When you’re not sure what to expect from a service, it’s hard to look at anything other than the price. One mechanic charges $220 for a minor service on a standard car, while another charges $120. Without knowing the difference between the two, most people say, ‘Why would I pay more?’ and opt for the […]
READ MOREWhich cars are the most fuel efficient in Australia?
It seems the denser the postcode in Australia, the smaller the private vehicles, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we have more Toyota Priuses and bicycles per capita in inner Sydney at least than any other part of Australia! This is in stark contrast to 20 to 30 years ago when the Inner West of […]
READ MOREProtecting Your Car Against Getting Stolen
In 2014 there were 60,000 cars stolen in Australia, or 4.5% of all cars, and that number is on the rise. While 80% of stolen cars are eventually recovered, most of them are badly damaged. Having a car stolen is annoying, an invasion of your property and downright inconvenient. The end result is countless hours […]
READ MORESelling Your Car: Trade-In Or Private?
When it comes time to replace your car, the dealer will very quickly ask whether you have a trade-in. Trading in your old car can be a great bargaining tool, and a quick and easy way to offload your old car. However, dealers are notorious for offering below-market rates.Why does this happen? Because the dealer […]
READ MOREThe 3 Reasons People Don’t Service Their Cars Enough
One of the most common questions we get asked is, ‘Do I really need to service my car so often? Is it really such a big deal if I miss a service or delay it a couple of months?’ Yes. We all skip our six-monthly trip to the dentist on occasion. The difference with our […]
READ MOREGame Changers With Sarah Harris: Blue Toro Named Motor Industry Disruptor
Combining her extensive business-building skills with her husband’s mechanical prowess has enabled Blue Toro founders Janelle and Elvio Gonzalez to revolutionise Australia’s automotive repair industry. Here’s Janelle’s interview with Sarah Harris, originally posted as a video on The Carousel.
READ MOREPreparing Your Car For a Long Road Trip
We’ve written before about surviving a road trip with kids, however in this article I want to address specifically the extra preparation, in addition to the points I mentioned in the earlier article, required for a long road trip. When you’re heading on an especially long adventure (say, more than six hours), or if you’ll […]
READ MOREPreparing your car for sale
If you’re selling your car, one of the best things you can do to obtain the highest price is to make it as attractive and presentable as possible. This doesn’t just mean giving it a good wash, but also making sure all the mechanicals and your paperwork are up to scratch too. The extreme to […]
READ MOREHow To Negotiate Like A Boss And Beat The Car Salesman At Their Game
I think we can all agree that buying a new car is exciting… Except for one unavoidable part; the negotiation process. And, while most people find negotiating daunting, it doesn’t actually need to be. Where many fall down is simply a lack of research prior to visiting the dealership. This puts them on the back […]
READ MOREBuying a Used Car? 5 Tips to Avoid A Lemon
We’ve bought 23 used cars over the past 26 years. Most of these were Datsuns in the early 90s and the majority were under $1000. We’re talking 20+ year old cars, loaded with history, service issues and rust. Back then, buying privately was a lot harder and sourcing them required road trips to the far […]
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