, with even lower-end models costing tens of thousands of Australian dollars. Fortunately, those who are determined to get a great deal on a new car can take advantage of the unique situation within the Australian economy to save a bundle, and to get a vehicle which will keep them happy and mobile for many years to come.
The global economic crisis has placed heavy strain on auto makers, as shown by the collapse of America’s brands and the general downward spiral of many smaller European brands. Additionally, the earthquake in Japan and subsequent nuclear disaster has put an intense pressure on Japanese auto makers, reducing their ability to make cars and greatly cutting into their profits. This means that car manufacturers are desperate to move vehicles into the hands of new owners, since doing so is essential for their long-term success, as well as necessary to convince their lenders that they will be able to pay off their debts.
As such, many dealers are now offering special car deals, especially when it comes to lending, that they would not have otherwise offered. While the days of easy credit and no money down are long gone, most auto dealers are desperate to move cars off the lot and will extend loans and credit to persons with minimal assets and modest credit ratings. Many banks are also more willing to extend auto loans than they might have been in the past, since putting up loans for houses is more risky as they will likely be unable to sell the house in the event of a default. As such, many of the car buyers on today’s market will find that it is easier to get an auto loan now than it was a year or two ago.
Additionally, the pressure to remove cars from inventory gives customers a lot more bargaining power. Smart buyers who do their research and determine what a car is really worth, usually through comparison shopping and online sales records, can aggressively negotiate downward. The days of cars being handed out fast and furious with lots of extra options are gone, and aggressive hagglers can get down well past the sticker price. It is a great idea to bring along copies of sales sheets, cost sheets and advertisements from competitors when negotiating the final price of a car in order to facilitate this.
Lastly, the global economy has placed increased pressure on low-market cars, driving up the value of used vehicles. More and more people want to buy used vehicles in order to save money, and this has led to a consequent increase in trade-in value. Many car dealers who thus sell both new and used vehicles will be willing to offer significantly greater value for a used car than they would have even two or three years ago, and are also willing to accept cars which are more worn or less popular than they would have historically. This can be a great negotiating point for new car buyers, since the relative value of a used vehicle is difficult to determine and somewhat intangible. Therefore, a good negotiator who knows that his used car is more valuable than it used to be can get much more value for their trade-in, and can thus decrease the out of pocket price for the new car.